David Humphreys

Just...

maximizing because we know we've got a small group of players that hasn't changed since since i was playing since you guys were playing we have a relatively small group of players compared to these other nations we're competing against so we just have to do things differently um so that's where i think we're in a good place i think we've come through a difficult 18 months in terms of

what you'd have heard Kevin Potts talk about from a budgetary point of view, the world of rugby is under financial pressure.

We've had to make some decisions due to those financial pressures that we wouldn't have made ordinarily, but it feels much more balanced now.

We've come out of that.

We've done our review.

We are now in a position where we're investing, as I said, in the schools to grow the game.

We're investing in our teams to make sure that we give them every opportunity to compete at whatever level they're competing.

Obviously, it's not a business that tries to make profit, but it's a business that has to break even.

So, yes, there's always going to be a financial element.

And Irish Rugby has always been lauded for as long as I can remember for the way that they've managed their finances, ensured that we've had competitive and built a competitive program.

And the central contracting model, which is a singularly most expensive piece that we did.

we have in place, but that is what has underpinned and protected the national team success.

So from the day that I walked into this role, it's been very clear that protecting the men's national team and the success of the men's national team is a number one priority for this particular job.

What does that look like?

Well, that brings in that discussion about where do the provinces sit?

My own view is, and you boys will have lived it out, that we need competitive provinces to sustain international, long-term international success.

And I give the example

Before your time, when we were playing for Ireland in the 90s, our provinces weren't beating the French clubs, weren't beating the English clubs.

We pulled on a green jersey and we didn't believe we could win.