This time 12 months ago, Munster and Leinster felt bulletproof as they approached their respective Champions Cup semi-final deciders against Racing 92 and Scarlets, with both squads densely fortified with players from Ireland’s all-conquering Grand Slam team.

Saracens would have hoped for a quieter week than the one just gone but Maro Itoje, for one, is aiming to block out the outside noise against old foes Munster in the Champions Cup semi-final on Saturday in Coventry.

Sale Sharks 20 Connacht 10

Towards the end of last season, Johnny McNicholl asked himself a rhetorical question: “Am I Welsh? It’s a tough question to answer. I don’t know.”

Geordan Murphy declared rugby has "gone too PC" in response to the controversial red card shown to lock Will Spencer in Leicester's 41-35 defeat by Wasps.

Munster centre Rory Scannell admits pre-season has been “tough” ahead his side’s PRO14 opener against South African side Cheetahs tomorrow.

Connacht lock Ultan Dillane says that his primary task is performing for the province rather than dwelling on trying to get back into the Irish squad.

If our electricity came from renewables, instead of from fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles would be greatly reduced.

The loss of inspirational skipper Rory Best for tomorrow afternoon’s PRO14 shoot-out against the Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium (kick-off, 3.05pm) will hit Ulster hard, particularly with Ireland lock Iain Henderson also sidelined.

“I could see he had the makings of an excellent coach.”

Ireland have announced their Women's team to take on Scotland in the final home game of the Women's Six Nations this weekend.

Aardman animator Nick Park tells Esther McCarthy how his latest feature took two full years just to painstakingly film the scenes.

Man City 2 Bristol City 1: Bobby Reid’s penalty drew first blood in this absorbing Carabao Cup semi-final first leg before the Championship team simply became the latest in a long line of teams to discover why Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester City are still on course for an historic quadruple.

Whatever the demands in Munster for a return to winning ways after a chastening home defeat to Leinster, it is up in Ulster where the need for atonement is felt much deeper ahead of this evening’s sold-out PRO14 derby clash in Belfast, writes Simon Lewis

Bristol City 2 Man United 1: Bristol City defender Joe Bryan believes self-confidence and belief carried them into the Carabao Cup semi-finals after last night’s dramatic 2-1 win over Manchester United at Ashton Gate.

Johnny Sexton has never had the same “resilience” since his stint in France and that’s why Ireland choose not to select overseas-based players, according to Ireland coach Joe Schmidt.

There was a double celebration for Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year Conor Murray in Dublin last night, with Munster named Dave Guiney Team of the Year at the annual Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards.

Holders Manchester United will face a trip Bristol City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Tom Hayes is well accustomed to challenges, hopes, and expectations.

England coach Simon Middleton insists a prime-time TV slot will not ramp up the pressure on his players as they face off against New Zealand in the World Cup final today.

Holders England booked a Women's Rugby World Cup final appointment with New Zealand after beating France 20-3 in Belfast.

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.

Northampton Saints 21 Connacht 15: He came into the post-match press conference in charge of Connacht for the last time and less than 10 minutes later Pat Lam departed as the new coach of Bristol.

Twice before, Dublin-born England cricket captain Eoin Morgan has faced the media before a one-day international against Ireland.

Connacht coach Pat Lam will make an immediate return to the Sportsground this summer with his new club Bristol.

The Ireland Women’s management team has confirmed a 48-strong training panel to prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Dublin and Belfast in August. 

Even if Wembley Stadium is only half-full at the time she takes to the ring, Katie Taylor is still likely to be boxing in front of her biggest ever crowd at Wembley tomorrow.

Donncha O’Callaghan has been hailed as one of the most professional rugby players in the world after the 38-year-old former Munster legend signed on for another season in the English Premiership with Worcester Warriors.

Here's your morning bulletin.

Ireland fly-half Ian Madigan is set to sign for Bristol in a big-money switch from Bordeaux-Bègles that looks set to continue the playmaker’s exile from Test rugby.

Former Sale player Tom Arscott has received a written warning over the passing of inside information to his brother Luke before the Sharks’ Aviva Premiership match at Bristol.

Captain John Muldoon says Pat Lam’s decision to walk away from Connacht had no influence on his decision to extend his stay at the Sportsground.

Ben Te’o gave a man of the match performance in Worcester’s win over Harlequins last weekend, but his biggest impact this season so far came in a newspaper interview.

Connacht will divvy up the role of skills coach Dave Ellis among the existing management until a replacement is found.