Bakkies Botha has told Paul O’Connell his move to Toulon could extend the Ireland captain’s career by up to four years — if he relaxes and learns to enjoy his time in France.

Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson will miss Ireland’s entire Six Nations campaign with a dislocated elbow.

European Champions Cup Pool 3

Obviously I’m biased but, for me, it wasfantastic to see all the old Munster values and traditions were still there.

Guinness Pro12 title holders Leinster will entertain Wasps in round one, the London club having qualified through the new play-off system at the end of last term.

White Horses,

A weekend that promised to be a financial bonanza for Irish rugby ended in disappointment at the Stade Felix Mayol yesterday with Leinster’s defeat by Toulon following on Ulster’s elimination by Saracens at Ravenhill on Saturday.

Heineken Cup survival at Thomond Park.

Toulon’s former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has refused to answer questions regarding his future.

Toulon 37 Montpellier 16

MUNSTER’S Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents, Brive, eased their Top 14 relegation worries with a 26-9 win over La Rochelle at Stade Amédée-Domenech on Saturday.

THE faithful filing out of Thomond Park on Saturday night were not exactly humming “Happy Days Are Here Again” but the gloom hanging over Munster rugby of late has been at least partially lifted.

AS Tony McGahan admitted this week — defeats demand questions. It’s just that some answers can wait.

LOSING this afternoon’s final Heineken Cup game of the season at home to London Irish is not an option.

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan has resisted the urge to wield the axe in the wake of Heineken Cup elimination by making just three changes to the squad for tomorrow’s final pool game, at home to London Irish.

PUT down the scalpel and hang up on that agent. The only changes Munster need in the wake of the weekend’s Heineken Cup exit, says captain Paul O’Connell, is a reversal of form and a long, hard look in the mirror.

MUNSTER rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald last night backed his coaching staff in the wake of the province’s first Heineken Cup pool elimination in 13 seasons, but stressed the importance of sealing Amlin Challenge Cup qualification this weekend.

TOULON fly-half Jonny Wilkinson believes Munster will be facing an entire region when then kick off at Stade Felix-Mayol tomorrow.

THE stars could well be aligning for another great Munster away day in France.

IT HAS been a week for reminiscing in the Munster camp, of daring exploits overseas and famous victories on foreign soil.

TOULON have been backed to end Munster’s Heineken Cup dream in France on Sunday, by one of their fiercest Top 14 rivals.

TAKE a dollop of high intensity training, add some equally tough talk and bake for four days until kick-off time in Toulon.

THEY MAY have heard the cheap jibes about Munster being funded by the IMF, and allegations about the state of Irish hospitality at Thomond Park but one wonders what the Munster brains trust will make of Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal’s latest outburst against Tony McGahan’s men.

TOULON are preparing for Munster to unleash Paul O’Connell in Sunday’s make or break Heineken Cup clash at the Stade Mayol, according to their English lock Dean Schofield.

TOULON scrum half Pierre Mignoni admitted the French outfit were ‘too passive’ in their Thomond Park mauling by Munster in October but has warned they are a changed outfit after their sensational weekend defeat of London Irish.

The Ireland U-18 club squad of 26 players to participate in the 2009 FIRA/AER U-18 Championships in France from April 2-12 has been announced.

Republic of Ireland coach Don Givens tonight bemoaned his team’s failure in front of goal as defeat by Italy ended their hopes of success at the Toulon Festival.