Why does JJ Hanrahan’s decision to leave Munster for Northampton Saints hurt so much? Because he’s one of our own, writes Ronan O’Gara.

When Thierry Henry retired, in Ireland it brought back memories of the furore over his infamous handball in 2009. It reminded me how different a sports person’s mentality is to the average Joe.

MY boss has a dream and all available evidence thus far indicates he is going to make it happen, writes Ronan O'Gara.

Munster can turn their Rugby Champions Cup campaign around with a win over Clermont at the Stade Marcel Michelin — but it will take their greatest performance in 20 years of European rugby to do so, suggests Ronan O'Gara.

THERE he was, this game little eight-year-old, chasing every one of our dead rugby balls like a buck, writes Ronan O'Gara.

A call from Examiner Towers on Tuesday. What are you rabbiting on about this week? Presume you’re looking back at Saturday?

Nothing characterises the Irish sporting psyche like our attitude to the respective Tests this autumn against South Africa and tomorrow’s Test against Australia.

An 11-hour flight getting to Hong Kong gives you plenty of reasons to burn the weekend’s tests onto a CD, and plenty of time to dissect them, writes Ronan O'Gara.

I’ve been a bold boy. Or so I’ve been told. I’ve had to explain myself, which is fine. You’re not always losing when you’re explaining, writes Ronan O'Gara.

Obviously I’m biased but, for me, it wasfantastic to see all the old Munster values and traditions were still there.