On radio recently I heard the president or secretary of the Connacht association speak passionately about the clubs in his province and the need for professional rugby there. Participation in the Parker Pen competition has given exposure to Irish rugby in Wales, England and France. The Connacht team have been tremendous ambassadors for the country in all their visits abroad. We all shared in the success of Munster rugby, and, indeed, the success of Ulster rugby as Ulster is the only Irish team to have won the competition to date. Please God we will share in the further successes of either Munster or Leinster in this year's competition.