No action since last March for all 217 clubs as fears grow about long term participation

Many of the country’s top players’ deals due to expire at the end of June

Revised Champions Cup last 16 could see Leinster host Sale with Munster facing Clermont

Current terrestrial television deal expires after 2021 Six Nations

Evidence shows rugby, and certainly Irish rugby, has abided by strict protocols

Potential reformatting would see Connacht and Ulster drop down to the Challenge Cup

Clearly a thoughtful and sensitive soul, he plays better when he feels the coach’s trust

Andy Friend says province must shop at Aldi but their recruitment is looking to be astute

Bonus-point statement win has halved Ulster’s 10-point lead atop Conference A

Legendary ex-Ireland and Lions captain will embrace role with his customary passion

Outhalves who were part of same Irish underage side are both enjoying purple patches

Former captain joins Andy Farrell’s coaching ticket with the 2021 Six Nations looming

Centre owes a debt to Lansdowne and Mike Ruddock, after finding his feet out west

Coach from Australian school of cutting-edge attack play

Stephen Larkham confirms Keith Earls and CJ Stander among those to return

Coach wants side to follow up brilliant away win over Leinster as they look to close gap

Ireland centre missed two derbies with knee injury but could return at Sportsground

With no playoffs and few teams in realistic contention, dead rubbers set to abound

Union operating on the basis that it will be autumn at earliest for limited capacities

Comeback victory in Clermont up there with the province’s greatest days in their storied history

Lam enjoys winning return to Galway but van Graan is big winner of weekend

With five teams on two wins out of two in Pool A, there is little room for error

No action taken against Northampton’s Tom Wood after 70th-minute incident at the RDS

Ryan Baird again impresses as Leo Cullen’s side go top of Pool A

Leo Cullen brings in six Irish internationals but warns against complacency

French side ran in seven tries against Bristol Bears in stunning opening display

Ulster enjoy an excellent record against English Premiership sides

Leinster coach hails competitive streak of outhalf brothers as Ross named on bench

Top 14 clubs off to a flyer in Champions Cup as renewed optimism surrounds national side

Murray brands late hit on Healy as ‘reckless’ with young outhalf ruled out of French trip

Stephen Larkham says Joey Carbery is progressing well but will not play before new year

Sport is at a crossroads and authorities must be seen to be actively making game safer

Andy Farrell confirms his side face a first away series against All Blacks since 2012

Andy Farrell ‘super-excited’ for group which includes champion Springboks and Scotland

Andy Farrell’s side could meet New Zealand or tournament hosts France in the last eight

Replacement outhalf injured late on during Munster’s victory at Thomond Park

Van Graan and assistant coaches rewarded with a strong finish to game by the province

Inaccuracies cost home side a bonus point against a side that had three players sinbinned

Outbreak of Covid-19 in visitors’ camp a disruption in advance of clash with Racing 92

Two-time European champions set to start with a win despite lack of Thomond roar

Dr Willie Stewart wants an end to contact training and zero tolerance of high tackles

Gerry Thornley explains the tournament’s new format on the eve of the first round

Munster forwards coach played alongside hooker for England and the Lions

International players return to a squad that won seven straight games in their absence

In Galthié and Edwards, Les Bleus have their best coaching ticket of professional era

Having ended first year in charge on a high, coach is optimistic about next year’s Six Nations

Leinster back says starting in all of Ireland’s last six Tests has been great experience

Farrell’s side have fresh momentum and can move on to next year with optimism

Iain Henderson set for scan on knee injury picked up in win over Scotland

Keith Earls grabs two tries as Andy Farrell’s side see off Scotland to finish in third spot

Veteran will be 38 in 2023 but he remains Ireland’s outstanding No 10 and has the hunger to go on

Competition has failed to fire with endless kicking and a depleted France for the final

Defeat at home to Scots would question the belief that progress has been made in last year

The fullback can bring creativity to a side that’s too dependent on Johnny Sexton

Ireland coach insists stress levels are okay ahead of Autumn Nations Cup play-off

‘I think we’re on the right track. It’s a relatively new squad, a lot of young people’

Skipper Johnny Sexton will return to lead side for Aviva stadium clash

At age 35, Ireland outhalf sees no reason to retire if he can still perform at required level

It’s one thing looking blunt against England, another altogether against Georgia

When contracts negotiations begin age won’t go against the likes of Johnny Sexton

Outhalf’s understanding with Jacob Stockdale against Georgia a cause of optimism

More injuries added to a growing list ahead of next weekend’s showdown with Scotland

Andy Farrell’s side only score three points in the second-half of Autumn Nations Cup clash

All roads point to an England-France ‘final’ as Autumn Nations Cup enters its endgame

Two home wins the minimum to put memory of England defeat out of mind for now

Gerry Thornley looks at four key areas in need of improvement ahead of the Six Nations

Ireland head coach gives Billy Burns a first start against Georgia with Shane Daly set to make his debut

Chance to give Stockdale another run at fullback and Burns first Test start at outhalf

Ireland’s captain defends Kelleher and refuses to stew over misses opportunities

Easterby says Irish team that lost to England will be slightly altered for Sunday’s match

Irish forwards coach says it is becoming harder to score from mauls at Test match level

The likes of Shane Daly, Kieran Marmion and Ultan Dillane are set to get their chance

Irish lineout no longer the secure platform it used to be for a profitable go-to tactic

Ireland’s second-half victory a silver lining in their defeat to Eddie Jones’s formidable side

Ireland scrumhalf maintains his side are in a good place after loss at Twickenham

Coach and players believe they can beat Eddie Jones’s side in Dublin next March

‘I thought the character, as you would expect from any Irish side, was second to none’

England’s brilliant defensive performance secures fourth straight win over Ireland

Improved performance from February defeat could prove vital come next year’s Six Nations

From a small village in Mayo to the Leinster and Ireland backrow via Blackrock college

England coach highlights refereeing of scrums ahead of Twickenham game

Ireland coach has retained faith in a number of players who set up win over Wales

All throughout his career, the Leinster lock has proven himself as a natural leader

Leinster outhalf vying with former English youth rival Billy Burns for the 10 jersey

Andy Farrell faced with decisions across the pitch for Saturday’s trip to Twickenham

Clear signs against Wales of subtle and evolving plays by team in search of progress

Andy Farrell hails ‘dominant’ performance but Wales put up scant opposition

Johnny Sexton limps off but dominant hosts consign Welsh to a fifth-consecutive defeat

Both coaches could do with a win as Andy Farrell opts for an experimental side

Ireland player lines out with a number of former under-20 teammates against Wales

England are warm favourites in a tournament that could be a global event in future

Garry Ringrose praises Leinster left-winger representing Ireland through residency rule

Seven changes in personnel, three positional and 11 Leinster players included

Ireland centre hoping to line out for Leinster in European opener after breaking jaw

Versatile Leinster stalwart has been denied opportunities others have been granted

Ulster secondrow keen to put frustration behind him and build partnership with Ryan

Despite performance in Paris, still looks to be a strong case to keep Stockdale at fullback

Captain hopes team have chance to show improvement from Six Nations disappointment