Three of Welsh rugby’s biggest names — James Hook, Mike Phillips and Richard Hibbard — face uncertain international futures after seeing their World Cup hopes extinguished.

Wales 23 Ireland 16: Ireland’s Grand Slam ambitions have been ended and their hopes of retaining the Six Nations title severely dented by a seven-point defeat to Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Wales have the attributes to turn an Irish strength into a potential weakness. Here are the three key areas of combat. 

Ospreys v Munster

France 13 Wales 20

Dan Biggar scored a try and Leigh Halfpenny kicked five penalties as Wales kept alive their RBS 6 Nations title hopes by beating France in Paris.

Wales hooker Scott Baldwin will make his first RBS 6 Nations start tomorrow after edging out "top player" Richard Hibbard for the number two shirt against France.

Wales 16 - England 21: Despite injuries England came from 10 points down to record a famous victory in Cardiff. The Millennium Stadium was enthralled as the 2015 RBS 6 Nations began with a blood and thunder collision.

Wales finally cracked the code of success against major southern hemisphere opposition as full-back Leigh Halfpenny’s relentless goalkicking saw off Millennium Stadium visitors South Africa.

Wales 17 Fiji 13

Almost half a century has come and gone since Europe last belonged to Glasgow, when Jock Stein’s famously home-spun Celtic Bhoys beat Inter Milan in the 1967 final.

Anthony Foley’s first year as Munster head coach seems to be lurching from one crisis to another.

Ospreys 11 Munster 25

Leinster 36 Ospreys 3

Dan Biggar snatched a draw for the Ospreys in Dublin as reigning RaboDirect PRO12 champions Leinster let a 10-point first-half advantage slip away.

Ulster 12 Ospreys 16

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side that will face the Ospreys in their Magners clash at the Sportsground on Friday night. (kick-off 7pm)

Tommy Bowe will not play for The Ospreys against Leinster in the Magner’s League at The RDS on Friday night.

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan will announce his squad for Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Northampton Saints today, with hopes that Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls will be available for selection.

Leinster and Munster have taken up the option of announcing two players and one player, respectively, to add to their official Heineken Cup squads for the knock-out stages of the tournament.