If you are good enough to play for your province more or less every week from September to May, an expectation to figure in your country’s plans in World Cup year would be perfectly reasonable. That is especially the case if you happen to be a prop forward, with Joe Schmidt likely to bring three loosehead and three tighthead props to Japan next September.

Life as a professional rugby player has served Stephen Archer well. In his earlier days, the powerfully-built 30 year-old tight head prop put his time in the colours of CBC and Cork Constitution to good use prior to his inevitable graduation to the big time with Munster and various Irish teams including a couple of appearances with the senior side.

Munster have announced that Billy Holland, Stephen Archer and Kevin O’Byrne have all signed new two year contracts.

A 50-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman who was doused with petrol and set alight died of her injuries.

James Cronin and Stephen Archer will get their opportunity to show national coach Joe Schmidt that they can be relied upon for the World Cup after both Munster props were selected for the Emerging Ireland squad.