Pogue Mahone
Closet Gooner.
It really is a mind boggling achievement. Perhaps it's the structure and governance of Irish rugby that does the trick? Instead of having a bunch of independent clubs competing for scant resources and with different playing philosophies and training styles, you went with the provincial system. I don't really see the provincial teams as independent businesses like clubs in England or France are. That gives your rugby federation a lot control over coaching, playing philosophy, development og players careers etc..
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there. The youth development seems to be working incredibly well too. 3 grand slams out of the last 5 six nation campaigns for our U20s. Which is even more remarkable when you think it’s basically a whole new squad of players each year.