'The rugby I'm watching at the highest level is the most skilful I've ever seen' | LIAM TOLAND

Elite rugby is the most skilful it has ever been, but kids must still be allowed to explore and flourish in less-structured coaching systems, says former Leinster and Munster loose forward Liam Toland.

Former Leinster and Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy wrote in The Irish Times this week that he has seen a decline in the ‘flair’ coming from Leinster’s schools, particularly among the outside backs.

This comes after Leinster were beaten by Ulster in their most recent URC encounter. D’Arcy’s argument was that players coming out of the Leinster system seem to be much more regimented and structure orientated than he would like.

However, Toland feels there is more to the argument than meets the eye, agreeing that less structure is needed at underage levels.

‘Rugby is the most skilful I’ve ever seen’

Speaking on Wednesday Night Rugby, Toland responded to D’Arcy’s article, suggesting that the elite skillsets are higher than they’ve ever been.

“The rugby I’m watching at the highest level is the most skilful I’ve ever seen,” Toland said. “Players, second rows, tightheads, loosehead