Ireland went to the 2023 Rugby World Cup as the number one ranked team in the world. They had a unique Test series win in New Zealand on their list of achievements; they were the reigning Grand Slam holders; and still they came home early. Getting to the last four has become an obsession. But is this the only measure of success?
This ambition is a country mile removed from the awfulness of Irish rugby as the game went from amateur to professional during the nineties. We were all over the shop, and the men behind the counter were lost and disgruntled. But by the arrival of the Six Nations in 2000, pain gave way to change. There were real signs of growth. From Eddie O'Sullivan, who kicked it off and then was deported to a limbo where he couldn't get a decent job, to men of massive influence like Joe Schmidt and Stuart Lancaster, to David Nucifora - the first tsar of Irish rugby in the pro era - rugby here became unrecognisable from its old days.
But with the clock already counting down to the 2027 World Cup in Australia, where are Ireland on their race to the top? And is glory finally within reach?
| ISBN: | 9781804583524 |
| Publication date: | 17th October 2025 |
| Author: | Brendan Fanning |
| Publisher: | Gill Books an imprint of Gill |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 320 pages |
| Genres: |
Rugby Union Sports teams and clubs European history |
Ireland went to the 2023 Rugby World Cup as the number one ranked team in the world. They had a unique Test series win in New Zealand on their list of achievements; they were the reigning Grand Slam holders; and still they came home early. Getting to the last four has become an obsession. But is this the only measure of success?
This ambition is a country mile removed from the awfulness of Irish rugby as the game went from amateur to professional during the nineties. We were all over the shop, and the men behind the counter were lost and disgruntled. But by the arrival of the Six Nations in 2000, pain gave way to change. There were real signs of growth. From Eddie O'Sullivan, who kicked it off and then was deported to a limbo where he couldn't get a decent job, to men of massive influence like Joe Schmidt and Stuart Lancaster, to David Nucifora - the first tsar of Irish rugby in the pro era - rugby here became unrecognisable from its old days.
But with the clock already counting down to the 2027 World Cup in Australia, where are Ireland on their race to the top? And is glory finally within reach?
Touching Distance features in the following genres: Rugby Union, Sports teams and clubs, European history
Touching Distance is available in Paperback
Touching Distance was written by Brendan Fanning and published by Gill Books an imprint of Gill
Touching Distance has 320 pages
£17.09