What a disaster. Ireland’s race to host the 2023 World Cup exclusively in this country is, on the face of it, all but run before even reaching the starting line of World Rugby’s council vote in London on November 15, writes Donal Lenihan.

Michael Cheika is reluctant to heed fresh calls to shift Israel Folau to the centres as the Wallabies travel to Wellington striving to arrest their worst losing streak in more than a decade.

He may be on the All Blacks’ watchlist but if Joe Schmidt does decide to return to New Zealand when his contract expires 12 months from now, the Ireland head coach will likely do so for more personal reasons.

The rapidly approaching Rugby World Cup is causing media outlets everywhere to break out in supplements and previews — I can only hope you made the effort to collect last Friday’s newspaper, which had the pick of those supplements accompanying it.

France centre Mathieu Bastareaud has revealed he attempted suicide six years ago.

Ireland manager Mick Kearney’s fascinating insight into a magical Six Nations climax in Paris.

John Afoa has rejected more lucrative offers from France and a crack at the Rugby World Cup in 2015 to reunite his family in Gloucester, according to Nigel Davies.

“Life is about timing,” said the American track and field star Carl Lewis — and he ought to know.

Series-winning Lions coach Warren Gatland believes those players who achieved victory over Australia will go to New Zealand in four years with no inferiority complex about facing the All Blacks.

The New Zealand Rugby Union president will travel to Ireland at the weekend to view a new €1,500,000 pitch and clubhouse development a small rugby club has undertaken in partnership with a local GAA team.

A New Zealand rugby player came out of an induced coma on Sunday night, the day after suffering cardiac arrest and “flatlining’ during a game.

Wilson Whineray, acclaimed by many as the All Blacks’ greatest ever captain, has died in Auckland after a battle with cancer. He was 77.

“The real Limerick is represented by Shane Geoghegan, not by the people who killed him. The friendship, the welcome, the spirit and the passion that he embodied. That’s what Limerick is all about.”

ALL Blacks’ winger Zac Guildford admitted punching two men while running naked, drunk and bleeding through a bar on the Cook Islands last week.

Outgoing New Zealand coach Graham Henry has admitted a job in Europe would be “stimulating and challenging,” but played down reports linking him with a role at the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry has officially stepped down from his role in charge of the All Blacks but looks set to move into a background position with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hailed his team’s courage and desire after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

SINCE Graham Henry took over the All Blacks in 2004, they have an 85% winning record in tests.

New Zealand have played down fears over the fitness of captain Richie McCaw after Crusaders flanker Matt Todd appeared at training today.

INCENDIARY tweets, guerrilla gum shields and mean-spirited old farts – kind of makes you yearn for the innocent pleasures of dwarf throwing and bungee jumping doesn’t it?

THE International Rugby Board (IRB) insisted it was committed to addressing the financial concerns over the World Cup that have led to a threat from the All Blacks to boycott the 2015 tournament in England.

He’s gone from being the most reviled man in New Zealand to the most in-demand and back to the most pressurised. At 65, why does Graham Henry still do it, asks Murray Kidd.

NEW ZEALAND rugby fans have been urged to abstain from sex to help the national All Blacks win the World Cup, which kicks off next month in Auckland.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has signed a new two-year contract and will remain in charge of the Wallabies until the end of the 2013 international season.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has signed a new two-year contract and will remain in charge of the Wallabies until the end of the 2013 international season.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) insist that World Cup hosts New Zealand are happy for England to wear an all-black ’away’ kit during this autumn’s tournament.

All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter has signed a four-year contract to stay in New Zealand.

New Zealand international Ma'a Nonu has dismissed suggestions he is to join Montpellier - and denied he has been in talks with any French club.

ALL BLACK legend Sean Fitzpatrick has defended the Irish provinces’ right to sign Kiwi talent in the face of stinging criticism from New Zealand rugby’s top official, but has questioned whether such a policy is in the best interests of the game here.

The seven Rugby World Cup matches due to be played in earthquake-hit Christchurch will be moved to other venues in New Zealand, tournament organisers have announced.

Rugby World Cup chiefs have stressed that all 48 matches of this year's tournament will take place in New Zealand.

ALL BLACK Sonny Bill Williams believes competing in a boxing match less than a month before the start of the 2011 Super 15 Rugby season will make him a better player.

Canterbury and New Zealand centre Sonny Bill Williams has been given clearance by the New Zealand Rugby Union to take part a professional boxing bout in January.

Former New Zealand rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams will make his All Blacks Test debut against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

THE All Blacks have vowed to repay fans with an entertaining style of rugby against Ireland after they were mobbed for a second straight day in Taranaki.

IRELAND will play a three-Test series against New Zealand for the first time in 2012, as the shape of International Rugby Board-approved tours changed following a new global schedule agreed in the last week.

The New Zealand and South African rugby unions have issued apologies to New Zealand's Maori players who were excluded from All Blacks selection during the apartheid era.

Argentina today moved a step closer to competing in an expanded Four Nations tournament with Australia, New Zealand and Australia after the International Rugby Board changed a regulation on player availability.

A TOP private Australian school is considering banning boys from playing rugby against some teams, fearing they could be seriously injured or even killed.

MUNSTER RUGBY will be honoured with an acclaimed international sports event management award in London next month in recognition of their hosting of the province’s game with New Zealand in November last year.

International Rugby Board officials are confident that preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand are on track despite the financial uncertainties arising from the current global economic crisis.