What's going on in Irish rugby's development pathway amidst Covid? Peter Smyth, the IRFU’s Head of Elite Player Development, outlines the challenges. By Murray Kinsella Friday 19 Feb 2021, 6:45 AM Feb 19th 2021, 6:45 AM 4,348 Views 4 Comments The Ireland U18 Schools team in 2019. The Ireland U18 Schools team in 2019. IRISH RUGBY HAS plenty of talent in the pipeline but for the last year, most young players who have the potential to be professionals have essentially been going without any rugby at all due to Covid-19 restrictions. Normally, the schools cups would be up and running at this time of the year, while players would be jostling for places in the Ireland U18 and U19 teams, but all is barren on that front for now.