Project Players

Do people think this program works and are we getting value for money? Do you like me think it should be expanded? I'm of the opinion that the IRFU should bring in a rule stating that any new prop being brought into Ireland must be either IE or IQ as that is an area we need more players.

What do people think of out current crop and how many of these will benefit the Irish team?

Current:

Connacht:
Danie Poolman (Year 1) - revelation
Rodney Ah You (IQ next season) - Young but needs to improve soon.
Nathan White (Year 2) - Will slot in behind Ross at Ireland after he qualifies.

Munster:
CJ Stander (Year 1) - had injuries but seems to be a good player.

Ulster:
Jared Payne (Year 2) - revelation

Leinster:
Quinn Roux (Year 1) - injury ridden year so jury is still out.

If you look at the past project players not many of them have set the world alight:

Former:

Connacht:
Brett Wilkinson (Ireland Wolfhound International)

Munster:
Peter Borlase (disaster)
Jeremy Manning (Rabo standard at best)

Leinster
Cameron Jowitt (never hit the heights hoped for him)
Richardt Strauss (the only project player to be capped at full level for Ireland)

Ulster:
Robbie Diack (A good squad player who will probably get some international honour at some stage)

Who am I leaving out?

imo all non irish qualified players brought in to the provinces should be of the project variety. otherwise they are blocking the development of an irish player.

As far as I can tell in the past before the irfu introduced quotas, players becoming Irish qualified was more of a happy bonus? If so then its understandable that we didn't get an awful lot out of it.

Going forward it would be nice to see more players of Irish heritage being brought over, however there would need to be a much stricter vetting system, we can't have another situation like Bents, it not fair on the team, the player or the fans. Personally I'm somewhat conflicted about bringing over project players especially younger players who are not Irish, I'm not a strong nationalist or anything but having a national team made up of 5-6 imports doesn't sit well for me.

Like connachtexile I think its a great idea but there have been recent rumours on leinsterfans that the program will be scrapped after 2013-2014 season. Can't imagine why. Not so sure about Nathan White. He'll be 32 later this year. He has been good rather than great at TH and hasn't impressed in the loose. Last night was a good example - he looked very unfit despite no recent injuries and showed no leadership in the pack despite being a recent captain of the side.

32 isn't old for a prop and while he isn't great in the loose I don't really mind about that. We seem to have this obsession in Ireland that props must be great runners etc of the ball. What I want from my props is a guy who can scrummage and lift anything after is a bonus.

Agree with Rossie to an extant to but would Leinster have won the first H cup without Elsom? Or Munster done as well without Tipoki? A happy medium is needed and I think we have it at the moment. Maybe 3 NIQ's and 2 project players? We're never going to get rid of them completely as we wouldn't be competitive nor would I want to. The old Munster guys are always going on how Jim Williams and John Langford made many positive changes to their Team and mindset removing that wouldn't be beneficial. It's a fine line.

As for getting rid of it I think that's crazy but I wouldn't put it past the IRFU.

Another new project player next year in Jake Heenan and another season down for the rest. Forgot about Steve Sykes for Leinster so adding him to the list.

Current:

Connacht:
Danie Poolman (Year 1) - revelation
Rodney Ah You (IQ next season) - Young but needs to improve soon.
Nathan White (Year 2) - Will slot in behind Ross at Ireland after he qualifies.
Jake Heenan (starting next season) - has the pedigree so hopefully we'll be singing his praises sooner rather than later.

Munster:
CJ Stander (Year 1) - had injuries but seems to be a good player.

Ulster:
Jared Payne (Year 2) - revelation

Leinster:
Quinn Roux (Year 1) - injury ridden year so jury is still out.

If you look at the past project players not many of them have set the world alight:

Former:

Connacht:
Brett Wilkinson (Ireland Wolfhound International)

Munster:
Peter Borlase (disaster)
Jeremy Manning (Rabo standard at best)

Leinster
Cameron Jowitt (never hit the heights hoped for him)
Richardt Strauss (the only project player to be capped at full level for Ireland)
Steve Sykes (didn't even last a full season was meant to have being very homesick and his attitude wasn't what Leinster hoped it would be)

Ulster:
Robbie Diack (A good squad player who will probably get some international honours at some stage)