Like every other sport in the country right now, rugby is facing major challenges on the back of Covid-19, and with no end point yet in sight, the knock-on effects will be felt for years to come.
While the professional game is providing some relief from the increasing levels of life’s daily pressures, the schools’ and club games remain at a halt.
For the IRFU, this throws up all sorts of problems, not least in terms of the National Talent Squad (NTS) programme, which has become the cornerstone for producing stars of the future.
Not every young player will be as naturally gifted or automatically drawn to rugby as say, James Ryan or Garry Ringrose, and with no games or proper on-field training programmes currently permitted to take place under Government restrictions, the IRFU are very mindful of the risks of teenagers turning away from rugby.
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