The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly casts his eye across the wealth of talent coming through Ireland's ranks.
"Perhaps it stems from the insecurities of our colonial past and existence in the arm-pit of a once global power, but there is a long Irish tradition of cap-doffing when it comes to overseas visitors.
It is a regular feature of chat-show interviews, past and present -- a desperate need to get an answer to the "what do you think of Ireland?" question, the throwaway replies generally revolving around central themes of the greenness of the grass and friendliness of the people.
Rugby is particularly susceptible. It is easy to recall the fawning deputations sent to Cork Airport to cover Jean de Villiers' arrival a few years ago. With his blond hair and easy charm, the South African cut quite the dashing figure, but his worth to the Munster cause was always in question and those doubts were justified over the course of one unfulfilling season."
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