The coach insists last Saturday’s opening-round loss to France in Belfast was a significant step in Ireland’s journey when compared to the 27-21 reverse to the Italians in Dublin 12 months ago.

The Ireland scrum-half spent some of her time on the sidelines working the Irish men's team lead performance analyst Vinny Hammond.

For both provinces the importance of leaving Castlebar with the lion’s share of match points outweighs any history being made on Mayo GAA turf.

These are the only two races globally that have any political influence and are the two that suffer the entire burden of the image of the sport.

The Leinster and Ireland tighthead prop returned from hamstring and calf injury problems to play his first Test match in eight months a fortnight ago when he came off the bench in the final-round Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome. 

For Connacht, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham, Mack Hansen and Cian Prendergast all return from international duty to the starting XV.

It is another action packed weekend of sport with Connacht playing Munster in an historic first professional game in Castlebar, Kerry and Mayo go head-to-head to win Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh while Ireland make the trip to Italy for their second round Guinness Six Nations clash - all you need to know here.

Both Littler and Humphries had previously met in two finals during this season’s Premier League, with one win each.

The opening Championship loss to France in Belfast last week was typical of a team that is still finding its feet.

The right-sided Bayer Leverkusen wing-back or winger is one of Europe’s hottest properties.

Summer window will open early from 1-10 June.

In advance of his visit to Limerick for a masterclass, Saipan writer Paul Fraser tells Esther McCarthy about taking on the tale of Roy Keane v Mick McCarthy 

The sand martins are back from Africa now and it seems to be a lottery whether they return to previously dug tunnels or whether they dig new ones

This final appearance was unexpected but now that Kerry are in it, the manager will be keen on collecting a ninth national title as manager knowing these pieces of silverware usually come in pairs.

To just give up on facts and information, and to simply cede the pitch to imagination and emotion and feelings is a profound mistake.

Snyman made his Leinster debut against Benetton in October 2024.

It's another action packed weekend of sport on TV with the Test in the West between Connacht and Munster, Kerry and Mayo playing for Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh and Ireland take on Italy in the Women's Six Nations.

The 26-year-old England right-back is out of contract this summer and is expected to move to Real Madrid.

The son of American Triple Crown ace Justify is regarded by former handler Aidan O'Brien as the best horse he has ever trained

Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, and John Fogarty were unveiled in London on Wednesday morning to help head coach Farrell meet his objective of victory over Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies