Former Munster and Ireland player Donncha O’Callaghan believes rugby could benefit from a January transfer window similar to soccer.
The topic of player numbers has arisen at Leinster over the last few years, with several positions being well-stocked.
Leinster’s hookers include Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher, John McKee, Tadhg McElroy, and academy talent Gus McCarthy, who captained Ireland U20s to a Grand Slam in 2023. The same can be said for the fly-halves: Ross Byrne, Harry Byrne, Ciaran Frawley, and Sam Prendergast are also in the squad.
This week, Leinster announced that out-half Harry Byrne has joined Premiership side Bristol Bears on a three-month loan deal.
Speaking on The Offload podcast, ex-Ireland winger Tommy Bowe suggested the move could be beneficial to Leinster in the long run. The former Ulster player believes Byrne could return as an even better player after his time in Bristol.
"It’ll only do Leinster a favour," Bowe said.
"If you think about the five out-halves there, that’s one off the books; get him playing some good rugby.
"And he could come back next season a completely changed man—could be a way better player again—and take the number one spot over there."
O’Callaghan also suggested the idea of a transfer window, similar to soccer, to help teams with squad challenges.
“The thing is, though, I wonder are we at the point with rugby that we might need a little bit of a transfer window. Is there room for a January transfer window?" O’Callaghan added.
“I know we’re just kind of copying soccer with this, but I like the idea. You could strengthen your squad. Now, should there be a little window of trading within the systems to kind of go, ‘Listen, we’re badly down a hooker’?
“If you look at Welsh teams at the moment, if there was a young hooker knocking around that isn’t going to get any game time, is it better that their wages are rolled by someone else and it can free up more coin?”
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