Joe Schmidt and IRFU deny keeping grip on ‘front-line’ players

Joe Schmidt and the IRFU have come out fighting in the debate over the availability of international players to the provinces by defending the player management system and challenging current perceptions over their grip on front-line stars.

The matter has come to a head in recent weeks given Leinster’s struggles in seeking a play-off spot in the PRO12, with coach Matt O’Connor claiming that their results in the league have been directly affected by a lack of access to some of their top men.

Schmidt and IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora duly called a briefing with the national media and, while they spoke about the mutual benefits of the management system, there was no suggestion that they believed Leinster were being victimised.