As all appreciators of truly great music will know, Irish rugby consists of four proud provinces: a spirit of unity and togetherness that transcends the arbitrary drawing of boundaries.
In fairness, while the Leinster/Munster rivalry remains as strong as ever, the fact that the provinces are under the aegis of the IRFU, all have to fall into line when the union demands. This was a fact quite clear earlier today, as the Irish Under-20s took on the Munster Development side, as a warm-up to the Under-20 World Cup in Georgia this June.
Munster named their squad for the game yesterday, with A.N. Other adorning the second row.
Just before kick-off, the identity of the man to play in the engine room was revealed: James Ryan, the highly exciting Leinster prospect.
Ryan captained the Under-20s in last year's Six Nations, and is on his way back from a hamstring injury, so was included to face the Irish team to build up match fitness.
Ireland U20s line out as follows today. Just one addition to Munster Development side with Leinster's James Ryan starting in second row pic.twitter.com/Ca9tg5AHQS
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 13, 2017
The provinces working together as the Leinster man looks to get some game time post injury. #FourProudProvinces
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 13, 2017
Munster hung on for a 15-10 win at Thomond Park, but the fact that the Union are working to build up Ryan's fitness is a major hint that he will be joining an Irish side shorn of their Lions on the summer tour of Japan.
