The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley reflects an eventful year for Irish rugby.
"This was a good year for Irish rugby, indeed a very good year. Any year that yields a Heineken Cup triumph for Leinster, all the more so as there’s rarely been a comeback in a final quite like it, and a League triumph for Munster, has to be considered good. Lose sight of that and we really have lost it.
"Of course, World Cup years are defined by the World Cup and after trading four warm-up defeats for four pool wins, Ireland also showed up well at the World Cup, perhaps more effectively than at any previous World Cup. The victory over Australia in Eden Park and the astonishing support from a largely ex-pat Blarney Army remain indelible memories.
"Ireland’s first win over a Tri Nations powerhouse in the Southern Hemisphere since 1979, and first of any hue in a World Cup, makes it a stand-out, one-off win.
"It was also a memorable, feel-good World Cup to be at, for as expected the hosts put on quite a show."
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