Brexit negotiations gather pace - Border about far, far more than politics

NEXT weekend three Irish teams play three English teams in the European Champions’ Cup. Ulster travel to London to play Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop, Leinster go to Sandy Park to play the Exeter Chiefs and Munster will again welcome Leicester Tigers at Thomond Park.

It can be said with certainty that nothing more than standard-issue terrace banter will pass between the six tribes’ fans. If that boundary is passed it will have more to do with the TV-orientated 7.45 kick-off in Limerick — far too much pub time — than animosity. That Irish players give or have given sterling service to those English clubs underpins the strengthening congeniality of these relationships.