The 2019 Rugby World Cup is finally underway and before too long, it will be Ireland’s turn to get their campaign up and running. It will hardly be the gentlest of introductions to this global gathering of the sport’s greatest exponents, though, and the fact that Joe Schmidt’s men have to face Six Nations rivals Scotland first up tomorrow has shaped everything that has gone before this summer.

Liam Cahill could see that level of performance coming from his Tipperary side last Saturday night, writes Peter McNamara.

Four goals in the opening eight minutes powered Tipperary to All-Ireland U20 hurling glory, completing the perfect week for the Premier County.

It's starting to feel a lot like 2010 all over again for Tipperary who are closing in on another double of All-Ireland U-20 and senior hurling titles.

A Jake Morris goal four minutes into second-half injury-time secured Tipperary a stunning Munster U20 final victory.

Australian MP feels “hopeful” for Irish family facing deportation after speaking with Immigration Minister.

Glasgow will have the benefit of home advantage at Celtic Park after romping past Ulster 50-20 to claim a place in the Guinness PRO14 Grand Final.

Glasgow Warriors reclaimed top spot in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14 with a fantastic five-try 39-24 win over fellow table toppers Leinster at the RDS.

The initial fixture three weeks ago didn’t go ahead with UL protesting the coin toss that saw LIT granted home venue for the game.

Quite what impact Saturday’s Murrayfield result has on the next time Ireland meet Scotland in September’s key opening World Cup pool game in Yokohama remains to be seen but, right now, Joe Schmidt has more immediate problems to address, writes Donal Lenihan.

Here's how both teams rated as Ireland defeated Scotland 22-13.

Greig Laidlaw's last-gasp penalty ensured Scotland avoided a final-day slip-up.

Blair Kinghorn will make his first start for Scotland on Saturday after being named in Gregor Townsend's side for their pivotal NatWest 6 Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.

Scotland 32 France 26: A relieved Greig Laidlaw has demanded improvements from Scotland despite seeing them come from behind to see off France in the NatWest 6 Nations.

Good news for Munster and Ulster’s qualification prospects...

A PUBLIC consultation process begins in Limerick on Friday on the Opera site, set to span a 550,000 sq ft office campus on a four acre city site as part of the Limerick Twenty Thirty programme.

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.

Glasgow cruised into the European Champions Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history after humiliating Leicester 43-0 at Welford Road.

Nenagh CBS 0-20 De La Salle College 2-13 (after extra-time): Tipperary All-Ireland minor winner Jake Morris again emerged as the game changer on a gusty afternoon in Cashel yesterday.

Tipperary All Ireland minor winner Jake Morris hit three extra time points as Nenagh CBS progressed to the last four of the Harty Cup at a breezy Cashel this afternoon.

Jake Morris finished with eight points as Nenagh CBS pulled away in the second-half to beat Castletroy College 1-20 to 1-13 in Newport.

Glasgow Warriors 17 Ulster 22: Ulster made it four wins from four with a 22-17 victory at Glasgow Warriors which lifted them to the top of the Guinness Pro12 table.

Winger Tommy Seymour ran in four tries for Glasgow in a 33-25 victory over Leinster on Scotstoun's new artificial pitch.

They will need to close the blinds and put away the breakables when Connacht sit down to review this one at the Sportsground today. It will not be pleasant viewing, least of all for a squad who pride themselves on looking inward and taking responsibility.

Not the start the defending champions would have wanted.

The world's largest aircraft took to the skies for a successful maiden voyage - its first since being revamped in the UK.

Did Charles Dickens execute the most audacious literary fraud ever or was the Pickwick Papers a work of stunning originality? Mary Leland unravels the threads of a riveting fictionalised account of the book’s origins.

Zebre 14 Glasgow 43. Guinness Pro 12.

Glasgow Warriors 27 Ulster 17: Title holders Glasgow Warriors extended their winning run in the Guinness PRO12 to five matches with a hard-fought 27-17 victory over Ulster at Scotstoun.

Italy 20 Scotland 36: Jason O’Halloran hopes Scotland can shake off their mental shackles after finally halting their long RBS 6 Nations losing streak.

Wales recorded their ninth successive victory over Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship to stay firmly among this season's title contenders.

Scotland 9 England 15: Eddie Jones has urged England to build momentum behind their RBS 6 Nations quest by giving Italy a “good hiding” in Rome.

Home Free lets you walk a mile in a dog’s paws; you are a dog lost in an unfamiliar city, trying to survive and find your way home.