David McWilliams: The genesis of Ireland’s rugby renaissance came from a saving scheme

– a reminder to anyone getting carried away with all this Leinster cheerleading that while Munster might be struggling today, its claim over Irish rugby remains strong. If you doubt the rivalry, expect many in red to be rooting for La Rochelle in yellow. The Ronan O’Gara factor adds spice to an already fiery dish.

But who are these kids? Why are so many of them emerging as teenage rugby sensations? And why now? They’re referred to in rugby circles as the “SSIA Babies”, so let’s go back a bit to the genesis of Ireland’s rugby renaissance.

Of these youngsters 40,590 were born in Leinster. As the SSIA continued to drive us on in 2008 a total of 75,173 babies arrived. Leinster topped the tables again in 2008, accounting for 42,436 babies or 56 per cent of the whole country.In the traditional rugby stronghold of south Dublin, 4,700 babies were born or 6.21 per cent of total births in the State. Although grassroots rugby is changing, “the goys” are still in the ascendancy.

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