Ireland have slipped back into the middle ground with Scotland and Wales

Three key challenges facing Ireland in Paris1. Platform to perform. For the last decade, French teams have performed in the Six Nations with one hand tied behind their backs.

You can take it with certainty England will still bag their bonus point win at the Stadio Olimpico

In the recent past, I have been critical of supporters still in the bars when the captain leads out the troops - but this was surreal

Andy Farrell and company get second chance at first steps

Australia and New Zealand flew out the blocks 10 days ago as international rugby resumed. The big question now is, will Ireland be able to do likewise next Saturday?

Make no mistake about it, Munster’s two-point win over Edinburgh on Saturday night was more satisfying to the dramatic late heroics against Scarlets in Llanelli the previous weekend

The evidence of any appreciable change in the way Munster are going about their business has been difficult to identify in the four games played to date

With its capacity to rest the top international players at crucial times during the season, the PRO14 has served Irish rugby well. However, the tournament stands at a crossroads

Leinster's defeat serves to highlight the shortcomings of the PRO14 - and also hits the IRFU in the pocket