They were patting down sweat-filled brows around RTÉ’s control bunker yesterday as Montrose battled technical glitches at the start of Hugh Cahill and Donal Lenihan’s television commentary from Yokohama.

Is it all over for sports analysis at long, long last? Have we finally gone over the brow of the mountain, beyond the peak and down the incline on the far side?

On the basis of what they showed at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick last Sunday, you’d be thinking Cork will still be hurling come August.

Not one for watching recorded sport, especially if the result is known in advance, but an exception was made for this year’s Division One football league final between Mayo and Kerry.

World Cup winner Dan Carter would not be out of place in the All Blacks squad at the global showpiece in Japan later this year if selectors sent him an SOS to fill the gap left by the injured Damian McKenzie, former coach Graham Henry has said.

Steve Hansen will leave his role as New Zealand head coach with his record “unsurpassed”, according to All Blacks chairman Brent Impey.

Joe Schmidt isn’t the only one whose future will be become clear before Christmas.

Leinster’s defence of their Champions Cup title is set for an early boost with the expected returns from injury of an influential back row trio comprising of Sean O’Brien, Josh van der Flier, and Dan Leavy.

Leinster will match Toulouse’s record of four European Cup titles if they can account for Racing 92 in Bilbao tomorrow. Brendan O’Brien examines why, six years after the third of their Heineken Cup titles, the province is again on the verge of something big

There’s nothing worse than the chaotic airport scenes that invariably follow these painful European exits.

Leinster’s journey back to the summit of European club rugby is not yet complete but it is worth pointing out just how far they have already covered in such a short space of time as they contemplate the final step in Bilbao.

Ireland half-backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton have been warned they’re in Welsh crosshairs for Saturday’s pivotal Six Nations clash at Lansdowne Road.

Jonathan Sexton wasn’t in the mood to give much away.

Former All Blacks head coach Graham Henry believes the lessons learned by Joe Schmidt in defeat three years ago proved crucial in Ireland’s victory over the All Blacks on Saturday night.

After an incredible test at Soldier Field during which Ireland reached into physical and mental reserves to achieve one of the most famous of all their rugby victories, the reaction here in New Zealand is — shock horror — joy.

Joe Schmidt isn’t the only one looking forward to seeing his charges face the best side in the world twice over the next few weeks.

Robbie Henshaw is planning to use his head to kick on and become a Leinster star. The 23-year-old is still a couple of months off making his debut for the province, after his summer switch from PRO12 Champions Connacht.

Graham Henry can see a day when Joe Schmidt returns home to coach in New Zealand but the World Cup-winning mastermind believes there is no need for the Ireland supremo to start packing his bags right away.

England’s aim of supplanting New Zealand as world champions in 2019 has moved a step closer after a new agreement was finalised between the Aviva Premiership clubs and Twickenham.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Brian O’Driscoll has labelled Leinster’s decision to part company with Matt O’Connor last summer as “rash” as the province turns to World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry to support an inexperienced management setup.

Few people understand what it takes to be a successful All Blacks coach more than Richie McCaw and the two-time World Cup-winning captain happens to believe that Joe Schmidt has exactly what it takes to do the job.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has dismissed reports claiming he might consider an approach to become Stuart Lancaster’s potential England successor.

For two whole years, the hard times never seemed to leave Steve Hansen alone – none harder than a wintry weekend in Dublin 13 years ago.

New Zealand boss Steve Hansen has hailed the durability of “special player” Dan Carter as he prepares to line up in his first Rugby World Cup final.