Stephen Ferris has questioned the IRFU's 'succession planning', which led to Ruan Pienaar's departure from Ulster, as John Cooney looks set to swap Ireland for Scotland.
Ulster were rocked back in the 2016/17 season when they were informed Pienaar would not be able to extend his contract at Kingspan due to the succession policy.
The IRFU had concerns over a lack of emerging indigenous talent at Pienaar's scrum-half position and the South African's successful seven-year spell with Ulster was brought to an end.
