Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog. I’m going to focus on Irish rugby here, at both international and provincial level.

This is an exciting time for Irish rugby, with all four provinces now in the Heineken Cup for the first time and a solid showing from the international team at the recent Rugby World Cup.

Many expect Declan Kidney to begin the process of blooding fresh faces into the Irish squad in time for the 2012 Six Nations with a view towards the 2015 World Cup. However, many of the more experienced players will feel they still have much to offer.

Munster will be aiming to regain ground on Leinster this season. Leinster themselves will be hoping to secure another Heineken Cup and dominate European rugby for years to come. Brian McLaughlin’s Ulster will attempt to build on last season’s run to the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup and a third place finish in the renamed RaboDirect PRO12. Meanwhile, Connacht have the excitement of their debut European campaign to enjoy. They will be out to prove themselves to both European and Irish rugby supporters.

It all makes for a potentially explosive season of Irish rugby and hopefully this blog will help you keep track of all these events.

Enjoy reading.