Rabah Slimani's transfer to Leinster this season could spell the end of non-Irish qualified front row signings for the foreseeable future, with the IRFU set to put a block on the recruitment of foreign props and hookers.
The former France international’s move to Dublin is yet to be officially confirmed by the province, although the player himself has stated it’s a done deal.
Leinster were given clearance to bring in a NIQ tighthead prop after the departure of Michael Ala’alatoa, who is coincidentally joining Slimani’s current side Clermont Auvergne.
The development of front row forwards is deemed a priority by the IRFU, particularly at loosehead, where Ireland’s reliance on Andrew Porter has become glaringly obvious, while behind him no younger candidate has been able to budge 36-year-old Cian Healy further down the pecking order.
In a bid to encourage Andy Farrell and the four provinces to strengthen their depth in that area, Irish Rugby performance director David Humphreys has said they will be putting a hold on sanctioning NIQ front row signings for the time being.
"There's every likelihood, because of the challenge we have in the front row positions, that from next year onwards there won't be front row forwards coming into the provinces that won't be Irish qualified," Humphreys said at a media briefing in Durban yesterday.
"Andy [Farrell] can't go out and sign foreign players, so we have got to find ways to make sure that, yes, we have a national responsibility, but that starts with the provinces and the pressure will be on them: 'You have got to deliver those players to make you be competitive’.
"If they do that - because of the way our system is structured and the game time and opportunities, those players will come through and develop into international players.
"After next year there will be no front row forwards coming into the Irish system until we have got the strength in depth we know needs to support the provinces and Ireland in the medium to long term."
Ireland’s lack of loosehead depth has come into sharp focus on this tour, with only two established players picked in the 35-man squad.
Tighthead Finlay Bealham has covered in that position in the past, but at 32-year-old would be unlikely to make a long-term switch across the scrum.
Ulster’s Tom O’Toole (above) looks more likely to make a swap to the number 1 position, particularly with Ireland’s tighthead depth looking relatively healthy following Munster’s signing of Oli Jager.
And Humphreys believes O’Toole can make himself a valuable asset in Irish rugby if he can be a viable option on both sides of the scrum.
"I think that when we look at the Irish situation in a number of positions, we need players who are playing regularly who are going to be able to step up and perform at international level.
"There is no question that the conversations have been ongoing for a period of time about where the best position is for Tom [O’Toole], for himself in terms of a player fulfilling and maximising his potential because that is what we want; whether that is going to be loosehead or tighthead, that is in ongoing conversation.
"As players have shown in the past, if you have ability to play both sides of the scrum, that is a huge advantage for the player, for the province and for Andy Farrell," the former Ireland international added.
On Wednesday, Connacht confirmed the signing of New Zealand out-half Josh Ioane, which ended speculation that one of Sam Prendergast (below) or Harry Byrne would be making a short-term move from Leinster in order to fill the hole left by JJ Hanrahan’s long-term knee injury.
Humphreys said there had been discussions over one of Leinster’s out-halves moving west, but doubled-down on his promise last month that the IRFU wouldn’t force any Interprovincial transfers.
However, he did give a warning to any would-be internationals, that the Irish management would not look favourably on players who are content to sit far down on a depth chart.
"While we can push as far as we want, there comes a point where we have to look at other opportunities and Ioane will add real value to Connacht next year.
"I'd push it back to the provinces. They have got to sell what they're offering on the playing front, training facilities, coaching, everything to make a player want to go there.
"I don't feel there's any merit in forcing players to go where they don't want to go.
"I go back to what I said before: I and the IRFU will never move a player against their will, but again it sends a very clear message to Andy Farrell.
"If you're happy to sit third, maybe fourth choice when you could be playing somewhere else and potentially developing your career that's not the sort of player that will be travelling to places like this [South Africa] on tour."
Humphreys also confirmed that Ireland are set to face Georgia and Romania in their summer internationals in 2025, which is likely to give several inexperienced players a chance to impress, while some more established internationals are away on the British and Irish Lions tour.
Details are yet to be finalised around the number of fixtures that will take place, and whether they will take place, but the IRFU performance director believes it will be a big opportunity for Ireland to test themselves in an unfamiliar environment.
"At this stage the fixture list is for Georgia and Romania, it's still to be confirmed exactly how it'll look but we're very keen to, from a touring point of view, to get an opportunity for those players who aren't [with the Lions].
"It's a really good opportunity for some of our senior coaches to work with those players," he added.
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