Munster must find right fit in time of transition

Those who believe everything comes and goes in cycles have had that view well and truly confirmed by events in Irish rugby over the past 20 years.

The advent of the All-Ireland League in 1991 changed the face of the club game forever. There was widespread belief it would be dominated by the big four of Lansdowne and Wanderers in Leinster and Ballymena and Instonians up north. Instead, Munster teams, many of whom up to then had been denied even the opportunity of taking on the big guns in friendly games, were fired up at the thought of finally making a statement on the national stage.

First, Cork Constitution, then Garryowen, Shannon and Young Munster took control. That remained the situation for the next decade and a half, and even up to today, none of those four early favourites have won the title. What’s more, Wanderers have just been relegated out of the AIL altogether and Instonians demoted to Division 2B.