If ever there was a microcosm of the battle for hearts and minds in Australian sport, then today’s fare is it.

Ulster have refused to confirm, or deny, that they are poised to sign the talented Wallaby fly-half Christian Leali’ifano on a short-term contract.

For the financial viability of the international game in particular, there is far more riding on a competitive Lions series than many appreciate, writes Donal Lenihan.

It comes ahead of their first Bledisloe Cup game with Australia today.

Jonny Wilkinson may not have known what he was unleashing when he mused aloud near the end of last year that Matt Giteau was such an “exceptional” player, that he didn’t quite know how Australian rugby could have ever let one of the most gifted playmakers in Wallaby annals disappear to work his wonders in Europe.

Before looking forward to the inaugural Champions Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday, I feel compelled to examine the implications of an announcement last week that attracted minimal attention on this side of the world.

In one brief but ground-breaking announcement from the Australian Rugby Union, George Smith, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell were offered the hope of reviving their Wallabies careers in time for this year’s World Cup.

Garda whistleblower arrested for taking part in Irish Water protest; Limerick gardaí find body of man stabbed in head; and 10 places to soak up the sun on your lunch break. These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this lunchtime.

Tony McGahan says Paul O’Connell is always striving to improve his own game and his team-mates.

Back rowers Paddy Butler and Sean Dougall are leaving Munster at the end of the season, but versatile back Denis Hurley has signed on for another season.

Australian centre Rob Horne has rejected a lucrative contract offer from Munster and will remain with the New South Wales Waraths.

Former Australia captain David Pocock has been issued with a formal written warning by the Australian Rugby Union after he was arrested yesterday.

The Australian Rugby Union have denied a reported €8,000 damage was caused to the Wallabies dressing room in the Aviva by a frustrated staff member in the wake of their

Read More:

The IRFU is considering whether or not to bill the Australian Rugby Union for damage done to one of the dressing rooms at the Aviva Stadium in the wake of last Saturday’s test match.

Despite all the upheaval, history has shown the Aussies are a resilient bunch.

Kurtley Beale will join the Australia squad on Sunday ahead of next week’s Test match against Ireland.

Maintaining mental fitness requires work and skill development in the same way as maintaining our physical fitness does.

Michael Cheika has been appointed as the new Australia head coach.

Ewen McKenzie has resigned as Australia head coach.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will not be rushed into new contract talks ahead of the November Tests, insists IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora.

Coach Ewen McKenzie knows Australia must take risks if they are to end New Zealand’s 17-game winning streak on Saturday, and hopes the surprise selection of Kurtley Beale at fly-half will provide the spark in their Rugby Championship clash in Sydney.

David Nucifora cracked two jokes on his introduction to the Irish media yesterday.

Former Australia international David Nucifora has been announced as the Irish Rugby Football Union’s new performance director.

Former Wallaby hooker David Nucifora will finally be unveiled as the IRFU’s new Performance Director tomorrow at a press conference at the Aviva Stadium.

Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has suspended six members of his squad ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Scotland after they were involved in a late-night drinking session.

Irish players are amongst those being left at increased risk of concussion-related injuries due to the failure of the PRO12, Heineken Cup and Six Nations to adopt IRB guidelines, according to a leading player advocate.

Ewen McKenzie has been confirmed as Australia’s new head coach following Robbie Deans’ resignation.

Robbie Deans has been sacked as Australia head coach following the Wallabies’ Test series defeat to the British and Irish Lions, according to reports in the Australian press.

Melbourne Rebels are to appeal wing Lachlan Mitchell’s one-match ban imposed for foul play during last week’s game against the British and Irish Lions, the Australian Rugby Union has announced.

Australia captain James Horwill today offered a robust defence during extensive questioning over the stamp that could yet see him suspended for the third Test against the British and Irish Lions.

Australia coach Robbie Deans was disappointed by the presence of Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor in a fast-food restaurant in the early hours of the morning, but did not consider dropping them.

Melbourne Rebels wing Lachlan Mitchell has received a one-match ban for foul play during yesterday’s game against the British and Irish Lions.

An eventful few hours in the Australia camp began with wing Digby Ioane being issued with an arrest warrant and ended with his injury-enforced withdrawal from the remainder of the Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

An eventful few hours in the Australia camp began with wing Digby Ioane being issued with an arrest warrant.

Head coach Michael Cheika welcomed back two key players as the Waratahs bid to beat the British & Irish Lions on Saturday, promising that “anything in red that moves, we’ll have a crack at”.

Four games in and despite the fact that three of the Lions’ ‘contests’ had nothing like the competitiveness Warren Gatland is craving, his test side is beginning to take shape in Australia.

After posing serious questions of the British & Irish Lions' defence in Brisbane on Saturday, there was undisguised relief in the camp when the management learned that Quade Cooper would not be facing them during the Test series with Australia.

THERE was a poignant moment at Campbell’s Hill Cemetery, just outside Newcastle, New South Wales, in the small hours of the Irish night as Lions captain Sam Warburton came face to face with the grave of the original captain, Robert Seddon.

British and Irish Lions prop Cian Healy has been cited for allegedly biting an opponent.

Has it really been a year since Tony McGahan vacated the head coach’s role at Munster?

Code-hopper Israel Folau is one of three new caps in Australia’s preliminary 25-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions, with in-form Reds playmaker Quade Cooper the most notable omission.