Munster’s squad needs stability and another two seasons under the watchful eye of the former Springbok, writes Donal Lenihan.

Former GAA president Seán Kelly has recalled how he rearranged seats at the 2005 Congress to ensure the vote to open Croke Park to international rugby and soccer had a greater chance of succeeding.

Three key issues Ireland must address.

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.

It may be an all-French affair when ASM Clermont Auvergne and Toulon clash at the Aviva Stadium this evening in the 18th Heineken Cup final, but there will be no escaping an Irish tinge to events in Dublin.

Danny Cipriani has been released from hospital after he was hit by a bus in Leeds last night.

England 30 Ireland 9

This is the part in the movies where one actor surveys the scene and remarks that things are quiet, too quiet. So be it. Right now, quiet is good.

THE worst kept secret from the Rugby World Cup has emerged after French number eight Imanol Harinordoquy admitted the players largely overlooked “lost” coach Marc Lievremont to reach the final.

MARTIN JOHNSON has been backed to continue in his job by the acting chief executive of the Rugby Football Union — before an official review into England’s World Cup failure has even begun.

WITH Alan Quinlan, one of the great modern characters and indeed one of the most influential players of the professional era, set to retire from rugby next month it is interesting to take stock of a new trend in the international game and one that is a cause for concern.

Shaun Perry was a welder before he came late to professional rugby, but Brive decided he had the tools necessary to make an impact in the Top 14. Alan Good met him in central France to hear his unusual story.

ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson did not once seriously consider his position despite criticism prior to Saturday’s win over Australia in Sydney.

Australia 27 England 17

JONNY WILKINSON admits England’s defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield two years ago was one of the most painful experiences of his career. The England fly-half broke the world record for international points on that filthy afternoon in Edinburgh but there was nothing else for him to smile about.

MARTIN JOHNSON finds himself in the rare position of being an England coach finalising his Test selection without having to fret over the fitness of Jonny Wilkinson.

HE is considered by many to be the greatest Lion of them all. With an incredible five tours as a player and one as manager, 17 test appearances, including two winning test series against New Zealand and South Africa as captain, Willie John McBride’s pedigree as a legend of the game was cemented long before his retirement.

THE historical significance of Ireland facing England in this year’s Six Nation’s campaign at Croke Park wasn’t lost on 2003 World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson at yesterday’s launch at the Hurlingham Club, London.

England scrum coach Graham Rowntree has been appointed to Ian McGeechan’s management team for next summer’s Lions tour to South Africa.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans believes England team manager Martin Johnson has the ability to push international rugby into a new era.

For all Brian O’Driscoll’s outrageous natural talent, Mike Ruddock insists it is his strong work ethic that has swept him to the brink of a special milestone.

England manager Martin Johnson appeared to provide an early glimpse into his thinking ahead of a demanding autumn Test campaign by making eight players available for EDF Energy Cup action this weekend.

New Zealand 37 England 20

Steve Borthwick and Mike Tindall are the leading candidates to be named England captain when Martin Johnson’s squad for this summer’s tour to New Zealand is announced today.

Former England star Jason Robinson has claimed that Brian Ashton’s recent ousting as head coach of the national team was “harsh”.

England captain Phil Vickery has blasted the Rugby Football Union’s handling of the Brian Ashton affair.

Brian Ashton is considering his future today after being dumped as England's head coach despite leading the country to second place in the World Cup and the Six Nations.

Martin Johnson has been appointed England team manager.

BRIAN ASHTON will discover exactly what future – if any – he has as England’s head coach when Rob Andrew fronts a specially-convened management board meeting at Twickenham today.

Rugby Football Union chief executive Francis Baron last night insisted he wants Brian Ashton to remain as England head coach and work with the new team manager.

NEXT YEAR’s British and Irish Lions coach could be unveiled in four weeks, with a strong possibility that the candidate could be drawn from outside the current coaches of the four home unions.

England captain Phil Vickery has hit out at the criticism levelled at head coach Brian Ashton.

VICTORIOUS World Cup captain Martin Johnson remains a firm favourite to fill the role of England team manager following a Rugby Football Union meeting yesterday.

ENGLAND head coach Brian Ashton will discover his fate today when Rob Andrew presents his RBS Six Nations review to the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) management board.

England head coach Brian Ashton will discover his fate tomorrow when Rob Andrew presents his RBS 6 Nations review to the Rugby Football Union’s management board.

The Rugby Football Union has refused to comment on reports linking Austin Healey with an England coaching role.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO would approve of Martin Johnson’s appointment as England manager as he claims the RBS Six Nations runners-up demand strong leadership.

SOUTH AFRICA’S World Cup winning coach, Jake White, pictured, has ruled himself out of the running to succeed Eddie O’Sullivan as Ireland head coach.

Eddie O’Sullivan’s reign as Ireland coach has ended, and the hunt will soon begin for his successor.

Martin Johnson has been backed to help lift England’s flagging spirits after he was linked with the role of national team manager.

Brian Ashton has described the prospect of England’s daunting two-Test tour to New Zealand as “fantastic.”