Cambridge 6 Oxford 12

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.

August 31 is a date that has loomed large in Joe Schmidt’s thought process for some time now.

Connacht coach Pat Lam said that it measure of his endurance and determination that Nathan White was able to overcome injury and disappointment to become the oldest player in the professional era to make his debut for Ireland.

Munster Rugby officials have hit back at criticisms over attendance figures, citing a year-on-year increase in the numbers who attended the province’s regular season home games.

England won’t lack for confidence when they arrive in the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, says Donal Lenihan.

Andrew Conway was regarded one of the country’s finest ever schoolboy players and a star of the future when he left Blackrock College in 2009 with Leinster Schools Senior and Junior Cup medals among his possessions.

Whatever Dominic Ryan’s personal fortunes regarding a place in Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations squad, the Leinster and Irish Wolfhounds back-rower was clear there would be plenty to work on ahead of Saturday’s championship opener in Italy.

Sean O’Brien is hoping 50 minutes of international rugby will be enough to convince national coach Joe Schmidt that he has a part to play in the opening game of the Six Nations clash with Italy next week.

’A’ International

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.

The journey is supposed to end at Twickenham in the World Cup Final on October 31, but it begins in earnest at Musgrave Park.

Keith Earls has more reason than most to feel that opportunity will knock for him in an Irish Wolfhounds jersey tonight, writes Simon Lewis.

Sean O’Brien is on course to feature in the first half of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations title defence, according to boss Joe Schmidt.

Sean O’Brien remains in contention to end an injury-plagued 14 months by making a comeback for the Irish Wolfhounds against England Saxons.

Stuart Lancaster has pledged to “make it absolutely crystal clear” to Dylan Hartley that any more lapses in discipline could blow England’s RBS 6 Nations chances.

Stuart Lancaster has pledged to "make it absolutely crystal clear" to Dylan Hartley that any more lapses in discipline could blow England’s Six Nations chances.

Ulster hooker Rob Herring will look to grab the attention of Ireland boss Joe Schmidt tomorrow as the province face a daunting trip to European champions Toulon.

Neil Doak may have ambitions to become a head coach but that does not necessarily mean he would be comfortable succeeding Mark Anscombe at Ulster in the near future.

Ireland hopeful Robin Copeland is in danger of missing the summer tour to Argentina after he was cited.

Eoin Reddan and Luke Fitzgerald could be in line to start for Leinster on Friday night in the Rabo Direct Pro 12.

Quite a week then. I must admit I didn’t see Rob Penney’s departure from Munster coming down the track nor, for that matter, that Ireland would beat Wales by a margin of 23 points.

Munster rugby legend Mick Galwey believes Anthony Foley would have to leave the province to progress if he is not given the lead role following Rob Penney’s departure.

With one world class Irish player about to bow out at the end of the season, there’s another long-term Irish star in the making, according to Anthony Foley, the Munster forwards and Irish Wolfhounds coach.

Jordi Murphy can breathe a sigh of relief.

Joe Schmidt has invited Ireland’s second string to do the maths and work out there are still plenty of places up for grabs heading into the final preparations for Sunday’s Six Nations opener with Scotland.

James Coughlan won’t be lining out for the Irish Wolfhounds tomorrow evening at Kingsholm, and nor should he, writes Ronan O'Gara.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY:

Munster wing Simon Zebo has been given the chance to stake a claim for a place in Joe Schmidt’s first RBS 6 Nations campaign after receiving a call-up to the Ireland squad yesterday.

Ireland call-up Ian Keatley has revealed the collective bitterness at so many of Munster’s players being overlooked for the November Tests has driven the province to Heineken Cup qualification ahead of schedule.

Munster-bound No.8 Robin Copeland has reaped an instant reward for his decision to return to an Irish province next season by being named in Joe Schmidt’s extended Ireland RBS 6 Nations and Wolfhounds squad.

Ulster and Irish Wolfhounds assistant coach Neil Doak has warned the festive season is a dangerous period where teams can fall away following the intensity of the Heineken Cup.

Ian Madigan will not get a chance to prove he can be the answer to Ireland’s out-half problems after he was left out of the 29-man training squad to face Scotland next weekend.

RABODIRECT PRO12:

Conor Murray’s emergence as a candidate for the Lions tour next summer has come on the back of a steady stream of improved performances, culminating in his dominance of Mike Phillips in Cardiff last weekend.

Tommy O’Donnell’s elevation to the Irish Wolfhounds team came as no surprise to Munster team-mate James Coughlan but both will have their work cut out against a big and physical England Saxons back row at the Sportsground tonight (7.35pm).

Munster and Ireland prop David Kilcoyne is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and won’t entertain suggestions that he is already in Warren Gatland’s plans for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

The race may be on to challenge Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O’Gara for the Ireland No 10 shirt, but versatility is the name of the game for two of the three contenders included yesterday in the Irish Wolfhounds squad for the clash with the English Saxons in Galway on Friday.

Mike Sherry has had to re-assess this past week on what might be required to break back into the Irish squad after being overlooked by head coach Declan Kidney.

The last year has been both exciting and frustrating for highly rated Munster hooker Mike Sherry, who today awaits news of his immediate international fate when Declan Kidney announces a 30-man squad for the autumn internationals.

Ireland will not be handing out caps for the Irish Wolfhounds-Fiji game at Thomond Park on November 17 but coach Declan Kidney stressed last night that he will be placing a considerable degree of significance on the fixture.

The world is a cruel place.

Patience looks to have paid off for Connacht’s South African born prop forward Brett Wilkinson, whotomorrow night will be playing for a place in Ireland’s party for the tour to New Zealand.