FOR years in Europe, Munster have thrived on the underdogtag which inspired famous victories against opposition deemed by neutrals to be far superior.

WITH four games played in this year’s Six Nations, one can’t escape the feeling that Ireland are back to where it all started, with the focus on Eddie O’Sullivan for all the wrong reasons.

THERE’S a school of thought which suggests the word honcho derives from the Basque term jauntxo, which means boss man.

IF CLARE hurling was haunted by the curse of Biddy Earley for years, one wonders what external forces are contriving to deprive Munster of European Cup success.

FOR a fourth successive season, Ireland goes into the final weekend of the Six Nations championship with tangible rewards on offer. This time the dream of capturing both the Triple Crown and championship are still alive.

IT says something about the competitive nature of this year’s Heineken Cup that entering the final round of group matches only three teams - Sale, Toulouse and Bath - have secured qualification to the knock-out phase.

REGARDED by many as the minnows of the Six Nation’s championship, Italy arrive in Dublin today with designs on being the ultimate party poopers.