CIAN HEALY has revealed that “insulting” criticism of Ireland’s front row inspired them to develop into one of the World Cup’s strongest units.

THEY’RE forbidden words — unless you’re an official sponsor, of course.

HE prelude took place on the first Sunday of October 52 years ago.

Dublin: Some 44% of Irish employers say they will accommodate flexi-time requests to allow employees to enjoy the Rugby World Cup.

THE final instalment of the trilogy takes place in Croke Park tomorrow afternoon and it’s a safe bet the level of anticipation probably outstrips the last time the same pairing contested the All-Ireland SHC final three years running.

A FEW of us spent a most enjoyable and rewarding hour in the company of three Irish football heroes of yesteryear on Monday morning as Tony Cascarino, Frank Stapleton and Paul McGrath mixed some astute analysis of the Premier League and Trapattoni’s Ireland with a few entertaining detours down memory lane.

RONAN O’GARA has staked his claim to the starting fly-half berth by claiming Ireland’s number 10 jersey is up for grabs at the Rugby World Cup.

THERE was positive news for Ireland on the fitness front as the World Cup squad took part in their first training session in New Zealand yesterday.

DECLAN KIDNEY wants to use the pain of August’s four Test defeats to motivate Ireland as his squad switches into cup rugby mode ahead of next week’s World Cup opener.

IF IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll was “blown away” by the welcome he and his squad received on their arrival in Queenstown on Thursday, one can only imagine the reaction to both the town and surrounding scenery as they made their way towards their Rugby World Cup base camp by the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

TOMÁS O’LEARY suffered another blow yesterday when he was forced to withdraw from Munster’s squad for tonight’s opening clash with Newport-Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park.

EUROPEAN kings Leinster made a nightmare start to the RaboDirect Pro12 after being blown away by the Ospreys in Swansea last night.

RORY McILROY shares the lead at the halfway stage of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland — the first qualifying event for next year’s Ryder Cup.

Is it even possible some day the All-Ireland final might become a three-game series?

The Champion Stakes at Leopardstown is the highlight of the weekend's action and I can't entertain any other result than a victory for So You Think but, if you're expecting a flashy performance, you may be disappointed.

THE smiles returned to Ireland’s players yesterday as a difficult pre-season campaign was forgotten amid an enthusiastic welcome to their Rugby World Cup base on New Zealand’s South Island.

A TACKLE hasn’t even been made in the World Cup and the All Blacks are defending themselves from claims they are blatant cheats.

COUNT the numbers, do the math and the danger is that Munster could struggle for the duration of the World Cup.

LUKE FITZGERALD will seek to put his World Cup disappointment behind him tonight when he takes his place in an unfamiliar and inexperienced Leinster side which begins its RaboDirect Pro12 campaign away to the Ospreys (7.05pm).

DON’T ask me how — I can’t remember — but I read once about the prevalence of crashes amongst Korean airlines and how aviation authorities cut them out.*