They give the impression of having it all — the world’s most charismatic player, match-winners all over the pitch, and an Irish skills coach better versed than anyone else in the art of conquering Europe.

Before taking charge of the Springboks, Kitch Christie made a bold prediction: “Six months is long enough for a coach to win the World Cup.”

Look in isolation at Leinster’s Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final with Bath at the Aviva Stadium today, and it is tempting to ponder what, if anything, has changed in this tweaked version of Europe’s premier club competition.

So many rudderless English chariots have drifted away on the Liffey over the years they must now pose a danger to shipping in the Irish Sea.

Southampton have confirmed the release of Guly do Prado, Lee Barnard and Jonathan Forte.

Saturday September 24, 1988 at Palmerston North – the first and last time Joe Schmidt bumped into Warren Gatland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.

If I was asked to describe Ireland’s performance against Scotland in one word, it would be efficient.

There is much to be said for the power of positive thinking and so upbeat is Scott Johnson in his approach to solving Scottish rugby’s problems that 15 minutes in his company would convince anyone of his side’s potential for success.

DECLAN Kidney rolled the dice in Murrayfield on Sunday and he won’t have been happy with the result.

Declan Kidney proved once again this week that he isn’t as predictable and conservative as he is often typecast in the media.

Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson has promised his side will not underestimate an inexperienced Ireland team in this Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown.

Momentum changes so quickly in sport.

Danny Care supports Liverpool but he sounded more like a Millwall fan as he described how England thrive on being cast as hate figures in their bristling rivalry with Scotland.

Scott Johnson will only make a decision on whether to extend his stay as interim Scotland coach once he has had the chance to impress in the RBS 6 Nations.

Scott Johnson has been appointed Scotland interim head coach for the RBS 6 Nations and summer tour to South Africa, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

When Schalk Brits flies past you driving a spray-painted old banger with four large, loud rugby players as passengers, you realise this isn’t your average club.

Edinburgh will look to give Scottish rugby a timely boost when they entertain Heineken Cup opponents Racing Metro tonight.

Andy Robinson last night bowed to the inevitable by resigning as Scotland head coach.

Andy Robinson has resigned as Scotland head coach.

Scotland and Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobsen has retired from international rugby, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

Declan Kidney will be closely watching Wales' game against Samoa on Friday and Scotland's clash with South Africa on Saturday as Ireland sweat on their rankings for the Rugby World Cup draw.

Scotland 22 New Zealand 51

Scotland 22 New Zealand 51

The quality of rugby in the opening rounds of the Heineken Cup hasn’t been superb but that will be corrected with December’s pivotal back-to-back contests.

Northampton 24 Glasgow 15

Southampton 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Head coach Andy Robinson is eager for Scotland to carry the momentum from their successful summer tour into the new season, beginning with the autumn internationals against New Zealand, South Africa and Tonga.

Aston Villa 3 Tranmere 0

With a clean sweep on their Southern Hemisphere tour, Scotland have gone a long way towards redemption after their World Cup and Six Nations disasters, but head coach Andy Robinson admits there is still a lot of work to do.

Samoa 16 Scotland 17

Gethin Jenkins is hoping his Welsh team-mates will have learned the harsh lessons of the second Test against the Wallabies in Melbourne when they try to salvage something in Sydney in Saturday’s third and final game.

Scotland captain Ross Ford had no hesitation in handing the ball to match-winner Greig Laidlaw before he kicked the last-gasp penalty to secure a memorable 9-6 win over Australia in Newcastle today.

Australia coach Robbie Deans will blood five new caps in the first of four successive Tests against Six Nations opponents in Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Heard about the Irishman giving Scottish rugby fans something to cheer about? Michael Bradley’s achievements with Edinburgh are gaining notice

It quickly became apparent something was stirring on the Lions front on Monday afternoon when RTÉ and the BBC contacted me to discuss speculation that Warren Gatland had been offered the job of coaching the touring party on their return to Australia in 2013.

Warren Gatland is in line to become just the second overseas coach to lead the British and Irish Lions on tour after being offered the chance to take charge of next year’s tour of Australia, it is understood.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has received an offer to lead the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia next year, it is understood.

Warren Gatland looks set to be confirmed next month as head coach of the 2013 British and Irish Lions.

Andy Robinson started a period of introspection over his future as after Scotland collected the Six Nations wooden spoon.

Andy Robinson will take time to reflect on his future as Scotland head coach after a 13-6 loss to Italy left his side with the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon following a seventh successive defeat.

Italy 13 Scotland 6

Tom Croft has revealed how a radical shift in the attitude of the England squad since the World Cup debacle has helped take his game to new heights.

Centre Nick De Luca has been restored to the starting line-up in Scotland's only change for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon decider with Italy.