Wanting it is one thing, getting it is something else. At least, the path stretching out in front of them is transparent and clearly signposted.

The four Provincial Academy managers Colin McEntee (Leinster), Hamish Adams (Munster), Gary Longwell (Ulster) and Nigel Carolan (Connacht) are responsible for the grooming and development of players from under-16 right up until the moment when they are offered a full contract.

It was only this week that Leinster coach Michael Cheika pronounced himself seriously impressed with the quality and conditioning of players streaming through Colin McEntee's Academy.

Academy manager McEntee is a central element in a process that aims to leave no body unturned in the search for the next Brian O'Driscoll or Jamie Heaslip.

"In terms of the schools, we get a list of all the squads in the junior section. Between the development officers and the Academy Department, we take in as many friendly and cup matches as we can, " said McEntee.

"We would then screen anything up to 130 players after the cup in April. It is largely based on footballing ability because they are going through puberty and lifechanging experiences and they could change physically between 15 and 17. We narrow that down to a squad of 30 or 40 depending on the quality.

They will come in that summer and follow a player development programme with professional staff.

"We have restructured the programme over the years.

The boys come in once a week. It is educational in terms of functional strength, functional movement, movement mechanics and technique in relation to handling, decision-making, evasion, tackling and going into continuity.

"You are trying to give the players a good understanding of the game and how to transfer those skills into practice and make it comfortable for them to execute in a game.

During the period, you will build up a good profile about a player. You find out a lot more about him, even off the field as well.

"The Player Development Group would include the boys from 16 to 18. After that, there are the Sub-Academy and Academy groups. The SubAcademy is like a holding sector for post-school players that may or may not go on to be contracted to the Academy. For example, (Ireland under-20 full-back) Felix Jones came into the SubAcademy this season. He has relished the environment. He has a fantastic attitude. He is a 100 percenter.

"There are no airs and graces with Felix. You tell him to do something and he will do it. He is not a robot either.

You can empower him to make decisions as well. He came into the Sub-Academy and he is pushing hard for the Academy. That is the transition process and he is typical of a late developer."

There were eight Leinster starters and another three came on for the Ireland under-20s in their win over France under-21s at Dubarry Park last Friday night. Additionally, the injured Sean O'Brien and Luke Fitzgerald would have been automatic first-choice players.

There are loud voices that knock the Schools Cup phenomenon as an inappropriate environment to develop professional players. It is too much pressure, too soon.

"The Schools Cup is a prestige competition. The schools involved want to win it. There is an agenda mapped out in terms of development and performance, " admits McEntee.

"In terms of indentifying players for the future, you can't just look at them on a once-off in the cup. There is a lot of pressure on young men to perform in front of a few thousand people in Donnybrook as opposed to playing at Willow Park in front of 50 or 60 during the season.

"There is the pressure of past pupils. There is the pressure of prestige. There is the pressure of history in relation to performance. There is no point in watching players on a once-off basis. You have to track them over three or four years. We would look at a player from 15 and track him right up until he leaves school. We build a profile on him because we have to have a balanced, consistent approach."

McEntee is seen as an innovator. He prompted the introduction of the Leinster Academy Diploma in Professional Rugby as a Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) qualification rated at the same level as a bachelor degree in 1995.

Last October, for the first time, a block of 30 students, divided between schools and clubs, were invited into Leinster Rugby on a week of work experience. It was an eyeopener into the day-to-day world of a professional athlete. "It was the first time we did it. We go right through the pathway with them and show them how the structures are there for them to become professionals, " said Leinster Academy manager Colin McEntee.

"We go through what they have to look forward to, if they do come into the Academy, how to balance their academic and rugby career. They experience sessions with Michael Cheika, David Knox, Mike Brewer and fitness modules with Dave Fagan and Daniel Tobin from the Academy. It is all part of a holistic approach."

Michael Cheika certainly seems to agree.