Englishman Sam Walker teed off alone with only a marker for company as Saturday’s Irish Open action began at 7.50am.

Warren Gatland has backed Rory Best to make a big impact on the British and Irish Lions tour after the Ulster hooker received a late-call up.

Paul O’Connell inspired Munster to an 18-12 Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Harlequins and was immediately tipped to make a big impression on the British and Irish Lions tour.