Munster’s search for a new director of rugby has taken another twist after present incumbent Rassie Erasmus cast doubts on the province’s chances of getting their reported top target.

Munster’s search for a new director of rugby has taken another twist after present incumbent Rassie Erasmus cast doubts on the province’s chances of getting their reported top target.

Rassie Erasmus has endorsed potential Munster successor Dave Wessels as “one of the good fits” to replace him as director of rugby.

Australia-based South African Dave Wessels is being strongly touted as a potential replacement for Rassie Erasmus at Munster.

Australia-based South African Dave Wessels is being strongly touted as a potential replacement for Rassie Erasmus at Munster.

The men who fought alongside and against Paul O'Connell have their say on the big man.

With a 4.15pm kick-off on a Sunday afternoon for Racing Metro’s crucial Top 14 derby clash with Stade Francais, I was afforded the opportunity to watch bucket loads of rugby last weekend.

Tony McGahan says Paul O’Connell is always striving to improve his own game and his team-mates.

Wales’ excruciating agony against the southern hemisphere heavyweights continued in Cardiff as they suffered a 10th successive loss to 2015 World Cup pool opponents Australia.

Australia have reunited Quade Cooper and Will Genia at half-back for tomorrow’s non-cap international against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Munster signing Andrew Smith has an eye for an opportunity and with midfield vacancies up for grabs this season the former Brumbies centre is looking to make a speedy impression.

Coach Ewen McKenzie knows Australia must take risks if they are to end New Zealand’s 17-game winning streak on Saturday, and hopes the surprise selection of Kurtley Beale at fly-half will provide the spark in their Rugby Championship clash in Sydney.

Munster head of fitness Adam Trypas on why evolution, not revolution, is key to the province’s development

Saying ‘yes’ was the easy part, but having fulfilled his ambition to be Munster head coach Anthony Foley will lean on the coaches he faithfully served as he prepares to take charge of his beloved province next season.

Tony McGahan may be opening a new chapter in his rugby life but Munster memories still burn brightly.

Munster have unearthed a new head of fitness - in Perpignan.

Australian sport is going through a rough time at present, something an ultra-competitive, sports-mad nation is finding difficult to come to terms with.

James O’Connor has some regrets from the recent British and Irish Lions series but has vowed to change his ways in order to remain in the Australia fold.

Paul O’Connell admits a story that Simon Zebo was forced by his Lions team-mates to ask Rob Penney for the Munster captaincy was true.

The teams for Australia versus British and Irish Lions have been decided.

Flanker George Smith has been recalled to the Australia team to face the British and Irish Lions in the third and final Test in Sydney.

Melbourne Rebels are to appeal wing Lachlan Mitchell’s one-match ban imposed for foul play during last week’s game against the British and Irish Lions, the Australian Rugby Union has announced.

Jonathan Sexton would have loved the chance to boot the Lions into the history books as the first series winners in 16 years, but despite being denied the opportunity there was nothing but sympathy for the man who was instead handed the kicking duties.

Off-field scandals continue to plague Australian mainstream sport

Australia coach Robbie Deans was disappointed by the presence of Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor in a fast-food restaurant in the early hours of the morning, but did not consider dropping them.

The British and Irish Lions have named Tommy Bowe, Dan Lydiate and Ben Youngs in their starting XV for Saturday's second Test against Australia at the Etihad Stadium.

The Australia Rugby Union insists Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor have not broken any protocols after the players were seen at a fast-food outlet in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Australia Rugby Union insists Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor have not broken any protocols after the players were seen at a fast-food outlet in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Australian union has said Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor have done nothing wrong despite being pictured in a fast food outlet at 3.50am in the morning.

Melbourne Rebels wing Lachlan Mitchell has received a one-match ban for foul play during yesterday’s game against the British and Irish Lions.

Injured Paul O’Connell is to stay on in Australia in a bid to help the British & Irish Lions win their first Test series since 1997.

Melbourne Rebels 0 British & Irish Lions 35

British and Irish Lions captain Dan Lydiate believes today’s 35-0 victory over the Melbourne Rebels served as a good audition for places ahead of Saturday’s potential series decider against Australia.

Melbourne Rebels 0 British and Irish Lions 35

Brian O’Driscoll believes Australia captain James Horwill is “a lucky boy” after he was cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions as his citing for stamping was dismissed.

A fractured arm may have sidelined Paul O’Connell from the rest of the Test series with Australia, his place in the second row for Saturday’s second Test going to England’s Geoff Parling, but the British & Irish Lions are desperate to keep their former captain on tour, so important to them is his presence as a leader and mentor.

The British & Irish Lions complete their provincial schedule today against the Melbourne Rebels with the reminder that their performance and approach has a direct bearing on the outcome of the Test series.

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree today refused to dwell on Paul O’Connell’s tour-ending fractured arm.

Lock Paul O’Connell has been ruled out of the remainder of the British and Irish Lions’ Test series against Australia with a fractured arm.

Ireland wing Simon Zebo will go into tomorrow’s tour match against the Melbourne Rebels still firmly believing he can find a way to earn a place in the British and Irish Lions’ Test side later in the series.

An arm injury sustained in the first-Test victory over Australia has placed Paul O’Connell’s Lions tour in jeopardy.