Photograph: Andrew Conan/InphoThe state of Welsh rugby should concern everyone invested in the game. The talent, the physiques and more importantly the coaching on display when Blackrock played St Michael’s in the Leinster schools semi-final last Monday in Donnybrook indicates that Irish rugby has avoided the Welsh pitfalls. It was my performances for Young Munster and Garryowen that earned a call-up to the Ireland under-19s and, eventually, the Munster academy. Financially, Irish rugby appears to be on a sounder footing than the WRU. Ulster are on the rise again, while Munster and Connacht are adjusting to life under McMillan and Lancaster.

Source: The Irish Times March 06, 2026 16:46 UTC