If you combined Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands you'd end up with a team with tremendous depth in almost-but-not-quite standard players but one that was barely better than Ireland themselves. Having 25 players of that standard isn't really an improvement on having 11; what you'd need for it to work would be each team having a couple of Test standard 'stars' and they frankly don't.
Look, this ain't really serious, was more of a 'Ryder Cup' (or West Indies) kind of idea to pass time during the present drought of games.
But if I was serious about it, I'd say that a few test matches against not so strong opposition would be exactly what'd be needed to separate the good from the mediocre in that team. It's true, right now would be quite difficult to separate them; a home series against Bangladesh and a tour to Zimbabwe later we might know better, I think.
And a limited exposure to slightly better opposition would probably help their development, there's a reason (apart form lack of professionalism at the lower levels) if so many of them are stuck in mediocrity (also, I'm talking about the incentive to the game in the grassroots that would be to have the chance to play at the maximum level; I personally know people who were turned apathetic towards the game because of lack of improving chances. Not everybody can/want to go to England, you know).
And then, this is something you aussies might not know, but it's painful to follow a sport based on nationalities where you don't have somebody representing your flag. Having a team without stars that loses almost every test match would still be incredibly enjoyable.
PS I found out that there's also Tom Cooper from NSW playing for the Netherlands. Is he also in the 'average player' brigade? His numbers look good.
If we also add players with a double passport (I'm sure you'll find plenty in Oz, SA and England), we might have a pretty good side available.
