The province should test Scott Robertson's stated ambition to coach in Europe. Meanwhile, at club level, the grassroots is growing increasingly frustrated

Once the flagship event for rugby followers in this country, the Champions Cup appears to be fading in the consciousness of a growing number of competing clubs

It was the experienced aces like de Allende, Farrell and the normally flawless Earls who will have reason to look back on their skill execution with disappointment

Scott Buckley wouldn’t have made anything like the impact he did without his exposure to the AIL. Yet key personnel in the IRFU’s rugby department continue to look down their noses at this level of rugby

With a total of 12 players set to make their first ever appearance in a senior shirt the challenge facing Munster had reached epic proportions

With the pool stage now reduced from six to four games in a revamped format, the margin for error has diminished

From January next players can now represent their country of birth or that of their parents or grandparents, despite having already been capped for another country, provided a period of three years has elapsed since their last international appearance

EPCR have already made it clear that Munster will have to field a team or forfeit their opening game against Wasps on Sunday week

In comparison to the dirge witnessed during the recent Lions test series in South Africa, the autumn series of competitive action across Europe has done the game a great service

With New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa all beaten by northern hemisphere opposition on Saturday, it was left to Ireland to complete a historic rout of the Rugby Championship sides