Covering the Wales rugby side is never dull, but the start of the team’s World Cup campaign in Japan saw them breach already lofty standards of controversy.

Munster Rugby’s search for a “next-level” experienced senior coach is close to a conclusion and will not be limited by financial considerations, acting CEO Philip Quinn has assured supporters.

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora backed Johann van Graan as the right man to take Munster forward and pledged to surround the head coach with experience and support in the province’s new-look backroom staff.

In times of turmoil, and there has been plenty of that at Munster in recent seasons, the onus falls on the playing squad’s leadership group to pull the province through troubled waters, and it will be no different this time as the unexpected search for new coaches begins.

Johann van Graan has repeated his desire to bring in additional staff to the Munster coaching ticket but refused to comment on media reports linking the province to Wales and Lions attack coach Rob Howley.

Shaun Edwards is irreplaceable in the Wales set-up after another master class from the defence guru put Warren Gatland’s side on the brink of a Six Nations Grand Slam.

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper claimed his sport has “never been safer than it is now” as he looked ahead to a groundbreaking World Cup in Japan later this year.

As we wait expectantly on the cusp of the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, the final round of the self-styled Rugby’s Greatest Championship seems an awfully long way down the track.

Fine margins, this fixture has been determined by them time and time again over the past decade and everything points to a similar scenario when Ireland and Wales lock horns once more in Dublin this afternoon.

Joe Schmidt has backed Ireland’s “great decision makers” to successfully adapt to whatever conditions or opposition gameplan they face when Wales visit Dublin for this Saturday’s crucial NatWest 6 Nations showdown.

The Scarlets are in Dublin tomorrow for a PRO14 meeting with Leinster. It’s not the real Scarlets, of course. 

That drawn series was undoubtedly my rugby highlight of the year, writes Donal Lenihan

Wales 18 New Zealand 33: Wales could be minus a third of the team beaten by New Zealand for next Saturday’s autumn series finale against South Africa.

Rob Howley has reportedly accepted an apology from Sean O’Brien after the Leinster man’s controversial remarks about his coaching on the Lions tour to New Zealand.

It’s not for nothing that Rory Best is captain of Ulster and Ireland and the studied diplomacy so often required in such roles was evident even when he administered a light slap on the wrists yesterday for Sean O’Brien.

British & Irish Lions legend JJ Williams has come out in defence of Warren Gatland and Rob Howley in the wake of Sean O’Brien’s scathing attack of their coaching on the summer tour to New Zealand.

Latest: Ireland's Sean O'Brien has clarified his "honest and genuine" comments on the coaching staff with the Lions, saying he has "nothing but respect for Warren (Gatland) and the whole coaching team".

Sean O’Brien says the British and Irish Lions should have "comfortably" beaten New Zealand this summer and claims the coaching team did not get preparations right before the Tests.

It’s almost three months since the British and Irish Lions and New Zealand had to settle for a stalemate but Sean O’Brien still can’t shake the conviction that inadequacies on the part of the coaching ticket cost them a shot at victory.

Bernard Jackman could give you any number of reasons as to why he accepted the offer to coach the Newport Gwent Dragons.

Bernard Jackman is a self-confessed rugby junkie and that’s why nobody was happier than he was when the pre-season began at his new club, the Dragons, earlier this month.

Lions coach Rob Howley believes he can tell from the glint in the players' eyes that the time for words is over as kick-off time approaches to the series-deciding Test against the All Blacks.

Rob Howley has told the British and Irish Lions squad to "enjoy the atmosphere" around a packed Auckland in the build-up to the first All Blacks Test.

Centre Jonathan Davies has claimed “it just didn’t seem right” after Wales’ RBS 6 Nations campaign ended in controversial and crushing fashion against France.

Wales are waiting to hear if any action will be taken after claiming there was "evidence to suggest" wing George North had been bitten during Saturday's Six Nations clash against France.

Rob Howley praised "world-class" George North after his two tries helped Wales overcome Ireland to leave England one win away from retaining the Six Nations title.

Ireland’s Six Nations title ambitions were crushed in Cardiff last night as Wales found redemption for consecutive losses with a passionate power play.

The roof will be closed, the ball will be relatively dry and the track will be fast, so we’re in for a rip-roarer in Cardiff, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Ireland put their Six Nations credentials under the microscope tonight knowing that for all the familiarity of their Welsh foes, the challenge they face will be far from predictable.

Donal Lenihan examines the areas that will illuminate Ireland v Wales under Cardiff’s Friday night lights.

Ireland, their Six Nations hopes still alive, will enter the white heat of a Friday night appointment at the Principality Stadium with head coach Joe Schmidt trusting his leaders in an unchanged team to keep emotions in check on what promises to be another high-octane showdown with Wales.

Wales boss Rob Howley offered his players a chance for redemption after naming an unchanged team to face Ireland tomorrow.

Shaun Edwards has admitted that star wing George North “was not at his best” in the defeat against Scotland that effectively ended Wales’ RBS 6 Nations title hopes.

Ireland welcome Rob Kearney back to training today ahead of Friday’s must-win Six Nations clash with Wales as the backline selection conundrums multiply for head coach Joe Schmidt.

Munster and Cardiff Blues won’t be lacking incentives when they clash at the Arms Park this evening in a Guinness PRO12 encounter that could play an important part in their seasons.

George North will return to Wales' starting line-up for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Shaun Edwards has delivered a detailed analysis of the Wales "mistake" that potentially cost them victory over England.