European Cup failures indicate problems on and off the field for Ireland | Robert Kitson

The demise of Munster and Leinster could be part of a bigger trend with the Celtic nations struggling to compete financiallyIt has been 18 years coming but the dreaded moment is finally nigh. Leinster and Munster are already out and unless Ulster surprise Saracens in north London on Saturday there will be no Irish representatives in Europe’s knockout stages for the first time since 1997-98.“I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best,” wrote Oscar Wilde. For the Irish provinces it is suddenly more a case of much ado about nothing. Continue reading...