Joe Schmidt and the IRFU's policy toward Irish rugby players even thinking plying their trade abroad has become increasingly clear this afternoon. It's a case of you're either Johnny Sexton...or you're out.
A week after it was confirmed that Zebo would not be extending his central contract with the IRFU, and will instead take his next contract with a side abroad, he has been cut from the Irish set-up. Zebo has not been included in Joe Schmidt's squad for the November internationals, a selection which features four uncapped players: Darren Sweetnam, Chris Farrell, Adam Byrne, and Bundee Aki.
While it had been expected that Zebo would not be part of the Irish squad once he starts playing abroad, but the fact he has been cut given he has virtually a full season yet to play is somewhat of a surprise.
Here's how some Balls reacted to the news as it broke:
Look it’s not great, cutting off nose to spite face, but it’s setting a precedent. Need others lads, Sweets, Byrne to setup in the vacuum
— Peter Sullivan (@PedroBiscuits) October 26, 2017
Bit of a joke really. It's ok to pick foreigners playing in Ireland for the squad but not Irishmen playing out foreign. Very petty I think
— Padraic O Malley (@MalleyHot) October 26, 2017
It is absolutely wrong, this is an attempt to dissuade any other players from going, zebo has consistently been treated badly by this coach
— Andrew D'arcy (@arcy_andrew) October 26, 2017
Makes sense not to pick him if you’re planing for a future without him https://t.co/2fvyWeetd4
— Ed (@E_Diddy) October 26, 2017
So Zeebs not one of best 23...don't think so...that's cold by Schmidt...nose face 🔪etc.. https://t.co/3JauctKXzY
— Owen Keating (@KeatingOwen) October 26, 2017
No! Seems like one rule for Leinster players and a different for Munster players 😡
— Nikki (@nikitareds) October 26, 2017
And here's a portion of the wider reaction:
Petty or what? Simon Zebo omitted from Ireland squad https://t.co/slODms1KG5 via @IrishTimesSport
— Matt Cooper (@cooper_m) October 26, 2017
So Simon Zebo's international career appears to be over at 27. That's a real shame
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) October 26, 2017
So Simon Zebo will get exiled from the Irish squad because he plays abroad, but the likes of Bundee Aki can go straight in. Rugby.
— Kevin Coleman (@kvn_clmn) October 26, 2017
Any average player who’s eligible is parachuted into the Irish Rugby squad. #zebo moves abroad and is immediately dropped. #irishlogic #irfu
— Eoghain O'Braonain (@Eoghain91) October 26, 2017
Zebo knew the score when he decided to move. Pity because his best years are ahead of him but we all knew it would happen.
— Luke Liddy (@LOLIDDY2489) October 26, 2017
