Last-chance saloon for northern lights

TWO big dates coming up in Lansdowne Road in the next few weeks, with the European Cup final getting most of the headlines. Rightly so, but what of the AIL finals?

As the European Cup continues its exponential growth in terms of hype, publicity, column-inches and air-time, the domestic rugby scene has suffered a dramatic fall-off. Where once the AIL reigned supreme, the huge crowds which followed the clubs have now deserted almost completely to follow the provinces instead.

A pity, because quite apart from the fact it’s the life-blood of those same provinces, honing and preparing players for the bigger stage, the AIL is still a fantastic competition.