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.

Munster are closing in on appointing an American football strength and conditioning coach as head of athletic performance, causing surprise and disappointment within Munster and Irish rugby circles that indigenous candidates have been overlooked again.

Kieran Shannon examines what makes Joe Schmidt tick... and keep Ireland’s engine motoring