Leinster’s recent upswing in form may have coincided with the rare absence of an injured Jamie Heaslip from the line-up, but Matt O’Connor clearly isn’t the superstitious type, given his declaration his captain will return against Castres tomorrow.

Leinster’s recent upswing in form may have coincided with the rare absence of an injured Jamie Heaslip from the line-up, but Matt O’Connor clearly isn’t the superstitious type, given his declaration that his captain will return against Castres tomorrow.

PRESIDENT John F Kennedy was assassinated 50 years ago today. The day after the assassination, an invitation was sent to the 37th Cadet Class of the Irish Defence Forces by Kennedy’s widow, Jackie, to perform a drill at his funeral in Washington.

Jamie Heaslip relishes chance to lead Ireland inspired by the example of his father — a retired Irish Army colonel, writes Julian Bennetts

Declan Kidney didn’t have to announce his team yesterday to signal Ireland’s changing of the guard.