Bernard Jackman believes IRFU high-performance director David Humphreys has a major job on his hands to address the player pathway system in the country that has failed to widen the playing pool.
Ireland's dip in form since the 2023 World Cup continued with last week’s comprehensive defeat away to France in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations.
Notwithstanding the fact Andy Farrell’s side were shorn a number of key players, the visitors were outmuscled and outclassed in Paris.
While French head coach Fabien Galthie had seven players under the age of 23 in his matchday squad, out-half Sam Prendergast was the sole player in green in the same age category.
Discussing where Ireland has lost its recent competitive advantage on RTÉ’s Against the Head, Jackman said that he has seen little evidence of a strategy change within Irish rugby to address the issue of the player pathway system.
"What is being done to try and improve and increase our playing pool? Nothing," he told viewers.
The former Ireland and Leinster hooker outlined the example of French hooker Guillaume Cramont.
The 25-year-old recently extended his contract with Toulouse, but with French internationals Peato Mauvaka and Julien Marchand ahead of him in the pecking order, he has been loaned to Bayonne to get more game time under his belt.
"Who have we in our system who is organising and looking to get opportunities for our young players with potential to play abroad if they can’t fit into the four provinces?" he questioned.
"Private schools in Dublin are disenfranchised with the Leinster system, the most productive pool in terms of what we have.
"It is creaking and I think David Humphreys has a huge job on his hands to fix this.
"We need to review our pathway because we are not producing enough players."
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