The Six Nations - Let the games begin

THIS weekend one of the great European sports carnivals begins and the distraction, pleasure and excitement it brings was never more anticipated or needed.

Though the European Cup is the great vehicle for promoting rugby across the Continent and these islands, the older competition celebrates an exceptional and almost irreplaceable heritage that has survived professionalism and sometimes excessive commercialism.

There is a subplot this year that should not go unnoticed. This week three young Irishmen, who could more or less name their price with any club anywhere, chose to stay at home because they are lucky enough to win lucrative contracts with the IRFU.