The last time Cardiff staged the final, there were 12 Irish on the pitch and another 30,000 or so packed into the Millennium Stadium to witness Leinster’s second European conquest.

BULLIED by England and wary of former coach Eddie O’Sullivan, Donncha O’Callaghan believes Ireland will hit the ground running against the United States this weekend playing cup-final rugby.

DENIS LEAMY insists Ireland’s focus at the Rugby World Cup must be “all about getting out of our pool.”

South African tight-head prop Robbie Kempson has landed in Belfast to resume his contract with Ulster.