New tax rules have significant implications for Irish rugby

It’s been an eventful week, to say the least. The Wednesday before last was spent at Stade de France, preparing for Saturday’s Parisian derby. It was a lovely, sunny, wintry day in Paris, kicking balls for two hours on the beautiful Stade de France turf ahead of the meeting with Stade Francais. And then we were heading to Charles de Gaulle airport for the flight home to my testimonial dinner.

Thursday night’s dinner at City Hall was an overwhelming and hugely enjoyable experience but time for reflection was scarce as I was at the airport, flying ‘home’, at 5.15am on Friday morning, back in Paris for the captain’s run followed by kicking practice for all the backs. I’m lucky it was just a half-day, because Thursday night rolled into Friday, and needless to say I had no problem sleeping the night before the big derby.

I must say, following that Wednesday kicking session at Stade de France, there was a serious pep in my step after the demolition job I did on Johnny!!! There’s life in the old dog yet! I’m just glad he returned the favour with another 100% kicking return in the match on Saturday night. We were by far the better side but never put Stade Francais away and we very nearly paid the ultimate price as they lay siege to our line in the last three minutes.