What is the solution to the Irish rugby prop problem?

Tom O’Toole’s suspension and Tadhg Furlong’s absence on Saturday has resulted in renewed focus on the tighthead depth chart.

FRONT FOOT: Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby and Andrew Porter during an Ireland rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium on Friday. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

The priority has been, is and will continue to be props. Everyone accepts there is a problem. Since the game moved into professionalism Irish rugby has been trying to solve it. Leadership changes but this challenge is constant.

“Since forever, since the game's been professional, there's been questions over how we are going to replace John Hayes,” said new IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys last year as he first pitched a moratorium on the signing of front-rows from abroad.