When Dan Edwards nailed a last-gasp drop goal from distance to secure a narrow Ospreys victory over Ulster last Sunday, the ecstatic celebrations served to emphasise just how precious Welsh victories over Irish provinces really are. Over the last 15 years Wales may have achieved a decent amount of success over their Celtic cousins in the international arena, but at regional level the four professional sides in Wales aren't in the same stratosphere as Leinster, while they have struggled against Munster, Ulster and Connacht.
Since the old Celtic League, now the United Rugby Championship, was formed in 2001 an Irish province have been crowned champions 14 times, whereas the Ospreys and the Scarlets have six titles between them. When it comes to European rugby the outlook is even darker with seven Irish winners, and the grand total of zero from Wales.
So, why are the Irish provinces far stronger than the Welsh sides? As someone in the upper echelons of Welsh rugby once told me, trying to compare the way the professional game is run in Wales to Ireland is akin to comparing apples and pears. A straight comparison between Welsh and Irish rugby is futile, not least because they have a different currency and a different government.
There are certainly plenty of key issues to explore to explain what’s happening, though, so let’s take a look.
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