Ulster’s South-African born number 13, Jared Payne, who qualifies to play for Ireland under three-year residency rule. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Project players in Ireland a failed system
Not enough players are coming through the system to national level to call it a success
Success has never been defined by the IRFU in a public way with regard to their project player scheme.
But if strike rate in getting non-national players, who earn eligibility to play for Ireland after three years as a resident, on to the test side is any measure the experiment has not worked.
Issues of fealty aside, the efficacy of the Player Project, which Scotland has also adopted, seems questionable with many more falling short of international level than earning their place on the Irish team. Could it be true that before this summer just one, Richardt Strauss, punched through?…… Full story >> http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/project-players-in-ireland-a-failed-system-1.1940423