A full-illustrated history of the sport of rugby in the province of Leinster, from earliest days with a foundation at Trinity College and its growth at clubs and schools and in the social life of the area. Also shows how the sport uniquely grew on provincial lines in Ireland, eventually being set in recent times with the professionalisation of the game and the provinces effectively becoming Ireland’s key ‘clubs’.

A wealth of pictures of clubs, events and people involved, from historical times through to Leinster’s recent huge success in European competitions, and a great gift for Leinster rugby fans.

CONTENTS

Introduction

1. Rugby Comes to Ireland

2. Leinster Rugby and the Centrality of the Schools

3. Steady Progress: Leinster Rugby, 1880–1900

4. Leinster Rugby in Turbulent Times, 1900-1925

5. Leinster Rugby and Irish Revolution

6. An Inter-war Rugby Surge

7. World War Two, the Irish Republic, and Leinster Rugby: 1939–69

8. Rugby’s Progress and the Coaching Boom

9. Leinster Rugby, New Foundations

10. Building Broader, Widening Rugby’s Base