The Irish Rugby Football Union is to make €500,000 available to its clubs in light of the Covid-19 crisis, the governing body announced on Tuesday evening.

With the nightmare of the World Cup in Japan finally consigned to history as the Andy Farrell era of Irish rugby got underway, it is somewhat ironic that the new boss’s very first tournament will have a direct influence on Ireland’s next World Cup campaign in France in three years’ time.

Works by some of the world’s great photographers have been gathered for a new exhibition at the National Gallery, writes Marjorie Brennan

Whether or not Japan, the Brave Blossoms, continue to defy the odds, in this Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final, the success of Jamie Joseph’s side, on home soil, should open doors at world rugby’s top table.

And that includes World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, which has been stunned by the huge numbers being racked up in terms of television viewers and social media engagements as well as the good old-fashioned barometer of jersey sales.

Your round-up of the stories behind the headlines from Day 15 of #RWC2019

A couple has taken a legal challenge over a coroner's refusal to await the report of an external review into the care of their 19-year-old daughter at Sligo University Hospital before resuming an inquest into her death.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont has expressed his disappointment the game's global governing body abandoned plans for a new 'Nations Championship'.

Cystic fibrosis patients and their families are calling on the Government to honour its pledge to give them new hospital facilities, warning that the cost of the project is rising as the delay drags on.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont has called a meeting to discuss the future of the international game amidst controversy over plans for a World League.

Two doctors who share a busy medical practice in Salthill, Co Galway, share a kidney transplant story.

Almost 44% of admitted patients on trolleys yesterday were waiting more than nine hours for a hospital bed, it has emerged.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar is too “busy” to meet the family of the late Gerry Feeney to discuss failings in his care.

England’s Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie says England will not rush a new appointment as they seek a coach of “proven international experience” to replace Stuart Lancaster.

Patients needing a pancreas transplant say they are none the wiser about their situation after Beaumont Hospital in Dublin issued a statement on the future of the country’s pancreas transplant programme.

The International Monetary Fund has refused to comment on calls for Ireland to be given a debt write-down if any deal is struck with Greece, after the opposition urged action to be taken on the issue.

Members of the public are being asked to join with nurses for tomorrows lunchtime protest outside the Dáil.

A gravely ill woman was kept sitting in a chair for three days in an emergency department and died six days after eventually getting a bed, the Circuit Civil Court was told yesterday

Lions legend Bill Beaumont said that full Government support and strong partnerships with the GAA and other sporting bodies will be the key to a successful IRFU bid to stage the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

There are fresh concerns about Beaumont Hospital this morning after its chief executive reportedly told staff it is "unsafe".

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has signalled that he will ignore the recommendations of the IMF and European Commission and aim for the 3% fiscal deficit target in October’s budget.

Gentleman, that he is, Beaumont whispers to Moss “may the best team win”.

The IMF expects Ireland to meet the agreed budget targets over the next two years and reduce the deficit to below 3% by 2015, according to mission chief Craig Beaumont.

Budget hawks in the Government got strong support from the IMF as it warned there must be no slipping on the budget cuts the country has committed to under its bailout programme.

Hundreds of patients whose test results indicated they may have prostate cancer are having their files reviewed.

A test kit used as an aid in detecting prostate cancer at a Dublin hospital has been withdrawn after it emerged it was producing results that may have led to a substantial number of unnecessary biopsies.

Sanctioning doctors for failing to wash their hands has been dismissed as a “stupid suggestion” by the head of Beaumont Hospital’s transplantation unit.

This man installed a premium rate number to profit from cold callers - he now spends ages on the phone to them!

A runaway election win? Don’t bet on it

Dublin defender Kevin Nolan has revealed the impact Type 1 diabetes has had on his inter-county career.

The IMF wants the Government to proceed with the planned €3.1bn budget consolidation this year, according to its Mission Head for Ireland, Craig Beaumont.

A teacher in the UK who allegedly abducted a schoolgirl to France will not give evidence in his defence.

The Government should look at introducing measures for making home repossessions more efficient, including the designation of specialist judges, according to the IMF in its latest review of the economy.

The IMF has urged that Irish banks receive direct recapitalisation from the European Stability Mechanism, which puts it on a collision course with the Eurogroup of finance ministers and the eurozone creditor nations.

Ireland’s debt burden could climb to unsustainable levels if economic growth fails to materialise over the next few years and the banks need to be recapitalised, according to the IMF in its latest review of the economy.

The International Monetary Fund has said sorting out mortgage arrears and getting Europe to restructure bank debt are vital if Ireland is to exit the bailout by year's end.

Two British sporting institutions drew neck and neck this week. A Question of Sport has taken 45 years, three hosts, 16 captains, a million high-fives and several makeovers to bring up 1,000 not out.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland says he will field an entire side of English players in the first test against Australia if it is the best team he has available.

HSE funding problems are preventing 350 profoundly deaf children from receiving life-changing implants vital to helping them hear.

Groups representing children and the elderly have hit out strongly at IMF recommendations targeting social welfare benefits, medical cards and children’s allowance.

Social welfare benefits, medical cards, and children’s allowance are costing the country too much and must be cut, the IMF said as it completed its latest inspection of the country’s bailout programme.

Social welfare benefits are too high in Ireland and need to be revised to encourage people back to work, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

On a gloomy note and under dreary skies, the bailout troika packed their briefcases and left Ireland after the halfway review of the bailout programme.

The Conversations exhibition at IMMA reflects on the relationship between photographers and their subjects, Carl Dixon reports.