‘Obviously I have my little Irish side but playing for France has always been clear’

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

Under Townsend, side have rediscovered joy after close to 20 years of grinding failure

Breakdown king a threat to Ireland’s Grand Slam ambitions

From club level up to Lions’ tours, Wales’ head coach has enjoyed substantial success

Son of Trevor Brennan is set for play for France against Ireland in u-20 Six Nations

‘They will not take us lightly this time’: captain ready for clash with ‘formidable’ Wales

Yellow cards prove costly for Scottish side in Pool 3 clash

Many of his trademark rasping quips are designed for short-term diversionary effect

Financial and physical juggernaut of Montpellier should prove very different challenge

Sean O’Brien and Isa Nacewa likely to be available for the Champions Cup opener

Some 44,000 tickets already sold for the big clash at the Aviva Stadium

Leo Cullen says Leinster-Munster clash always a game to whet the appetite of players and fans

Chief Executive Steve Tew has said that the current Ireland coach will be considered

Donnacha Ryan set for quick return to Thomond Park with Racing 92; Leinster paired with English champions Exeter

French club keenly aware of big games lost ahead of Champions Cup clash with Leinster

Former All Black will arrive at Ulster having thrived out of comfort zone at Clermont

November international had been mooted but New Zealand stick with Barbarians date

Tournament of close contests was hardly vintage but compellingly tribal as ever

Scots protect their fifth place in world rankings ahead of 2019 World Cup draw

Outgoing coach makes just one change for his final game in charge against Italy

Brown was sin-binned for his challenge on England’s Elliot Daly in Twickenham defeat

Eddie Jones’s side could arrive in Dublin with title and chasing Grand Slam

There is hope among former players that they can finally pull it off against England

Vern Cotter’s side head to Twickenham with the Triple Crown in their sights

Vern Cotter: ‘It’s a huge weekend in the championship, we’re still right in the mix’

Kidney injury forces number eight out of final three games, Greig Laidlaw already out

Gloucester scrumhalf sustained ankle injury during first half of 22-16 defeat to France

This year’s series is going to be more brutally physical and exacting than its predecessors

In Rome only a bonus point win will provide Ireland with the required outcome

Which tour hopefuls need an improved performance in Six Nations round two?

Head coach Vern Cotter heaps praise on Stuart Hogg, youngest player to win 50 caps

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

Ireland camp still seemingly bemused by the errors that contributed to defeat in Scotland

Ireland defence coach frustrated by first-half lapses against Scotland

Concern after Murrayfield loss is that things may get harder before they get easier

Team bus arrived at Murrayfield eight minutes late before a sluggish first half

Glasgow coach retweets former Ireland outhalf’s pre-match comments on RTÉ

‘It certainly changes the dynamic, to start the Six Nations with a win’

John O’Sullivan rates the victorious Scottish players after their Murrayfield win over Ireland