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

Former Ireland outhalf believes playing field between sides has never been so level

David Nucifora wary of parochialism but says players need to be repatriated for depth

Australian flanker shows he still has tons to offer after 18-month international sabbatical

Cullen, Sexton and Kearney all on message as Champions Cup glory looms

Former number eight played in all of Leinster’s quarter-finals up until last year

Nine years from Ireland’s second Grand Slam, Gavin Cummiskey looks at the class of 2009

Breakdown king a threat to Ireland’s Grand Slam ambitions

With opensides there has to be a leader of the pack to encourage others to follow

Flanker excelled against Connacht, making a record 34 tackles and missing none

All Black Beauden Barrett wins best men’s player prize for second successive year

Joe Schmidt’s tactics 'surprised’ Los Pumas says opposite number Daniel Hourcade

How many allegations of sexual harassment are there against Ross O’Carroll-Kelly?

Aaron Smith remains the best scrumhalf in world rugby while Retallick and Whitelock immense

‘If anything, they get stronger in the breakdown having him there,’ the All Black said

Paper has mocked up coach as circus clown, previously doing so with Michael Cheika

Former Australia coach Robbie Deans expecting a tight series

All Blacks form and gruelling itinerary presents what seems an impossible task

Leinster and Munster must both go to The Well on Saturday and not give an inch away

The strength-in-depth that Ireland have continues to be nurtured by Joe Schmidt

Joe Schmidt refutes suggestions that late backrow change was tactical