The 34-year-old flanker continues to prove his worth to Munster and returned from an eight-week shoulder injury lay-off last Saturday to inspire Munster to a famous Champions Cup pool victory at Toulon that ended a six-week period without a win.

De Rossi, 40, who spent 18 years as a player at Roma, has agreed a short-term deal until June 2024, his hometown club said on their official website.

The 27-year-old flanker has led the national team since succeeding Stuart Hogg in the role for the 2022 summer tour of South America but has been hindered by injury since the World Cup last autumn.

The Ireland boss will reveal his Six Nations squad -- and a captain -- today.

Crowley gave Andy Farrell a timely reminder of his credentials in Toulon last Saturday with a man of the match performance in Munster’s 28-19 Champions Cup pool victory at Stade Felix Mayol

Two of the last-eight matches this year have already been confirmed for the subscription streaming platform GAAGO, which is jointly owned by the GAA and RTÉ.

The most significant statement made on the European club stage last weekend came from Ronan O'Gara's back-to-back holders La Rochelle.

Nine women’s events are being considered for a designation to achieve equivalence for women’s sport

The squad announcement, though, was overshadowed by Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit being released by Gloucester to pursue his dream of a career in the NFL.

It was announced last week that Pelley is quitting his role after eight and a half years to return to his native Canada as president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

You'll probably guess the Toy Show topped the TV charts, but what about the favourites in other areas of arts and entertainment? 

The inaugural women’s Lions tour will feature three clashes against the current world champions.

Horslips second album The Táin dipped into Celtic mythology and also gave the band their classic hit 'Dearg Doom'

The British number one has lost in qualifying in Melbourne the previous two years but made rapid strides up the rankings in 2023 and was impressive in a 7-5 7-6 (1) victory

Russell helped Bath qualify for the knockout phase of the Investec Champions Cup by directing a 29-25 victory over Top 14 leaders Racing 92 on Sunday.

Guardiola guided City to the treble last season, adding the Champions League crown to their Premier League and FA Cup triumphs.

I bollicked Marian for not having a drink ready while she was changing a nappy in the back of the car,” he says with a grimace.

Connacht still have an outside chance of making it into the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup but for the most part Friday’s game will be trying to end an eight-match losing run in Europe’s premier competition.

It’ll hardly be the biggest game of their respective seasons but the McKenna Cup final will be one to watch if only for the two men on the sidelines approach.

Flanker Jac Morgan, who led Wales impressively during the World Cup in France, could miss the whole tournament due to a knee injury.