Seán O’Brien ruled out with injury while Connor Murray return highly unlikely

Schmidt acknowledges major improvement will be required against the All Blacks

Seán O’Brien suffers broken arm during first half of Aviva stadium encounter

O’Driscoll and Best are enthusiastic about ‘incredibly exciting’ fullback after hat-trick

Former star says O’Brien will be Schmidt’s first choice No 7 for World Cup if he stays fit

Expected edge at scrum time to establish the platform for Schmidt’s men

Ireland’s stalwart hooker missed summer tour of Australia with a hamstring injury

Joe Schmidt makes a dozen changes to starting line-up for hugely relevant match-up

O’Brien set for his first outing in Ireland jersey in almost a year against Argentina

Versatile back likes the freedom playing at fullback but is focused on current role

Presence of both Conway and Addison suggests Kearney unlikely to be in the match-day 23

Munster player grabbing every opportunity to apply pressure on established locks

Argentina clash will be a good barometer of coach's attempt to grow Ireland's depth

Ireland coach reflects on a glass half-empty in the first period, and a glass half-full in the second

Competition for places on the Ireland team causing ‘really positive headaches’ for Schmidt

Larmour’s exploits overshadow other landmarks, including Ross Byrne's debut

‘I do think it was a pretty spectacular effort from Jordan and he’ll be delighted with that’

Second-half blitz helps Joe Schmidt’s side run up a half-century of points in Chicago

Despite losing the sight in his left eye, the former Leinster player has gone on to play for Italy

Despite the experimental line-ups, there is plenty at stake for players on both sides

Ireland coach says a decision to either go or stay will bring clarity for the team and the IRFU

Chicago Test represents an opportunity for likes of Carbery, McGrath and Beirne

Move to Munster thoroughly vindicated as former Scarlets stalwart reaps the benefit

Rhys Ruddock to lead Ireland at Soldier Field on Saturday

Head coach says team is making progress and beginning to create options in all positions

For clampdown on high tackles to work the entire sport needs to be re-educated

Absences mean Rhys Ruddock would seem a likely candidate to lead Ireland against Italy

Johnny Sexton among those rested for the clash with Italy at Soldier Field next week

There will be plenty at stake for both teams and players with a World Cup looming

Uncapped Ross Byrne, Will Addison and Sam Arnold called up for November

'I felt really happy here and it was an easy decision, a quick decision like my last contract'

Munster and Ireland scrumhalf confirms he has not had surgery on his neck injury

Schmidt expected to name up to 38 players with big guns sitting out Italy game in Chicago

The five-year strategy sets highly ambitious targets at provincial and international level

Bad losers Bath in danger of losing the run of themselves with replay ‘appeal’

‘Seanie was talking after the game and saying that we need to move on and build on this’

Irishman says he is ‘delighted’ that he made the switch to pastures new in France

‘Beating Leinster could be a historic exploit for us’ says joint head-coach

Rory Best admits province will be ‘fighting for their lives’ in games against Scarlets

Champions falter in Toulouse while three serious injuries mar Munster’s victory

Home side were resilient the whole way through and their late try sealed the win

‘I just got too excited. I probably built up the game a bit too much in my head this week’

Paris aristocrats secure bonus-point win after wild and loose game at La Defense Arena

Despite their history, famous club no longer enjoy the inherent advantages of yore

In-form Zebo aiming to impress against Irish province for formidable Racing

Formidable champions unlikely to be daunted these days by a trip to Toulouse

Alan Gaffney reflects on win over Gloucester to progress in 2003 Heineken Cup

Province’s talented young guns and ability to run straight setting them apart

New Zealander loving life at Leinster after brilliant start to season

Head coach Dan McFarland admits his team have plenty of room for improvement

Munster’s 10-10 draw in Sandy Park against Exeter was the best result for the Irish sides

Ulster captain says side have been working hard on their maul attack

Excellent second-half performance sees Dan McFarland’s side open with win

Champions Cup top points scorer praises Carbery, describing his growth as ‘staggering’

With Scarlets and Racing 92 also in Pool Four, win tonight is crucial for province

Defending European champions run in eight tries against Wasps in perfect start

Defending champions hand out record European defeat to Wasps at the RDS

Host of big names return as Cullen makes nine changes from the win over Munster

Leinster head coach says that Sean O’Brien could play a key role coming off the bench

Scrum-half will remain with Munster and could well pass 100 caps for Ireland

Exeter have yet to prove themselves in Europe and desperately need a win against Munster

New Galway stadium will include a high-performance centre and greyhound racing track

Leo Cullen unconcerned about province’s low possession rate in win over Munster

Scrumhalf’s fitness a cause for concern with difficult Exeter Chiefs clash looming

Van Graan’s irritation understandable as a number of big calls went against Munster

James Lowe scores two tries as Leo Cullen’s side make it four wins on the spin in fixture

Leo Cullen has shuffled the pack but visitors have played a full hand for Aviva clash

Gerry Thornley’s Heineken Champions Cup preview: All you need to know

A look at the 20 sides in the 2018-19 Heineken Cup who are bidding for the ultimate prize

Ross Byrne and Joey Carbery go toe-to-toe while a backrow battle for the ages awaits

Heavyweight clash should be moved if the frontliners are not allowed play

Waikato winger involved in domestic violence incident with his partner

Facile Ulster victory not ideal preparation for impending visits to Leinster and Exeter

Munster warm up for Leinster assignment with nine-try rout of depleted visitors

Injury-hit Ulster suffer record defeat in low-key interpro derby at Thomond Park

'The old cliche is that defence wins trophies, but it’s not a cliche. It’s 100% the fact of the matter’

‘I think for us it’s a massive game because we haven’t been good enough so far this season’

Head coach’s positivity has translated to the pitch with Carty taking greater responsibility

Head coach untroubled by praise lavished on his colleagues Lancaster and Contepomi

Despite talk of more commercial partners, brewer remains title sponsor once more

Captain says Leinster squad may not be as good as it was last year for many reasons

For years we cocked our collective snoots at the French and their 'rotating'

Record loss to Connacht last year was lowest point of Leinster’s all-conquering season

While four of Leinster’s tries came from outside backs, much of the dominance was based on the excellence of the forwards

Dan Leavy also went off with a head knock at the RDS

Head knocks to James Ryan and Dan Leavy the only down point at the RDS

Mick Dawson hoping side can benefit soon from proposed €30m upgrade to RDS

Ireland will now have a more daunting task ahead to reach first-ever World Cup semi-final

With a settled team and squad, Schmidt’s men are justifiable second favourites one year out

Supporting Ireland in Japan won’t be cheap with packages going up to over €20k

Ireland backrow says province lacked a killer instinct as they were beaten narrowly in Wales

Former rugby player illustrated how terrifying concussion and brain trauma can be

‘Concussion is a hot topic at the moment within rugby circles,’ says Leinster backrow forward

Leinster strengthened for Dragons’ clash by imminent return of international stars

Leinster hopeful prop will be fit for Munster derby and opening Champions Cup match

Glasgow proved tough opposition last season on their artificial Scotstoun surface

New coach McFarland will be keen to see his side prevail in advance of games in South Africa

Leinster back hoping to leave injury woes behind and focus on Pro14 tasks ahead

Veteran secondrower had an exceptional season last year, losing just one game in 30

Devin Toner and Jack Conan among those in line for a call to arms this weekend