The decade ended in disappointment but Ireland achieved three championships, 2014, 2015 and 2018, over the period. This is our team of the decade.
FULL-BACK - ROB KEARNEY (Total Ireland caps: 95, caps this decade: 76)
Impossible to look past the bedrock of the Irish defence for the last decade. The Louth man has won four Six Nations championships and was there for all the big moments, excelling when the occasion demanded. Seemingly told by Joe Schmidt that he needed a big game ahead of the win over New Zealand in 2016, Kearney was outstanding as Ireland broke their infamous duck in Chicago.
RIGHT WING - TOMMY BOWE (69, 45)
Finished up his international career in 2017 after winning 69 Ireland caps. The Monaghan man was a favourite under a number of head coaches, and earned five Lions Test starts over two tours. He missed the 2014 championship campaign through injury but returned to play a starring role the following year.
OUTSIDE CENTRE - BRIAN O'DRISCOLL (133, 37)
Although he retired in 2014 he bowed out on a high, claiming a second Six Nations title. Fought through the pain to stick with his country for as long as he did. A pundit once remarked that he should move to the back row for the end of his playing days; it was said in jest but rugby fans knew where it came from. While just 37 of his Ireland caps came this decade there was no way to omit the best player ever to wear the green.
INSIDE CENTRE - GORDON D'ARCY (82, 39)
Formed a formidable partnership with O'Driscoll in the 00s and his Ireland career continued until 2015. Not the biggest player but had the smarts and skill to thrive on the international stage. Would have been lauded more had his partner not been who he was but he's well worth his place in this team.
LEFT WING - KEITH EARLS (82, 75)
Earls has won 82 caps following his debut in 2008 and is getting better with age. A livewire wing who could make something from nothing. Some may feel he was underused but still has 30 tries to his name and there are likely more to come.
OUT-HALF - JOHNNY SEXTON (88, 86)
The 2018 World Player of the Year has been on the scene since the start of the decade and on his day was unplayable. In place for most of the key moments in Irish rugby over the last 10 years. Always a great reader of the game, that ability improved in latter years as he lost a yard of pace. Standards across the team rose because he demanded that they did.
SCRUM-HALF - CONOR MURRAY (78, 78)
The Munster man has started a record 56 times alongside Sexton and brought the scrum-half standard to a new level. Regarded as one of the best in the world in and around the 2017 Lions tour but a couple of injuries have prevented him reaching the same level recently. Started the 15 games of Ireland's winning campaigns in '14, '15 and '18
LOOSEHEAD PROP - CIAN HEALY (95, 93)
Added an extra dimension to the front row with his ball-carrying and aggressive style around the pitch. Vital part of the set piece that was the base for the team's success. He fell out of favour in 2015 but worked hard and showed real character to wrestle back the starting shirt for the last two years.
HOOKER - RORY BEST (124, 90)
Ireland's third most capped player, the captain's consistency made him stand out as the natural long-term successor to O'Driscoll. Never shirked a challenge and established a base level at hooker that others have failed to reach. Reached a peak in 2018 capping off a fine year with that win over the All Blacks. The dip in form of 2019 doesn't affect his standing for this team.
TIGHTHEAD PROP - TADHG FURLONG (41, 41)
The Wexford man's raw strength and athleticism propelled him up the ranks of the world's elite. A tireless competitor, who set a new mark for the tighthead position. He made his debut in 2015 and started all three of the Lions Tests two years later. Three of his four international tries have come from his last five starts, which only bodes well for the next decade.
SECOND ROW - JAMES RYAN (23,23)
Despite only operating at international level since 2017 Ryan can't be overlooked for this selection. Has elements to his game that have never been seen in the second row previously. A real threat on the gainline and his footwork is exceptional for a tight forward. Since winning his first cap it has been a case of who will fit in beside him in the second row. On course to star for the team for years.
SECOND ROW - PAUL O'CONNELL (108, 43)
The Munster lock retired due to injury after the 2015 World Cup but was central to Ireland's success at the start of the decade, leading the team to the that year's Six Nations. Lifted players all around him and led by example on the field. One of the most respected players on the international stage, O'Connell went on three Lions tours, the last coming in 2013.
FLANKER - PETER O'MAHONY (64, 64)
Never gave anything less than 100% for the cause and put his body on the line time and time again. Consistently top of the stats charts and central to Ireland's first home win over New Zealand. A Lions Test captain in 2017, O'Mahony has all the basics nailed down, while adding an old-school tenacity to Ireland's attack and defence.
FLANKER - SEAN O'BRIEN (56, 54)
Was prone to injury but O'Brien was a world class operator when fully fit. Commonly name-dropped by All Blacks when asked about dangerous Irish opponents. The Tullow man's ability to break the line and offload in the tackle was a pointed weapon as Ireland won the title in 2015.
NUMBER 8 - JAMIE HEASLIP (95, 74)
Forced into premature retirement in 2017, Heaslip had long since established himself as a world-class operator. Part of a sizeable Leinster crop that demanded the highest standards and consistently met them. His five Lions Tests took him up to 100 international caps in total and he scored 13 tries.
