Those who believe everything comes and goes in cycles have had that view well and truly confirmed by events in Irish rugby over the past 20 years.

Former Ireland and Munster flanker Alan Quinlan believes Anthony Foley has the credentials to be given a shot at the provincial coaching job.

Munster may turn to All Black legend Tana Umaga to provide the missing link in a new coaching management team with former skipper Anthony Foley.

THERE’S pressure, and there’s what Graham Henry is enduring at the moment.

HE’S got much more pressing matters on his mind in the coming days and weeks, but Brian O’Driscoll’s ears are sure to have pricked with the news from the other side of the world his nemesis could be eyeing a sensational return to international rugby.

CARDIFF BLUES stunned French glamour boys Toulon to win the Amlin Challenge Cup and become the first Welsh side to lift a European title.

Toulon coach Phillippe Saint-Andre has included a host of star names, like Jonny Wilkinson and Tana Umaga, in his 27-man squad to play Connacht in the Challenge Cup semi-final at The Sportsground on Friday night.

1,518 days since THAT tackle, Tana Umaga and Brian O’Driscoll shook hands for the first time yesterday.

Brian O'Driscoll and Tana Umaga met on Leinster's journey to Nice last week for the first time since the infamous 'spear tackle' in the first minute of the British & Irish Lions first test against New Zealand in 2005 that led to O'Driscoll's shoulder reconstruction.

Daniel Carter has finally put pen to paper on his New Zealand Rugby Union contract after signing until the end of 2011.

Tana Umaga has reignited his feud with Brian O’Driscoll by branding the Ireland skipper a “sook” for his reaction to the infamous spear tackle that ended his Lions tour two years ago.

HIS two years as England head coach were dogged by negativity, controversy and defeat so it gladdened Andy Robinson’s heart to fly into Dublin yesterday and witness first hand the simmering optimism over the Irish team’s prospects in the looming World Cup.

HEADING back up the boreen towards the hut on the hills on my regular daily constitutional yesterday morning, it was heartening to see the long shadow being cast before me, almost the first occasion this year.

Britney Spears' estranged husband Kevin Federline has triumphed in his first official match as a wrestler, beating World Wrestling Entertainment star John Cena in 10 minutes.

Former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga has signed a lucrative one-year deal with French second division club Toulon.

Wellington centre and former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga is reportedly close to securing a deal with French second division club Toulon.

THE Hamilton streaker, well, the semi-streaker Lisa Lewis, who showed off her designer bikini during the first test between Ireland and New Zealand is under threat of a court injunction.

THE strength of Irish rugby will be put to a severe test at Eden Park, Auckland tomorrow in the second clash with New Zealand.

Ireland rugby coach Eddie O’Sullivan has warned New Zealand they will face a different side when they meet in Hamilton on Saturday.

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll claims he has no axe to grind with Keven Mealamu in the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand.

IRISH skipper Brian O’Driscoll yesterday admitted his side can “do something special” in New Zealand.

ALL BLACK Keven Mealamu hopes next month’s visit to New Zealand by Brian O’Driscoll and Ireland will finally provide him with a sense of closure after his prominent part in the tackle on the Lions skipper last year.

LEINSTER coach Michael Cheika has all but given up on Will Green for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash against Glasgow (RDS, 5.15pm. RTÉ Two).

All Blacks captain Tana Umaga has announced his retirement from international rugby.

NEW ZEALAND stand-off Nick Evans has suggested strongly that Tana Umaga played his last game in an All Blacks jersey against Scotland on Saturday.

New Zealand stand-off Nick Evans has suggested strongly that Tana Umaga played his last game in an All Blacks jersey against Scotland on Saturday.

TANA UMAGA believes England’s players proved a point against New Zealand.

ALL BLACKS skipper Tana Umaga has warned England his side will take the loss of influential flanker Richie McCaw in their stride at Twickenham.

NEW ZEALAND centre Ma’a Nonu has escaped further punishment for his spear-tackle on Ireland’s Gordon D’Arcy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu has escaped further punishment for his spear-tackle on Ireland’s Gordon D’Arcy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

A WET field at the bottom of a lane in Donegal seemed an unlikely spot to find a half-dozen All Blacks during the week. Michael Moynihan reports.

ALL BLACKS captain Tana Umaga thanked the people of Donegal yesterday for their warm welcome, saying he’d expected “rocks to be thrown at him” when he came to Ireland.

Ireland flanker Simon Easterby has vowed his side will not seek retribution against New Zealand for the tackle which forced captain Brian O’Driscoll out of the November Tests.

WITH Tana Umaga sitting out Saturday’s game, all Irish eyes are now likely to focus on Keven Mealamu, but the All Black hooker is relishing the prospect of running out at Lansdowne Road to what will probably be a hostile reception.

Ireland head coach Eddie O’Sullivan had no hesitation offering Simon Easterby the captaincy for Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks – despite his quiet manner.

Lions pair Shane Horgan and Simon Easterby have won their battle to be fit for Saturday’s Lansdowne Road showdown against New Zealand.

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THE All Blacks bedded down in their west Dublin hotel last night to the screech of belated Halloween fireworks.

All Blacks captain Tana Umaga has insisted that as far as he’s concerned the row over his involvement in the spear tackle on Brian O’Driscoll is finished.

It wasn’t all media spin, doom and gloom with the Lions in New Zealand. Hector Ó hEochagáin and Apres Match regular Risteard Cooper followed the tour for six weeks in New Zealand, and have produced a special ‘Chasing the Lions’ DVD. Brendan O’Brien gets a sneak preview.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL last night criticised the International Rugby Board (IRB) for not condemning the tackle which ended his Lions tour until amateur footage they had been sitting on was broadcast by Sky television.

PREPARE for lift-off when flight NZ1 touches down at Heathrow Airport today — the All Blacks will be in town.

New video footage will not lead to Tana Umaga being punished for the controversial spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll.

THE International Rugby Board (IRB) insist the Brian O’Driscoll spear-tackle case is “done and dusted” — but will use new footage of the incident as an example to referees of the sort of ‘illegal ’conduct to clamp down on in future.