There are three key metrics that Munster can use to measure progress, writes Owen Harrison.

Offaly set up an O’Byrne Cup final clash with Longford next weekend, their victory sealed by two late points from substitute Cian Farrell.

Ireland’s Michael McKillop missed out on a 10th gold World Para Athletics Championships, finishing fourth yesterday in the T38 1500m final in Dubai.

Jack Conan will miss the 2020 Six Nations after surgery on the foot injury that ended his World Cup early.

Ballygunner made it six Waterford senior hurling titles in a row yesterday, with this Waterford SHC title, showing all their experience in seeing off a spirited De La Salle side.

Ballygunner made it six in a row with this Waterford SHC title, showing all their experience in seeing off a spirited De La Salle side.

Dan Leavy was injured maybe a month or so, his prognosis having confirmed a catastrophic knee injury and a watching brief at the upcoming World Cup, when he posted a message on social media explaining how such a sudden plunge in fortunes was “haunting” him.

And before we know it, another season comes to a sudden and dramatic end.

Josh van der Flier says Dan Leavy’s horror injury has helped him to put his own bad luck into perspective.

Four stunning quarter-finals, three of which were decided by a single score, made for a sensational weekend of Champions Cup rugby.

Ulster captain Rory Best has been ruled out of Friday's Guinness Pro14 game against Glasgow Warriors.

Leinster qualified for their 11th European Cup semi-final just 36 hours earlier, but a “bizarre mood” hung over the province’s HQ on Monday morning.

Ireland flanker Dan Leavy is set to miss the Rugby World Cup.

Munster fans may watch tonight’s PRO14 clash between Edinburgh and Leinster with more intensity than supporters of the visiting side at Murrayfield.

An injury doubt over Iain Henderson could open the door for Munster lock Tadhg Beirne to make a surprise Guinness Six Nations debut on Saturday when Ireland play Wales in Cardiff.

Finally, the pieces are falling into place for Ireland, just as their Guinness Six Nations campaign draws to a close.

Of all the theories put forward for Ireland’s Six Nations wobble the suggestion that Jonathan Sexton’s bark has bitten into the team’s morale seems to be the biggest stretch.

Rob Kearney has dismissed the suggestion that Jonathan Sexton’s fits of temper are having an adverse effect on the Ireland squad.

The sight of Jonathan Sexton and Joey Carbery watching from the sidelines while their Ireland colleagues went full throttle with the U20s in Belfast yesterday prompted mixed emotions.

Rhys Ruddock looks set to miss Ireland's Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on Sunday.

There will come a point soon, after the Six Nations is done for another 12 months and Leinster’s elite return to the day job for another battle on two fronts, that the question of hunger will surface.

Andrew Porter's last-gasp try topped off a fantastic late fight-back as Leinster overcame Connacht 33-29 in an enthralling nine-try PRO14 derby at the RDS.

Dan Leavy has been ruled out of Ireland's November test against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

13 of those who start for Saturday's clash also started when Ireland claimed the Grand Slam against England last March.

The moment Leinster fought tooth and nail to avoid late last season, the one they dreaded, will come to pass this Saturday evening if Joey Carbery gets the nod to start for Munster against his old club at the Aviva Stadium.

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.

Joe Schmidt will start Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony at openside flanker for his 50th Test cap in Saturday’s series-decider against Australia after shuffling his options to deal with injuries.

Joe Schmidt put the band back together yesterday and reminded his Grand Slam winners they were the rock stars in this Test series with Australia, not the support act, writes Simon Lewis in Melbourne.

Dan Leavy has a face you don’t want to argue with. Every crease, crevice, and scar speaks of a personality which doesn’t take a backward step, neither physically or metaphorically. 

Joe Schmidt is preparing to welcome his big guns for Saturday’s must-win Test against Australia in Melbourne.

Never mind the double, Jack McGrath is simply eager to break Leinster’s league drought when they go toe to toe with Guinness PRO14 defending champions Scarlets on Saturday.

Leinster won’t contemplate carrying any passengers for sentimental reasons in this Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 final but signs are that they will welcome back at least three influential leaders from injury for the showdown with Scarlets.

The hat-trick heroes are dwindling in ever greater numbers.

The key issues that will decide Champions Cup semi finals.

James Lowe and Max Deegan scored two tries each as Leinster kept their Guinness Pro14 home semi-final hopes on track with a 41-6 bonus-point win over Zebre.

It’s a doozy, as quiz questions go: When did James Ryan last lose a game of rugby?

Dan Leavy may be the man of the moment but the Leinster and Ireland flanker was keen to spread the love in the wake of his starring Champions Cup quarter-final performance against Saracens in Dublin.

So much for the Anglo-French carve-up. Four years on from the distasteful rupture that did for the Heineken Cup, and only two since the PRO12 failed to earn a single invitation for the quarter-finals, and here we are with three Celtic sides jostling with Racing 92 for a ticket to Bilbao in May.

As they disembarked the team bus at the Shelbourne Hotel on their return to Dublin last Sunday, the heroes of Ireland’s Six Nations success were manhandled into the waiting embrace of Minister for Sport, Shane Ross.

Twickenham? Dan Leavy’s never been, let alone played, at ‘HQ’.

Peter O’Mahony hates playing against him when Munster face old rivals Leinster but that is what makes Dan Leavy such a delight to play alongside when the flankers combine in the green jersey of Ireland.

Ireland stormed ever closer to a NatWest 6 Nations title showdown with England by dismissing Wales 37-27 in Dublin.

Joe Schmidt spoke yesterday about how some of his players might have been spooked during Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina in 2015, but Dan Leavy doesn’t fit the bill as the type to take fright on the field.