Your morning headlines.

Dublin-born Eric O’Sullivan is one of a number of promising exponents of the propping dark arts now in an Ireland system that was once low on front-row forwards.

Munster racked up seven tries as they dominated much-changed Ospreys in a comfortable 49-13 PRO14 win in Cork.

Glasgow Warriors maintained their unbeaten home record in the Guinness PRO14 with a 37-23 win over Toyota Cheetahs.

Robbie Henshaw is only a week away from a return to competitive rugby with Leinster but the Irish international is allowing himself a sneaky peek at a possible reunion with Bundee Aki come November.

The season is its infancy but already there are positive signs that Jaco Taute and Chris Farrell are developing into a formidable centre partnership for Munster.

James Tracy knows there are naysayers out there when it comes to the South African experiment but the Leinster hooker can see only the advantages as the province’s playing staff checks in today for the long-haul flight to the PRO14’s newest territory.

The dawn of a new era is upon us as the expanded, Springbok-tinged Guinness Pro14 kicks off tonight in Belfast but at the same time in Cork it is the departure of South African talent that will, alas, mark the opening weeks of the fledgling league campaign.

Ulster's Craig Gilroy is set to miss three months of the new season due to an injury in his lower back.