The veteran Leinster lock had been one of the cornerstones of Ireland’s successes during Schmidt’s six-year reign as Ireland boss

Iain Henderson will start against the All Blacks for the first time today, a testament that good things come to those that wait.

In her new book, Valerie Cox meets Ireland’s elder statespeople to see just how far we’ve come as a country

A Cork-made documentary recalls Éamon de Valera’s eventful trip to the US to drum up support for Irish independence, writes Richard Fitzpatrick.

This time four years ago, Mike Ross was trying to figure out how to impress his fellow World Cup squad members.

This Saturday’s game against Wales may mark the start of Jonathan Sexton’s season but it will mark the last time that an Ireland team takes to the field in Dublin under the watchful eye of Joe Schmidt.

Agustin Pichot’s ears must have been burning yesterday at lunchtime as Joe Schmidt responded to the Argentine’s criticism of the decision to select a project player ahead of Devin Toner in Ireland’s World Cup squad.

Joe Schmidt has spent four years building a greater strength in depth into the Ireland squad but Jonathan Sexton knows that the success of such endeavours will be judged on how the team fares at the World Cup.

Pichot's take on the decision, aired via Twitter on Monday, follows on from his assertion last week that the world rankings were “ridiculous” given Warren Gatland's Wales had usurped New Zealand as No.1 despite never having beaten the All Blacks.

Joe Schmidt on ...

Malcolm O’Kelly has told Devin Toner not to switch off after he was sensationally left out of Joe Schmidt’s 31 man Rugby World Cup squad.

Joe Schmidt praised Rory Best’s work ethic and ability to bounce back from is personal Twickenham disappointments as he confirmed the veteran hooker as Ireland’s captain to lead his team into the World Cup in Japan.

The IRFU named the group that will travel to Japan today, six days earlier than planned, after the shock demotion was leaked.

Joe Schmidt has urged his players not to go into their shells when Ireland get their chance to atone for their Twickenham nightmare against Wales tomorrow.

Joe Schmidt has called on Ross Byrne to make the most of his opportunity and stake a claim to a place in Ireland’s World Cup squad after handing the fly-half his first Test start against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

It’s 100 years since the specialised unit of IRA assassins undertook their first operation. Ryle Dwyer looks at the early days of a group who’d have a crucial role in the struggle

Leinster are keen to make one thing abundantly clear: Jonathan Sexton was not dropped for their Guinness PRO14 semi-final against Munster at the RDS last Saturday.

A good lock is hard to find.

PRO 14 Scoreboard here with this one Leo Cullen said Sunday’s Champions Cup semi-final will be a litmus test for him and his coaching team’s player management system.

Sean O’Brien’s form and fitness have both given cause for concern this season, but the Leinster back row remains confident that he still has plenty to offer as his last days with province and country approach.

Leo Cullen says the coming week will be a “big” one for Devin Toner, as the Ireland second row prepares to make a well-timed return to fitness.

CJ Stander’s Guinness Six Nations campaign could be at an end after the Ireland back row suffered facial injuries in the 32-20 loss to England.

There was no exceptional candidate in a presidential field with three waffling Dragons. If this was a worthwhile exercise in democracy, we’re in trouble, writes Michael Clifford.

Paul Rouse is an accidental academic, but a fascination with history deepened into a passion when it merged with his love of sport. His new book, ‘The Hurlers’, charts the birth of the modern game in that first All-Ireland final 131 years ago. He marvels at what a few visionary hurling men gave the country, but can’t help think that hurling has since failed at least half that country

Sometimes a collective moment of clarity comes as a relief. Think of that kid who dared to venture “…but the emperor has no clothes on”.

Okay folks, it’s showtime! The late PJ Mara’s open invitation to electioneer and party would have nothing on President Michael D Higgins, writes Gerard Howlin.

Tadhg Beirne spent the first two weeks of this tour cramming for exams like a Leaving Cert student but his reward made the effort well worth the hard work and now Ireland’s newest international is hungry for more.

The long arc of Gerry Adams’ career suggests this was a move based entirely on strategy, rather than guided by any moral compass, writes Michael Clifford

In Burying Peter Sutherland tomorrow, we lay to rest one of very few who rose out

I have wanted to write this article since I was a few hours into the care of my 18-year-old and the penny dropped with an almighty clang that caring for him was the hardest work I’d ever done.

Ryle Dwyer recalls the assassination of Kevin O’Higgins and how, many years later, his family decided to have Mass said for his three killers

For Ronan O’Gara, the small details left the biggest impression.

Previously unseen poems, slogans, and autographs of Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith, and Countess Markievicz capture the swarm of republican activity in Clare to kickstart Éamon de Valera’s political career 100 years ago.

Irish Examiner readers share their memories and photographs of Ford as part of the company's #Ford100 centenary celebrations.

A Dunkathel area home within reach of Cork city comes with optional multiple acres, says Tommy Barker.

We don’t own our natural resources under Article 10 of the Constitution. It needs to be repealed, but is there anyone with the bottle to take it on, asks Eddie Hobbs

I think I would be a good mother. I just don’t want to be one. Maybe I’ll change my mind. (You don’t know. People change. You might change your mind.)

In ancient Rome there was a political office called the Censor.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Leaders’ tactics are throwback to those of Dev and Michael Collins, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith