Tony Ward: What if we still had the dreaded Final Trial for Ireland’s Call 2015?

It’s that time of the year again. At least so it once went for a different generation of players as the Final Trial came around far too quickly for comfort. What’s the Final Trial? I can almost hear the decibel level rising from supporters of the new-age game.

Well for an older generation with ambitions of representing their country, substitute turkey and pud’ for the dreaded Final Trial as the festive season brought with it (if you were ‘lucky’ enough to be selected) that last chance saloon to make the squad for the Five Nations. It was that opportunity on completion of the inter-provincial series to state your final case in front of the judging panel of five selectors (usually two Ulster, two Leinster and one from Munster) plus two sub selectors (including the token Connacht contribution).

It was steeped in political shenanigans and all the associated skulduggery – and let no one kid you otherwise. Riddled with political self interest, it did, to some degree, serve its information-gathering purpose at the time………… see more at :- http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/tony-ward-what-if-we-still-had-the-dreaded-final-trial-for-irelands-call-2015-30851447.html