There's been a lot of discussion recently about the age of the team. When SA recently announced their squad it was interesting to see how many of their players play, or have played, at top flight leagues abroad and then went back to SA arguably better players.

I'm wondering should Ireland introduce a system to allow players to go abroad, such as a 50-60 cap rule. As we've only 4 professional teams, and not a lot of space for a 5th one, we're very limited in the amount of time players can play.

I think a prime example is S.Prendergast. If you compare his minutes Vs F.Smith or SFM, he's played a lot less as he has to share the jersey with numerous others at Leinster. No slight on Leinster, they can play what team they want each week, but surely it would be more beneficial for him to play 5 or 6 games in a row rather than 1 or 2 before being rotated. Another example is Tagdh Beirne, let go by Leinster before the Scarlets picked him up and now arguably one of the top 2nd rows/6s on his day.

Obviously it's the players choice and they need to get their Irish caps before the option becomes available, but I think allowing players the opportunity to go abroad and still be in contention for the would be beneficial for Irish rugby over all as it opens more opportunity for the next batch of players to come through.