For all the talk of Ireland’s impressive U20 pipeline, is it producing enough to keep up with bigger nations?

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Louis Bielle-Biarrey made his senior level debut when he was still eligible for France U20s. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Wire.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey made his senior level debut when he was still eligible for France U20s. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

A regular talking point when Ireland take on France is the competitively younger age of the French line up. Louis Bielle-Biarrey debuted when he was still eligible for France U20s. Where are the 20-year-olds making their way to the Irish senior team?

Is this just a case of a different system of talent development, or is France ahead of Ireland? For all the talk of Ireland’s impressive U20 pipeline, is it producing enough to keep up with bigger nations? Gordon D’Arcy joins John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.