Matt Williams: Gendarme was right – Ireland stole win in Paris

Ireland will expect to convert ample possession into scores against struggling Italy

Kerry get their teenage kicks in Castlebar

Positive, impudent and fearless - Kingdom’s young guns shoot down venerable Mayo

Six Nations is TV3’s ‘single biggest investment in sport’

New Zealand-bound Ronan O’Gara among the punditry team for 2018 tournament

TV View: Ireland keep hearts in the oven and heads in the fridge

Parisian farce sees kick off in Dublin delayed but win more than worth the wait

Matt Williams: Ireland’s inconsistency stems from lack of trust

If Joe Schmidt’s team don’t improve, this powerful England side will demolish them

Conor Murray has learnt a lot about life and death these past two months

‘In the huddle, we sang. It was chilling. We were mourning together, sharing our grief’

John Muldoon: Connacht’s Pro 12 final win a dream day

Captain hails team mates and his girlfriend’s fortune teller after historic Leinster victory

Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland must get England’s Ford to reverse into Twickenham traffic

George Ford and Owen Farrell must be turned and met by bloody-minded tackling

Concussion impacts underline the need to put player welfare first

An issue at every level of rugby – from schools through to club and professional

Frank McNally: Nail-biting finish as Ireland hold on for draw

Ireland’s quest for unprecedented third successive Six Nations title begins with result almost as rare

Leinster grind their way past Connacht at a sodden RDS

Josh van der Flier’s dubious try ends Pat Lam’s men’s resistance on miserable night

Sport remains a glorious enterprise but major ethical questions abound

Falls far short of ideals where the essential was to have fought well not just winning

Matt Williams: Ireland may struggle to earn luck that winners always need

Joe Schmidt has done a wonderful job but team are lacking creativity in midfield

Conor McGregor: ‘I’m surrounded by luxury but it’s built on sacrifice’

Jose Aldo bout set for MGM Grand, Las Vegas December 12th says Dana White

Paul O’Connell confirms Ireland career will end at World Cup

Ireland secondrow was ready to retire from game before Toulon came in with offer

Isa Nacewa excited at prospect of Leinster return

Popular figure eager to resume his playing career with the province

Would the provinces dominate a dream XV from 20 years of Europe?

Leinster, Munster and Ulster have left an indelible mark on a tournament approaching it’s 20th final

Top seeds looking stronger, but no Racing certainty

Saracens in good nick too, and could be the one English club to progress to semi-finals

Gordon D’Arcy left out of Ireland camp for Wales

Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Johnny Sexton all fit enough for Joe Schmidt’s 36

Ireland v England: Crunch time for Six Nations' big two

Gerry Thornley says visitors will be more creative but home advantage favours Ireland

Mary Hannigan: It’s 50 shades of black and two shades of Gray as George gets hot under collar

Pundit up in arms over suggestion that anyone on French team is fat

The Morning Sports Briefing

The funeral of Phillip Hughes takes place, Gerrard’s back for Liverpool, Man United make it four on the bounce and Munster quartet put pen to paper

Australian media all but writing off World Cup hopes

‘Winning the Webb Ellis Trophy is the culmination of a good structure, not the answer to a bad one’

O’Gara still telling it as it is on eve of Champions Cup

Former Munster outhalf on Irish prospects in Europe and French financial clout

Gerry Thornley previews the European Champions Cup

New era in Europe may see Irish provinces lose out to super rich French and English sides

European Champions Cup fixtures confirmed

Leinster open at home to Wasps, Munster away to Sale and Ulster at Leicester’s Welford Road

Johnny Sexton keeps IRFU waiting on decision over future

Leinster announce 21 contract renewals without releasing any details

IRFU president says Robbie Henshaw will have to move province if Joe Schmidt insists on it

Pat Fitzgerald was speaking on Shannonside radio where he revealed the IRFU had sanctioned increased funding for Connacht

Henderson replaces O’Mahony as Sexton gets all-clear

Italy decide to rest talisman Sergio Parisse for Ireland game

Calm and composed Ireland look good going forward

Physical when needed, Joe Schmidt’s men take their toll on Wales

The Coaches: Six driven men in search of one winning formula

The leadership skills of every coach will be put to the test as determination, discipline and consistency are crucial, writes Matt Williams

It’s just a bit Irish to think we win or lose just because we’re Irish

Intense nature of back-to-back Heineken Cup ties will prove pivotal

Northampton host Leinster on Saturday for a reprisal of their memorable 2011 final

It will be a learning process for Schmidt but Ireland’s problems run deeper

The new coach can’t expect to produce a magic bullet straight away

Racing Metro deny Scarlets a second straight pool victory

Sexton kicked 16 points

Give Paddy Jackson a break and he’ll take it

Ulster coach Anscome there to steer young outhalf through tough times

Matt O’Connor hoping Leinster’s winning culture helps keep Seán O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip in the fold

Leinster coach admits they could not afford to lose such key players

Baptism of fire looming for Schmidt

New Irish coach expresses concerns over Sexton’s workload and implications for others tempted by Top 14

Seán O’Brien linked with Racing Metro

Sources believe flanker has been lined up to wear the famous ciel et blanc colours

Joe Schmidt puts his stamp on Ireland squad

The 42 players will assemble at Carton House on Sunday

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