Players need to start moving.
There seems to be a shift in the rugby landscape in Ireland, with a series of inter-provincial loan moves happening in recent weeks.
We have seen Andrew Smith move to Munster, where he starred in their loss to Bordeaux at the weekend, scoring a stunning solo try.
Michael Milne and Lee Barron have also made loan moves to Munster until the end of the season, ahead of their permanent transfers to the province.
And while it is outside of Ireland, Harry Byrne’s ongoing loan at Bristol Bears has reinvigorated the out-half and certainly improved his stock.
These inter-provincial loans and transfers need to become more frequent, given the amount of talent across the country, and mainly in Leinster, with their resources and population.
The moves have many benefits, with increased game time being the most sure-fire way for a player to improve, and thus increase their value and chances of making Ireland squads.
In the meantime, it frees up space at one province, with Finn Treacy being a fine example. The 20-year-old Connacht winger has excelled in the absence of the aforementioned Smith.
For younger player with no college commitments, a loan move could give them the much-needed development that their home province may not be able to afford them, while not losing them forever.
Below are five such moves that would make a lot of sense for both club and player.
Scott Penny (Leinster) to Ulster or Connacht
The St Michael’s College alumnus came out of school with a big reputation, and lived up to it with the Ireland Under-20s as part of their Grand Slam-winning side in 2019.
The good times continued, as he amassed an impressive number of Leinster caps at a young age, put in man-of-the-match performances in inter-pro derbies, and earned Emerging Ireland and Ireland ‘A’ appearances, and a call-up to the senior squad.
From there, his career began to stall, and he has not gotten near the amount of meaningful game time that his talent deserves.
This season, he has just four starts for Leinster, and none in their recent two-game trip to South Africa, in a squad devoid of front-liners.
The most disappointing aspect of his career is his lack of Champions Cup appearances, with just three outings in the competition.
In contrast, James McNabney and Brian Gleeson, from the Ireland U-20s class of 2023, both have more, while Penny’s 2019 U-20s teammate, John Hodnett, has 20.
Crucially, Penny is still on 25, and still a couple of years away from his prime.
A move to Ulster or Connacht, where backrow depth is much thinner, could push him to the next level.
He wouldn’t be a guaranteed starter for either province, but would make their first-choice 23s and push Nick Timoney and Shamus Hurley-Langton for European starts.
Having signed a contract extension with the Blues last year, a loan move makes sense.
Alex Usanov (Leinster) to Ulster or Connacht
This loan move would have a huge benefit for both Leinster and Ulster/Connacht.
His home province rates him highly, having given the loose head prop a senior contract despite not having played a competitive game for the senior side.
However, his lack of experience wouldn’t put teams off, given his performances for Emerging Ireland last year.
The 19-year-old was a late call-up to the squad, replacing the injured Jordan Duggan, and proceeded to outshine more experienced front-rowers.
Even with Cian Healy’s retirement and the departure of Michael Milne to Munster, Usanov will still have Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle, and Paddy McCarthy ahead of him.
A year-long loan would be a handy addition to either Ulster or Connacht, while giving him developmental game time that might not be on offer at Leinster.
Harry Byrne (Leinster) – Connacht
Byrne’s recent move to Bristol has shown the immense value of a loan, both for the team receiving and the one giving.
With his brother Ross moving to Gloucester next season, Leo Cullen will be thrilled at getting back the rejuvenated younger sibling.
Therefore, this hypothetical move would be more to Harry’s benefit than to Leo and Leinster.
The out-half has stated his desire to get back into the Ireland fold, but with Sam Prendergast the clear first-choice at Leinster, and the versatile Ciarán Frawley knocking around, will he get enough opportunity to show his worth?
At Connacht, with JJ Hanrahan departing and Josh Ioane’s iffy form, Byrne would be odds-on to take the starting berth out west.
One of Byrne’s flaws throughout his career has been his need for a few games to get up to speed after missing matches, which was often due to frequent injuries, but at Connacht, this issue would be significantly eased with less competition for places.
A positive side effect for Leinster would mean that Charlie Tector and Casper Gabriel would see more game time at 10.
Hugh Cooney (Leinster) – Munster
Munster are not exactly aching for centres; their starting pair of Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell is one of the best in Europe. Rory Scannell and Seán O’Brien are also worthy back-ups, and Jack Crowley, JJ Hanrahan, who is returning next season, and Shane Daly can all fill in.
But with Scannell, Crowley, and Hanrahan seen as inside centres, while Daly is primarily an outside back and O’Brien plays much of his rugby on the wing, there is an opening at 13.
Cooney could be a worthy replacement for Farrell. He does lack the size of the latter, but has a similar play-style, with excellent basics, a footballing brain, and silky movement.
At Leinster, the queue at centre is worse than lunchtime at Bambino, with Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, Ciarán Frawley, Jimmy O’Brien, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, and, from next season, the one-and-only Rieko Ioane.
Caolin Blade (Connacht) – Ulster
If the IRFU and the provinces had to push through one transfer next season, then this should be the one.
After holding off pressure from both Ben Murphy and Matthew Devine, it looks as though Blade has finally lost his place in Connacht’s first-choice 23, having not featured in the match-day squad for last weekend’s loss to Racing 92.
But the Galway man has not been playing badly by any means, and was also part of Ireland’s recent Six Nations squad. He has just been usurped by two in-form, young talents.
At just 30 years old, he is young in scrum-half years, and with John Cooney moving to Brive next season, Blade would be the first-choice up north.
One suspects, however, that it may be Murphy that moves, joining his head coach father Richie and out-half brother, Jack.
