Friday's Leinster team sheet reveal - for last night's inter-pro clash vs Connacht at the Sportgrounds - caused a stir on social media amongst fans.
A young out-half had been picked to start, coming off the back of an impressive outing in a recent win over Edinburgh - where he outplayed certain ex-Munster no. 10 - and continuing a heartening and more regular streak of games, after multiple seasons of woeful injury luck.
An in-form Harry Byrne getting selected at out-half in favour of a man nearly two years his senior is surely a positive call from Leo Cullen? Apparently not.
Ciarán Frawley's 73 minute showing in last week's win over Munster absolutely warranted its praise, but where was the outrage when Byrne wasn't selected to start against the Dragons, the fixture that followed the aforementioned Edinburgh game.
Why was there was no issue with the fact that Sam Prendergast wasn't involved against Munster, despite an assured performance in a 54-5 drubbing of the Scarlets the week previous?
Player Development Issues For Leinster & Ireland?
There are, of course, reasonable explanations for these selections:
The first-choice Ross Byrne needed game time against the Dragons ahead of the Munster derby grudge match.
While being the most talked about prospect in the country, Prendergast's development is going along at a reasonable pace, and at 20 years of age there is no imperative to force his progress.
In terms of yesterday's selection side, many seem to have forgotten the points of difference that Harry Byrne brings when at his best, and are being rather obtuse to the fact that Frawley is a good fullback and utility player, with no harm in furthering his development in that role.
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18 November 2023; Ireland rugby ; Sam Prendergast of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Scarlets at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
However, despite what are all reasonable calls from Leo Cullen, it is far from an ideal situation, and it highlights what is a growing issue for Leinster rugby, and by default Ireland, that has come to the fore early this season.
The problem being, that in certain positions, Leinster simply have too many options.
Take Prendergast as an example. Yes he is developing at a serious rate, particularly in an Irish context, but the likes of Romain Ntamack and Mathieu Jalibert had already made their debuts for France at this stage.
Despite Sexton's retirement and Ross Byrne's injury, Prendergast will not be in the running for next week's Champions Cup game. There is something not right with this situation.
For Frawley, the arguments to start him at 10 against Connacht certainly had merit, but you can't have two men in the one position.
Furthermore, when the older Byrne brother does return, the chances of Harry Byrne and Frawley getting Champions Cup starts at 10, and taking their games to the next level, will diminish once again.
28 October 2023; Ireland rugby ; Max Deegan and Will Connors of Leinster after their side's victory in the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Hollywoodbets Sharks at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
The scrum-half situation, while not as stark, is similar.
Fintan Gunne, off the back of a superb season for the Ireland U20s, while forming a promising partnership with Prendergast, is fifth choice scrummie right now.
After his recent debut against the Scarlets, he will be lucky to reach four caps by the end of the season.
The same can be said for the back row.
The likes of Will Connors and Max Deegan, Ireland internationals, may have to rely on injuries to see any Champions Cup game time this season, while Scott Penny will struggle for the starts he needs to take his game to the next level.
Are Leinster & Ireland Producing Too Many Players?
Given that they are the main providers for Ireland, any issue affecting Leinster will have repercussions for Ireland.
Even in an ideal world, it would be an impossible task to give every player the perfect amount of game time, but where Leinster are at, in the aforementioned areas, is miles from where they need to be.
Inter-provincial transfers would help ease some of the backlog, with Ulster crying out for back rowers and possibly another ten [Harry Byrne].
And although you cannot force players to move - some have college and other life commitments - the incoming IRFU performance director, David Humphreys, must do is upmost to increase the number of sensible, high-profile moves.
Having said that, the academies of Munster and Connacht are growing ever stronger and more fruitful, and in certain positions there is simply not enough space in the country for all the pretenders.
Head coaches will need to be ruthless, and good prospects will need to be let go and may have to move abroad if the Irish development system is to operate to its fullest.
From schools to U20s the conveyor belt has never run smoother, but faults further on in the production line are causing issues.
The suggestion of a 'fifth province' is often mooted and would not be financially viable. But, given the enviable and productive system in Irish mens rugby, it is a concept that grows ever more likely, season on season.
Mr. Humphreys, the stage is yours.
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