The Ireland Under-20s got the job done in difficult weather conditions as they defeated Fiji 38-0 to qualify for the IRB Junior World Championship semi-finals for the first time.

The Ireland U-20s played their way right back into contention in Pool B of the IRB Junior World Championship with a bonus point win over last year's runners-up Wales.

The Ireland Under-20s fell agonisingly short of defeating Grand Slam champions France in their opening IRB Junior World Championship match in Auckland.

Connacht winger Matt Healy has signed a new two-year contract extension with the province, keeping him at the Galway Sportsground until at least the summer of 2016.

There are two new caps in the Ireland team to play Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship in Murrayfield on Sunday, February 24th (kick off 2pm).

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has confirmed his decision not to seek a renewal of his contract, which expires at the end of the season, was entirely his own and not influenced by external pressure.

The Ireland Under-20 team has been named for their final fixture of the Under-20 RBS Six Nations Championship where they take on England in Adams Park on Friday.

O2 Challenge Match, Aviva Stadium

IT was Declan Kidney who said it first, but we would do well to heed his words – recent events notwithstanding, these are special times in Irish rugby.

Coach Allen Clarke will have to plan without captain Peter O'Mahony, following a citing, when the Ireland U20s play New Zealand in their second Junior World Championship pool game in Nagoya on Tuesday evening (kick off: 11am Irish time).

Holders Ireland will start their RBS Six Nations U-20 Championship at home to Italy at Dubarry Park on Friday night.

Leinster A 51 Ireland U-20 15

Ulster number eight Roger Wilson has received the Ulster Player of the Year award.