Ireland’s Championship and Grand Slam ambitions remain alive, but only just after Joe Schmidt’s side clung on to claim victory against France in their Six Nations meeting at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

Sean St Ledger has dismissed reports he is due for the exit door at Leicester City and is intent on proving his worth to manager Nigel Pearson at next month’s European Championships with Ireland.

Giovanni Trapattoni has imposed a ban on his Irish players writing columns for newspapers during the European Championships.

TOMMY BOWE once dreamed of playing Gaelic football with Monaghan in Croke Park.