Mark Anscombe could only dream of attracting the talented southern hemisphere players that Ireland can, on a regular basis.
It is no surprise to see the likes of Jean Kleyn, Jamison Gibson-Park, Rhys Marshall and more arriving in Ireland in recent months. The IRFU are not the only union in fearing the three-year residency rule may soon be getting extended to five.
Best get the lads in now, get them qualified by 2019 and see how the land lies after that.
For all the carping about Ireland’s use of the current World Rugby residency rule, players must prove themselves as top-quality before they get a chance with the national team. From the 23 players selected against New Zealand, last Saturday, Jared Payne, CJ Stander and Joey Carbery benefited from the rule. Ultan Dillane and Finlay Bealham both have familial links that allow them to represent Ireland.
While Canada have South African winger DTH van der Merwe in their touring squad, the Scarlets man moved to Canada as a 16-year-old and was cleared well in advance of his 2006 Test debut against Barbados.
Anscombe can only look at the high level, foreign players that Ireland are capable of attracting with a tinge of envy. Anscombe tells us:
“If you look at the likes of Payne, Stander and Nathan White, they have been great additions to the Irish team. They come into the Test set-up with a lot of experience and are ready to play.
“Canada not having its own, professional league does not help us attract those sorts of players. We would love to get in players of the standard of Payne and Stander but we cannot offer that pro set-up. They would, most likely, have to play abroad.”
Two Canadian teams – one from Vancouver and Toronto – were mooted for the recently established Professional Rugby Organisation (PRO) league, which was set up in America. That plan has fallen by the wayside in the past week so, for now, Canadian clubs must compete in their national competition.
Today our Men's National Team had the huge honour of taking part in a behind-the-scenes tour of @GuinnessIreland! https://t.co/72mZaf6LGT pic.twitter.com/FbtQZIzH0d
— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) November 9, 2016
13 players in the current Canadian squad represent the four-club spread [and five time zones] of that league, while four are with PRO sides. Anscombe says:
“We need to establish some sort of depth in our playing squad. The competition is not here [in Canada] so, when they come in to camp, we need to get them up to speed at Test level.”
He adds, “The level of rugby they come from to the level they need to be at is so far removed. Coming from club rugby to Test rugby is such a steep step up.”
Until Canada can get a couple of professional club rugby sides set up and prospering, the size of that step will continue to increase.
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