Jack O’Sullivan and Jed Holloway both made their debuts as part of the Munster pack, with the Waratahs import Holloway lining out in the second row alongside captain Billy Holland.

World Cup demands deprive both Munster and Ospreys of the majority of their top players when they meet in the Guinness PRO14 at Musgrave Park tonight.

The loss of inspirational skipper Rory Best for tomorrow afternoon’s PRO14 shoot-out against the Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium (kick-off, 3.05pm) will hit Ulster hard, particularly with Ireland lock Iain Henderson also sidelined.

Ulster start rookie tight-head Ross Kane against a fired-up Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium this evening.

Is it any wonder the structure of the professional game in Ireland is the envy of so many of our international counterparts at present?

Wales are hopeful that wing George North will be in the selection mix for Saturday’s NatWest 6 Nations opener against Scotland.

Police raided the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged conflict of interest involving the federation’s president Bernard Laporte, a source close to the matter said.

Since its rebranding as the Champions Cup, the big beasts have thundered down an all too predictable road, relentless in their crushing of lighter opposition, writes Peter Jackson.

Munster face their first serious test of the new season when they travel to Swansea’s Liberty Stadium todayto face the Ospreys in the third round of the Guinness PRO14.

The never-ending saga of France-Wales in Paris generated scenes of such absurdity that it really needed Inspector Clouseau with his white mac and magnifying glass to complete the farce to complete the farce.

Donal Lenihan examines the areas that will illuminate Ireland v Wales under Cardiff’s Friday night lights.

Here’s the lowdown on four big games across Europe...

Japan continue to impress after their outstanding World Cup performance.

Somebody told me once never to pass remarks on an alligator’s teeth until you’ve crossed the river bank. 

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde says prop Samson Lee is not someone “distracted by things on the outside”.

England edged to the brink of a first RBS 6 Nations title for five years with a 25-21 victory over Wales but were forced to survive a late fightback that evoked memories of the final-quarter collapse against their old rival at last autumn's World Cup.

Warren Gatland has targeted “another step up” from his players on Friday night when they chase a victory over France that would send them top of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Out-half Dan Biggar remains on the road to recovery ahead of Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland this weekend.

Simon Lewis takes a look at how the two sides match up.

Sam Warburton aims to “burst Ireland’s balloon” on Sunday. The Wales captain knows their opening game of the Six Nations could prove the acid test for hopes of claiming a peculiar hat-trick.

Tom James says he needed to become “the forgotten man of Welsh rugby” during a rebuilding spell in his rugby career.

Liam Williams looks on course to be involved in Wales’ RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland on Sunday – despite playing barely an hour of rugby since the World Cup.

He’s a mummy’s boy. Rhys Ruddock admits it.

WALES 23 FIJI 13: Warren Gatland insists he will remain a neutral spectator this weekend — even if Australia hold Wales’ immediate World Cup destiny in their hands against England at Twickenham.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has revealed that he gave his players a verbal rocket yesterday and a clear warning about their places in the team.

From shortly before 8pm tonight the streets from Camden to Carmarthen will be deserted.

Ronan O’Gara’s Racing have a new name this season, and a new look to their backline following the departures of Jonathan Sexton and Jamie Roberts over the summer.

George North returns to rugby’s international stage tomorrow afternoon with Wales coach Warren Gatland underlining that player welfare will always be paramount.

Johnny Sexton’s two-year Parisian adventure could end abruptly tonight if he cannot steer his Racing Metro colleagues past city rivals Stade Francais in the French Top 14 play-offs.

Peter O’Mahony is good to go and lead Munster against Glasgow Warriors in Saturday’s Guinness Pro12 final in Belfast but serious doubts remain about two other current Irish team members, Conor Murray and Simon Zebo, with medical reports awaited on them today.

Wales have the attributes to turn an Irish strength into a potential weakness. Here are the three key areas of combat. 

Ospreys v Munster

After Round 3 it was celebrations for Ireland as they defeated an England side who were almost unrecognisable to the side that dismantled Wales in Cardiff just a few weeks ago.

Dan Biggar scored a try and Leigh Halfpenny kicked five penalties as Wales kept alive their RBS 6 Nations title hopes by beating France in Paris.

Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb crossed twice as Ospreys went top of the Guinness Pro 12 with a bonus point victory over Ulster at the Liberty Stadium.

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.

George North will start in the centre when Wales open their autumn Test campaign against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Wales centre Owen Williams suffered “significant injury” to his neck during a tournament in Singapore, Cardiff Blues have confirmed.

Bath centre Gavin Henson has been named in the Probables squad to prepare for Wales’ senior trial match on May 30.

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