EVEN though I cover the event week in, week out for these pages and am always amazed at how well our little nation does, there is nothing like visiting Wellington to see the force of the Irish, meet new people and gather unique content for our publications.

Although the ‘Beast from the East’ did its very best to prevent me from getting there this year, I eventually did make it, even though it meant missing Wednesday evening’s Team Ireland pre-Nations Cup Owners’ Reception.