ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

'More young Irish players should take foreign club opportunities' says ex-Ireland winger Bowe

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Tuesday Apr 28, 2020

Former Ireland and Ulster winger Tommy Bowe believes that more young Irish players need to move away from home at club level if they are to break into the international squads.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bowe, who himself left Ulster to join Welsh franchise the Ospreys in 2008, says that while the Academies at Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster back home are fundamentally working, some players risk missing their opportunity to gain the experience required at Ireland level due to the strength in depth in the franchises.

Players such as Tadgh Beirne and Chris Farrell are referenced, having plied much of their trade with the Scarlets and Grenoble respectively despite coming through the Leinster and Ulster ranks.

Speaking on the Pro14 Rugby show Under the Sticks, Bowe said: “I actually see a lot of players stuck in the backlog in the likes of Leinster in particular and Munster as well…and they’re not going to get a game, maybe once.

“And when you’re 22, 24 or 25, you don’t want to be part of squads every week and not be playing matches. Training was never a part of the game I enjoyed, you play the game because you want to play games.

“I do believe young guys should take an opportunity because, you either sink or swim and if you go abroad and you go well in another club, it could be the best thing that could ever happen to you.

“And then all of a sudden, the Irish provinces might be delighted to get you back.”

ADVERTISEMENT

In the case of Farrell, the Ulsterman left his province ahead of the 2014-2015 season to join Top 14 side Grenoble. Three seasons at the club yielded 74 appearances and 10 tries, forcing then Ireland coach Joe Schmidt to take notice of him and subsequently brought about Farrell’s move to Munster for the 2017-2018 Pro 14 season.

Beirne was another to make his mark outside of Ireland, having come through the Leinster Academy. His form at the Scarlets in Wales was enough to make Munster take notice of the second-row and following a call-up to the Irish national squad, was picked for the Rugby World Cup last year.

Unquestionably, the Academies in the Irish provinces are well-oiled machines which seem to produce some of the highest quality players in the Northern Hemisphere, but almost as a result of its success, the alternative of reaching a similar level elsewhere has proved just as effective.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 35 WEEKS AGO

    Jamie Heaslip Exclusive: Respectfully...Ireland...

  • 39 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

  • 39 WEEKS AGO

    'A really poor imitation' - Shane Horgan...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans call for Stuart Hogg to face punishment after altercation involving ball boy

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 16 HOURS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All