So apparently Leinster having distinct advantages in terms of population and private school wealth is new news.
It would almost seem this way given how suddenly the non-stop talk around the reasons for Leinster's success has sprung up in recent weeks.
Following Dan McFarland's comments, Leicester coach Richard Wigglesworth also pointed pointed out Leinster's advantages:
"One, they are an outstanding team with quality internationals and quality coaches that have been together a long time," said Wigglesworth.
"None of that is in question, but the gulf is in what you have available to spend. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong. I’m not asking to spend more money. I’m just being clear."
Speaking on RTE's rugby podcast, Eddie O'Sullivan suggested that Wigglesworth was ignoring the Irish school's system, and said that he should look to France for ways England's system can improve.
I think Wigglesworth is probably a bit confused about how the whole thing is working.
I think comparing Leinster to the teams in England and in France is a misnomer. Leinster are a product of a very streamlined and efficient Irish rugby system.
Irish rugby is very atypical for the Northern Hemisphere because players are centrally contracted, there's four professional teams, the IRFU manages the whole environment.
Ok they have better budgets, they're in a capital city, they've over a million people, it's a big province.
But the school system is delivering incredibly talented players.
The Leinster Question
7 April 2023; Jamison Gibson-Park of Leinster scores his side's third try during the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final match between Leinster and Leicester Tigers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
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"And how many Leinster players are playing across the provinces now or professionally.
"Then if you do a deep dive on that, how many of those players are coming from which schools in Dublin?
"It seems to me that the school powerhouse in Dublin is producing a conveyor belt of talent which benefits Leinster primarily, but also benefits the other provinces.
"Now Richard Wigglesworth to be fair wouldn't understand that whole dynamic, so him jumping on the Leinster have loads of money and we don't is kind of a very shallow argument as to why Leinster are so good and as to why Leicester struggle.
"If he looks in the other direction he would get a better picture as to why they are not as good."
In Wigglesworth's defence, he was probably lamenting more so the salary cap imposed on English sides, and even if you take O'Sullivan's comments into account, it all stems back to the advantages of private school wealth.
In essence, Wigglesworth is not wrong, but neither is O'Sullivan in pointing out that England's club system needs serious changes to improve.
SEE ALSO: England Legend Thinks Champions Cup Final Should Be Moved If Leinster Qualify
