Former Leinster CEO Mick Dawson believes the Stormers’ youth pipeline and ability to retain top talent will be key to their future success.

Netwerk24 reports that Dawson, now a director of Stormers Rugby, serves on the board at the request of Ardagh Glass Packaging Group, a 50% shareholder in Red Disa Investments. Fynbos Equity owns the other 50% of the consortium’s 71.5% stake in the Stormers, while Marble Head Investments, the company of businessman André van der Veen, holds 2.5%.

Dawson stepped down as Leinster CEO in 2022 after 21 years, during which the Irish province won four Investec Champions Cup titles and eight Pro12/14 titles.

The Stormers have been one of the leading sides in the Vodacom URC and Champions Cup this season, and Dawson says they are trending in the right direction.

The Stormers have set up their institute and holding on to your own players is important, said Dawson, pointing to star flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as someone around whom a brand can be built. The Bishops matriculant has resisted lucrative offers to remain in Cape Town.

Dawson said Leinster’s model was built on ensuring homegrown players wanted to stay.

You have to create an environment where the team a player supported as a child is the only one they want to play for.

Dawson also acknowledged the work of John Dobson.

The main man is the head coach, Dawson said. You support him, build culture and create an environment people want to be in.