The Munster ten is going to have a bigger role than most people think at the World Cup in the autumn

The inside story of toil and themes, beers and barbecues, of care and connection at the heart of the club's rise to the mountain top.

The week began with La Rochelle's Irish backroom staff watching Jack Crowley emulate a former Munster out half at Lansdowne Road. It will end in the Aviva Stadium too and the French club's third Champions Cup final on the trot. 

Ten years ago, I walked into Cork Airport on Sunday morning with my ambitions and prospects of making it as some sort of professional coach in a carry-on suitcase. I had two small towels, with me. Just as well. Now read on...

Whether other people wish to see it differently, there is no doubt that the competitiveness of the Top 14 week in, week out, is significantly greater than the URC

What renders us helpless is watching a bad opening first period and knowing that there isn’t a lot you can do about it.

When people say Manchester City are better than the English national side, of course they should be. They have a world XI on the pitch and another squadron of talents waiting in the wings. Pep Guardiola’s hand is a lot stronger than Gareth Southgate’s.

After a mountainous 21 weekends of Top 14, we go into Week 22 on Saturday balancing the necessity to finish in the top two with the semi-final of the European Champions Cup in a fortnight

The Champions Cup is what Munster gauge themselves against. Spare a thought for Denis Leamy this week. Imagine, is that the best they can do to represent him? I don’t think so.

I like players who are receptive to learning and new ideas and I have the Denis Irwin of French rugby in our dressingroom.