Let's hope Rome will provide the fitting backdrop for Ireland and the prospect of an unprecedented three Six Nations crowns in a row at the city’s Stadio Olimpico on St. Patrick’s weekend

Nobody likes being beaten but the manner in which Munster stayed in the fight against a creative Northampton attack showed, once again, that what they lack in star quality is made up for by sheer grit, work-rate and determination.

I’ll be tuning in from the bowels of the stadium to events at Franklins Gardens, hoping that Munster can build on the momentum generated from last weekend’s pivotal win. Franklin's Gardens will tell us a lot.

Miraculously, both Leinster and Munster found a way to prevail this weekend

If South African teams opt out of the Champions Cup, a swift return to a 20-team format with home-and-away pool games and direct quarter-final progression would be ideal

You really had to be in the historic surroundings of an electric Kings Park last July to fully appreciate the magnitude of what Andy Farrell’s Ireland achieved against the world champions

Leinster have ten wins from ten this season despite an ailing line out, a stuttering attack and a poor disciplinary record. Some day soon those deficiencies will catch up with them. 

Watching the documentary on England's 2003 World Cup winners proved a fairly harrowing watch. On the surface, they were hard-nosed, mentally strong and highly committed group of 'unbreakable' men. We now know different 

With all the noise surrounding the occupancy of the No 10 shirt for the forthcoming Six Nations, Munster's Jack Crowley appears to be making the classic mistake of just trying too hard.

Munster are crying out for the stability a long-term director of rugby would bring and allow the new head coach to concentrate solely on the preparation and selection of the side.