It's ever so tempting to say this has to be a good thing for world rugby. The Celts, with their small, transient populations and endless winters, were genuine candidates to disappear in the professional era.
All three of them, at various times in the past 20 years, have struggled. Finding players and keeping them has been a continuous battle; sponsors, fans and broadcasters haven't always been queuing up to back their respective domestic competitions and all have taken regular poundings on the international stage.
Scotland's situation has been acute for the longest and now that they have stumbled into a pocket of light under New Zealand coach Vern Cotter, shouldn't this be a source of relief and optimism?
Scotland being within striking distance of the All Blacks in the last 10 minutes - why, that hasn't happened since ... 1990. Scotland as something other than a relic of a more glorious past - that is surely something to celebrate: rugby needs a wider pool of genuine threats.
Wales are hopeful they can establish themselves as a genuine threat - and who would bet against them?
Warren Gatland has them fitter than ever before, skill levels are high, game understanding is good and there's physicality in every jersey.
The All Blacks know they are going to get smacked around a bit on Saturday and face a team that with a good start and a bit of a luck could cause a giant upset.
Ireland are probably in the best place they have been in the professional age: disciplined, controlled, direct and now ranked third in the world. New Zealander Joe Schmidt has given them more freedom to play and express themselves and they are winning more than they ever have.
It is probably a little curmudgeonly to find this state of affairs unsatisfactory but there is still an argument to be made that this infestation of New Zealand coaching personnel is homogenising test football.
Everyone wants to play like the All Blacks.
Everyone - Scotland, Ireland, Wales and even England, who have an English coach obsessed with New Zealand - want to be rugby's great entertainers.
It is encouraging to see the Celts staying relevant in the modern game but it's just a shame they haven't yet been able to quite find their inner selves in the process.
It's just a shame they don't really feel that Celtic any more - don't have their own identifiable way of playing that screams who they are and what they are all about.
The All Blacks are a great side but not everyone has to play like them.
3 Kiwi coaches abroad
Welcome back
Vern Cotter has shed light on the Scottish game.
No ordinary Joe
Joe Schmidt has given Ireland more freedom to play and express themselves.
Gun from the valleys
Warren Gatland has Wales fitter than they have ever been.
