The IRFU is set to pocket a very welcome seven-figure sum as a result of Munster’s and Leinster’s Champions Cup quarter-final successes over the weekend with the eventual figure possibly stretching as high as €2m.

His judgement has been questioned over these past four months.

THE south and east of the country are among the top 20 wealthiest regions in the EU, while the west and north is a massive 50% poorer, according to the latest figures just released by Eurostat.

Celtic Warriors have been put into liquidation by the Welsh Rugby Union.

Aidan O’Brien’s smart juvenile Old Deuteronomy has been bought privately by an American group and transferred to trainer Niall O’Callaghan in Florida for his three-year-old campaign.