Connacht had their 29-12 lead evaporate in dramatic final dozen minutes at the RDS

Former Leinster contingent in visitors’ line-up adds extra spice to this festive interpro

Friend’s side firmly focused on completing a successful mission in South Africa

Connacht up to second spot in Conference B on back of pack’s performance

Andy Friend reshuffles province for physical Champions Cup opener with Bordeaux

Long overdue win in Belfast and stadium announcement have lifted spirits in Galway

Missed penalty late on denies Irish side early-season win under new coach Andy Friend

Skipper enjoys fond farewell from Sportsground crowd on memorable day

Experience needed as South African side have lost only one match at home this season

Benetton without a host of players while visitors keen to make up for defeat to Zebre

Ireland prop says it is a ‘massive honour’ to join the elite group who have reached the milestone

‘I suspect now we will be taken seriously as a club, perhaps as an organisation’

Green shoots in the province’s development process evident in Challenge Cup games

24-year-old’s stock keeps rising with chance to prove himself further against huge Springboks

Announcement of Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad will add spice to interprovincial clash

Worcester Warriors the Challenge Cup visitors to the Sportsground

Defeat to Zebre will have concentrated minds within Jono Gibbes’ Ulster squad

New coach downplays injury concerns and eager to capitalise on home advantage

Former Ireland outhalf is enjoying learning from Joe Schmidt as he shadows him on US tour

Handling errors prove province didn’t even bring a B game to semi-final defeat

Tadhg Furlong is also voted supporters’ player of the year by 'Irish Times' readers

Masters in Augusta, Grand National at Aintree, and Dublin v Kerry take centre stage

Pat Lam’s side looking to back from successive defeats with a win against Edinburgh

‘All our games with Glasgow are challenging, particularly in Scotstoun where we’ve never won’

Ultan Dillane has undergone surgery on his shoulder but still faces a spell on the sidelines

Ulster player’s lack of match fitness a major issue as Ireland consider side to face Wales

Ulster back suffered bruising in win over Treviso

Lam names Delahunt, Cannon and Fox-Matamua in starting 15 for trip to Treviso

Bundee Aki expected back in next two weeks after successful ankle surgery

Niyi Adeolokun, Tiernan O’Halloran and Matt Healy form a menacing back three

Schmidt’s side must counterattack more effectively than they did at Murrayfield

Ireland players set to miss matches between Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster

Pat Lam’s squad is depleted but with enough luck a famous victory is within their grasp

Ireland coach used 39 players in November internationals, including nine debutants

Ireland debut is sweet for Newbridge native who played for Leinster under Joe Schmidt

Garry Ringrose in line for debut with other uncapped players knocking on door

Knee ligament damage will rule Murphy out for at least six months

No place for either Mike Ross or Ian Madigan for trip to Chicago on November 5th

In context Ireland have a bright season under a very progressive coach

‘It’s never as simple as just putting players on and saying , oh, he’ll freshen things up’