IRFU: English ‘vultures’ threaten to swoop for Ireland’s finest

THE IRFU’S High Performance Manager believes there is ample talent with which to build on last season’s triumphs but has warned that English “vultures” remain a huge threat to the development of young Irish players.

Allen Clarke won a Heineken Cup medal with Ulster in the 1999 Heineken Cup and it is his job to ensure that the provinces and national side are stocked with players equipped to build on last year’s achievements at club and national levels.

“Once you do one Grand Slam, the task is to do it again,” said Clarke, who has experience as a coach with Ulster and various Irish selections. “My job is to bring those players through and the players in the future will have to be even better than those we have now.”