Bernard Jackman says Ireland's summer games against Georgia and Portugal can't afford to be devalued by their growing representation on the British and Irish Lions tour.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will be leading the Lions for their tour of Australia, while three of his Ireland assistants have also now been drafted into the coaching group, as well as two other key members of staff.
Defence coach Simon Easterby, who was interim head coach for Ireland in the Six Nations, has been brought into the Lions backroom team, as well as attack coach Andrew Goodman and scrum coach John Fogarty. Head of athletic performance Aled Walters and the IRFU’s lead analyst Vinny Hammond will also be part of the Lions staff.
The IRFU have since confirmed that forwards coach Paul O’Connell will take charge for the summer trips to Georgia and Portugal, with the rest of the coaching staff to be confirmed next week.
It means four of Ireland’s five main coaches will be away from the day job for the summer, while there is also likely to be a record number of Irish players involved on the Lions, with the squad list to be confirmed on Thursday, 8 May.
"I think it’s a fascinating one," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"I am very much in favour of him [Farrell] being the head coach. It was perfect to keep him motivated. He’s been with them since after the England World Cup, so he's been here a long time. For his own energy, mentally, I thought it was good.
"I didn't foresee as many Irish coaches to be honest. I think even if Ireland won the Six Nations in a handstand, I didn’t think there would be as many Irish coaches, but I think that’s totally his decision to make."
Ireland’s summer Tests will be an opportunity to blood new players, many of whom have already been involved in Ireland A and Emerging Ireland games.
And while Jackman says he believes the decision to allow Farrell coach the Lions this summer was the right one by the IRFU, they must make sure the July window doesn't just become a rebadged Emerging Ireland trip.
"The challenge now is getting the summer tour right.
"I’m not saying that will happen on the summer tour but you do need a certain amount of solidity there to be able to let the youngsters come in, have the best possible chance of showing what they can do.
"Look what Georgia have done in the second tier Six Nations, hammering teams. Portugal, we saw it at the World Cup that they have the capacity to be competitive.
"This tour isn't a gimme, so we’re going to have to get that balance right.
"There’s lots of good coaches in Ireland, it’s just making sure there is enough there that they play like Ireland, but likewise that we don't miss an opportunity to try and test some players that are on Farrell’s radar.
"He’s a very good selector; he can spot talent and can spot people who have the capacity to step up. I’m fascinated to see who he’s seen. It might be players who have had a lot or a little gametime. I’m hoping that his knack of finding talent will help us in the short-term get some new blood into that team."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow a live blog on Italy v Ireland in the Women's Six Nations on Sunday from 3pm on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch Sharks v Leinster in the URC on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
