The times they are indeed changing. It was not so long ago that if a player used the services of a sports psychologist, they were ribbed and ridiculed by their team-mates.
It was seen as a soft option but not any more, with the financial problems facing much of the professional game and growing evidence that playing the sport can have an impact on long-term health.
The Irish Rugby Football Union, which has a head of psychology, is setting up a panel of senior psychologists to offer services “to players of national interest” in Ulster, Muster, Leinster and Connacht.
They have invited applica...