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Well I didn't see that Ireland performance coming. Awesome display. At Twickenham too. Unreal.

SouthGalway (Galway) - Posts: 214 - 21/02/2026 16:12:12    2657650

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "The system doesn't work. There's less playing rugby not more."
Be more playing it after today

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2086 - 21/02/2026 16:27:34    2657654

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Phenomenal weekend for Irish rugby starting with u20 last night.

I wonder if that Josh neill could be fast tracked for 2027 looks a super player

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1952 - 21/02/2026 16:29:31    2657655

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Replying To jm25:  "Have you any evidence for this rugby is far more popular and taken seriously in north Galway south mayo than 15 years ago"
Playing numbers at all levels especially adult teams. Certainly in Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. Increase in training days at underage level in GAA means kids are not even playing rugby casually anymore. The kids who are good at GAA and soccer don't have time for it. Athletics far more popular than Rugby in Connacht and Ulster. Participation numbers show this. Any parents on here who have kids involved in multi sports will tell you this also.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8761 - 21/02/2026 16:33:45    2657656

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Super performance from Ireland today, beating England in their own back yard 42 pts to 21 double scores, but sure you can only play what's in front of you.

A win like that is something great but on their home ground and that being Twickenham makes it something special.

There is a greater awareness about the game of rugby now by male and females than that of up to 10 years ago, club numbers may not be growing a lot but club members and supporters certainly is.
What makes it sweeter still is our u 20's beating the same opposition last night, so there is evidence to suggest that young lads are playing it.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3367 - 21/02/2026 17:44:14    2657664

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Some of the posts here are ridiculous. I played Rugby from the age of 5 to 18 and love the game. I'm not suggesting nobody is playing it i am stating the pool is so narrow it doesn't make a dent in the more popular sports.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8761 - 21/02/2026 18:33:02    2657670

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Some of the posts here are ridiculous. I played Rugby from the age of 5 to 18 and love the game. I'm not suggesting nobody is playing it i am stating the pool is so narrow it doesn't make a dent in the more popular sports."
I think the big issue rugby, or any less popular sport, faces outside the big urban populated areas is player pool. Take even a town of Athlones size. Numbers are decent up to u14/15 in the club game. There is only one club for the town and its hinterland. However it falls away after that.


TMy own lad was a handy 12 and back up 10 at u14. He came back for u15 and the 2 flankers from u14 were picked in the centre. He didnt come back for u16 as he's a gaa player first and foremost and the collisions were getting heavier. He didnt want to risk the injury exposure. By u18 that same rugby team were down to 15 players and had to pull lads up to field a bench. One of my sons friends was coaxed back due to the short numbers and ended up having to sit out his 6th year gaa season due to a significant bang to the head he received in that game.
There is also only one school playing the game in Athlone. Its primarily a gaa school( istrangely it plays gaa in leinster and rugby in Connacht) and there are a lot of dual players. The injuries the rugby lads pick up is an issue that the football team have to contend with. I know that can work both ways but it doesnt feel that way.
Jonnie Sexton and his celebrity highlighted head injuries and parents are more aware of that issue now. It does hinder rugby participation in my opinion as does the injury exposure in general. Of course the lure of " making it " will always be an attraction and what young boy doesnt want to be a professional sportsman and play for his country. However, in my experience, both parents and young lads are making a call on that ambition around the 14 to 16 mark and walking away if they dont believe its a realistic proposition.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 32 - 21/02/2026 19:53:41    2657683

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "I think the big issue rugby, or any less popular sport, faces outside the big urban populated areas is player pool. Take even a town of Athlones size. Numbers are decent up to u14/15 in the club game. There is only one club for the town and its hinterland. However it falls away after that.


TMy own lad was a handy 12 and back up 10 at u14. He came back for u15 and the 2 flankers from u14 were picked in the centre. He didnt come back for u16 as he's a gaa player first and foremost and the collisions were getting heavier. He didnt want to risk the injury exposure. By u18 that same rugby team were down to 15 players and had to pull lads up to field a bench. One of my sons friends was coaxed back due to the short numbers and ended up having to sit out his 6th year gaa season due to a significant bang to the head he received in that game.
There is also only one school playing the game in Athlone. Its primarily a gaa school( istrangely it plays gaa in leinster and rugby in Connacht) and there are a lot of dual players. The injuries the rugby lads pick up is an issue that the football team have to contend with. I know that can work both ways but it doesnt feel that way.
Jonnie Sexton and his celebrity highlighted head injuries and parents are more aware of that issue now. It does hinder rugby participation in my opinion as does the injury exposure in general. Of course the lure of " making it " will always be an attraction and what young boy doesnt want to be a professional sportsman and play for his country. However, in my experience, both parents and young lads are making a call on that ambition around the 14 to 16 mark and walking away if they dont believe its a realistic proposition."
Athlone would be far stronger rugby wise than most places outside of Connacht. Small pockets in Mayo, Sligo etc but they don't make a mark and underage GAA teams and soccer teams are now going twice a week so when teenagers choose they always drop rugby.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8761 - 21/02/2026 22:00:43    2657703

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "I think the big issue rugby, or any less popular sport, faces outside the big urban populated areas is player pool. Take even a town of Athlones size. Numbers are decent up to u14/15 in the club game. There is only one club for the town and its hinterland. However it falls away after that.


TMy own lad was a handy 12 and back up 10 at u14. He came back for u15 and the 2 flankers from u14 were picked in the centre. He didnt come back for u16 as he's a gaa player first and foremost and the collisions were getting heavier. He didnt want to risk the injury exposure. By u18 that same rugby team were down to 15 players and had to pull lads up to field a bench. One of my sons friends was coaxed back due to the short numbers and ended up having to sit out his 6th year gaa season due to a significant bang to the head he received in that game.
There is also only one school playing the game in Athlone. Its primarily a gaa school( istrangely it plays gaa in leinster and rugby in Connacht) and there are a lot of dual players. The injuries the rugby lads pick up is an issue that the football team have to contend with. I know that can work both ways but it doesnt feel that way.
Jonnie Sexton and his celebrity highlighted head injuries and parents are more aware of that issue now. It does hinder rugby participation in my opinion as does the injury exposure in general. Of course the lure of " making it " will always be an attraction and what young boy doesnt want to be a professional sportsman and play for his country. However, in my experience, both parents and young lads are making a call on that ambition around the 14 to 16 mark and walking away if they dont believe its a realistic proposition."
And you are bang on about lads making a call on it as a teenager. You get far more out being a decent club GAA player than playing senior rugby in a lower league.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8761 - 21/02/2026 22:13:33    2657710

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