Gordon D'Arcy

Nick McCarthy’s courage in challenging a taboo in male team sport will smooth a pathway for those who follow in his footsteps

Andy Farrell’s Ireland face the most inhospitable of rugby climates in New Zealand

No indigenous talent production line is capable of fulfilling all of a team’s needs and as the province’s history shows foreign recruits have been hugely influential in a winning culture

Province’s performance issues cannot be fixed without first accepting there is a problem

Fact that Leo Cullen’s side led with a minute to go having been substandard in performance terms difficult to dismiss

If Leinster maintain their quick ruck speed they will get the tries they need to win

Having come tantalisingly close in recent years, this Leinster group has what it takes

Leinster can take advantage of Munster’s softening up of French side for semi-final

Steve Borthwick is reinstalling that old element of hardness in his side

It’s time for Ulster players to take responsibility, but who is in charge now at Munster?

Present disciplinary process is not proving a significant deterrent and threatens future participation levels

Full-strength Toulouse will travel to Belfast in expectation, not simply hope

Lack of creative attacking patterns ensures Van Graan’s side are too easy to defend against

After a slow burn, newest recruits from South Africa are making their presence felt

New Zealand’s prep for summer tour will focus on how Ireland played in Six Nations