Rugby’s continued growth shows no sign of stopping

Sports journalists, like the people they write or talk about, are creatures of habit. It’s human nature to lean on the familiar, of course, but this job sure does reinforce that point.

A few years back, during what was obviously a very slow day, this column had the time and inclination to calculate the fact that, in the space of one 12-month period, no less than 103 visits had been paid to Croke Park. Games, press conferences, seminars, award nights. They all add up.

If only they ran a loyalty card.