Anthony Foley has challenged his Munster players to leapfrog their Leinster rivals into Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad by winning trophies for their province.

Connacht have announced the signing of powerful 28-year-old front-row Tom McCartney from The Super Rugby side the Blues.

While some uncertainty remains about his future, Rob Penney is putting complete faith in his side.

Even for a coach as experienced as Joe Schmidt, international rugby represents a whole new canvass for the affable New Zealander.

Not many New Zealand rugby players turn down the opportunity to represent their country and wear the famous All Black jersey, but that’s exactly what ex-Blues and Northland star Rene Ranger did earlier this year.

Former Munster forwards coach Laurie Fisher believes the province’s current game plan under head coach Rob Penney could cause ongoing “angst” at his old club.

Prop Michael Bent remains on course for a rapid Test debut during Ireland’s autumn international series.

Ireland star Brian O’Driscoll was due to undergo surgery today on the ankle ligament trouble that has sidelined him for his country’s autumn Tests.

The Leinster squad trained in UCD todayahead of their final RaboDirect PRO12 game before the November break away to the Ospreys in the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon (KO: 4pm).

Ronan O’Gara, Conor Murray and Keith Earls have all been made available for Munster’s trip to Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday evening.

With the minimum of fuss, Munster have found their man and though their choice of Rob Penney may raise eyebrows in some quarters, the New Zealander appears to be quite a catch.

Former Canterbury coach Rob Penney was today confirmed as Munster's new head coach.

Ulster added another major piece to their set-up for next season when they announced the signing of New Zealander Mark Anscombe as head coach on a two-year contract.

LEINSTER’S new prop Nathan White has admitted he is in Ireland on a wing and a prayer after leaving Waikato, the recently defeated ITM finalists.

WHO was the first person to learn the Ireland team to face Australia once Declan Kidney had signed off on his first XV?

There are more Samoan, Tongans and Fijians living in New Zealand than in their home islands — but that’s not what makes them dangerous.

After coming through last weekend’s victor over the Dragons relatively unscathed, Munster coach Tony McGahan has picked an identical 26 man squad for Friday’s visit to Glasgow.

Blues doctor Stephen Kara has allayed fears over New Zealand prop Tony Woodcock's fitness following weekend reports that he could miss the World Cup on home soil later this year due to a foot injury.

Ulster Rugby announced today that they have signed Auckland Blues back Jared Payne on a three-year contract.

New Zealand winger Hosea Gear is not taking a place in the All Blacks World Cup squad for granted, despite scoring five tries in four games on their Grand Slam tour of the Home Unions.

Samoa have included nine European-based players in their starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with Ireland.

Canterbury tight-head Peter Borlase is set to arrive in Ireland next week to begin a two-year stint with Munster.

New Zealand’s new “superman” Sonny Bill Williams revealed today how Jonny Wilkinson inspired his remarkable rise from rookie centre to All Blacks international.

Former New Zealand rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams will make his All Blacks Test debut against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams has been named in New Zealand’s 30-man squad for their end-of-season tour of the northern hemisphere but there is no place for Aaron Cruden, Robbie Fruean or Colin Slade.

Canterbury fly-half Colin Slade has won the battle to be Aaron Cruden’s back-up for New Zealand’s final Tri Nations match against Australia in Sydney on September 11.

TONY BUCKLEY might have a bright rugby future following some fine displays on Ireland’s recent tour of Australia and New Zealand, but he is no closer to nailing down an alternative job once his playing days are over.

MUNSTER have bolstered their front-row options with the signing of Crusaders prop Peter Borlase.

New Zealand fly-half Stephen Donald is facing up to four months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a torn chest muscle.