Such is the absolute adherence throughout the Ireland squad to the mantra of living in the moment, that even a couple of weeks out from the World Cup, Tommy Bowe was unable to allow himself a glimpse of the tournament to come, never mind the thought of playing in it.

Versatility... It’s been rugby’s buzz word of the summer and nobody’s name has been more prominent in that conversation than Iain Henderson’s who is moonlighting as a lock right now despite his growing renown as a flanker in Ulster.

BJ Botha was an established South African Test prop when he chose to ply his trade in Ireland but the Springbok World Cup winner believes there is more to switching countries than a mere residency rule.

The Diageo-funded ‘Stop Out Of Control Drinking Campaign’ is like the time when Shell got involved in environmental campaigning - it’s hypocritical, writes Ruairí McKiernan

Brian O’Driscoll showed off some more rugby moves on BT Sport last night after giving a televised lesson on phase play last week.

Toulouse. Munster. Leicester. Wasps.

He may be the only one of Ireland’s legendary three O’s who won’t play in Twickenham tomorrow, but last night Ronan O’Gara was rugby’s undisputed lord of London.

We plot Brian O’Driscoll’s incredible Six Nations journey.

Departing communications officer Peter Breen reflects on 10 great years at Leinster.

A veritable who’s who of rugby, the wider sporting arena, society figures, and even a hint of Hollywood stardust turned out to pay homage to Ireland’s greatest rugby player at the Convention Centre in Dublin last night.

The battle for control of the European game took a worrying twist last week. Entering the City Hall for Ronan O’Gara’s testimonial on Thursday night, I was made aware of the statement issued on behalf of independent mediators, Graeme Mew and Stephen Drymer, after two days of deliberations in Dublin.

Darren Sweetnam had a tinge of regret last Saturday as he contemplated a lost opportunity when Cork took to the field for the All-Ireland final.

As seismic moments in Irish sport go, the decision to drop Brian O’Driscoll from the Lions squad ranks up there with Roy Keane being sent home from the World Cup in Saipan.

The suspicion for a long time had been that this was to be Brian O’Driscoll’s swansong yet there he was on Saturday night waxing lyrical about those others set to depart while he himself looks ahead to a fourth Lions tour and one more year of battle.

The suspicion for a long time had been that this was to be Brian O’Driscoll’s swansong yet there he was on Saturday night waxing lyrical about those others set to depart while he himself looks ahead to a fourth Lions tour and one more year of battle.

Jonathan Sexton last night opened up about his move to France next season for the first time since news of his switch to Racing Metro broke and confirmed that his first preference was to remain a Leinster player.

However hard they sell us Adam Scott’s win as an inspirational recovery from calamity.

Former Ireland winger Denis Hickie believes the Irish Rugby Football Union has a tough task to find the right man to replace Declan Kidney.

Craig Gilroy was so wracked with nerves before Ireland’s record 46-24 victory over Argentina that he considered driving back to Belfast.

Leo Cullen, Cian Healy, Gordon D'Arcy and Isa Nacewa all return to the Leinster XV for Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 showdown against Edinburgh in the RDS (6.15pm).

As Leinster and Ireland fans will have noted, when it pours, Gordon D’Arcy reigns.

It might be the closest Ireland ever gets to hosting the Olympics, but the visit of the Olympic torch to Dublin today is being celebrated like an Irish gold medal in the London games later this summer.

Bernard Brogan: The 28-year-old Dublin forward won his first All-Ireland last year and will add to his sporting achievements by carrying the torch.

A clutch of senior GAA figures, including Cork football manager Conor Counihan, his Dublin counterpart Pat Gilroy, and Kilkenny hurling manager Brian Cody, are supporting a yes vote in the fiscal treaty referendum.

Not that it would happen, but if Anthony Foley were to face a “show us your medals” moment in his first week as Ireland’s stand-in forwards coach, he would be one of a select few to have savoured a Six Nations win in Paris.

Ireland 42 Italy 10

A late surge saw Ireland beat Italy 42-10 in their RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this afternoon.

MANY elements combine to produce the unique chemistry of a Leinster-Munster fixture and one of the more fascinating in recent years has been the head-to-head rivalry between the province’s out-halves.

THE IRFU will wait another two years before deciding whether or not to send an Irish sevens team to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

LEO CULLEN was wandering through Leinster’s administrative offices this week when his eyes were drawn to one of the many game-day pictures that adorn the walls.

ANDREW CONWAY marked his first Magners League game of the season with a fine try and some memorable cameos as Leinster’s young guns helped secure a hard-fought win over battling Edinburgh at the RDS on Saturday.

PADRAIG Harrington last night insisted that the best was yet to come where his golfing career was concerned.

FROM Temple Hill to the Aviva Stadium. It could be the name for an updated version of Ronan O’Gara’s autobiography but it is actually the dramatic arc which encompasses Brian O’Driscoll’s Leinster career from his debut through to tonight’s get together in Dublin 4.

THE imminent return to school may cause a rise in asthma among children but families have been advised that the risk can be reduced with a bit of planning.

WHEN one of our most famous sportsmen married actress and author Amy Huberman it was never going to be a quiet registry office wedding, but until the day itself the couple remained secretive about the details of the much-anticipated nuptials, until now.

NOW that the silverware has been distributed for a variety of tournaments all over Europe a period of quiet reflection and planning will commence for next season.

THANK God for the website www.irelandforeurope.ie. At last an organisation of people who really want to go out and work for the Lisbon Treaty and they look like they’re going to do it with imagination and a bit of flair.

SOME Leinster players couldn’t help but glance back at the past, to the long road they had travelled and some of their fellow travellers who never made it to the end.

FOR 10, long dispiriting years, Brian O’Driscoll has toiled in the cause of Leinster.

IT SAYS something about the options available to Michael Cheika behind the scrum that Shane Horgan is no longer an automatic choice in the Leinster jersey he has adorned with such distinction for over a decade.

THERE are those who look at Tommy Bowe, flying up and down the wing in Croke Park last Saturday in Ireland’s win over France, jetting out to Rome to take on Italy and they turn green with envy.

FORMER Irish rugby international Denis Hickie suffered many injuries throughout his illustrious career but never let his asthma hold him back.

DON’T stop now Eddie! That’s the message from Irish rugby fans to the national coach ahead of the announcement of the team to play Scotland at Croke Park on Saturday.

ROBERT KEARNEY is the perfect example of someone who takes an opportunity with both hands, knowing full well another chance may be a long time coming. He managed to do just that at Croke Park last weekend on his Six Nations debut, but he is no stranger to such heart-stopping scenarios.