When Irish players lined up for a World Cup debut in 1987 — chests puffed out, ready to make history — they were played into battle by... ‘The Rose of Tralee’. Peter Jackson reports

Joe Schmidt has given Keith Earls and Simon Zebo a massive vote of confidence by saying the Munster duo had justified their selection in the Ireland World Cup squad’s most competitive unit.

The impression of Romanian rugby has long been one of a once proud nation trapped in a spiral of decline. Long gone are those halcyon days when they sometimes scalped but almost always scared the Five Nations.

Thomond Park is set to be graced by two more world-renowned stars when the Barbarians face an Ireland XV in Limerick later this month after Wales and Lions duo Adam Jones and Alex Cuthbert were added to Robbie Deans’s invitational squad.

All Blacks legend Joe Rokocoko is set to make his first return to Thomond Park since scoring the winning try against Munster seven years ago after being confirmed for the Barbarians squad to face an Ireland XV in Limerick on May 28.

Joe Schmidt began celebrating Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations triumph by paying tribute to the resilience of his Ireland players for the way they bounced back from defeat in Wales to deliver a 40-10 thumping of Scotland in Edinburgh.

It’s just a month since Matt O’Connor turned the tables at a Leinster press-conference by redirecting questions about his team’s form at the media.

John Muldoon has signed a new two-year contract with the IRFU which will see him remain at Connacht until at least June 2016.

Munster are set to name a new main shirt sponsor, the province said yesterday, on a day the Thomond Park Stadium Company Ltd reported its operating profits had almost halved last year to €354,000.

Rory Best today exonerated Matthew Rees of blame for Wales’ ’ballgate’ victory against Ireland in the 2011 RBS 6 Nations by claiming the rules are only a “loose guide” to be followed.

Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has defended his decision to field an under-strength side for tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with interprovincial rivals Munster at Thomond Park (5:30pm).

In-form Ulster winger Craig Gilroy must be content with a place on the bench as head coach Mark Anscombe made wholesale changes for Friday’s crucial Heineken Cup meeting with Northampton Saints in Franklins Gardens (8pm).

The history books show that for all the bitterness and rancour that has developed since the 1990s between Ireland and Argentina, the Pumas have yet to record a victory in Dublin.

Ulster Rugby have secured the services of Craig Gilroy until the summer of 2016 with the winger today signing a three-year contract extension.

Leinster back rower Rhys Ruddock has been drafted into the Ireland squad ahead of their final November Test series match against Argentina on Saturday (2pm).

Declan Kidney will not be rushed into parachuting Ireland’s exciting next generation of players into the Test side this weekend.

Almost single-handedly, they salvaged the wreckage that was the 2007 World Cup in France.

There was a moment, in the aftermath of defeat to South Africa last Saturday night, when Declan Kidney was asked if his players had forgotten how to win.

Half-backs Michael Heaney and Niall O’Connor have been included in the starting line up for Ulster’s RaboDirect PRO12 showdown with Zebre at the Stadio XXV Aprile on Sunday (2pm Irish time).

Ireland have retained only three players for Saturday’s non-cap international against Fiji at Thomond Park.

Ireland have named their side for Saturday evening's 'A' International with Fiji at Thomond Park (kick-off 5.30).

His team is undoubtedly struggling and ticket sales for the November series are somewhat sluggish, but Declan Kidney was quick to find fault yesterday with the assumption there is a disconnect right now between his Ireland outfit and the general public.

Declan Kidney and the full Ireland management team will take charge of the Ireland XV squad to face Fiji at Thomond Park on November 17, the IRFU has announced.

The IRFU launched its ticket price strategy for the 2012-13 season in the hope of avoiding a repeat of the 2010 empty seat fiasco.

It’s survival of the fittest. That’s the challenge in every park in New Zealand you play in and that’s why they’re called Test matches

A late Felipe Contepomi penalty handed defeat to an Ireland XV at Kingsholm on the eve of their three-Test tour to New Zealand.

Soon to retire, Munster and Ireland stalwart Mick O’Driscoll captains the Barbarians against his countrymen tonight in Gloucester (7.45pm) but all eyes will be on those in the Ireland XV looking to take their last chance to earn a ticket to New Zealand.

GEORDAN MURPHY goes into today’s final World Cup warm-up against England convinced both he and the Ireland squad are moving in the right direction ahead of the tournament in New Zealand.

Captain John Muldoon is one of three players Connacht coach Eric Elwood has brought in as his side prepare to take on an Ireland XV at Donnybrook this evening.

The Ireland team to play the Barbarians this Friday night in Thomond Park for the Mastercard Trophy contains four uncapped players.

Ireland are exuding a quiet confidence that they can cause a stunning upset against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has recalled fit again Geordan Murphy to his starting side to take on England in Twickenham on Saturday at 3pm.

The France-Ireland match commissioner has decided that Fabien Pelous will have "no case to answer" after his boot came into contact with Malcolm O'Kelly's head at a ruck in the Stade de Frqance on Saturday.

Out half David Humphreys will lead Ireland against Australia at the Subiaco Oval, Perth on Saturday, June 7, (kick off 10am Irish time).

The trial for the Ireland School's side takes place in Blackrock College, Williamstown, on Saturday at 2pm with several of last year's Ireland XV featuring on the Paul Nash (St Mary's College)-led Probables side.

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