When it's not Europe it’s just not the same for the Red Army

Success in Pro14 would go some way to ease pain of Champions Cup semi-final loss

Magnificent Murray at the height of his considerable powers

World-class Ireland and Lions scrumhalf is simply pivotal to what Munster are about

Grand Slam winners 2009 - where are they now?

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

Gerry Thornley: Strength in depth matters, so does size

Formidable Ireland now in a strong position to reclaim Six Nations title from England

Gerry Thornley: Sexton is as important to Ireland as O’Driscoll was

Drop goal against France is probably his most memorable moment in a green jersey

Dancing with the Stars: Norah Casey exits the dancing den empty-handed

Marty Morrissey gets lowest score from the judges but the Marty Party is in full swing

Dancing with the Stars: Marty Morrissey’s erotic energy is frightening

Patrick Freyne: This is where the experiment in democratic self-governance has led

Gerry Thornley: Gifted Larmour already banging on Ireland door

Benefits of at least exposing him to Schmidt’s Six Nations training squad appear plentiful

Cork the team to beat in minor hurling decider

Galway’s minors on a well-worn path but Cork could have the edge at Croke Park

Tomas O’Leary retires from professional rugby

O’Leary started four of Ireland’s five games in the 2009 Grand Slam-winning Six Nations

Rugby Stats: Nervous times for Lions still involved with clubs

Many Irish players have full-blooded Pro12 clashes before they join up with squad

Irish Lions: Ireland set for healthy representation in 2017

Gatland names 37-man squad on Wednesday with plenty of home players in contention

Rugby’s wild geese: the Irish in England and France

Transfers to English Premiership and French Top 14 now more difficult for Irish players

England poised to have the Lion’s share in touring squad

Six Nations winners are usually rewarded with the biggest representation on tour

Six Nations wipeout does not mean player can’t return with roar for Lions

Earls and Quinlan were named in 2009 squad despite missing tournament for Ireland

JJ Hanrahan returning home to Munster after Northampton stint

Chris Farrell and James Hart also sign two-year deals with province

Ulster face being without Ruan Pienaar sooner than expected

Les Kiss has a shortage of players available at scrumhalf, outhalf and in the frontrow

Medical joker Tomás O’Leary happy to take his chance in France

Scrumhalf enjoying new adventure with Montpellier after being let go by Munster

Mick Kearney to start for Leinster against Montpellier

Kearney will replace Mike McCarthy in the second row

Hold mirror to Montpellier and see a reflection of Springboks in crisis

Leinster’s opponents backboned by former world champions who face worrying talent drain

Montpellier add Tomas O’Leary to their Champions Cup roster

Former Munster and Ireland scrumhalf added ahead of Sunday’s Leinster match

Gordon D'Arcy: Charles Piutau and the manipulation of space

I hurled from the age of six to 12. Same time Piutau was learning to ghost past fullbacks

Munster aim to push on as Rassie Erasmus era shows promise

Cardiff Blues will offer strong challenge as they visit Musgrave Park in Pro12

So who should we expect to graduate from the class of 2016?

John O’Sullivan looks back at the Irish Under-19 and Under-21 teams of 1998 and 2004

Darren Sweetnam has no regrets after leaving Cork hurlers behind

Munster player has made good progress at province since committing himself to oval ball

Arch-rivals set up for high-stakes game to secure vital points

Leinster look to league’s meanest defence to deny Munster crucial Pro12 victory

Munster get back on track with rout of Zebre

Simon Zebo grabs two tries as Anthony Foley’s side continue dominance over Italian side

Tommy O’Donnell returns to Munster side for Glasgow trip

Donnacha Ryan and James Cronin also back for fixture against Pro 12 champions

Depleted Zebre should find it tough to stymie Munster

Anthony Foley mixed youth with experience as Munster’s fortunes improve

Too little too late but Munster show huge heart at Thomond

A resilient side fought for every ball and came away with a much-deserved win

Gerry Thornley: Munster travails do not bode well for national side

The IRFU are not without blame for province’s plight which is detrimental to everyone

Ian Humphreys in stronger position after playing abroad

Ulster outhalf thinks Ireland side can be improved by players moving elsewhere

Daunting assignment for struggling Munster at Ravenhill

Momentum firmly with Ulster as they welcome Anthony Foley’s struggling side

Liam Toland: Munster have the power to end their losing streak

Leinster players did what had to be done at right moments in Thomond Park clash

Tomás O’Leary says Munster players have let Anthony Foley down

Scrumhalf believes the squad can improve and secure vital victory against Ulster

Garry Ringrose and Leinster a step or two ahead of Munster

Munster suffer fifth straight defeat in derby clash at Thomond Park

Munster caught short after Leicester show killer instinct

Anthony Foley’s side play some of best rugby of season but errors prove costly

Anthony Foley to remain at Munster for another year

Province agrees to take up option of extra year on top of original two-year contract

Simon Zebo starts Munster’s Pro 12 clash with Ulster

Darren Cave and Paddy Jackson start for Ulster as Neil Doak makes four changes

Ian Keatley guides Munster to win over Cardiff Blues

Anthony Foley’s men come from 10-points behind twice to make it four on the bounce

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