New Zealand international Issac Luke and his former South Sydney team-mate Luke Keary put their hands up to play for Ireland in the 2017 World Cup.

Rugby pundit George Hook has said he does not think rugby is a good sport for women to play.

Ireland are drawn in what coach Tom Tierney says “is arguably the toughest qualifying pool of all” for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Dublin and Belfast in August.

Irish wing Alan McMahon, hopes today’s big World Cup qualifying game against Russia at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray (5pm), will provide him with further opportunity to develop his new-found career in Rugby League.

The 2016 Rugby League European Federation Congress will be held in Bray from October 28-30 to coincide with Ireland's 2017 World Cup qualifier against Russia.

IRFU chief Philip Browne believes Ireland’s willingness to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in two years’ time - confirmation of which emerged yesterday – will boost the island’s chances of being the chosen venue for the equivalent men’s event in 2023.

Paul O’Connell was lifting trophies again last night as the Ireland captain was voted the Hibernia College IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year 2015 by his fellow professionals.

Tom Tierney predicts a huge future for women’s rugby in Ireland following the latest Six Nations triumph in Scotland on Sunday and hopes to see the game strengthen further if a bid to host the 2017 World Cup succeeds.

Rugby League: Ireland will be cast in the familiar role of underdogs as they launch their European Championship campaign against France in Dublin today, but this time they are not without hope.