Ella floored by knockout system

 Schools Senior CupThe Leinster coach tells Gavin Cummiskey that it's ridiculous to have some of the country's best young players involved in only one game a year

Leinster coach Gary Ella has questioned the benefits of the current Schools Cup knockout format in regard to the advancement of professional rugby within the province.

Ella obviously has a vested interest in the schools set-up, as the majority of his squad developed from the competition. Of the Irish-born players who played in the European Cup for Leinster this year, only Shane Horgan and Brendan Burke did not come through the schools, while Brian O'Meara came through the Munster equivalent.

"I don't see how you can have a school system were the schools could only play one game," said Ella. "Have a look at St Mary's this year, they got beat against Blackrock (in the first round). Everybody was telling me how good they were, yet they played only one game and were out of the competition and that was the end of their season. Now that's crazy."

The encounter this year between the two pre-tournament favourites (Blackrock and St Mary's) was the most fiercely contested match of the competition and also packed Donnybrook to the rafters.

Due to their lack of exposure, the Irish schools selectors and those who hand out the IRFU Academy contracts missed the chance to see several quality players in repeated action.

"They've got to be playing week in, week out at school," continued Ella "I mean even if it's only a 10-week competition. It's got to be a league and they've got to play against each other. Pick the best 10 sides in Ireland, or even the Leinster province, and have them play against each other on a home and away basis."

Despite this being just his first season with Leinster, Ella has the experience to know how a successful schools system works. In his native New South Wales, he made his name as a coach with the under-19 provincial side (1993-95) and national side, who he brought to the FIRA World Cup final in 2000, before progressing up to the Waratahs Super 12 franchise as assistant to Bob Dwyer.

"For one thing, there are a lot more players in Australia. There are the Combined High Schools, Greater Public Schools (GPS) - who provide the bulk of players - the Associated Schools and the Catholic Schools. They play at least 10 games against each other before the New South Wales team is picked. At the GPS games between 10-15,000 people will turnout each week."

The Leinster Branch have not been idle in regard to the cultivation of the schools competition. At both Senior and Junior level extra knockout tournaments (the Vincent Murray and Fr Godfrey Cups) have been set-up for the weaker schools to compete for a trophy.

Yet, in the current prosperous climate that Irish rugby finds itself, some positional areas still need to be addressed. The dearth of halfbacks and props below the senior level will be solved only by what the schools produce. It's possible a potential professional, at an elite rugby school, would miss the attention of the academy. In a league format this would not occur.

The pressure cooker atmosphere of knockout rugby does undoubtedly provide players with a helpful edge in the future, but so does repetition of top-level matches.

"I don't think it needs dramatic changing," Ella adds. "I just think there should be more consistency and a longer competition for guys to play in. I really don't believe the knockout competition produces the best schoolboy."

The Irish schools will get a chance to pit their wits against Australia's finest on tour this summer. In the not too distant past, and despite all the odds, both Leinster (1995) and Ireland (1996) Schools sides have toured undefeated Down Under. Ella believes that, although competitive, they will be unable to cope with the power of the Australians. It's a brave statement when you consider the Ireland Schools' 12-8 win away to England this month.

"I just don't think they will be physically strong enough. Devon Toner in the second row will ensure that they get the ball, while the class of some of the individuals are outstanding. But around the paddock I think they might just struggle.

"But in saying that, the under-19s did very well against the All Blacks in that unfortunate game (last month's youth World Cup, when Armagh schoolboy John McCall tragically died). The Irish, although they are not as physically big, their technique is very good. I think the coaching at the 19s and the higher end of the schools levels is also good."