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Stephen Fitzgerald had to retire last week. James Crombie/INPHO

The unluckiest player in Irish rugby - forced into retirement at just 25

Stephen Fitzgerald was tipped for greatness as a teenager but injuries got in the way. Now he hopes younger brother Conor can carry the family flame and become an Ireland international.

THE FINAL GAME of Stephen Fitzgeraldโ€™s career felt like a beginning rather than the end.

He had just turned 24 and was no longer the kid whose confidence had been โ€˜shatteredโ€™ after four years at Munster. The Stephen Fitzgerald dream, intact and alive.

An Ireland cap was in his sights even if he knew the first queue heโ€™d have to jump was here in the Sportsground. Tiernan Oโ€™Halloran, capped six times by Ireland, a star on the Pro12 winning team in 2016, was ahead in the line.

Until this night, 4 January 2020, at the RDS. โ€œWhen I joined Connacht, I set myself a goal. Tiernan, heโ€™s the standard, an international; a brilliant player. The first time Iโ€™d been selected instead of Tiernan was that Leinster game; also the first time Iโ€™d ever played at the RDS.โ€ A gateway to bigger things.

He remembers the traffic backed up towards Ballsbridge that night, punters swallowing the last dregs of their Christmas holiday pints, and unbeknownst to everyone, some of the last theyโ€™d taste in a pre-lockdown world.

The Connacht bus arrived to cheers. Every seat in the house had been sold. Fitzgerald switched off the music on his iPhone but left his earphones in; a do-not-disturb message to outsiders.

He sat in the dressing room and closed his eyes because he liked listening to the buzz of a match-day crowd. โ€œSome lads meditate; some read the match programme; some chat. My thing was hearing the murmur of the fans milling around the stadium, allowing the excitement build inside you.โ€

There was no Jim Telfer type Everest speech to interrupt their routine. All the pre-match chats had already been delivered at the team hotel, Jarrad Butler speaking first, then Connachtโ€™s coach, Andy Friend. โ€œI really like Andy, he has a way of connecting with people, instilling belief. โ€˜Donโ€™t be afraid to try things,โ€™ he said that day.โ€

This was the pledge he made to himself when he stood in the tunnel just before kick-off, wearing his black short-sleeved shirt, black shorts and black socks. โ€œThe little voice inside my head said โ€˜donโ€™t let this be one of those occasions that passes you byโ€™.โ€

Thatโ€™s why he did what he did. A loose kick, struck a little too hard landed deep in the Connacht โ€˜22. Fitzgerald collected. Twenty-four years old, a former schoolboy star in Limerick with Ardscoil Ris, ex-Ireland Under 20 player, winner of seven caps with Munster, 18 with Connacht, ball in his hands, dream in his head. He looked up. โ€œI remember seeing a prop and a second row in front of me.โ€ His inner voice reminded him of Friendโ€™s advice.

โ€œIโ€™m going to have a go at these โ€“ that was my thought. I never really cared about getting smashed. If anything, weirdly, that kind of geed me up to go back for more. I donโ€™t want this to sound arrogant but I knew I had things; that I was quick, skilful, that I could step. I saw the two forwards and thought โ€˜yeah, I should be too fast for themโ€™.โ€

He moved towards them, getting closer and closer. But he delayed doing his trick. Waited and waited because he knew the right time to step is at a certain distance where the bigger men donโ€™t have time to adjust their feet. โ€œAnd then I went for it. I planted my foot and it was almost like my studs did too good a job; they went too far into the grass and got stuck.

stephen-fitzgerald-leaves-the-field-injured The final walk: injured at the RDS in 2020. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

โ€œI went to turn, my foot didnโ€™t move, my knee just buckled. I heard these noises, these cracks, these pops. I was waiting for the pain but it wasnโ€™t there. I walked off the pitch.โ€

Down the tunnel, into the dressing room. He remembers โ€˜the lookโ€™ on the physioโ€™s face; hearing the words that heโ€™ll be sent for a scan. Itโ€™s there, a few days later, when he is first told of the three letters that will change his life and end his career.

ACL.

He cries.

He doesnโ€™t know it then but heโ€™ll never play a game of rugby again.

**

In a strange way lockdown helped as players recovering from injury canโ€™t bear to be in the vicinity of the rest of the squad going about their routine, hearing their whoops and cheers, cajoling and banter.

Instead of the loneliness of rehabbing in Galway, he ended up in a holiday home in Kilkee, just himself, his brother โ€“ Connachtโ€™s out-half, Conor โ€“ and their partners. His recovery programme appeared to be going better than expected by the time July came around. Now back in Galway, he thought he was on the motorway back to fitness.

stephen-fitzgerald-and-conor-fitzgerald-dejected-after-the-game Stephen (l) with younger brother Conor (r). Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Instead heโ€™d be pulling into the hard shoulder, calling the AA. โ€œI woke up one day and the knee felt weird, different. There was no big incident. I tried to train but it was way too sore.โ€ Two further operations followed, one in November, the other in February. For far too many players, this is where careers end, in a hospital ward, a surgeon looking at a chart, then at the person, shaking their head, apologising for the news they are about to deliver.

Ten days ago the secret got out, a press release confirming that a career which promised so much was prematurely coming to an end. โ€œConnacht Rugby can confirm Stephen Fitzgerald will end his playing career when his contract expires at the end of the season.โ€

Within an hour, his phone rang. Cian Lynch, the poster boy on the Limerick hurling team who have won two of the last three All-Irelands, called to remind him of what heโ€™d achieved, not what heโ€™d lost. โ€œSports people know the risks you put your body under, they have an understanding of it,โ€ Fitzgerald says.

Jimmy Duffy, the Connacht forwards coach, came up a day or two later and advised him to thank those closest to him for their help in his career.

He knew where to start.

**

Kate and John Fitzgerald run a Spar in the Limerick suburb of Raheen. They also have a full-time job trying to run after their three sons, spending one week in 2015 going from a Junior Cup game where Conor scored the winning kick, to an All-Ireland Under 21 hurling final, where Evan โ€“ their eldest โ€“ was a panellist with Limerick; to Athlone, where Stephen was scoring a crucial try in a win for the Ireland Under 20s over France.

โ€œWhenever any of us play well, it means so much to them,โ€ Fitzgerald says. โ€œThey talk about it for the week, theyโ€™re so happy, on such a buzz. So, I just felt when I was making the decision to retire that I was letting them down because they got so much joy from my rugby. I felt guilty for taking that away from them.

โ€œLike I remember when I got my first Ireland underage cap as an Under 18. My dad is pretty tough but whenever some of us do something like that, heโ€™d have tears in his eyes.โ€

Another year brought another cap, this one for the Under 20s in Galashiels, the Scottish border town. โ€œIt took the mother about 10 hours to get there. I had a look out to see where she was just before kick-off โ€“ because it was a small enough ground and I knew sheโ€™d planned to come over. When I didnโ€™t see her, I kind of thought, โ€˜ah, something must have come up at the shop or whateverโ€™.โ€

In any case, there was a game to play. Midway through the first-half, Fitzgerald was put clear. โ€œAs I was running in the try, nearing the line, I heard this lunatic running alongside me, roaring like mad. I had a quick glance to my right and saw it was my mum, racing down the touchline on the other side of the railings. She practically scored the try with me, she was running that hard.โ€

He laughs at the little story before breaking off, knowing there wonโ€™t be a sequel to tell from life as a senior international.

stephen-fitzgerald-scores-a-try Fitzgerald scores a try for Ireland U20s. Giuseppe Fama / INPHO Giuseppe Fama / INPHO / INPHO

โ€œIโ€™ll always have regrets that I never really fulfilled my potential and Iโ€™m not being negative when I say that. A lot of my friends have been telling me that I have done things that every kid who first picks up a rugby ball dreams of doing. I donโ€™t want this to sound cocky or whatever but I knew from around the time I was playing Senior Cup that I had a lot of good qualities for being a back three player.โ€

One quality he lacked was luck, injuries plaguing him from his second day as an academy player at Munster. โ€œWhen I got that ankle injury on day two of my time at Munster, I was fighting a battle to stay healthy.

โ€œMy regrets are that I never felt that it was ability that held me back, but my body. Plenty may disagree and say I was a shite player but I had dreams and ambitions of playing for Ireland. Unfortunately I wasnโ€™t able to achieve them.โ€

**

Conor might.

The youngest of the Fitzgerald boys is in the form of his life, steering Connacht to victories over Ulster and Munster in the last six weeks. Heโ€™s 23, boyish looking, burdened to be playing behind a light pack, but deceptively tough despite his relatively small frame.

โ€œI am massively proud of what he has done,โ€ older brother, Stephen, says. โ€œIn that Munster game (when Connacht won by four points last month), he really took the bull by the horns and went after it. I respect players massively for that, players who donโ€™t worry about the repercussions but who just go for things.

โ€œIf Conor went on to play for Ireland, I would have a bit of jealously because of what I wanted to achieve but it would be coming from a good place. Iโ€™d be the person up in the stands cheering him on, roaring crazily, making a fool of myself.

โ€œHe is playing really well; they should bring in someone like him or Harry Byrne for the summer Tests. If he got a cap, itโ€™d do the absolute world for his confidence.

โ€œThink back to when he was let go from Munster. I am pretty sure he was close to not going up to Connacht because he didnโ€™t know if he wanted to go through (a rejection) like that again. I always knew the ability he had.โ€

Even in the moment of his departure, The Nearly Man does not forget his role as big brother, hoping upon hope that after spending so much of his career in the shadows, his sibling will get a chance to see the light.

As for Stephen, the time for reflection has passed. Summer is here, his winter of rehab over. A business degree has been banked. A new life beckons, rugby having given him some of the best days of his life as well as some of the worst. โ€œSince the announcement, it has been good to talk about things and remember that I did actually achieve things and not be so down on myself about everything.โ€

The final destination wasnโ€™t what heโ€™d hoped for but at least he got to go on the journey.

Most people donโ€™t.

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10 Comments
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    Mute DWFinn
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:33 AM

    I disagree with the three year residency rule, but my sympathy isnโ€™t so much with Irish players who miss out, more so with the foreign unions who develop players from childhood, only to have them hoovered up by a richer one.

    Can you imagine the annoyance if Gary Ringrose became England or Franceโ€™s latest project player? Itโ€™s just wrong.

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    Mute Chris Mansfield
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:21 AM

    For me, it should be 3 years below the age of 18 or 6 years after that. I wouldnโ€™t want to stop someone who came to Ireland at the age of 13 or 14 playing for the country, but I find the idea of scouring the world for players who can be brought in a bit absurd. Itโ€™s one step removed from having teams as a franchise system.

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    Mute DWFinn
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:26 AM

    Totally agree.

    Iโ€™d have no problem with Adeolukun representing Ireland. He came here as a child and became a professional rugby player. The rest came here as professional rugby players โ€“ depriving the unions who developed them of their services.

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:09 AM

    The smell of sour grapes off him.

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    Mute Thomas Moroney
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:20 AM

    That doesnโ€™t sound like a bad idea at all Chris. I wouldnโ€™t necessarily disagree with it, but one thing I would add to that is this: plenty of people move to Ireland after their teens, sometimes well after that. Often, itโ€™s for a job offer, a move made for financial/professional reasons. After around five years of living and working in this country, they can apply for Irish citizenship, and are, after that, considered as Irish people. Why have one standard for Rugby players, another for the rest? Is it because living somewhere for five years makes you โ€œIrishโ€ but not โ€œIrish enoughโ€? Again, Iโ€™m not necessarily disagreeing with your idea, I just think that seeing this issue of nationality as a black and white matter, when in these days of multiculturalism and increased mobility, I feel that nationality is becoming more and more grey.

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    Mute Liam H
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:26 AM

    How can there be a whiff of sour grapes off Luke Fitz?

    Made his ireland debut as a teenager, capped for the Lions, one of the most talented players we have ever had and was unfortunate to have a career blighted and ultimately ended by injury.

    If you donโ€™t have a clue what you are talking about, donโ€™t comment.

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    Mute John
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    Oct 26th 2016, 12:21 PM

    It would have been interesting to see just how good he was if he had a injury free career.

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    Mute Tensing Norgay
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    Oct 26th 2016, 2:22 PM

    : If we are diluting the national team , are we not also doing the same for the provinces . Elson , Icewa, Payne , Halstead all helped our provinces win H-cups . Are these victories dilueted . Were these men of Munster ? no โ€“ of course not . But ask any munster supporters if they see themselves as just a club like sarries or toulon , most would balk and spit at the idea . We basked in our provisional pride . Munster by the grace of God etc . I admire a guy who leaves his home and is talented and committed enough to get himself onto a tier 1 rugby nations team . ist not like soccer where any guy who played two good games in the championship can get a shot . So wake up folks , England are going to dominate with massive player and financial advantages , so lets go back to being whipping boys , letโ€™s reject the Bundiโ€™s that helped take Connacht to places they could only have dreamed of , That guy could go anywhere he wanted just like Ben teo did the second he got a sniff , but he didnโ€™t , he has committed and i commend his commitment , just like i respect CJ playing with every fiber of his being week in week out . I for one welcome true talent that enhances and drives up standards .

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    Mute Ewan Euphrenza
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    Oct 26th 2016, 6:33 PM

    No Chris, youโ€™re underestimating the problem. France have an academy in Fiji dedicated to identifying young talent. Youโ€™d only be giving the thumbs up to that. Besides, someone who came at โ€œ13 or 14โ€ณ would be qualified in time to play for the under-20s if there was a 5-year residency rule. Lads arenโ€™t making their international debuts at 19.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:28 AM

    Heโ€™s dead right, and fair play to him for being so brutally honest. It is completely diluting the international game.

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    Mute Tensing Norgay
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:52 AM

    I would say he is not dead right . So there !

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    Mute Dan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:43 AM

    People talk about three years like it is a bank holiday weekend in Dingle. These guys make a commitment to Ireland for life. It takes three years to qualify but once they do they will be here for the foreseeable. They make a decision to come to Ireland and make it their home. Fitz makes the point about project players getting in ahead of Irish players but fails to see how this will force all players to raise their game. If someone gets in ahead of you then work hard to displace them, donโ€™t moan that they shouldnโ€™t qualify.

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    Mute David
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:47 AM

    Exactly. The best qualified player should play. Simple as that.

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:48 AM

    Whatโ€™s to stop the IRFU from just offering the elite u19 players in NZ, SA , and AUS 3 year contracts they simply could not turn down. That would fast track us to World Cup glory.

    Where is the line? How many is too many?

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:51 AM

    Theyโ€™re not moving to Ireland because they love Ireland. Theyโ€™re moving to Ireland because they are offered extremely lucrative contracts far in excess of what theyโ€™d make back home. If they were offered more to go to England or France they would have.
    You canโ€™t deny this fact

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    Mute David
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:54 AM

    Have you seen what players get paid in France and England?! Etzebeth is reportedly going to earn ยฃ40,000 a gameโ€ฆ and he canโ€™t even play for England!

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    Mute Thomas Moroney
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:18 AM

    If you are worried about u19 players being pursued as project players, then Iโ€™m sorry to say this, but extending the rule to five years wonโ€™t make that go away. France will probably poach some of these guys. Provinces probably wouldnโ€™t go after those players as they generally want to use their NIQ/PP spots on players who are already ready to start. I think that using PPโ€™s makes sense for the provinces, as it allows them to acquire foreign players in positions that their own options, academy and senior, donโ€™t adequately address, and also makes it easier to negotiate with certain players. The only worry is that we end up selecting too many of them, but I think that weโ€™re nowhere near as bad in terms of how many PP caps are given as many are saying.

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:22 AM

    Whatโ€™s etzebeth got to do with it? Heโ€™s an established world class player. Our project players are project players because they arenโ€™t at his level, hence they donโ€™t get picked by their own country, and donโ€™t demand similar size paychecks in England or France

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:32 AM

    I donโ€™t care about what France thinks is ok. Their team is a joke.
    I care about what Ireland does. I believe we have enough homegrown talent that we develop through schools and clubs with thousands of volunteer hours at all ages to produce a national team that competes on the international stage.
    If you were to pick an Irish team next week without the project players would it be noticeably weaker? Payne and stander are the two in contention(and the actual team selection can be debated plenty next week), but itโ€™s not inconceivable that the team next week has no project players.

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    Mute David
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:03 AM

    I used him as an example as to the financial power of the English game. I can show you other examples if you likeโ€ฆ

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    Mute Dan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:35 PM

    @sup: Stander might have issue with your statement to be fair โ€” the way he sings Amhrรกn na bhFiann before the match doesnโ€™t show heโ€™s in it for the money. Listen to him talk not only about Munster, but his passion for his โ€œnewโ€ homeโ€ฆ heโ€™s in it for the long haul, not the bash

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    Mute B Collins
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:45 PM

    Exactly, Dan. Finally someone talking sense.

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    Mute David
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:12 AM

    Every country does it. New Zealand have been the worst for it historically, flying kids in from the Pacific Islands to play schools. Would anyone here have an issue if Aki gets a game in 12 months? Bleyendaal? Does anyone have an issue with Stander? Payne? If the players come in, buy into what it means to be Irish and clearly want to play, I donโ€™t see the problem. If there are better options in Ireland missing out I canโ€™t think of any at the moment.

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    Mute Karlavaro
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:18 AM

    The fact is the rule shouldnโ€™t be there in the first place. 3 years is pathetic and any Tom/Dick/Harry can rock in for the show overtaking players who are close and have worked on it for years

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    Mute Ardmore02
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:32 AM

    What do you mean โ€œbuy into what it means to be irishโ€? You canโ€™t buy irishness. You are irish or youโ€™re not irish. It doesnโ€™t matter if other countries are doing it, itโ€™s still wrong for everyone.

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:39 AM

    Yes I would have an issue with aki playing just as I do with stander, Strauss and Payne.
    The point of international rugby is to represent YOUR country not just anyone whoโ€™ll pick you.
    If thatโ€™s the road we want to go down then weโ€™re nothing but international franchises playing each other with country names on our shirts.

    The IRFU is embarrassing themselves in headhunting these project players.
    And how are we even benefiting from this dilution of the Irish jersey? Weโ€™re not exactly drafting in Dan Carter. These are all cast offs.

    Aki- we already have plenty of exciting centers.
    Stander- more than enough backrowers.
    Strauss- never more than a squad player.
    Payne- first xv player, but I believe we have superior centers and a superior fb in zebo.

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:41 AM

    (Nothing personal against the players I mentioned. Iโ€™m a fan of all of them and they always give 100% when playing)

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    Mute David
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:52 AM

    The only 2 first 15 players at the moment are Stander and Payne. Stander is better than any back row we have. Payne has been brilliant for Ireland. His defensive positioning is outstanding.

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 7:56 AM

    Not so sure stander will be first choice with omahony back fit.

    Anyway, what difference does it make if itโ€™s one or ten players? Whatโ€™s the right number of foreign players allowed?

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    Mute BlueMagic
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:10 AM

    You absolutely can โ€œbuy inโ€ to being Irish, through working hard and committing to the country and earning citizenship, which should be the only benchmark for being considered Irish (and representing the country in sports).

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    Mute Ted Logan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:15 AM

    Stander > Heaslip at 8. He is also younger, so long term (next World Cup) fitness and form permitting he will be Irelandโ€™s starting 8.

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:18 AM

    We shouldnโ€™t have settled for stander. We should have tempted vunipola to come over before he got capped.

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    Mute Thomas Moroney
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:44 AM

    Nationality isnโ€™t as black and white as itโ€™s made out to be. Iโ€™m in favour of extending the rule to five years, but would you honestly say that your nationality is decided at birth? If so, then Adeolokun, who came through the underage system, is ineligible. What makes a person Irish?

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    Mute Ed Byrne
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:56 AM

    @David: Stander is not a better 6 the Oโ€™Brien, or Oโ€™Mahony, he is not better 7 then Van Der Flyer and he is not fit to lace the boots of Jamie Heaslip at 8.

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:25 AM

    Just because every country does it doesnโ€™t make it right.
    Itโ€™s a totally unethical practice that exists because it suits the big rugby nations.

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    Mute Eric Mcclintock
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:47 AM

    The difficulty is that, should we continue to play against NZ and Aus, who both stack their teams with Pacific islanders, we will get beaten repetitively. In the end there has to be a balance so we can compete and keep rugby as the best performing international team sport in Ireland.
    Should we slip down the rankings, we will see a future fall-off in young players joining the game.
    I agree that the 3 year rule is not fit for purpose and it needs a WRU agreement worldwide to replace it.

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    Mute Range Rover P38
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    Oct 26th 2016, 12:36 PM

    Youโ€™re dead right. I think itโ€™s a bit churlish of Fitz and the 42 going into this the day after Aki signs a 3 year deal.

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:17 PM

    The difficulty is that the rule is ridiculous.
    The argument that because Oz and NZ pack their teams with Pacific Islanders means we should pack our team with players from abroad that are better than what we have ruins international rugby.
    The IRB should step up and put a stop to it before international rugby essentially becomes club rugby.

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    Mute Neil Dunn
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:42 PM

    I agree that nationality isnโ€™t what it used to be- itโ€™s not simply where you were born. How many mates do we all have now that love all over the world, far from where they were born?
    Iโ€™ve said it on here before somewhere- age graduated system.
    If you arrive before the age of 18- No restriction. 18-21, 3 years. 22-25, 5 years. 25+, 7 years.
    Maybe these arenโ€™t the right age brackets, or specific qualifying periods that would optimize it, but I think itโ€™s a system that reflects the moving around we do in 2016 globally and prevents opportunism by aging players who didnโ€™t cut it in their first choice country.

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:51 PM

    The parentage and grand-parentage rule solves a lot of this. I wouldnโ€™t have a problem with a kid who played all through schools/underage system but born somewhere else representing Ireland.

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    Mute MattHedigan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:09 AM

    Do people really not think that our exiles have a huge amount of pride to don the Irish jersey? The rule is fairly floppy at best but itโ€™s not like weโ€™re taking the piss either. Iโ€™m glad they want to play for Ireland. As a Munster fan, I know how stander is thought of in limerick and the rest of Munster. Heโ€™s thought of as one of our own. The way he was received down there is a huge reason why he wanted to play for Ireland. He wants to represent his adopted province. You have to appreciate fitzgeralds position I suppose but coming out saying this stuff now is doing no one any favours.

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    Mute sup
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:19 AM

    These arenโ€™t our exiles. These are people with no connection to Ireland who moved here to advance their career. Good luck to them on that, but it shouldnโ€™t let them play for Ireland.

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:13 AM

    The problem isnt a disliking of foreign players or that someone cant become Irish over time. The problem is the cynical abuse of this rule. There should be some way of policing how nations recruit for their national team. Ive no problem with a lad who moves to a country, loves it there, decides to stay, becomes a citizen and then represents them. The problem is the project systems where nations effectively steal players whove come up through other nations acadamies. Its unfair on the country that developed the player and its unfair on players who dream of representing their country only to be replaced by a guy whoโ€™s there for the money.

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:23 AM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: Another two quick points: 1) in the long run it will be bad for rugby as the best team wont be the one with the best underage development programmes, it will be the team with the most money (basically becoming another tier of club rugby). 2) im really sick of the hypocricy on these message boards. If bundee aki was an Irish guy playing in France or England, all the people who are wetting themelves with excitment about him playing for us next year would be raging instead and organising boycotts

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    Mute Munster4ever
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:28 AM

    I think they should change the rule to 5 yrs but lets be honest now.. Fitzy is trying to make a career in rugby punditry so a few controversial comments will only help his cause .. i just hope he does not turn out like Franno.. god help us

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    Mute Joan Ryan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:33 AM

    @Munster4ever:
    Fizty and Franno ?
    God help us indeed.

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    Mute Shane Cal
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:34 AM

    They will need 2 seats in the studio for him. One for himself and one for his ego. Heโ€™s already insufferable as a pundit. A throw back to two years ago youโ€™d swear he won the 6 nations on his own by the way he was going on on Newstalk. He hardly played at all.

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    Mute Shougeki
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    Oct 26th 2016, 11:02 AM

    @Shane Cal: He is a complete gowl.

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    Mute Dayvid McWalliams
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    Oct 26th 2016, 12:20 PM

    @Shougeki: Himself and Heaslip are two of the biggest muppets anyone could meet. And thatโ€™s from a Leinster season ticket holder.

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    Mute Munster4ever
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    Oct 26th 2016, 12:25 PM

    I thought Fitzy was a poor pundit for Skysports on Sunday ..he needs to learn to lose his bias โ€ฆ painful to listen to .. if Steyn had his kicking boots on Leinster would have got nothing from the game but yet Fitzy tried to gloss it over

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:00 PM

    Dayvid โ€“ I have met Fitzy a number of times through mini rugby and always found him to be very pleasant and excellent with the kids. He always had time for them and engaged well with them too, they always enjoyed his visits.

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:19 AM

    Finally, an Irish rugby (former) player gets off the fence.
    Itโ€™s totally wrong. Club rugby can play whoever they want but international rugby should be for people of that nation or the recent diaspora.
    It will further screw the smaller competing rugby nations who are trying to improve like the Pacific Islanders, Georgia, Romania etc.

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    Mute Ted Logan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 12:42 PM

    What about the Irish player who played for Kazakhstan in the World Cup qualifiers 10 years ago?

    http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/rugby-nomad-ready-to-take-a-stan-26213144.html

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:41 PM

    Do they get to keep their best players?
    The rule hardly is to the beneifit of smaller nations. They may get players that canโ€™t get their game for a bigger nation but thatโ€™s missing the point entirely.
    Itโ€™s like saying Brentford buy more players than Man City.

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 4:38 PM

    The point Iโ€™m making re Georgia and Romania is that with a rule like this being used more and more, how can a small rugby playing nation hope to achieve success or even improve if they have really good players that are lured elsewhere. It will happen in the future, I have no doubt.
    Italy and Japan have benefited because they have cash to pay top players to live in their country.
    It is a silly rule that is not designed to help out the developing rugby nations.
    Itโ€™s diluting the international game and I donโ€™t see the reasoning behind it other than it is a rule that suits the people who make the decisions.
    Not sure how much of a say the Georgian or Romanian rugby unions have in it all.

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 5:22 PM

    All interesting points but it doesnโ€™t make it right. An Irishman has no business playing for Kazakhstan if heโ€™s spent a few summers there the same way a South African, in my opinion, who lived here for three years has no business representing Ireland.

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 5:46 PM

    Iโ€™ve always respected those players and have no personal issue with them.
    I know in soccer a player must have an Irish passport to play for Ireland.

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    Mute Batster
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:23 AM

    Well said Luke, the three year rule has really diluted international rugby and shouldnโ€™t be allowed.

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    Mute Brian Lynch
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:21 AM

    I think Irish people are bit racist here, when Stander was qualified not many people complained despite the fact we always produced alot of top quality back row forwards.. but I do think it should be restricted to, say 2 players match day squad despite how long they have been in the country

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:21 PM

    How is it a racist argument to want players from a country representing that country?
    I have commented on here before about Stander, Payne etc.
    Its nothing against the lads personally. Theyโ€™re both great players.
    But when I shout on the irish rugby team its because I identify and connect with them and their backgrounds as similar to mine. As would a Fijian shouting on Fiji etc.

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    Mute John Slade
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:54 PM

    Itโ€™s professional sport not the community games.

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    Mute joebloggs
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:51 AM

    Luke who ?

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:32 AM

    So he agrees project players strengthen the Irish team, that their inclusion doesnโ€™t negatively affect morale but would like it scrapped because it personally frustrated him to be dropped for better players? Iโ€™m sure those from outside private schools and not from a rugby family really feel for all the hard work he put to move up the system, absolutely and entirely on merit.
    If thereโ€™s one positive to take from this story itโ€™s that a proud Irishman and talented player like CJ Stander is a current international while a whinging underperformer like Luke Fitzgerald is not.

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    Mute Val Kennedy
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:58 AM

    Personally I think the 3 year rule is wrong. Players should have some blood relation here. Although Stander has been an exception to the rule. Maybe the IRFU should have a rule allowing only a few playing at any one time.

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    Mute MattHedigan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:00 AM

    No borders lads.

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    Mute Darren Mccarthy
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:00 AM

    I for one can see pride in CJ Standers face when he lines up for the anthems. Sadly i canโ€™t say the same about some of the others, no matter what part of Ireland they come from. If he became an Irish citizen then surely he is as Irish as Luke Fitzgerald??

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    Mute Patrick James Walsh
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:01 PM

    @Darren Mccarthy: Ever think he might be acting ? LoL!

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    Mute John Slade
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:36 PM

    @MattHedigan: no flags.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:44 PM

    A pretty ignorant statement from Fitzgerald IMO. Firstly, these guys are not being picked because theyโ€™re from another country. Theyโ€™re being picked because they have the potential to be international-standard players. The reason theyโ€™re not making it into test sides in their native countries is not because theyโ€™re second-rate hand-me-downs players, which is what he implies, but because those nations are awash with extraordinary talent (some of which is also imported, as with New Zealand) and so some of these players would never see test rugby if they didnโ€™t up sticks and ply their trade elsewhere. Itโ€™s not just because โ€œtheyโ€™re from another countryโ€. A ridiculous comment. The bitterness from him about going through the Irish system from a young age and potentially being usurped at senior level by a guy who isnโ€™t from Ireland is a rather narrow-minded perspective, since he fails to consider that these guys probably worked just as hard at underage levels in academy systems in their respective countries and took a fairly significant gamble to move abroad, break into the starting 15 at a club, stay at that level for three years. It is not, as he insinuates, a case of a guy just waltzing into the jersey (Michael Bent notwithstanding, but he wasnโ€™t good enough and therefore didnโ€™t last). I wonder if Fitzgerald would have the balls to say all this to the face of someone like Jared Payne or CJ Stander, who have committed totally to this country, playing ferociously for their provinces, learning the anthems, and putting down roots here. Imagine saying to CJ, โ€œSorry lad, youโ€™re from South Africa. You donโ€™t deserve to wear that green jersey.โ€ Please. And letโ€™s be honest, there are plenty on here who would happily choose Jared Payne over Rob Kearney at fullback on current form. The system is strictly managed. How many non-irish do we have in our side in a give day? Maybe three. This is not like the Irish soccer team.

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    Mute DWFinn
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    Oct 26th 2016, 2:13 PM

    How should the unions who develop Stander et al be compensated for losing players to richer unions? Thatโ€™s what concerns me and seemingly most people on here โ€“ not that these players arenโ€™t considered โ€œIrish enoughโ€.

    Also, Test rugby is not the be all and end all. All of these unions need players like Stander, Payne and Strauss playing for their franchises, even if they donโ€™t make it at Test level.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Oct 26th 2016, 2:33 PM

    You might not think that test rugby is the be all and end all, but it sure as hell is everything to these players, otherwise they wouldnโ€™t be doing it. So I donโ€™t see the relevance of that in this context. You also might not think itโ€™s about the โ€œIrishnessโ€ of the players, but Fitzgerald seems to think it is (and Iโ€™m remarking on that more than anything else).

    How should an ex-patโ€™s home union be compensated?
    They shouldnโ€™t be. They should look at how they screwed up by writing off a player as capable and passionate as CJ Stander and telling him he had no futures in test rugby.
    Do you think New Zealand are over there mourning the loss of Jared Payne and thinking, โ€œjeez we could have had this guy playing in the centre for usโ€? No they are not. Because theyโ€™ve had the likes of Conrad Smith, Maโ€™a Nonu, and SBW for years. They donโ€™t โ€œmissโ€ these players or rue their loss. They just donโ€™t want anybody else to benefit from talent they were never going to use.

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    Mute DWFinn
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    Oct 26th 2016, 2:55 PM

    It was actually New Zealandโ€™s reaction Ulster signing Jared Payne all those years ago that was the basis of the point I was making, so yes they do miss him.

    He may have picked up a cap or two, perhaps none, but he could have been a mainstay in one of their franchises for a decade. That was essentially the point NZ made.

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    Mute calvin candie
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    Oct 26th 2016, 3:22 PM

    @B Collins: How does what Fitzgerald has said constitute an โ€œignorant statementโ€? Heโ€™s been around teams and has experience of how selection works. His knowledge is based on what has happened to him and around him, so itโ€™s the opposite of ignorance if anything.

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    Mute Craig Connolly
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    Oct 26th 2016, 4:17 PM

    @B Collins: At least thereโ€™s a Granny rule in soccer. You donโ€™t just get in by standing in Ireland for three years.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Oct 26th 2016, 4:32 PM

    How is the granny rule better? A guy who has a granny here but never spent a day here is no more Irish than the man on the moon! At least these guys have been in the country for three years and have been absorbing the culture, the identity, in some cases raising their kids here. Iโ€™ve been living abroad for two and a half and I can tell you that I definitely feel an attachment and loyalty to my adopted home. I definitely buy into it, I definitely consider it part of my identity. Itโ€™s a part of who I am now and I love it as much as I love Ireland. And thatโ€™s not even after three years. LF saying this now after so many years playing with club and country with these guys, who is now writing them off as imports who donโ€™t deserve their chances. He never said anything before. Seems like he either didnโ€™t have the guts to say it or didnโ€™t believe it and is just saying it now to improve his stock as a pundit.

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    Mute calvin candie
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    Oct 26th 2016, 4:42 PM

    He can speak more freely now that he has retired from playing. When he was a player, his job was to play, and now that heโ€™s a pundit his job is to present his informed opinions. I donโ€™t see what the problem is with him letting his feelings be known now.

    With regard to imports, how many is too many? Five? Ten? 15? 23? Is there a number that is too many, or would you be happy if there were no actual Irish players in the Irish rugby team?

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    Mute calvin candie
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    Oct 26th 2016, 4:45 PM

    Just to be clear, I donโ€™t actually have a problem with individual foreign players. I just think it would be good to remove the attractiveness of pursuing these players instead of investing in homegrown talent

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 5:37 PM

    How do you know a lad from England with Irish grandparents doesnโ€™t connect with Ireland? I have grandparents from Kerry and I definitely connect with Kerry. I have other family who dont so everyone is different.
    Without doubt the granny rule has and will be exploited but itโ€™s better, in my view, than a residency rule. Having said that, I wouldnโ€™t be against it being brought back to just parents

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    Mute David Murphy
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:08 AM

    These are obviously long held beliefsโ€ฆwhy wait till now to share them. Trying to make his way a pundit, needs a unique selling point. Should his beliefs carry through to coaches and team management? Best qualified man for the job, itโ€™s how the rest of us compete in the real world.

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    Mute Liam Keane
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:19 PM

    No luke them players in your position were and are better than you. The rules are there for a reason. Why canโ€™t we do the same as some other countries. We have great talent no doubt about it but maybe we just lack that bit of class.

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    Mute Peter Cavey
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    Oct 26th 2016, 8:51 AM

    I will agree with Luke once Niyi Adeolukun is naturalised and playing for Ireland :)

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:26 AM

    @Peter Cavey: Moved here as a kid, played in school, played in the AIL. Nobody with any sense would give out about him representing Ireland

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    Mute Range Rover P38
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    Oct 26th 2016, 9:51 AM

    Is that a race comment or am i misunderstanding your intention?

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Oct 26th 2016, 11:43 AM

    @Range Rover P38: Iโ€™m sure its not ill intent but itโ€™s still disappointing people would assume someone isnโ€™t Irish because of their race. The same people who were shocked when they first heard Zebo speak with a cork accent no doubt.

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    Mute Brand Cannister
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:03 PM

    Is feidir le Fitz gaeilge a chaint chomh maith.. Maith an fear! Fir taiseacht at ann ..

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Oct 26th 2016, 3:17 PM

    Ya, tรก canรบint D4 aige sa ghaeilge freisin! Tรก sรฉ saghas greannmhar

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    Mute calvin candie
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    Oct 26th 2016, 11:36 AM

    Fitzgerald is a very good analyst/pundit. I agree with his sentiments here. International rugby should be a reflection of how good a country is at developing their own players.

    One yearโ€™s residency if you have a grandparent from the country in question, and five years if thereโ€™s no link sounds about right. It needs to be increased to whatever length will stop unions abusing the system.

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    Mute Munster4ever
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    Oct 26th 2016, 5:55 PM

    You need to get your head out of luuuukes arse .. he has been a pundit for a couple of months and is no analyst due to his biase

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    Mute Patrick James Walsh
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:00 PM

    Who wants a national team with second rate NZ/SA/AUS players who can`t make their national teams, but who qualify for non-na/tional teams due to residency rules ?

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    Mute John Slade
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:35 PM

    No idea what heโ€™s talking about. Saying conflicting things. Sounding bitter.
    7 years IS a career in pro rugby. LF should know that better than anyone.
    (Payne would be that next year anyway and we would have lost a few
    years of world class defending, Ringrose IS coming on-line at the perfect time Luke
    just be a little patient instead of blowing the lid). Regardless of the years
    Iโ€™m sure the purists will always be moaning.

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    Mute Kenno PK
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    Oct 26th 2016, 2:09 PM

    why didnโ€™t he bother mentioning this in the last 8 years or so? he was a great player when he wasnโ€™t injured, now it seems he just wants to make a name as a pundit, sour grapes if you ask me

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    Mute calvin candie
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    Oct 26th 2016, 2:49 PM

    Why wouldnโ€™t he want to make his name as a pundit? Thatโ€™s what he does now

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    Mute Munster4ever
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    Oct 26th 2016, 5:53 PM

    He is hell of alot to learn being an unbaised and balanced pundit .. he was woeful on Sunday .. cringeworthy..

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    Mute Lord Clanricarde
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:02 AM

    The problem is that coaching in many countries is obviously very poor. The fact that countries like Ireland are doing this instead of coaching their own through will only make the coaching level drop further. The numbers playing may rise for now, but the next generation wont be bothered as they will be well aware that all their work could be for nothing as the IRFU draft in some Polynesian to take your position at club and international level.

    But the IRFUโ€™s greatest strength has never really been coaching, their greatest strength has always been marketing, so no doubt they will put a gloss coat on this behavior!

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    Mute Diarmuid O'Flaherty
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    Oct 26th 2016, 12:30 PM

    Its project players who come to Ireland and raises our game for 80 minutes and plays consistent rugby.I have no problems with this and it only makes our homegrown players raise their tempo and play for 80 min.players like luke Fitzgerald have been brilliant for Leinster and Ireland but we dont have a conveyor belt like New Zealand or South Africa and we do need players snapping at the heals of older players or we will never win the World Cup.

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Oct 26th 2016, 2:16 PM

    Just glad that our football team, past and present have the right idea

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    Mute Thomas Moroney
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    Oct 26th 2016, 2:04 PM

    Personally, I definitely think the current rules should be changed, way too much room for exploitation. Liking the rules to eligibility for citizenship is the system that works best for me, though the suggestions of only allowing teens who grew up in their countries and forcing the grandparent rule ones to wait a year have some merit. I think that if you are a citizen of a country, you should be considered as being from that country and therefore should be considered eligible to represent your country. Also agree with those mentioning the commitment that many PPโ€™s have made to qualify for Ireland. I think that we are a bit too liberal in bringing in PPโ€™s, like NIQโ€™s, in certain positions, like how I view Ludik as blocking the path of young players, and Rhys Marshall as being a talented injury-prone hooker when we have four more like him. We should only bring in Project players when the Province faces long term issues in a position and other home grown options canโ€™t fix them. I also think though, that we shouldnโ€™t be so angry about guys who are giving so much of themselves to this country.

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    Mute Karlos McGrath
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    Oct 26th 2016, 10:32 AM

    In my opinion the 3 year rule is wrong as it tends to hurt smaller rugby nations who lose players as well as up and coming players in the countries that take them in who lose their place and chance to develop. To me it should be fairly simple: 1) You are entitled to play for a country if you are, or are entitled to be, a citizen of that country 2) You live long enough in a country as a legal resident to eventually obtain citizenship, just like any other foreign member of society

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    Mute Shane Brennan
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    Oct 26th 2016, 1:11 PM

    RTE are showing the games in Ireland to.

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