Ticket.

Former Ireland and Ulster back-row Stephen Ferris reckons there might be “too much of an English feel” around the current Irish team at the moment with the recent appointment of Mike Catt.

Former England coach Catt follows in the footsteps of Andy Farrell, who will be promoted to head coach of Ireland when Joe Schmidt leaves after the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year.

Elsewhere Stuart Lancaster is currently a senior coach at Leinster, with Graham Rowntree set to take over as Munster’s new forwards coach – meaning England’s entire Rugby World Cup 2015 coaching ticket will soon be employed by the IRFU.

Ferris thinks Catt is a “good appointment” – but does feel like the lack of Irish coaches is a bit concerning.

“Maybe slightly for me, there’s too much of an English feel around this Irish team at the minute,” Ferris told RTE 2fm’s Game On

“I think they’re coaches see teams that are on the up and Munster with the appointment of [Stephen] Larkham as well, he sees that there’s an opportunity there for them to come good.”

“But for me it’s almost like, Jerry Flannery – gone, Felix Jones – gone.”

“I think Mark McCall is the only one that’s really sticking his hand up to say that when Andy Farrell leaves or moves on or gets sacked, you never know, that he might put his hand up to be the next Irish coach.”

“I think fair play to the lads, they’ve seen opportunities, the English guys and they’re going to give it their all and you can’t doubt what they’re going to bring. Look at Lancaster and what he’s brought, Johnny Sexton loves working under him.”

“But fair play to the lads and hopefully they bring a lot to Irish rugby over the coming years.”