Brian O’Driscoll has recalled being wrongfully arrested for assault and how the shock of a friend’s death left him a sobbing wreck.

British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland was scheduled to sit down with Brian O’Driscoll at Carton House last night for a first-hand update on the Ireland centre’s fitness.

So how did a mild-mannered English teacher from a tiny village in New Zealand become one of the most respected and innovative rugby coaches in Europe and now the new supremo of the Ireland rugby team?

Joe Schmidt has described the challenge of leading the Ireland rugby team as "intimidating" after agreeing a three-year contract.

Ireland’s farming community is in mourning this week for former IFA president Paddy Lane, whose funeral took place yesterday in his native Parteen, Co Clare.

The IRFU have announced Michael Kearney as the new Manager for the Ireland rugby team.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni could head into next month’s Euro 2012 play-offs without first-choice striker pairing Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle.

WHEN the late Warren Zevon wrote “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me”, I’m thinking he wasn’t referring specifically to the Ireland rugby team of 2011.

HAVING visited Carton House in recent weeks, where the Ireland rugby team has been stationed for its pre-World Cup training, I can say this.

O2 AND the Irish Rugby Football Union have renewed the sponsorship that will see the telecommunications giant remain as sponsor of the Ireland rugby team until 2016.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE, Gonzaga, Belvedere, St Mary’s, St Michael’s, these are rugby schools.

PAT GILROY has described it as “unfortunate” people don’t believe his team play an attractive brand of football.

IRISH rugby star Ronan O’Gara demonstrates a capacity for tenderness while his teammate Donncha O’Callaghan likes to bring things to a head.

THE GAA’s management committee has given the green light to a feasibility study into Hawk-Eye technology being used in the All-Ireland senior football and hurling championships.

CROKE PARK has confirmed that officials have asked the Wexford County Board to report to the Leinster Council on Faythe Harriers’ usage of their all-weather facilities.

Jamie Heaslip’s five-week ban capped off a sorry weekend in New Plymouth for the Ireland rugby team.

THE makers of Hunky Dorys crisps may have to kick to touch an advertising campaign which has been labelled sexist and misleading.

A POWERFUL light of hope and support was shone yesterday into one of the dark corners of rural Ireland — loneliness among older men living alone.

It has been announced that Paul Pook will be joining the Ireland rugby team as strength and conditioning coach up to and including the next Rugby World Cup in 2011.

The Irish Rugby Football Union has announced that Declan Kidney has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Ireland rugby team.

LONDON IRISH will spend a seven- day training camp in Co Wexford as they bid for domestic and European rugby honours.

A late night takeaway is offering Belfast party-goers something a little different this festive season.

The Taoiseach and three ministers will be in France later this week on official business to coincide with the Rugby World Cup clash between the two countries in Paris.

THERE are no plans by the Irish or British governments for a ceremonial gesture to mark Bloody Sunday before the Six Nations rugby international between Ireland and England on February 24, it was confirmed yesterday.