When you look at the Heineken Cup semi finalist, you have two Irish, one Scottish and one French Club. Also, when you look at the sides winning the competition or being in the latter stages, the Irish are always there or thereabouts.

Ireland has a fairly small and conservative rugby playing population and cannot compare its wealth with the likes of England and France, but it keeps its players and has successful teams playing in Europe. I don't fully understand the mechanics of the Irish set up, but central contracting by the IRFU is part of the answer and the need to be playing in Ireland helps the International prospects. Is there something in the Irish model that could be applied in league?

not unless you first fix the problem with international exposure and it's financial rewards

This problem for English union sides has been coming for 5-10 years. Its a simple equation there is too many full time professional sides in 1 small area. Wales has 4 sides Scotland has 3-4 and Ireland has 4-5. England has 2 divisions of almost full time staff and its costing a fortune to run. Especially on the gates and income some are doing. Whatever they get from the RFU is shared by over 10 clubs at the highest level.

RFU wanted around a decade ago to go to regional sides as Wales and most of the other sides in the six nations have. Instead of upping the cap it needs less sides but that will never happen and its now costing the English sides a fortune in trying to keep up with most of the competition as the club sides in France, Wales and Ireland are getting stronger with mainly home-grown talent. Whilst France can cherry pick most players they want they generally get 1 or 2 going over every season. English union problem is much bigger than rising the cap for clubs to spend more as the question is where will the money go home grown talent or as Saracens do get overseas players in on a fortune.

Interesting to see that Stephen Jones has gone from Scarlets to Wasps considering Wasps are in a financially mess apparently. Its rather nice to see the lack of vision by the English Clubs a decade ago will now lead to a problem for them now. Only thing they will do by upping the cap is putting bigger pressure on the clubs that can not afford it. But as we see in League rising the cap has its own problems but at least the RFL considers the situation of every club unlike 1 or 2 owners in union who just see themselves. They need less clubs so its best players are playing for 4-5 clubs instead of 10 or more. This is why Wales are so strong atm internationally as most have played with eachother for a while now. A bit like us.

According to this report, he's staying at saracens. [urlhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2128654/Andy-Farrell-rejects-England-role-Stuart-Lancaster.html[/url

So I just saw on the BBC website, it goes to show the media probably wanted him in that role and ran these stories to influence the out come.