This official IRFU story of Irish rugby marks the union’s 150-year anniversary and considers the scaffolding that upholds Irish rugby today: the provinces, the clubs, the schools and the underage structure. Featuring interviews with a who’s who of Irish rugby including Ollie Campbell, Peter Clohessy, Fiona Coghlan, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Jack Kyle, Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Tony O’Reilly, Joe Schmidt, Fiona Steed and Tony Ward, it shows that perhaps the greatest service that Irish rugby has given the island over the last 150 years is to be a very rare unifying force. In our history, where a ‘them’ and ‘us’ mentality has been such a recurring feature, rugby has offered an alternative vision and showcased a different path towards creating the harmony of ‘the four proud provinces of Ireland’.

Beautifully illustrated with over 150 photographs from INPHO photographic agency, it captures the richness of the story of Irish rugby.