Frustrated Garryowen coach John Hall has criticised the current structures in Irish rugby. After suffering his first All Ireland League defeat of the season to St Mary's at Templeville Road on Saturday, the former Bath coach said he thought the current structure is too fractured for clubs and players to reach their true potential.

"Whilst I've been impressed with some of the players, and there is a hell of a lot of talent here, there are some fundamental problems with the set-up," said Hall.

"I've come over here to do a job and I've experienced players not being available, being pulled off for provincial rugby. Really there has to be - and forget whether it's club rugby or for the province - there has to be continuity throughout a season. "One thing that English clubs have done is they have created a competition that gives them continuity. . .

"I think that if Irish rugby is to go forward and be successful there has to a structure that gives continuity to the season and I just don't think that's in place. There just seems to be a lot of pulling in different directions by the different parties."

Hall was referring to Munster's good run in the European Cup this season and Ulster's continued involvement - they meet Stade Francais next weekend at Ravenhill and a number of club matches in Division One and Two will have to be re-fixed.

"I'm sure players are also frustrated by it," added Hall. "I'm sure players want to be part of something that's successful. I don't want to be seen to be quoting England all the time, but a strong national side filters down to the various structures below it and that filters down to the players. I think that's got to be achieved if Irish rugby is to go ahead.

"That sounds terribly critical but there are great players here and if that talent is tapped into and used to put forward a very strong national side then Irish rugby could be firmly back on the map with a big bang."