IRFU to ban provinces from signing overseas front-rows

The former Ulster and Ireland out-half said that Leinster’s signing of France tighthead Rabah Slimani will be the last of its kind, with the provinces being charged with unearthing props and hookers capable of competing at the top level and playing for Ireland.

Humphreys is in the process of taking over from David Nucifora this summer and bringing a fresh set of eyes to the Irish set-up. He is currently dividing his time between the U-20s in Cape Town and the senior men’s side in Durban.

“The way the Irish system is set up, players come through and we know we can block any foreigners coming into the game,” Humphreys said.

“The provinces need to find props there, to ensure that they are competitive, both now and as they need to replace some of the more senior players coming through.

“So, there’s every likelihood because of the challenge we have in the front-row positions that from next year onwards there won’t be front-row forwards coming into the provinces that won’t be Irish-qualified.

“Andy [Farrell] can’t go out and sign foreign players, so we have got to find ways to make sure that, yes we have a national responsibility, but that starts with the provinces and the pressure will be on them. It [the Slimani signing, which Leinster have yet to confirm] is probably one that the discussion certainly pre-dates when I arrived.

“Again, my own view is it’s a short-term decision to bring him in to address a couple of issues in Leinster over the next 12 months. After next year there will be no front-row forwards coming into the Irish system until we have got the strength in depth we know needs to support the provinces and Ireland in the medium to long term.”

Loosehead prop is a major issue for Ireland right now, with Farrell reliant on Andrew Porter who often plays longer than any other player in his position. Backing him up are Cian Healy (36) and Tom O’Toole (25) who has precious little experience on that side of the scrum.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to come in and talk about individual players,” Humphreys said. “When we look at the Irish situation in a number of positions, we need players playing regularly who are going to be able to step up and perform at international level.

“There’s no question that the conversations have been ongoing for some time about where the best position for Tom is for himself, in terms of him as a player maximising his potential, because that’s what we want.

“Whether that’s at loosehead or tighthead, that’s going to be an ongoing conversation.

“As players have shown in the past, if you have an ability to play both sides of the scrum, that’s a huge advantage for the player, for the province, and for Andy Farrell.”

Humphreys’ own playing position, out-half, is another area of contention, with Sam Prendergast and Ciarán Frawley backing up Jack Crowley here while they are behind Ross Byrne in the Leinster pecking order and vying with Harry Byrne for the position.

Connacht yesterday confirmed that All Black Josh Ioane is joining them next season after their interest in signing Prendergast and Harry Byrne on loan was rebuffed.

Humphreys would prefer an Irish solution, but like Nucifora he’s finding some Leinster players are resistant to the idea of a provincial move.

“When we’re sitting here it seems a very obvious solution to the problem, but we looked at what the obvious solution might be and there wasn’t one,” he said of moving Harry Byrne to Connacht.

“So, while we can push as far as we want there comes a point where we have to look at other opportunities and Ioane will add real value to Connacht next year.

“I’d push it back to the provinces. They have got to sell what they’re offering on the playing front, training facilities, coaching, everything to make a player want to go there. I don’t feel there’s any merit in forcing players to go where they don’t want to go.

“My view has always been that you can’t penalise a province for developing players by taking them away and leaving them exposed.

“Where there’s a very obvious logjam… I and the IRFU will never move a player against their will, but again it sends a very clear message to Andy Farrell.

“If you’re happy to sit third, fourth, maybe fifth choice when you could be playing somewhere else and potentially developing your career that’s not the sort of player that will be travelling to places like this on tour.”