It’s been a whirlwind rise up the rugby pecking order for Robin Copeland, through St Mary’s College, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans and then Cardiff Blues.

If Michael Bent’s abilities as a player are half as impressive as his back story then Ireland’s lack of depth at the troublesome tighthead prop position will have eased dramatically with the Kiwi’s arrival.

The Tipperary team to play Limerick in Sunday's Guinness Munster intermediate hurling semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh has been named.