You know rugby and soccer are coming to Croker when ...

... THE signs are there. Subtle indications. Oblique hints. You’re not getting hit over the head or anything, but if you have eyes to see you’ll see that the day is fast approaching and the portents are all around.

Not the Ireland-train-in-Dublin-3 stories. The other portents.

Like Eddie O’Sullivan getting his Bainisteoir top ready for use, having the letters legible on his chest . . . and Bernard Laporte getting his one tailored by Charvet.