Coach overcame a shaky start to guide the province back to the summit of European game

Leinster lock ‘honoured’ to be considered for role many believe he is ideally suited for

South African-born doctor looking to be part of third triumph at a Rugby World Cup

Beating southern hemisphere’s big four to lift the trophy would be an unparalled feat

Steve Hansen fronts up and offers no excuses after crushing semi-final defeat to England

In absence of constant evolution, our game plan became the rock Ireland perished upon

The battle of the back rows looks likely to be hugely significant in Saturday’s semi-final

‘I have full faith we will push on’ says secondrow after All Blacks romp home in Tokyo

Ireland and New Zealand have shared two wins apiece since 2013. That will change on Saturday

If any country on the planet could relocate or defer big games it is surely Japan

Japan as a country is devoted to custom and ritual yet its rugby team play with adventure

Hosts slow out of the blocks in Tokyo but pull away to start home tournament with a bang

Losing to Australia will give All Blacks a jolt, but will it be enough to keep them on top?

Australia’s James O’Connor completes his return from international exile

Steve Hansen’s side are bidding to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a third-straight time

Rugby correspondent runs the rule over the season for Ireland and the four provinces

It is a decade since the flanker inspired Leinster to a first Heineken Cup triumph

Bryan Habana doesn’t like racial quotas such as that to which the 2019 squad is subject

The Ireland outhalf would be a worthy winner but faces competition from the likes of Beauden Barrett

Schmidt’s side have grown since and Chicago 2016 changed the narrative for Irish rugby