Thomond Park has played host to many chapters in Munster’s storied rugby journey but pride of place remains the game against the otherwise unbeaten New Zealanders on October 31, 1978, an occasion that understandably claims pride of place in a new book ‘Where Miracles Happen - The Story of Thomond Park’, by Charlie Mulqueen and Brendan O’Dowd.

Frans Steyn has been ruled out of next week’s Tri Nations encounter against New Zealand in Johannesburg due to injury.

Declan Kidney has called an extra 11 players into the Ireland training camp ahead of next weekend's visit of the All Blacks to Croke Park.

Australia coach John Connolly has revealed Rodney Blake’s extra size was a major factor in him being selected ahead of Guy Shepherdson for Saturday’s Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Brisbane.

NEW ZEALAND’S dominance of the Super 12 series is showcased this weekend with three out of four Kiwi teams in a semi-final line-up being billed as a trial for All Blacks World Cup places.