IRFU overseas signing ban not all good for young Irish props, argues Test hopeful

You might think that the new IRFU rule banning the signing of overseas props by the provinces would be welcomed with open arms by a young Irish prop such as Jack Boyle.

It's not that simple, however. Boyle is delighted that Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong have just signed two-year contract extensions to stay at Leinster, and that Cian Healy is still around and imparting his huge knowledge to the up and coming front rowers.

But he is also learning all he can from Rabah Slimani, the former France international who came into the club in the summer.

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"I am lucky and grateful and privileged to be in the position I'm in, learning off four or five of the best in the business," said 21-year-old Boyle.

"It’s a great, vast knowledge from different parts of world rugby, not only Irish rugby. I’m grateful and delighted I get to learn off these lads, and hopefully they know that."

He often rooms with 35-year-old Slimani - or 'Slim', as he calls him - on away trips. "He's a great man, a very interesting character," said Boyle.

Leinster's Jack Boyle
(Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

"He seems to speak perfect English in the room but as soon as he's asked something by the coaches he turns quite French all of a sudden. Ah no, he's a gas man."

As for the idea that banning overseas props will open the door to more chances to play for his generation of props, Boyle replied: "Yes and no.

"You have to always back yourself. I feel like if I'm playing well then I deserve to play. But at the same time if they're bringing in the likes of Rabah Slimani, you need to try and get as much information out of him as possible.

"I know he's at tighthead now but you don't look at it in the way of, 'he's blocking whoever', you have to learn off him. He's there to help you as well, it's not just to block you."

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