DONAL LENIHAN: Decisions that will shape Irish rugby future

LESS than an hour after Ireland had succumbed to a very average Scotland side in this year’s Six Nations in Murrayfield, Warren Gatland — present to run the rule over potential Lions — noticed a familiar gathering of IRFU officials in a corner of the hospitality room.

He immediately empathised with Declan Kidney.

Winning with Ireland has always been pleasurable, with the attendant goodwill that accompanies success always shared by those in the corridors of power.