Bernard Jackman believes that the current crop of Ireland internationals is short when it comes to vocal on-pitch leaders and that it's an issue that can only be fixed from the bottom up.
Andy Farrell’s side are undergoing a period of transition and void in leadership on the field. The retirements of Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony are being felt throughout the squad.
However with Johnny Sexton, one of Ireland’s great captains, now part of the coaching staff, Jackman believes that Farrell’s side can help develop the current squad when it comes to taking responsibility on the pitch.
Speaking on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast, Jackman insisted that the onus is on both the coaching staff and the players to bring through the next generation of leaders.
He said: "I think the big thing for Johnny and the strength Johnny has is that tactical influence and now it's a case of being able to, I suppose, teach the leaders and the game managers of how to implement that.
"That's going to be the area I think that he can really bring. It's obvious the way Farrell kind of needed Peter O'Mahony and Cian Healy and all those lads to stay till the very end.
"The current crop are different personalities, different characters in terms of the drive that they bring.
"I think they're all very good pros in their own environment and in looking after themselves. But in terms of being able to put your head above water and maybe call people out…"
Jackman feels that the lack of on-pitch leaders in an issue that the IRFU are actively trying to address and that it’s a search that starts from the ground up with the current academy system.
"With the academies, there was a big drive to find athletes. Joe Schmidt was famous for telling the Leinster Academy, 'you find the athlete, I'll make the rugby player’.
"He didn't care if he could catch a pass, but if he was a good athlete, he would coach him and make him a rugby player.
"Now they've been told to look out for those characters and personalities who have a bit of dog in them, who have that drive, who are obstreperous in their nature and could be good leaders of men.
"At the moment, I think there's a shortage of them."
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