The welsh regions were never going to work . For example Swansea and neath spent a century pucking the shit of one another . Cardiff R FC were always seen as the biggest club in the world but imagine telling the people of Pontypidd you were joining up with them .
Llanelli have done best because their identity held best .
Imagine tell Galway and Mayo they are merging as a franchise to take on the Dublin Vikings in GGA
The Welsh are a more successful nation than Ireland historically, there’s no question about that.
It’s also very fair to say that you would prefer to win another Grand Slam and get to a semi final than be consistently more competitive against the better teams. I personally would not but can understand it.
If we were to alter timelines for a moment and say Ireland’s 2009 Grand Slam was won in 1999 instead. Would I say Ireland were more consistent in the 1990s than the first decade of the 21st Century? Absolutely not. Ireland were dog shit in the 1990s and in the 2000s had the joint top number of wins with the French in the Six Nations. I still would have preferred the 1990s no question, because Ireland would have had won a Grand Slam I had never seen and the 2000s would have been a decade where potential was never reached- but I wouldn’t say more consistent.
He was talking about the past few years not the entire history of the game ffs.
Only a fool can’t understand what Gerry was saying so it’s no suprise @Sidney and @glasagusban can’t understand it.
Arguing based on alternate realities now 
It’s odd @sidney gets so worked up about an Irish times article. I doubt an avid sun reader like himself reads mr thornley too often.
How many of the last ten competive test matches against Wales have Ireland won, mate? 
It’s not often @myboyblue posts anything pertinent but his description of you as debating like an 11 year old was spot on.
This is the thing, Thornley is a gigantic spoofer. For years he railed against Schools rugby when it has been shown now that the academies and professional game have sorted themselves out, to be critical to the game.
He was also spoofing away back in 2005 saying Irish provinces were doomed against the English clubs from then on after Munster lost a game to Sale. He’s great craic and all, but he is what he is. I wouldn’t defend him normally, but his statement here is bang on the money.
I think it’s 5 wins 1 draw and six losses over the past ten years or so. Ireland and Wales are evenly matched teams. @glasagusban claimed wales constantly out perform Ireland this is not true.
He’s only in the hapenny place compared to yourself.
Stick to pretending to be a man united fan for another day Sidney.
How is Ireland in a way healthier place overall? The provinces/clubs are irrelevant. If they were relevant Ireland would beat Wales by 20 points every year
In nine World Cup, Ireland have outperfomed Wales twice - 1991 and 1995.
The first half of the nineties was a golden era.
It’s just an example that you might understand. The New York Giants was another.
I can absolutely accept someone saying they prefer more silverware, but consistency is bollix.
What does 1991 have to do with Thornley’s article though? In 1991 Ireland had Neil Francis who has previously stated that he was fitter and more professional playing schoolboy rugby than the international game.
Thornley is talking about the overall position of both nations at this moment in time.
Scroll back to the 80s sid on wiki and tell us more results
How are they irrelevant?
It is about the overall state of the game.
In Six Nations matches in this decade, Wales won 34 out of 50.
Ireland won 30 out of 50.
Who is it that’s more consistent again?
Your stats are wrong and your English is awful.