It was a bit early in Andy Farrell’s tenure to be talking about a must-win game, but it was hard to escape the pivotal nature of Saturday’s tasty Six Nations encounter against Wales.

It was a bit early in Andy Farrell’s tenure to be talking about a must-win game, but it was hard to escape the pivotal nature of Saturday’s tasty Six Nations encounter against Wales, writes Donal Lenihan.

When Dave Kilcoyne and Jack McGrath were named in Ireland’s matchday 23 to face Italy 12 months ago, Cian Healy lost no sleep.

Martin Coppinger played an unbelievable second last shot of 287.5m which set him up to pip Aidan Murphy in a riveting Noel Phair Cup tie at Shannonvale.

If Andy Farrell proves to be nothing more than a lucky general, then Ireland supporters are in for one hell of a ride in the coming years.

The Leinster out-half was named Ireland captain by Andy Farrell for the upcoming Six Nations, replacing Rory Best, who retired after last year’s World Cup.

In a game that saw the sides level five times, Limerick came out on top with three of the last four points against a Clare side that had to wait until the second half for their first score from play.

Now that it’ll be yellow from next summer on, the sliotar should be a lot easier to track — but even with the advent of such a smart ball, there’s probably an even smarter solution when another Brian Hogan incident arises.

Sean O’Brien was among a handful of former Leinster stars who returned to the team HQ this week to set the scene for the province’s ‘drive for five’ ahead of today’s Heineken Champions Cup opener against Benetton.

Keith Earls will make his first Munster appearance of the season in tomorrow's Champions Cup opener against the Ospreys.

Hammer the hammer.

Accumulated profits at the management company owned by Ireland’s leading rugby star, Johnny Sexton, last year soared to €1.84m.

Gary Daly gained a maximum 18 points in the first day of the Mick Barry Cup at Ballincurrig to lead the race for the last spot in the 2019 Hurley’s of Midleton King of the Roads.

Munster and Leinster have named their teams for tomorrow’s Guinness PRO14 semi-final at the RDS Arena.

Donal Lenihan on the players and performances that could shade today’s meeting of the European superpowers in Newcastle.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie knows better than most about the respective merits of this Saturday’s protagonists in the Heineken Champions Cup final.

Rhys Ruddock and Seán Cronin have emerged as serious doubts for Leinster’s Champions Cup final next month.

Not everyone had faith that Leinster were capable of overcoming the challenge of Toulouse in Dublin and yet the European champions rose to the challenge on Easter Sunday to dispel all doubts and tee up a Heineken Champions Cup final to savour against Saracens.

Felipe Contepomi insists that Jonathan Sexton is more than capable of parachuting back into Leinster’s XV for Sunday week’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse in Dublin.

Leo Cullen says the coming week will be a “big” one for Devin Toner, as the Ireland second row prepares to make a well-timed return to fitness.

Ireland have beaten the All Blacks for the second time in three years.

Toulouse have held on to secure a one point one against reigning Champions Cup holders Leinster.

Second-half tries from Garry Ringrose and Sean Cronin did the damage for Leinster in their 20-3 Guinness PRO14 derby win over 14-man Connacht at the Sportsground.

By full time in Eden Park last weekend, so many history books were torn up that the bill might have bankrupted Beauden Barrett.

Nacewa was the Leinster hero in his final game for the province.

Leo Cullen was giving the press his take on Leinster’s crushing Champions Cup semi-final defeat of Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday evening when his day brightened that little bit more with news that the province’s ‘A’ side had reached the final of the British & Irish Cup, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Jonathan Sexton and Leo Cullen were deep into the third quarter of yesterday’s pre-match press conference when the conversation spooled back 12 months to Leinster’s Guinness PRO12 semi-final loss to Scarlets.

Jonathan Sexton has been eager for a crack at Saracens for a while.

Johnny Sexton says Ireland had a definite advantage over England and the rest of their Six Nations opponents this year.

Ireland stormed ever closer to a NatWest 6 Nations title showdown with England by dismissing Wales 37-27 in Dublin.

Of all the drop goals in all the world, Johnny Sexton’s is destined to keep flying ever higher on its steep climb towards the heavens.

Jacob Stockdale's first try on 20 minutes put Ireland on the road to victory against their old foes.

The opportunities are dwindling to expose Ireland’s less experienced Test players and build strength in depth ahead of the next World Cup.

Leinster are the side with three stars on their shirt, as triple winners of the European Cup, but Leo Cullen believes Montpellier boss Vern Cotter is under greater pressure to win this season’s title than he is.

Johnny Sexton set a new Leinster points-scoring record in the 23-17 Guinness PRO14 victory over Munster at the Aviva Stadium.

Warren Gatland has given the green light for Owen Farrell to start Saturday’s first test against the All Blacks but his specific role in the Lions line-up will have a massive impact on Johnny Sexton.

Warren Gatland has backed Peter O'Mahony to bring an unquantifiable Munster spirit and character when the Ireland back rower leads the British & Irish Lions out against the Maori in Rotorua on Saturday.

It has been quite the year for Irish rugby and no better way to finish it than by making a little more history at the Aviva Stadium this evening with a victory over Australia.

Ireland 9 New Zealand 21: Perhaps feeling battered, bruised and not a little hard done by is a sign Ireland have finally arrived on the world stage as a force to be reckoned with.

Joe Schmidt will today assess his injured players and walking wounded as he prepares for Saturday’s Test with Australia, the final game in this month’s Guinness Series.

After an incredible test at Soldier Field during which Ireland reached into physical and mental reserves to achieve one of the most famous of all their rugby victories, the reaction here in New Zealand is — shock horror — joy.

Donal Lenihan looks at three key areas where Ireland must excel just to compete against New Zealand at Soldier Field tonight.

The talking points from today's clash at the Aviva.

Ireland’s new generation of Test players have been put on notice that this month’s Test series against the Springboks could determine their pathway to the 2019 World Cup.

The Irish Ladies Close Championship began yesterday around the Old Course at Lahinch, Co Clare, where competitors played 36 holes strokeplay. The championship course, measuring 5,968 yards, was in immaculate condition and good scores were there for the taking.

Ospreys forwards coach Chris Gibbes reckons tonight’s out-half showdown between Dan Biggar and Jonny Sexton will be one to savour.