It was not the easiest parting of ways between Munster and centre Johne Murphy. But 12 months on, there is no sign of animosity. 

Versatile Munster forward Billy Holland believes the hard-fought 9-7 win in Belfast at the weekend can help turn their season around.

Versatility is one of Rory Scannell’s greatest assets, given his ability to play comfortably in different positions across a rugby back line.

Discarded Ireland wing Andrew Trimble gets a chance to show what he is made off as Ulster’s quest for Guinness Pro12 success begins in earnest at the Kingspan Stadium this evening when Ospreys are the visitors.

At the relatively tender age of 30, Johne Murphy has called a halt on a professional rugby career that reaped great rewards, but he will remain within the sport to hone the skills of up-and-coming players.

Johne Murphy will decide on his post-Munster future in the next week.

Georgia 12 Emerging Ireland 45: Billy Holland had to discard his crutches to lift the trophy at Avchala Stadium after succumbing to a captain’s curse in Tbilisi.

Emerging Ireland 33 Uruguay 7: Rhys Ruddock’s hopes of taking part in the World Cup rest upon the results of an x-ray after damaging his right arm just two months after surgery.

Irish rugby stars admit they were “shocked” after being caught up in deadly floods in Tbilisi that have left at least 15 people dead and wild animals on the loose.

Tbilisi Cup

Tbilisi could prove the unlikely stepping stone for several players aiming to play their way into Joe Schmidt’s World Cup plans.

It has been a month of personal rewards for Connacht prop Denis Buckley, but none will come bigger than a Connacht victory over Gloucester in the vital first-leg Champions Cup play-off on Sunday.

James Cronin and Stephen Archer will get their opportunity to show national coach Joe Schmidt that they can be relied upon for the World Cup after both Munster props were selected for the Emerging Ireland squad.

Gone are the days when these A internationals were mere consolation prizes for those who missed out on Test caps. Tonight’s clash of Irish Wolfhounds and English Saxons at Musgrave Park represents a full-blown RBS 6 Nations audition, writes Simon Lewis.

Dave O’Callaghan will turn full circle in Italy tomorrow, bringing to a close an 11-month slog back to full fitness that began with a serious knee injury against this weekend’s opponents.

AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL:

Rhys Ruddock is relishing another physical battle with Georgia after his starring role as a late-comer to Ireland’s victory over South Africa.

Joe Schmidt believes he can help make Ian Keatley a better player by bringing the Munster fly-half into the Ireland squad for next month’s Guinness Series.

Battling his brother Neville as a youngster gave Robin Copeland the aggressive edge that’s serving him well in his professional day-to-day life.

Guinness Pro12:

As much as Munster could do with the help of their international brigade following their opening-day Guinness Pro12 home defeat, Ian Costello has warned supporters not to expect the entire cavalry to come charging to the rescue this weekend.

Simon Zebo says there’s no time for Munster to feel sorry for themselves ahead of a testing trip to Treviso this weekend with the prospect of a second defeat in as many weeks not an option as far as the Ireland wing is concerned.

Ian Keatley will start at out-half for Munster in their Guinness PRO12 opener at home to Edinburgh tonight (KO: 7.35pm) nursing the same injury he had to manage throughout the last campaign.

The venue is unfamiliar, some of the faces new and the job descriptions changed, but Anthony Foley has demanded some timeworn rugby essentials from his Munster players against London Irish this evening in Waterford (7.30pm).

Munster captain Peter O’Mahony has urged his squad to play every game this season as if it was their last as the province aims to return to the winner’s enclosure in both the Guinness Pro12 and Europe.

Only a call-up to the Emerging Ireland tour to Romania stopped Billy Holland from having a long and miserable summer after a frustrating end to Munster’s season.

It’s been a whirlwind rise up the rugby pecking order for Robin Copeland, through St Mary’s College, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans and then Cardiff Blues.

Eight Munster players have been included in the Emerging Ireland team to play Romania in the IRB Nations Cup clincher in Bucharest on Sunday.

Although Ireland’s rugby management team dare not look too far ahead, things appear to be settling nicely into place in advance of the 2015 World Cup in England.

Leinster scrum half Luke McGrath is on his way home but second row Michael Kearney has been retained in the Emerging Ireland squad after both sustained concussion in the IRB Nations Cup victory over Uruguay on Wednesday.

Emerging Ireland 51 Uruguay 3

Johne Murphy has a burning desire to win a full international cap but, if that doesn’t happen, leading out the Emerging Ireland side against Uruguay tomorrow will be a huge compensation.

Ireland’s director of rugby Eddie Wigglesworth hit back at criticism aimed at the IRFU for participating in the IRB Nations Cup.

Rotation is clearly the policy within the Irish squad participating in the IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest and, in advance of Wednesday’s clash with Uruguay.

Emerging Ireland 66 Russia 0

IRB NATIONS CUP:

Joey Miles believes three matches against lower level opponents in Bucharest will pay dividends for Ireland in the long run.

Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles yesterday spoke of the common bond between everyone in Irish rugby to maximise overseas tours for the benefit of the game.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named the team for the first Test against Argentina in Resistencia on Saturday (kick-off 3.40pm local time/7.40pm Irish time).