‘It is a disappointing place to be in but ... I am not in position to comment any more’

Johnny Sexton says he wants to play as long as possible as he takes over captain’s mantle

Siege mentality which has served club well will be called upon again for Leinster clash 

Ulster outhalf wants to emulate brother Freddie and play international rugby

Formidable champions Saracens can focus fully on European quarter-final test

Province far from their best but Will Addison’s moments of magic see them through

If Northampton win and Glasgow claim five-point haul, province’s cup campaign is over

South Dublin school has become best breeding ground for Europe’s greatest academy

All the fixtures and tables ahead of the final round of games

Munster hoping for Houdini-like escape into knock-out stages, while Ulster seek home win

Sexton takes captaincy while 12 players who featured at World Cup are absent from panel

New head coach to name squad for Six Nations opening games on Wednesday afternoon

French heavyweights and England’s big two prioritising Champions Cup

Parisians’ hunger for Champions Cup will drive them on, says coach and former Munster player

Coach praises his side’s efforts against French side that played ‘magically’ at the end

Van Graan’s men now relying on a fortuitous set of results to reach the quarter-finals

Only improbable series of results on final weekend will see Munster qualify for last eight

Coach discusses ‘frightening’ bush fires and the ‘beauty of a rugby team’

Pressure is on Van Graan’s men but they have the ability to produce on the day

Hanrahan set for inclusion while Farrell, Stander and Kleyn are all fit for Paris test

Should the outhalf fail to pass a fitness test, a European debut beckons for Ben Healy

‘It’s knockout, it’s massive, it’s huge but that’s European rugby’ – van Graan

Outhalf is set for up to four months on the sidelines after just returning from injury

Connacht, Munster and Ulster face three French sides hungry for Champions Cup

Player beating at Andy Farrell’s door, but logjam at Ireland’s inside centre an obstacle

Munster and Ireland outhalf ruled out ‘for immediate future’ and will undergo surgery

Odds against Andy Friend’s side ending their capital woes as they travel to the RDS

Outhalf receives positive update on knee injury after visit to specialist in London

Carbery starts for Munster as looming European ties take some gloss off trip to Ulster

England at Twickenham on St Patrick’s Day the perfect location for a Grand Slam

Exceptionally well-organised defence helps make Cullen’s side so difficult to beat

The 44-year-old has always wanted to be a head coach and Ireland could be a natural fit

‘We want to improve in all aspects of the game’ says determined new head coach

Irish rugby reached unprecedented heights over the last ten years

New head coach could choose playmaker to succeed Rory Best as the squad’s captain

‘I’ve spoken to Rob but also others who are not here and told them we will be watching’

Dillane says Connacht’s home defeat to Munster is ‘bitterly disappointing ’

Munster coach Johann van Graan sounds positive note on fitness of Ireland back

Munster retain better possession and played territory through the kicking game of impressive Casey and his partner Hanrahan

‘The bottom line was way too much error and it’s something that we need to fix pretty quickly’

Disciplined away performance earns Johann van Graan’s side the points in Galway

‘Explosive’ Connacht hooker finding greater consistency after switch from backrow

Leinster have qualified after four rounds, turning a potential pool of sharks into a romp

Andy Farrell and his coaches will meet up with the group of players next week

Top 14 club wanted to bring Sexton back to France at end of this season

Vunipola brothers help Saracens up the ante following all-in melee in the third quarter

Unseemly fracas during defeat to Saracens to be investigated by tournament organisers

Scrumhalf has the Midas touch, but he puts streak of good form down to hard work

Munster turned down late shot at goal which could have secured bonus point against Saracens

Defending champions put on show of strength against Johann van Graan's visitors

Injuries give the former Ireland U-20 star chance to prove his worth as Munster outhalf

John Cooney once again shone as the Ulstermen marched on with a bonus point

Trip to face the defending champions will be toughest test yet in Munster’s pool of death

McFarland’s side looking to complete a notable double over Harlequins in Pool 3

Outhalf expected to recover in time for Andy Farrell’s first game as head coach

For the first time since the 2011 World Cup, the nine-ten partnership is not certain

Cullen’s team on course for home quarter-final while Munster likely to need away victory

Munster captain lauds secondrow for set-piece work in victory over Saracens

Early salvos a sign of hosts’ progress before weather turns second half into grim affair

Peter O’Mahony admits second-half weather meant it was better off not having possession

Bonus point keeps champions in the frame to qualify for knockout stages

Game of two halves sees Mark McCall’s side take bonus point away from Thomond Park

The Saracens coach still has faith in European champions despite their travails

McCall’s decision to leave number of big guns at home bodes well for province

Underestimation of Japan and failure to develop game plan also among main findings

‘We underestimated the intensity of what Japan were able to play at, that genuinely surprised us’

Padding on post is there to protect players and tampering with it endangers their welfare

Former player will take charge of struggling Welsh franchise after disastrous start to the season

Departures, injuries have depleted province but backrow production line goes on

Circumstances can steer careers, and hooker is timing form perfectly to catch Farrell’s eye

‘New Munster’ show their width and wit as they draw with Racing 92 at Thomond Park

Despite disappointing draw with Racing 92, Peter O’Mahony feels his side held their own

December's games come fast on the back of a quartet of tough Franco-Irish battles

‘I don’t think we played well enough to win the game, to be totally honest with you’

JJ Hanrahan’s late drop goal misses target in thrilling Thomond Park endgame

Over the years Racing have been one of many French sides to fail the Thomond Park test

Van Graan’s men will have to bring their ‘A’ game to overcome talented French visitors

She penned notes in knowledge that she would not have been alive to see World Cup

In his autobiography Ordinary Joe, the coach says he faced several ‘uncontrollables’

'Ordinary Joe' shows ex-coach’s restless mind and obsessive attention to detail

Former Ireland coach felt pitch in Fukuoka for Rugby World Cup tie was dangerous for players

France’s international contingent set to ensure tough test for Irish provinces in Europe

Those on Japanese expedition will feel they have a lot to prove as Champions Cup begins

South Africa emerge deserving winners from open tournament made by hosts’ enthusiasm

World Cup winning centre has agreed a two-year deal with the Irish province

Players from six countries are represented, with five of the XV from South Africa

Felix Jones is a part of a Springboks coaching ticket fine-tuned in Munster

Manner of South Africa’s win showed some of game's basics remain the same

Winger from a township in the rural Eastern Cape becomes first South African to score a try in a World Cup final

Brave Blossoms added to autumn Test itinerary along with Australia and South Africa

Springbok captain says Rugby World Cup win can help country overcome challenges

Rassie Erasmus’s side utterly dominant as they secure a third Rugby World Cup title

Japan’s high-tempo rugby was thrilling while Ireland’s exit was low point of tournament

All Blacks run in six tries as Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland leave their posts

‘Playing rugby was a privilege that could be withdrawn if my grades dropped’

Gerry Thorney: England can match the Boks’ power game, allowing them to play their game

Star winger will start in Yokohama as coach Rassie Erasmus largely sticks to his guns

Kyle Sinckler passed fit to play as Eddie Jones goes with same side that beat All Blacks

Warren Gatland will take charge of his last game among a host of player retirements