O’Driscoll pumped for Irish rugby

WHENBrian O’Driscoll says it feels like Ireland’s provinces are on the verge of another golden age in rugby, it is worth listening.

Few men did more to ensure Irish pre-eminence during their first dynasty, when the provinces won five out of six Heineken Cups between 2006 and 2012, and he believes the country could be at the start of a similar era in the European contest this year.

As English rugby prepares for an inquest into their failures this season, the feeling in Ireland is very different according to O’Driscoll.

‘‘Do the Irish provinces have the potential for this to be another dynasty? Their talent would suggest they do, while their strength in depth and the coaching ticket – both in Leinster and Munster – suggests they have the capabilities of being there for a while,’’ former Leinster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions centre O’Driscoll said.

"But there is no point in being the potential team or a future dynasty. The only way of becoming a dynasty is getting the job done and doing it multiple times,’’ O’Driscoll said.

The feeling is growing that this season will provide the start. Leinster have sailed through pool three and are guaranteed a home quarterfinal, while Munster will join them in the last eight with a bonus-point win against Castres tomorrow.

If Ulster win at Wasps then there will be three Irish sides in the last eight for only the third time in 20 years. It is fair to say this was not the expected outcome when the French and English clubs successfully redrew the Heineken Cup four years ago.

The provinces, however, have continued to prioritise the Champions Cup, resting key players in domestic competitions and stamping their authority in the back-to-back games against English opposition when Leinster, Munster and Ulster beat Exeter, Leicester and Harlequins in six games out of six.

With the provinces also proving successful at keeping their Ireland-qualified players – Simon Zebo being a notable exception – out of the clutches of English and French raiders, there is a feeling that this Irish success could become the norm.

Ireland will feel the benefit in the Six Nations, and the feeling in the provinces is far more upbeat than in England.

‘‘Leinster are improving year on year and this Munster team is much better than last year, when the fumes of emotion from Anthony Foley’s passing drove them on. They both have the bit between their teeth.’’

Maybe a new dynasty is just around the corner. Telegraph, London