Speaking on BT Sports Rugby Tonight, Brian O’Driscoll described the situation in which the Irish provinces now find themselves as ‘concerning’.
The opening two rounds of European Rugby Champions Cup have seen Leinster lose both games and Ulster lose their only game. This includes both sides being on a wrong end of a bonus point victory at home. Munster despite earning a four try bonus point against Treviso, were anything but impressive in their opening fixture.
The Aviva Premiership teams have looked highly impressive with the likes of Wasps and Saracens looking like real powerhouses. Toulon have also really hit form the last couple of weeks and it’s looks highly unlikely that an Irish province will even come close to lifting the trophy.
O’Driscoll has blamed the decline on the inability of the provinces to attract the talent they once did from the southern hemisphere. This could be the beginning of a very dark period for the Irish provinces.
“We don’t have the marquee players we used to!” @BrianODriscoll on the @IrishRugby sides’ #ChampionsCup struggles. https://t.co/0V7WyUjprt
— Rugby Tonight (@RugbyTonight) December 8, 2015