Western promise as IRFU unveil plan
These were the vital messages emanating from the release yesterday of the IRFU’s plan for the future of the game in the western province. No longer will Connacht supporters wonder if their team has a future in the Union’s scheme of things while the controversial 12-month contracts currently in place are being ditched, much to the delight of Elwood and the newly appointed Professional Game Board (PGB).
The 12-month deal under which they have been operating this season was widely seen as a serious deterrent to talented young players considering the idea of following in the footsteps of Irish hooker Sean Cronin and moving to Connacht.
Elwood said: “We are looking to keep players for a minimum of two years and in some cases we want to push to three but for now the one-year deal is gone unless we so require it.
“Our understanding is that there is an increased investment of money, I’m not sure to the tune of what. We all now recognise that teams come in cycles, that there will be transition periods, and we have to find out where the next Irish players are coming from.
“So hopefully, players who are not getting time in the other provinces will see a viable window in Connacht to get exposure in the Magners League and Amlin Cup can be under the watchful eye of Declan (Kidney) week-in, week-out.”
The IRFU have promised to urge youngsters at the outset of their careers to seriously consider the Connacht option, especially if they are playing mainly secondary roles in their own provinces. In truth, there are countless examples of this scenario, especially in Munster and Leinster, whose academies are replete with outstanding young players who have to be satisfied with the odd game off the bench, in A games or in the All-Ireland League.
The Union can only go so far in encouraging the young talent to look west. The financial incentive has been increased and that will help but the major hurdles, which include the players’ willingness to take up that option and how supportive the various other provincial coaches of the plan happen to be.
“The individual has to make the commitment and the key for us is that we have to try to hold on to our own players,” said Elwood. “We’ve got young players who are already being touted by other provinces so we’ve got to sell our wares and it’s extremely difficult in a World Cup year.
“It’s very important to us to keep our identity. We’re always trying to promote our own players and bring them through and get the necessary exposure as we have done with Ronan Loughney, Eoin Griffin, Tiernan O’Halloran and others. Again, these things come in cycles. You might have a bumper year followed by a lean year but if we increase our numbers, we have a better chance of getting more through on a regular basis.”
The Connacht Sportsground is a whole lot better than it used to be but it still isn’t one of the most salubrious venues in the country. It’s a subject that has long occupied the minds of those rugby fans who have kept the game going against the odds.
“We have to look at our infrastructure, get the new stand up and entice people up to the Sportsground,” said Elwood. “Hopefully we’ll then get that extra funding that we can pour back into the team and make us more competitive to buy players and so on. That would help us to make our goal of the ERC. That would be the perfect scenario.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
