Irish schools system is thriving

Paris – Gregor Townsend’s observation that Ireland could dominate world rugby for “the next five, 10 years” is in no small part due to the schools system, Irish rugby great Tony Ward said.

The Scotland coach made his claim following the 36-14 Rugby World Cup hammering by the Irish last October.

On Saturday at Lansdowne Road Townsend will have a chance to test the claim as his side play Ireland, who are on the brink of a second successive Six Nations title.

Two shattering defeats – by New Zealand in the World Cup quarterfinal and then a revitalised England last weekend dashing their hopes of historic back to back Grand Slams – place a question mark beside the former Scotland flyhalf’s statement.

Ward, a dashing flyhalf in his pomp for Ireland, winning 19 caps between 1978-87, says the Irish schools system, especially in Leinster, is the best in Europe and “is a conveyor belt of talent”.

Ward has seen it at first-hand, having been director of rugby at private school St Gerard’s for 20 years, which produced among others Ireland and British and Irish Lions No 8 Jack Conan.

“Townsend was undoubtedly referring to the schools system,” Ward told AFP by phone.

“Ireland will remain competitive for many years to come through the school system being so strong.”

Ward, who also performed the same role at another Leinster-based school St Andrews, where Jordan Larmour and Andrew Porter of the present Ireland squad evolved, says Ireland’s pre-eminence in the sport is remarkable.

“I would make one very obvious point: we are only a tiny population,” said the 69-year-old.

“Despite how well rugby is doing we are still the fourth team sport on the island, behind Gaelic football, hurling and soccer.

“What we are achieving is extraordinary, we are punching well above our weight because of the excellent system in place.”

Although Ward says rugby is gaining in popularity – “I look out the window and see many more boys throwing a rugby ball around” – Leinster and Ulster players largely come through the schools system.

Munster has a strong club system whilst he says Connacht – “the Cinderella province” – has “come on in leaps and bounds” since the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) mulled over whether to shut it down in 2003.

Ward, who also played for the British and Irish Lions, says there is no expense spared when it comes to investing in schools rugby.

“The club coaches are also coaching in schools, they are brought in for better or for worse,” he said.

“The spontaneity and romanticism of the schools game has been done away with. Players are coming out of school and straight into the professional game due to the strength and conditioning in the schools system.” –