RTÉ Rugby analyst Bernard Jackman has branded the upcoming Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa as a "terrible idea", citing both the timing of the venture and the poor quality of the opposition involved.
The 35-man squad was named this afternoon by coach Simon Easterby, which contains just four players who've been capped at senior level, Ulster's Robert Balacoune, Connacht's Caolin Blade, Leinster's Max Deegan and Munster's Shane Daly.
The touring group will play three games against Griquas (30 September), Pumas (5 October) and Cheetahs (9 October). Easterby heads the coaching party for the Emerging Ireland, assisted by Paul O'Connell, Mike Catt and John Fogarty.
Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell outlined the rationale behind the endeavour, saying it "provides another window for players to develop and show they can thrive in the intensity of a national environment".
IRFU High Performance Director David Nucifora acknowledged the project would "put some stress on our player resources" but argued it will "provide an opportunity for emerging talent to impress the national coaches early in a World Cup season".
However, former Ireland hooker Jackman sees it as a futile venture, saying the timing is unfair to the provincial coaches and there's little to learn from the opposition involved.
"I think it's a terrible idea," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"I think it sends the wrong message to the provincial coaches of where they stand in the pecking order. There was 40-odd players that went away this summer. They're going to be drip-fed back in during the season.
"The URC is getting stronger. Points are going to count for a lot, early doors. To lose some of your key players, particularly when some of the international players are not going to be back into full swing, could lose provincial coaches points. That could potentially cost them jobs, long-term.
"I think if the quality of opposition was higher, I wouldn't be as against it to be honest. I know as a player, touring is special. And the chance to go away with a group of players representing Ireland is a big draw. Along with the chance to work with Simon Easterby and Paul O'Connell.
"But given how poor the opposition are, and the timing of it, I think they'd be better off playing for their province in a URC game against the Sharks or the Bulls or Glasgow or Edinburgh. Because they're going to be able to play in a team where they understand the gameplan and against better opposition. And I think it's more of a test.
"Realistically, what can we find out? If Ciaran Frawley has a stormer against the Griquas, what's it worth?
"Also, the fact that we have this Ireland A game against New Zealand in November, Munster are playing against the Springboks As, there's enough quality games over the next while. Plus the URC is now a genuinely good competition.
"It's not good timing, but also it's not the right opposition to really judge people."
'If Ciaran Frawley has a stormer against the Griquas, what is it worth?'@bernardjackman questioning value of Emerging Ireland tour #rterugby
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Jackman insists that there is more to be learned from the emergent crop's performances in the URC and the Champions Cup than in the tour of South Africa.
"There's 40-odd players went to New Zealand, there's still those games in November to try players out. In fairness to Farrell, he has capped a lot of players. There was those two games against the Maori All Blacks which was obviously a higher level that they're going to play here.
"Thirty-two go to the World Cup. I can't see any real fliers that aren't going to get game-time at provincial level. Take Joe McCarthy, to keep it very Leinster-focused. The makings of him will be can he get into that Champions Cup side for Leinster. If he can, then he's going to be there or thereabouts in the pecking order for the World Cup as a back-up lock. I don't see this Tour driving him any more forward.
"They understand that it's all about Team Ireland. They manage that relationship very well and they're very giving because they understand their place in the pecking order. But I just think this sends out a poor message in terms of the relationship between the Union and the provincial coaches."
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