Another of the early front runners for the Leinster job has withdrawn himself from the race with Jono Gibbes committing himself to Clermont Auvergne until 2018.

While it had initially looked like Matt O’Connor would see out the final year of his contract with Leinster, yesterday’s news of his departure wasn’t all that surprising.

Nine months. Give or take a few days. That was more or less the time Kitch Christie had to fashion a team of world champions when he took over from Ian McIntosh as Springboks coach in October of 1994.

Paul O’Connell has claimed “there’s been nothing done on my behalf” in the wake of rumours linking him with a move to France after next year’s World Cup.

Michael Cheika thought twice before allowing his Wallabies wander down Killiney Hill and into Dalkey village on Tuesday evening.

Autumn International

Australia duo Will Genia and Rob Simmons have revealed the soft and stern sides of former Leinster coach Michael Cheika.

On another day, Jake Schatz would have been a great story.

I met Michael Cheika for the first time in 2005.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has seen Michael Cheika make his mark on teams in Dublin, Paris and Sydney, and the one constant he expects to have been passed on to the Wallabies by their new boss is a collective work ethic.

Quade Cooper believes Australia must find a new “identity” under Michael Cheika to move on from the Kurtley Beale saga.

AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL:

Nick Phipps has hailed new Australia coach Michael Cheika for instilling “so much passion and pride” into the Wallabies set-up.

Michael Cheika said the "real physical business" was about to begin for Australia, after they marked the start of their European tour with a dramatic 40-36 win over the Barbarians in his first game as Wallaby coach.

Maintaining mental fitness requires work and skill development in the same way as maintaining our physical fitness does.

Barbarians 36 Australia 40

Nick Cummins apologises as he momentarily loses his train of thought while discussing lining up for the Barbarians against Australia, the country of his birth, at Twickenham on Saturday.

Rob Howley expects Wales to face Australia’s tried and tested quality when the 2015 Rugby World Cup pool rivals clash in Cardiff next week.

Michael Cheika has been appointed as the new Australia head coach.

Seven years ago many in Ireland were left to wonder if Michael Cheika had taken Leinster as far as he could, but now the Australian bookies have made up their mind that he should succeed Ewen McKenzie as Wallabies head coach.

Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika is hot favourite to take over as Wallabies coach following Ewen McKenzie’s shock resignation.

Ewen McKenzie has resigned as Australia head coach.

Australia 24 South Africa 23

As Leinster prepare for their Guinness Pro12 opener against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, much of the build-up has focused on the possible return of former out-half Jonathan Sexton to the province for the start of next season.

Australia foiled New Zealand’s bid to win an historic 18th consecutive Test as the Bledisloe Cup rivals played out a 12-12 stalemate at the ANZ Stadium.

Coach Ewen McKenzie knows Australia must take risks if they are to end New Zealand’s 17-game winning streak on Saturday, and hopes the surprise selection of Kurtley Beale at fly-half will provide the spark in their Rugby Championship clash in Sydney.

Australia wrapped up a series whitewash over France with a comprehensive 39-13 victory in the third and final Test at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles has "defied science and logic" to be selected to make his Test debut for Australia against France this weekend.

Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has suspended six members of his squad ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Scotland after they were involved in a late-night drinking session.

Australia's rugby coach has disciplined 15 players for partying in Dublin just days before Saturday's game against Ireland.

Injury doubt Jonathan Sexton must train at least twice this week to be considered to face New Zealand on Sunday, according to Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.

Well, at least Ireland’s new management team has a very clear picture of the enormity of the task facing them in their new roles.

Ireland 15 Australia 32

Captain Paul O’Connell admits Ireland have been far too slow to adapt to Joe Schmidt’s coaching methods.

Ireland manager Joe Schmidt has admitted that Jonathan Sexton’s hamstring injury will leave him a big doubt for Ireland’s final Guinness Series autumn international against New Zealand.

Devin Toner admits today’s clash with Australia feels like a second Ireland debut.

AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL:

Peter O’Mahony has come a long way from his first brush with the Wallabies back in 2010.

Leinster “rock” Devin Toner can form a potent pairing with captain Paul O’Connell in Ireland’s second row, according to hooker Sean Cronin.

Whisper it. There’s something special brewing in Irish rugby

Eoin Reddan must produce a performance worthy of scrum-half rival Conor Murray’s expectations against Australia, believes Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is fit to return and take a seat on the bench for Australia in their autumn international clash against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

The great Noel Kelly retired from rugby league in 1970 after what Americans would call a Hall of Fame career and, 43 years later, the suburb of Goodna in the Queensland city of Ipswich honoured their famous son by naming a street after him.

Eoin Reddan could be in line for a recall to the Ireland team to face Australia with head coach Joe Schmidt weighing up whether to relegate Lions scrum-half Conor Murray to the bench for Saturday’s Aviva Stadium Test.