Many Tigers fans are moaning their team were playing pretty much the Irish national XV when, in reality, the overwhelming majority are local lads who have gone through their Academy system.
There is no reliance on expensive galacticos and their few overseas signings (eg Lowe, Gibson-Park) were pretty much unheard of before moving to Leinster. Since then they have been expertly coached and subsequently developed into international players.
The Leinster model should be applauded and copied.
The Irish model is definitely superior to the English model in many ways - player welfare and development being two examples.
However, I don't think it's all that great.
My understanding is that the IRFU finances the game in Ireland and the national team is the main focus.
The IRFU can, and have, moved players around the provinces to meet the needs of the national side (for example, Joey Carbery moving to Munster from Leinster as the thought at the time was that Carbery would take over from Sexton eventually).
Also, it means the provinces rarely see their top stars playing (I think Tagdh Furlong played 13 games last season with most of those being European games). This isn't a huge issue when the national side is doing as well as it is right now but would that change if success is limited in the future.
Always a Wasp
