England green with envy!

AFTER the type of attention he has spent a career avoiding, Ronan O’Gara can rest easy over his cornflakes this morning. After a refreshingly positive opening weekend for the three Irish provinces, Rog’s comments in respect of English rugby proved spot-on.

With Premiership champions Sale humbled by the Ospreys, high-flying Gloucester over-run in Dublin by Leinster and contenders Leicester beaten at fortress Welford Road, English rugby has suffered another setback. By way of contrast, the Irish game continues to prosper.

On Saturday, Ulster blew away former winners Toulouse with such ease that the Ravenhill faithful could have left at half-time. At Lansdowne Road, where Leicester hosted Gloucester, the story was similar.