For another cohort of Irish pros – those plying their trade in France’s ProD2 – Christmas is a time for relaxing, unwinding and enjoying a break from the rigours of a long season.

Hansen claimed he and his Connacht teammates were ‘reffed out of the game’ against Leinster and that it was ‘like 16 men against us instead of 15’.

Munster state that head of athletic performance Ged McNamara is currently ‘on leave’ but sources say this is also a permanent departure. 

The continued downward spiral of Welsh rugby should worry us all - and there are challenges elsewhere too.

The Stade de France crowd was treated to a contest full of drama and no little skill.

The reaction to the disappointing defeat to the All Blacks has been over the top.

Former Munster player Duncan Casey believes it's time for the province to get aggressive about targeting those playing other sports. 

Persistent rumours of major run-ins between Rowntree and some senior Munster players in recent seasons are not wide of the mark

After five rounds of the current URC season, Munster have the weakest lineout in the competition at 79%.

You make your own luck, however, and on an evening that saw them play 10% below the levels we have grown so accustomed to, Ireland were unable to make their own luck when they most needed to.