‘AHHHHH, ahhhh, laid-burd, laid-burd!” It was Luke. Last time I had looked he was sitting happily at the kitchen table, eating blackberries. Now he was freaking out and clamouring to get off his chair.

Sean O’Brien insists Ireland coach Joe Schmidt would have taken a “huge risk” had he selected Leinster prodigy Garry Ringrose during the Six Nations.

Such is the absolute adherence throughout the Ireland squad to the mantra of living in the moment, that even a couple of weeks out from the World Cup, Tommy Bowe was unable to allow himself a glimpse of the tournament to come, never mind the thought of playing in it.

IRELAND’S literary (or perhaps that should be literacy future) is safe. 

Luke Fitzgerald was still five days short of his 19th birthday when he made his senior debut for Leinster.

Gordon D’Arcy has hailed Connacht’s capture of 33-year-old All Black legend Mils Muliaina.

The cliché is a vital component of any sporting occasion. You could even argue that it’s not actually an occasion at all until at least a few of these have been trotted out.

KEITH EARLS is relishing the opportunity to play in what he believes is an exciting back three against Italy this afternoon, as Ireland bid to take their plans for expansive rugby to the next level.

LUKE FITZGERALD will pull on an Irish jersey for the first time in 12 months this evening buoyed by praise from within the Ireland camp and thrilled to have completed a long road back to recovery.

AFTER having his Ireland squad torn apart by injuries and suspensions, Declan Kidney had to stand aside helplessly yesterday as Mother Nature stepped in to take another front-liner off his hands.

Mike Phillips has slammed the “punching and gouging” Springboks as the British and Irish Lions painfully licked their wounds today following one of Test rugby’s most ferocious matches.

MIKE PHILLIPS has slammed the “punching and gouging” Springboks as the British and Irish Lions painfully licked their wounds yesterday following one of Test rugby’s most ferocious matches.

There are few surprises in the Ireland starting line-up for Saturday’s one-off Test against New Zealand.