Key talking points for Saturday's pivotal Six Nations contest at the Stade de France

A force of nature in so many ways, Tom Kiernan - Tommy, TJ or the Silver Fox as he was affectionately known by so many in his inner sanctum - was a truly remarkable character.

It says everything about the difference in quality between the old Six Nations rivals at Lansdowne Road on Saturday that, despite the 22-point winning margin, Ireland could and should have handed out a greater beating to Wales

Wales are short seven proven British and Irish Lions who between them have amassed more than 650 caps - on the other hand Andy Farrell is just short James Lowe and Robbie Henshaw

Nothing can replace that sense of pride in where you come from and who you represent in those special moments lost in your own thoughts, looking out the window of the coach en route to the stadium

With Munster’s higher ranking from the pool stage — Leinster finished fourth as a consequence of the Montpellier cancellation — Johann van Graan’s men would have home advantage in that potential encounter

At a time when the relaxation of Covid restrictions in this country reacquainted everyone with the feeling of freedom, the enforced cancellation of three key Heineken Champions Cup games over the weekend has inflicted another damaging blow to the integrity of the competition

There’s a strong possibility Munster will appoint a Director of Rugby to head up the management team and, if so, Declan Kidney should be given first refusal at filling that role. Highly rated Racing 92 attack coach Mike Prendergast appears nailed on to join Graham Rowntree on the coaching ticket

The financial impact of this pandemic on professional rugby is set to last long after medical science renders the virus ineffective. A critical point has been reached.

Munster seem locked in a time warp. If they continue in the vein of the last two limp attacking efforts, then you can forget about any prospect of breaking the trophy drought for another season