War clouds gathering in Europe

While it’s customary to reflect on rugby events at this time of year, I no more than you have an appetite for that.

I’m far more concerned with issues facing professional rugby in the immediate future than dwelling on the past.

From an Irish rugby perspective 2013 offered a bit of a mixed bag with Ireland’s worst Six Nations campaign in years camouflaging Leinster’s double achievement in winning the Rabo Direct and Amlin Challenge Cup. Pride in the national side was restored with that incredible performance against New Zealand last month even if there is a lingering disappointment that a first ever win over the sport’s No 1 ranked side was blown.