Joe Schmidt believes victory in France next Saturday and an RBS 6 Nations title in his first season in charge would represent an over-achievement for his Ireland side.

It is a tad rich Mick Wallace announcing Shatter should resign when, whoops, he has a history of tax issues

Three potential areas for Ireland to exploit

SSE AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION

The ovation that greeted Brian O’Driscoll at the Aviva Stadium yesterday came in jest from teammates, but the iconic rugby star is sure to receive a more heartfelt reception as he steps out on the same turf this afternoon for the last time in an Ireland jersey.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

West Ham 1 Liverpool 2

Norwich 0 West Brom 1

Aston Villa 1 Fulham 2

Republic of Ireland 2 Germany 3

Kildare 1-22 Westmeath 0-9

So the mad Munster scramble for tickets and flights begins, after Leinster bowed out in Toulon.

WHICH Irish politician would you like to see taken to Guantanamo Bay and water-boarded until they told the truth?

As a player you can switch off, but as a coach you get home late and then wonder what you can do to make the next day better, writes Julian Bennets.

Clermont Auvergne are not a side to meet from September to March, but their late season form and inability to close the deal means coach Vern Cotter will depart the club in the summer to mixed reviews, by Bernard Jackman.

Memo to Munster fans from Ronan O'Gara : Get into Thomond Park a good 45 minutes before tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Tipperary 2-22 Clare 0-09

It was billed as the crunch game for Manchester United, a match that could define a season, if not even an era.

Chelsea 2 Galatasaray 0 (Chelsea win 3-1 on aggregate)

Joe Schmidt has been building Ireland’s new dynasty of outside centres to replace Brian O’Driscoll for nine months.