Louis Rees-Zammit had been identified as a serious talent from the moment he became the youngest player, at 18, to play for Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership.

Craig Casey should now come under serious consideration to start against Italy, as should Harry Byrne

Ireland need to deliver something different to halt this buoyant new French wave and find a way to take what is still a very inexperienced visiting side out of their comfort zone

The character that was so evident on the field in almost defying the odds to win in Cardiff can lay the foundations for a monumental test against a supremely confident French side

Fifteen months into his reign, this is now Andy Farrell's team, playing his style of rugby

With what they perceive as eminently winnable games at home to Ireland and away to Scotland in the opening phase of the championship, Wales will be trading heavily on emotion tomorrow

Not being able to leave the confines of the team hotel to enjoy a coffee and a chat with someone who has little or no interest in how Ireland will fare in the Six Nations is something the players must miss

The PRO14 has been a damp squib this season with no meaningful challenge presented by any of the Scottish, Welsh, or Italian teams

Johann van Graan has led Munster into battle against Leinster eight times since his arrival from South Africa but has experienced the sweet taste of victory only once

The big lesson to emerge from this traumatic period for professional rugby is that the funding model has an overreliance on bums on seats