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<blockquote data-quote="snoopy snoopy dog dog" data-source="post: 295398">I&#039;d be hugely surprised if international players only played 2 or 3 ML games next season but they will more than likely play a lower pecentage of games than they have the last couple of years due to a few factors. The first is obviously trying to freshen things up for the world cup. The other reasons are certain players are creeping up in age (O&#039;Driscoll, D&#039;arcy, Fogarty, Cullen, Horgan) and also the fact that they won&#039;t be able to cope with 4 extra fixtures which Italian teams entering the competition will ensure. I&#039;d say we&#039;ll see Irish internationals play in their provinces home games and also away against the other provinces. Whether they play away in Italy, Scotland or Wales is up for debate - until the playoffs at least.There were a few interviews with Stan Wright in the papers last week. Here&#039;s one from the Hedild:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;div class=&#039;quotetop&#039;&gt;QUOTE &lt;/div&gt;I was one of the horde laughing at how bad Wright was when he first came on board. Through hard work and good coaching, he&#039;s developed into an excellent prop. He won&#039;t drive opponents back but more often than not he&#039;ll lock his side of the scrum and allow Jamie Heaslip off the base and the backs outside the chance to gain positive yardage. His appetite to carry the ball marks him out and is the main reason why he&#039;s ahead of Mike Ross, a wonderful scrummager, on the depth chart.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="snoopy snoopy dog dog, post: 295398"] I'd be hugely surprised if international players only played 2 or 3 ML games next season but they will more than likely play a lower pecentage of games than they have the last couple of years due to a few factors. The first is obviously trying to freshen things up for the world cup. The other reasons are certain players are creeping up in age (O'Driscoll, D'arcy, Fogarty, Cullen, Horgan) and also the fact that they won't be able to cope with 4 extra fixtures which Italian teams entering the competition will ensure. I'd say we'll see Irish internationals play in their provinces home games and also away against the other provinces. Whether they play away in Italy, Scotland or Wales is up for debate - until the playoffs at least. There were a few interviews with Stan Wright in the papers last week. Here's one from the Hedild: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div> I was one of the horde laughing at how bad Wright was when he first came on board. Through hard work and good coaching, he's developed into an excellent prop. He won't drive opponents back but more often than not he'll lock his side of the scrum and allow Jamie Heaslip off the base and the backs outside the chance to gain positive yardage. His appetite to carry the ball marks him out and is the main reason why he's ahead of Mike Ross, a wonderful scrummager, on the depth chart. [/QUOTE]

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