The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly provides his take on Ireland looking for evolution over revolution.

"It was encouraging to hear Ireland coach Declan Kidney speak so earnestly this week about the need to evolve post-World Cup.

Ireland's scintillating progress through the pool stages, headlined by the win over Australia, ensured there would be no 2007-style evisceration of players or coaches in the aftermath. However, the nature of the quarter-final defeat in Wellington, when Kidney's men were blown away by the vibrancy and fluency of the Welsh, stressed the overwhelming need to kick on.

Backs coach Alan Gaffney has departed and Les Kiss is charged with bringing his innovation to bear on attack as well as defence. This double-jobbing brief is not unique in Kidney coaching units, and Tony McGahan's dual assistant role on Munster's surge to the Heineken Cup title in 2008 provides positive precedent."

Ulster are reportedly looking at replacing Brian McLaughlin at the end of the season © Getty Images

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports that Ulster are set to give Brian McLaughlin the boot at the end of the season.

"In a move certain to send shockwaves through Irish rugby, Ulster are set to ditch Brian McLaughlin and bring in a new coach for next season.

McLaughlin is widely considered to have made tremendous progress with the province since taking over in 2009, bringing Ulster to the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup for the first time in 12 years last season, as well as the Magners League play-offs, before securing another European quarter-final this month.

On the back of these achievements, and the euphoria that followed Ulster's 41-7 thumping of Leicester, it was expected McLaughlin would be offered another extension, but it is understood that he has been told by Ulster bosses that his contract won't be renewed."

As the IRFU attempt to restructure the game in Ireland, the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley assesses the arguments for and against the proposed move.

"IRUPA were not involved in any consultations, and their CEO Omar Hassenein was away on leave when the IRFU made their announcement on December 21st.

“We feel we’ve worked through that issue,” said a conciliatory Hassenein this week, “and now have a good level of dialogue in which we can express player concerns. Our main priority is to safeguard our membership . . . We respect the governing body’s interest in ensuring that a strong national succession plan is in place. . . Now we’re confident that through further discussions between the game’s stakeholders a solution will be found which promotes success at all levels of Irish rugby . . .”

"Provincial supporters associations have outlined their opposition. David Cahill, the PRO of the Official Leinster Supporters Association (which has 13,500 members) said, “we made a submission to the IRFU which was gratefully received”. Cahill calculates that at least 90 to 95 per cent of their members are opposed to the IRFU’s position judging by their active social media.

"The diktat that the provinces may not re-sign foreign players could also be challenged legally by say, Nacewa and Howlett, who are in their fourth and fifth seasons here, and have five Irish-born children between them, according to Philip Lee of Philip Lee Solicitors, a law firm which specialises in European law."

Writing in the Irish Independent, Tony Ward picks through Ireland's selection issues ahead of their clash with Wales next weekend and says it is time to unleash Munster winger Simon Zebo.

"If ever a player has grabbed his opportunity and captured the imagination of the nation it is Zebo.

"What immediately impressed me in the Pro12 was his ability to break the gain-line almost every time he touches the ball. His hat-trick against Northampton confirmed the finishing ability insiders knew he had.

"He has that go-forward momentum and off-camera work ethic you cannot buy. It's early days, I know, but the 21-year-old Cork Con flyer looks the real deal.

"He has temperament allied to attitude and, if he maintains his current rate of progress, then promotion to the senior squad ought be a no-brainer. Kidney has gone with gut instinct in the past and I urge him to do so again should Zebo shine with the Wolfhounds."

The Irish Independent's David Kelly talks to the inform Ronan O'Gara about his Six Nations aspirations.

"It would be trite to suggest that Ronan O'Gara is raging against the dying of the light. He isn't.

For one thing, he will soon ring up his employers and start gently haranguing them for a contract extension beyond 2013.

Secondly, he is no longer raging. Still seething quietly about Ireland's defeat to Wales in the World Cup, perhaps, but certainly not raging.

"Contrary to what certain people think, that I'm difficult if I'm left out of the starting team, that's not true," smiles the man who, technically, still holds the Irish jersey after starting that game in Wellington.

"I would like to think that if my team-mates came in here I'd be seen as the ultimate team man in terms of how I conduct myself. That is so important, that you have their respect, irrespective of what the public think.”

The Irish Independent talks to Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy about who may fill the sizeable boots left by Brian O'Driscoll in the forthcoming Six Nations.

"Gordon D'Arcy considers the statistic. Brian O'Driscoll has missed just five Six Nations matches in his career and never more than one a season since he made his debut against England in the competition in the spring of 2000.

The D'Arcy/O'Driscoll midfield axis has been paired together a world record 47 times at international level, two clear of England's Jeremy Guscott and Will Carling, with their record standing at 31 wins and 16 defeats across the most successful era in the history of Irish rugby.

The origins of this more enduring of partnerships can be traced back to December 2003 when O'Driscoll picked up an injury against Sale.

For the return fixture a week later, Gary Ella shifted D'Arcy to outside centre from the wing as cover at the suggestion of Willie Anderson and that's where he started the Six Nations opener against France the following spring.”

Players unhappy with the new Irish Rugby Football Union limits could well have the law on their side, writes lawyer Niall Collins in the Irish Independent.

"The IRFU's policy change appears designed to provide young Irish players with more opportunities and to ensure that the national team has at least two suitably experienced players in each position. However, the changes raise real, but not novel, questions of EU free movement law and employment and equality law.

"Direct and indirect discrimination -- based on the nationality of workers of EU member states, as regards their employment, remuneration and other conditions of work -- are prohibited under Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

"A directly discriminatory restriction is one which relies on nationality as the basis for disadvantageous treatment. This can only be justified under specific derogations based on considerations of public policy, public security and public health.

"An indirectly discriminatory restriction is one which has the effect of discriminating on the grounds of nationality, as opposed to having the object of so doing. Such measures can only be justified under derogation or where there are objective considerations independent of nationality, which are proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued by the rule and are reasonable and necessary. This is evident from EU cases such as Walrave & Koch, Donà v Mantero and Bosman. The issue of discrimination on the grounds of nationality was front and centre in the debate surrounding the legality of FIFA's so-called 6+5 rule, which received a negative assessment from the EU Commission and which was subsequently abandoned, and UEFA's home-grown player rule, which was given the green light by the Commission.

"More recent EU decisions in Kolpak and Simutenkov effectively extend the scope of Article 45 to non-EU nationals, through the existence of international association agreements between the EU and non-EU countries."

Hugh Farrelly rakes through Ireland's Six Nations squad selection and finds cause for concern in The Irish Independent.

"In 1986, Declan Kidney was coaching the PBC Cork Junior team and caused a major surprise when he picked a prop ('Eggy' O'Leary) on the wing - 'Pres' went onto win the Cup.

"In 1996, Kidney was coaching Dolphin in the AIL and got rid of the core of senior forwards, switched the regular, kicking out-half to full-back and transformed a mauling, 10-man rugby outfit into a quick-rucking team that won promotion to Division 1 for the first time.

"In 2008, Kidney selected Tomas O'Leary and Denis Hurley ahead of experienced regulars Peter Stringer and Shaun Payne for Munster's quarter-final against Gloucester in Kingsholm -- Munster went onto to claim their second title in Cardiff, with O'Leary and Hurley starting all the knockout games."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly talk to a disgruntled Brian McLaughlin after the unveiling of Ireland's squad for the 2012 Six Nations.

"Declan Kidney has come under fire for his conservative Six Nations squad announcement yesterday after the Ireland coach stuck exclusively to the players who last year failed to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Kidney’s 24-man party did not include the in-form trio of Luke Fitzgerald, Chris Henry and Dan Tuohy, who were all selected in the secondary Wolfhounds squad to face England ‘A’ this month, while other impressive performers this season such as Peter O’Mahony, Paul Marshall and Craig Gilroy failed to make either squad. Brian McLaughlin, whose Ulster side are chasing a Heineken Cup quarter-final berth in Clermont this weekend, said he was disappointed by the selections, which he did not feel were a reflection of current form.

“It is disappointing,” said McLaughlin. “Declan has decided he is going to stick with his World Cup squad and give them an opportunity in the Six Nations."

The Irish Independent previews Ireland naming their squad for the Six Nations by talking to a bullish Jamie Heaslip.

"Tomorrow's Six Nations squad announcement officially marks the start of another four-year cycle and the countdown to Ireland's 2015 World Cup campaign.

By that stage, Jamie Heaslip will be 32 and will be facing into what will almost certainly be his last World Cup, something the Naas man might find hard to fathom seeing as it's only a few months after his first taste of the tournament.

The squad named tomorrow is likely to include everyone from the possibles to the probables and even the probably nots, but Heaslip acknowledges that, come the opening match against Wales on February 5, there are likely to be some new faces around the Ireland camp, at the expense of some old ones."

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley chats to Leinster's Rob Kearney.

"Not for the first time under either Michael Cheika or Joe Schmidt, Leinster are doing their bit for Ireland’s forthcoming Six Nations campaign. Along with the continuing good form of so many Irish front-liners such as Jonny Sexton and the rejuvenation of Luke Fitzgerald, there’s the rebirth of Rob Kearney into something more, even, than the player who became the standout starting Lions’ full-back three summers ago.

"Where many a coach, unfettered by outside national concerns or even ham-fisted diktats, would have been entitled to continue playing Isa Nacewa at fullback, Schmidt has started Kearney there in all seven of his starts since the World Cup, and Kearney is flourishing.

"With his Gaelic football-honed skills, few were better equipped to cope with the Springboks’ aerial bombardment than Kearney. However, with the increased emphasis on keeping the ball in hand, Kearney has almost reinvented himself since his return from a nine-month injury-enforced sabbatical. His greater awareness in counter-attacking is seeing him link more with team-mates, although as he points out, this is a unit skill as much as it is down to the fullback, and he is also linking better with his sharp intrusions into the line."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly looks at Ireland boss Declan Kidney's push to be coach of the Lions.

"'Bold as a lion' is a phrase that has its origin in the bible (Proverbs 28:1), but also one that has significance for Ireland coach Declan Kidney heading into the Six Nations.

The decision on who will lead the Lions to Australia next year is due to be made at the end of the tournament in March, with Wales coach Warren Gatland the clear favourite, followed by Scotland's Andy Robinson and Kidney a distant third.

That pecking order could have been different had Ireland not been flipped over by the Welsh in the World Cup quarter-finals last October, but, either way, the Six Nations will play a major role in deciding who gets the gig.

It is a job made for Kidney -- the ultimate man manager and delegator -- who flourishes in a tour environment (as was proven at the World Cup up until Wales did their thing).

Kidney would surround himself with expertise in every area and take an exhaustive approach to ensuring his players were in the best condition to secure a first series victory in 16 years."

Ruan Pienaar's two-year contract extension with Ulster has been factored in under the IRFU's new Player Succession Policy, with Munster and Leinster understood to have been aware of the deal. The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports.

"Under the Union's recruitment directives to be introduced for the 2013-14 season, the three provinces will only be allowed one non-Irish qualified (NIE) player between them in each of the 15 positions.

"Thus, the South African's recapture by Ulster until the end of that season suggests he will be the designated NIE scrum-half among the three provinces in 2013/14. Leinster, through Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss, and Munster, with Conor Murray and Tomas O'Leary, already have Ireland international scrum-halves on their books and this would have been considered by the IRFU before agreeing Pienaar's contract extension.

"Under the new directive, Pienaar's contract will not be extended after 2014 and a NIE player will not be allowed as his replacement."

In the Irish Independent Hugh Farrelly talks to Munster hooker Jerry Flannery about the Irish province's prospects in the Heineken Cup this year.

Jerry Flannery, who has been forced to watch his province's progress from the sidelines as he continues his recovery from the calf injury that forced him out of the World Cup, believes the fact that Munster are not being talked up is working in their favour.

"No one is going, 'Munster have this thing wrapped up', even with four wins from four," said the hooker. "People are saying, 'Munster have had a good start but we are still not sure about them', which is a good place for us.

"I look back on past seasons, particularly when we won it in 2006 and '08, and it was never a case of it being there for us to lose.

"We take some criticism every year and most of the time it is deserved, but we just have to look at the bigger picture. It has been a fantastic start and there are so many younger, newer guys coming into the squad too."

Ireland have rejected New Zealand's request to play two midweek games on their tour there in June which includes three Tests. The Irish Independent's Brendan Fanning reports.

"The NZ union had hoped Ireland would play midweek games against the Maori -- who beat Ireland in Rotorua on the 2010 tour -- and a Super 15 franchise, in addition to facing the All Blacks on three straight Saturdays.

"It's for logistical as well as playing reasons," an IRFU spokesman said last week. "We would have had to move around to play the midweek games and we want to focus on the Test series."

"Ireland have never played three Tests in New Zealand -- or any other single country -- before and the New Zealanders had hoped they would agree to go all out with top-of-the-range midweek games rather than second division provinces. Super Rugby will be suspended during the June window so it would have been perfect for the Kiwis to give some of those players international opposition."

The Irish Times' John Harrington reports from Leinster's RaboDirect PRO12 victory over the Cardiff Blues.

"On Saturday night Leinster added some more substance to the sporting truism that the very best teams can play well within themselves and still find a way to chisel out a victory against durable opponents. They could have lost this Rabodirect Pro 12 match against Cardiff, but you somehow always knew in your bones they wouldn’t.

"Had Cardiff’s Leigh Halfpenny kicked a late second-half penalty that would have put his team ahead then maybe the result might have been different, but the probability is Leinster still would have found a way to claim their 10th successive league win. There’s such a deep-rooted sense of self-confidence in this team that they’re utterly convinced of their own ability to persevere no matter what the circumstances.

"We don’t care where we go or where we play,” admitted Jamies Heaslip after Saturday’s victory. “If we bring our own intensity and just worry about the job we have to do rather than the team that we’re playing, I don’t think it really matters where we go to or what the circumstances.”

The Irish Independent's Ruaidhri O'Connor looks at Keith Earls' chances of stepping into the void left by Brian O'Driscoll in the Ireland centres.

"With the festive season done and dusted, the evenings beginning to stretch and the hangovers receding, the collective minds of the rugby world are beginning to switch towards the Six Nations.

Sure, there are two Pro12 games and the final rounds of the Heineken Cup to negotiate for the provinces, but with England, France and Scotland naming their squads this week, an Ireland 'A' international against England at the end of January and the opening game against Wales less than a month away, there's limited opportunity for players to impress Declan Kidney.

Tonight at Thomond Park is one such chance. It remains to be seen whether Kidney will revolutionise his set-up or stick with the tried and tested, gradually introducing change, but there are a few wearing red in Limerick who will be hoping to force their way into contention."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly casts his eye across the wealth of talent coming through Ireland's ranks.

"Perhaps it stems from the insecurities of our colonial past and existence in the arm-pit of a once global power, but there is a long Irish tradition of cap-doffing when it comes to overseas visitors.

It is a regular feature of chat-show interviews, past and present -- a desperate need to get an answer to the "what do you think of Ireland?" question, the throwaway replies generally revolving around central themes of the greenness of the grass and friendliness of the people.

Rugby is particularly susceptible. It is easy to recall the fawning deputations sent to Cork Airport to cover Jean de Villiers' arrival a few years ago. With his blond hair and easy charm, the South African cut quite the dashing figure, but his worth to the Munster cause was always in question and those doubts were justified over the course of one unfulfilling season."

The Irish Independents' Hugh Farrelly looks at the worth of Paul O'Connell to Ireland.

"You think back a year and a half, and the doom-mongers were out in force. Rumours have found a natural home online and the internet was throbbing to tales of Paul O'Connell's demise.

The debilitating effects of his groin injury complete with misdiagnoses and false dawns had been stretched out over most of 2010 and there was wild speculation as to whether he would ever return or, if he did, whether he would be the same player as before.

Those doubts have been cast to the wind as, rejuvenated by the extended break, O'Connell grew into 2011 and finished the year restored to his omnipotent best, a key component of Ireland's best World Cup moments and Munster's storming start to the Heineken Cup.

Yesterday's contract announcement -- following on swiftly from his confirmation as stand-in captain for Brian O'Driscoll -- confirms as much and the player, who turned 32 in October, has two years to re-emphasise his ongoing provincial and national importance."

Despite an impressive season so far and growing support behind his continuing as Munster coach, Tony McGahan says his future with the province is unclear. The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports.

"The Australian has placed the province in a commanding position at the mid-point of the season but has told the Irish Independent a decision on his future has yet to be made, with discussions to take place in the near future.

"It is certainly a topic that will come up in the next period of time," said McGahan. "We will just have to wait and see how things pan out for myself and the club."

"McGahan came under pressure at the start of last year after Munster failed to get out of their Heineken Cup pool for the first time in 13 seasons with CEO Garret Fitzgerald issuing a message of support at the time.

"However, McGahan then steered Munster to Magners League glory, before overcoming injury and transition issues to guide his side to four wins from four in this season's Heineken Cup as well as a top-four position in the Pro12."

Writing in the Irish Times, former Ireland and Munster star Alan Quinlan offers his stake on the Irish Rugby Football Union's controversial overseas player policy.

"Every foreign player who comes to play professional rugby in Ireland has a different kind of story to tell and just as they’re not all Clinton Hupperts, they’re not all Rocky Elsoms either. If the IRFU’s new policy with regard to foreign players guarantees one thing, it’s that the provinces will have to get the process of finding new recruits from overseas down to a fine art over the coming years. They will have no other choice.

"I have to say, I think some of the outrage there’s been since it was announced just before Christmas has been a bit over the top. If you sit down and go through it, there are some very good ideas in the new policy.

"It makes sense from a national point of view. The objective of aiming to have two Irish-qualified players for every position is a worthwhile one and I suppose the IRFU can argue that since it’s not coming in until the end of next season, the provinces have time to think ahead and work out how they’re going to deal with it. It definitely needs tweaking in a couple of areas but overall there’s a lot of merit to it."

If the IRFU’s foreign player regulations come into existence, then from 2014 onwards the provinces can forget about winning the Heineken Cup again, writes the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley.

"[Isa] Nacewa’s 40-metre sashay through four befuddled Leicester defenders in last season’s Heineken Cup quarter-final remains arguably the try of the season.

"It was the difference between the sides on the day and, allied to his general excellence, no less than the one-season-wonder that was Rocky, it’s doubtful Leinster would have reached Europe’s promised land without Nacewa.

"Of course, if the IRFU’s proposed new guidelines on foreign players from 2014 onwards had been applied a few seasons ago, Nacewa would not have been allowed to join Leinster in the first place, or at any rate not unless he was decreed “position specific”. What a laugh.

"It was Nacewa’s ability to play anywhere from numbers 10 to 15 which enabled Leinster to most adroitly fill in the gaps when the galacticos were away on Irish duty and which could keep each of them on their toes when Michael Cheika had a full hand to select from.

"This is true of all the versatile players – Paul Warwick, Felipe Contepomi et al – without whom all the Heineken Cups and league titles would probably have never been possible."

Could Declan Kidney's Ireland beat the All Blacks in 2012? © Getty Images

Writing in the Irish Independent, Jim Glennon looks ahead and predicts a year of mixed fortunes for Irish rugby in 2012.

"1. The IRFU's controversial proposals on non-Irish eligible players to be diluted, at the very least.

"...2. France to win the Six Nations. When the Six Nations follows a Lions tour or a World Cup, it tends to stretch the less well-resourced nations and so it's to be expected that Italy, Scotland, ourselves, and even Wales, notwithstanding their exceptional performance in New Zealand, will suffer.

"...3. Leinster to regain the Celtic League

"...4. Leinster not to retain the Heineken Cup. There are several reasons why retaining their European crown may well prove beyond Leinster, notwithstanding all of the above, or indeed the manner in which they are progressing through their pool.

"...5. Ireland to defeat the All Blacks for first time...Ireland will play the recently-crowned world champions three times in the space of a June fortnight. We've never beaten them in 24 encounters since 1905 and, more relevantly, in ten games since the turn of this century, but it's a run which must stop sometime and an early-season All Black combination could be caught on the hop by a full-strength Irish team set on proving to their new-found New Zealand support base that their World Cup performance against Australia is the real benchmark of their ability, rather than that against Wales."

One from Ulster and one from Munster, but both sharing a farming background, the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley sits in as Irish internationals Rory Best and Denis Leamy talk about a friendship that stretches back to the all-conquering Irish schools trip to Australia in 2000.

"Best was 17 and Leamy 18 when they toured Australia, winning all nine matches. “The closest game that we won was the Test match, and we won 35-6 or something – stuffed them. We had a decent old team,” chuckled Best, which is putting it mildly given the squad included the likes of Gavin Duffy, Shane Jennings, Roger Wilson, Matt McCullough, Stephen Keogh, Frank Murphy, Ian Humphreys, Scott Young and Andrew Maxwell.

“Almost everyone at one point had been involved in a professional set-up,” said Best. “People like John Lyne was on it and at that stage he and Jodie Danagher were two of the best props I played with. They were unbelievable at underage.”

"Ask them what brought them together and Leamy echoes Fr Jack when he quips: “Drink!” Indeed, they had a few days off in Surfers Paradise, which happened to coincide with Best’s 18th birthday. “I’m not in the same league as Leamy,” says Best, to which Leamy retorts: “He’s a martyr for the cause.”

Sean Diffley backs plans in Ireland to cap the number of foreign players in domestic squads in The Irish Independent.

"As Oscar Wilde remarked, "an unbiased opinion is always absolutely valueless" and I am in favour, more or less and on principle, with the latest effusion from the IRFU -- a body of gentlemen who are running the game in this country streets ahead of any of the other major rugby nations.

"As you all will know by now, the IRFU is moving to curtail the number of foreigners in our provincial squads. The move's objective is to nurture promising Irish talent, allowing them 'game time' with the aim of augmenting the Irish team. Players from south of the equator, who are ineligible for Ireland but hold down too many provincial places, clearly upset the IRFU's grand plans for Ireland's progress."

Ireland are set to confirm expanded roles for Les Kiss and Mark Tainton in the Six Nations, with no direct replacement for former backs coach Alan Gaffney. The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports.

"Defence coach Kiss and kicking coach Tainton will see their working briefs expanded to include responsibility for Ireland's attacking play when the Six Nations gets under way in February, as it was deemed there was not enough time to find a replacement for Gaffney, whose contract expired after the World Cup

"Kiss has been a notable success since coming in as defence coach in 2008 and has displayed an innovative approach, earning widespread credit for his coaching of the 'choke tackle' which was a critical element in Ireland's World Cup victory against Australia and has been introduced as a defensive tactic by other nations."

A bit of ball-hopping for a rugby-mad nephew highlights some issues which should concern Eddie Wigglesworth, writes the Irish Times' Liam Toland.

"[IRFU director of rugby, Eddie] Wigglesworth pointed out the IRFU’s priority will always be to the national team because it generates 84 per cent of revenue at 14 per cent of total cost, while the provinces are currently responsible for 41 per cent of overall cost to the union.

"This may be true but the pendulum has swung and my nephews are rooted in their provinces. They will soon become teenagers and men, the future participants and supporters; that’s 84 per cent, if you will.

"Wigglesworth does acknowledge the province: “We have to have provincial rugby and that’s why there is never an issue about funding it. But this is about getting the balance right,” he said.

"I look forward to observing from the safety of the ditch the knock-on effect because the future supporters will become very impatient if their provinces slide in Europe."

Leinster's Ica Nacewa would be one player affected by the new laws © Getty Images

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly looks at the bad blood between Leinster and the IRFU following the introduction of the cap on foreign signings.

"Leinster's war of words with the IRFU over the new policy on player recruitment escalated yesterday, with the province questioning the practicality of the selection process.

The initiative, announced last week and due to come in for the 2013/14 season, is based on the principle of having two quality Irish-qualified players in each position among Leinster, Munster and Ulster.

This means no more than one Non-Irish Eligible (NIE) player in any position, and on position specific deals, with no contract extensions or short-term deals for NIE players.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt and his Ulster counterpart Brian McLaughlin raised strong overall objections after their Pro12 clash on Monday, and yesterday Leinster manager Guy Easterby zeroed in on the workability of the selection process to decide which province gets the first pick on position."

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley reflects an eventful year for Irish rugby.

"This was a good year for Irish rugby, indeed a very good year. Any year that yields a Heineken Cup triumph for Leinster, all the more so as there’s rarely been a comeback in a final quite like it, and a League triumph for Munster, has to be considered good. Lose sight of that and we really have lost it.

"Of course, World Cup years are defined by the World Cup and after trading four warm-up defeats for four pool wins, Ireland also showed up well at the World Cup, perhaps more effectively than at any previous World Cup. The victory over Australia in Eden Park and the astonishing support from a largely ex-pat Blarney Army remain indelible memories.

"Ireland’s first win over a Tri Nations powerhouse in the Southern Hemisphere since 1979, and first of any hue in a World Cup, makes it a stand-out, one-off win.

"It was also a memorable, feel-good World Cup to be at, for as expected the hosts put on quite a show."

Writing in the Irish Times
Greg Thornley questions the wisdom of the Irish Rugby Union's new edict over the signing of foreign players.

The recent unveiling of the IRFU’s changes to player contracts, specifically those for non-Irish qualified players, raises one simple question: If it ain’t broke, why fix it? The provinces have won four of the last six Heineken Cups in backboning an Irish side which won its first Grand Slam in 61 years and produced its best World Cup campaign to date in New Zealand this year.

Furthermore, the IRFU’s all-powerful Professional Contracts Review Group (PCRG) already have the power of veto over any players signed by the provinces, so why apply such rigid straitjackets to recruitment of overseas players?

Writing in the Irish Independent Sean Diffley hails the way Ireland has taken to professional rugby and insists it's time to show requisite confidence on the international stage.

Before the World Cup I proclaimed that Ireland could win the competition. They had the skills and the only lack, in my view, was in self-esteem.

The players might dismiss that as nonsense, but, I say, think about it.

Remember that ordinary England side winning in 2003, inspired by the self-esteem, or arrogance of their captain Martin Johnson?

And Australia winning it twice, sheer modesty ruling the roost.

A recent professional survey has, not surprisingly, soccer as our favourite sport, with gaelic games at 20.9pc and rugby, the ever progressing sport, at 20.5pc.

Now in a long tenure on this green and misty isle, I've never been approached for my invaluable views, but they say that those polls claim to be accurate up to 2pc either way, so whatever way you view it, rugby is taking a firm hold in Ireland.

And it should foster a much-needed advance in self-esteem.

The Irish Independent's John Fallon talks with Munster coach Tony McGahan about the enduring legacy of John Hayes ahead of the prop's impending retirement.

"His general demeanour has always been about the team," said McGahan.

"That has been evident all the way through, but for him to sign up with us after the World Cup to help us out of a situation speaks immeasurably of the man.

"His giving nature was always evident. It didn't matter who you were in the squad, whether it was first team or staff, anyone. It didn't matter, he treated everyone the same.

"His legacy as a person will be one of the remaining features of him in Munster.

The Irish Independent pours over what the IRFU's new stipulation regarding foreign players means for the provinces.

"An hour after Leinster won their first Heineken Cup final in 2009, Jonny Sexton poured his heart out in the mixed zone and told us just how close he had been to packing in his career with the province.

Six months earlier, he'd had a shocker in a league game against Glasgow and was summarily replaced against Castres after an hour of their Heineken Cup pool game by a re-signed veteran out-half, Australian David Holwell.

With two other foreign imports, Felipe Contepomi and Isa Nacewa, due to return to the busy out-half position, Sexton would speak about the "depressing" nature of his position with a club to which he dearly wanted to belong.

Despite his desire to remain with Leinster, he spoke of how he contemplated leaving Ireland in order to seek opportunities. Later, he would credit Declan Kidney's intervention in selecting him for an Ireland 'A' game as a significant springboard to renewing his confidence."

Soccer is proving increasingly popular in Ireland but Brian O'Driscoll reigns supreme according to the Irish Times' Philip Reid.

"It's official. Brian O’Driscoll – by a whisker – is deemed Ireland’s current “greatest” sports star; Stephen Cluxton’s last-gasp point to win the All-Ireland football title for Dublin is considered the most “iconic” sporting moment of 2011; and the Republic of Ireland’s qualification for the Euro 2012 finals has been found to be the “greatest achievement” of the past year.

"Yet, while a comprehensive new survey has found soccer retains its position as the most popular sport, only Robbie Keane has managed to make it into the top-five (and only barely so!) in the list of greatest current sports stars behind O’Driscoll, Rory McIlroy, Katie Taylor and Ronan O’Gara.

"What does it all mean?

"Well, the survey – conducted earlier this month amongst a nationally representative sample in the Republic by research agency AskChili, on behalf of Dublin-based Pembroke Communications – provides an intriguing insight into the sporting sentiments of the public, affirming that almost 80 per cent of the adult population have a genuine interest in sport."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly chats to Connacht's John Muldoon as his side bid to stop the rot.

"When you are on a run of 10 straight defeats, you do anything to break the cycle and there are those in Connacht who believe a scissors could be the best way forward.

"John Muldoon has long been an inspirational figure in Connacht and last week the Portumna man signed a deal to keep him at the Sportsground for another two years. However, some supporters are wondering whether the 29-year-old has put a hex on his team's performances or, more specifically, whether his facial hair is the jinx -- Muldoon has been sporting a lumberjack beard for the past couple of months.

"I've been hearing that I'm a jinx," says Muldoon with a wry chuckle. "There are lads saying I need to shave off this beard because since it came in we haven't won a game. I don't know, I would do anything if I thought we could get the win, but I think I've been playing okay, I'm just incredibly frustrated by the run we are on."

The Irish Independent reckons that Ian Madigan must be on the verge of a call up to Ireland.

"You sensed it was coming. With 77 minutes on the clock and Leinster pushing hard for a seventh try, replacement out-half Ian Madigan cleared out a ruck after Jamie Heaslip took up the ball and, walking casually back into position, assessed his options.

Realising the demoralised Bath defenders were vulnerable on the far side, Madigan broke into a trot and then accelerated onto a pass from the next ruck -- a quick shimmy and he was over.

It was Madigan's fifth try from 11 appearances this season, a remarkable tally considering his position and the fact he started in only six of those matches. It was especially noteworthy when you consider that Isa Nacewa (recognised as one of Leinster's finest attackers and looking as sharp as ever), has managed only one try from 12 games, all of them over 80 minutes."

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley reflects on Munster's latest Heineken Cup success against Scarlets.

"Sunday brunch-time is no time for a Heineken Cup classic and so it came to pass. Munster’s somewhat subdued and laboured 19-13 win over the Scarlets was actually a meat-and-two-veg serving by their standards, although then again Munster tend to save their Euro haute cuisine until January.

"In point of fact though, a fourth win in four pool matches gives Munster a five-point lead in what is an ultra competitive pool and victory in their penultimate pool game at home to Castres could actually secure qualification for the knock-out stages before the last day trek to the stadium.mk against Northampton.

"Compared to the 10-try feast at the Aviva the previous night, events at Thomond Park yesterday almost felt like a different sport, but though something of a slow burner, with the result in doubt until the end, it at least made for a more competitive 80 minutes."

Ireland international Rob Kearney, talking to Hugh Farrelly of the Irish Independent, plays down talk of him taking the national side's armband.

"Rob Kearney says he would welcome the "highest honour" of captaining Ireland, but believes Paul O'Connell or Rory Best are the best options heading into the Six Nations.

With Brian O'Driscoll unavailable until the end of the season, Ireland need a new captain for the Six Nations and Kearney's name has been suggested as a candidate alongside existing vice-captains O'Connell and Best.

The full-back does not turn 26 until March and would fit the age profile if Ireland seek a long-term leader to take them towards the World Cup in England in 2015.

However, while Kearney says he was flattered when his name was linked with the role, he believes there are stronger candidates available to coach Declan Kidney."

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll tells the Irish Independent's David Kelly that his side blew a big chance to make a major impact at this year's Rugby World Cup.

"I kind of look back on just a massive missed opportunity," said O'Driscoll. "I don't really allow myself to think about it too much, because I don't know when again an Irish team could have the same route into a World Cup final.

"But we just didn't do it on the day and I think they peaked. They played their best against us in that quarter-final. And you know that's it in knockout football when you get to that stage.

"It was just a huge, huge anti-climax, because we felt as though during the group stage we had gotten ourselves in a good place to really push hard. And then when you get into a semi-final, I think all bets are off -- it doesn't matter about form, it's just about the teams that turn up. Unfortunately we didn't get to taste that."

David Kelly, of the Irish Independent', looks at Luke Fitzgerald's return to form.

"And so the revival of Luke Fitzgerald continues apace. For anyone who has been eagerly awaiting the return to form of one of Ireland's most naturally gifted rugby footballers, the bad news is that you may have already missed the greener shoots of his latest rehabilitation.

The good news is that this energising healing is destined to continue on Saturday, when Heineken Cup champions Leinster descend upon the banks of the River Avon, where they will attempt to clinically butcher Bath's dwindling European ambition.

Typical of someone who has spent much of his adult life amidst the burning flashbulbs of media hype and burdensome expectation, Fitzgerald managed to strive so energetically well away from the spotlight earlier this season."

The Irish Times' Gavin Commiskey reports on Connacht's fight for further financial assistance.

"Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly is to meet the IRFU management committee today to discuss the ongoing financial plight of the province.

"Their difficulties were further highlighted by the 15-13 home defeat to Benetton Treviso last Saturday, their eighth successive loss and third straight at The Sportsground.

"What was initially greeted as a historic breakthrough season is entering nightmare territory. Qualification for the Heineken Cup, via Leinster winning the competition, only came after four frontline players – Ian Keatley, Fionn Carr, Jamie Hagan and Seán Cronin – had signed for Leinster and Munster (Keatley).

"Of 12 players recruited only two have started more than 50 per cent of the Pro 12 fixtures to date."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly chats to Munster's South African prop Wian du Preez.

"From Greys, he followed the established path through university into the Cheetahs system, where he was blessed with some extraordinary tutelage.

"It was a great learning curve," he recalls. "Myself and Jannie (du Plessis) came up together and we were learning from front-rows like Os du Randt, Ollie le Roux, CJ van der Linde and Naka Drotske. I was blessed to have access to that level of front-row knowledge."

"With international call-ups creating opportunities, Du Preez made steady progress, his best year coming in 2008/09 when he featured on the Cheetahs side that rattled Ian McGeechan's touring Lions (the day Brussow announced himself to a wider audience as a flanker of rare ability).

"However, despite his good form, Du Preez failed to make the Springbok squad for the November tour to Europe so, when he heard Munster were interested in a short-term deal as cover for the injured Marcus Horan, he took the plunge.

"It was a decision that led to his first and, thus far, only cap, as injuries to props in a midweek defeat to Leicester meant Du Preez was in the right place at the right time and was called up for the clash with Italy."

Leinster flanker Shane Jennings typically refuses to shy away from chasing his ambition of playing in the province’s bigger games, writes the Irish Times' Johnny Watterson.

"The IRFU player-welfare system. It has a lot to answer for. Shane Jennings gives the impression it’s not an exact science. In some instances it’s saving the players from themselves and in others saving the players from their clubs.

"The Leinster flanker doesn’t know how many games a season he is supposed to play. A round figure would be 25, modest compared to English and French players, who can exceed 30. And people ask why Brian O’Driscoll didn’t go for the big money in Toulouse or Stade Français. But Jennings is unsure. Not bothered either. “I don’t know what the number is but I think it’s something like that,” he says of the figure of 25 matches."

"...Jennings too will feel some heat, with Seán O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Kevin McLaughlin, Leo Auva’a and Rhys Ruddock lurking around the backrow. “I’d like to be in that,” he says, typically putting his own hand up and refusing to shy away from chasing his ambition and often leading others as he goes.

If the IRB doesn't change its tune, the Heineken Cup will soon be the only game in town, says Neil Francis in the Irish Independent

"I think Lili von Shtupp said it best in Blazing Saddles when she told Hedley Lamarr it was all over. 'You're finished, fertig, verfallen, verlumpt, verblunget, verkackt!' I have no idea what the literal translation is but I feel it says everything about the international version of the game of Rugby Union.

"Anybody who read my synopsis of the recent Rugby World Cup will not be left under any illusion of what I thought of it. The Dublin Corporation Sewage ship could not adequately describe what a crock of shite it was. The last two weekends of Heineken rugby were a stark contrast to the irredeemable gulf in quality and watchability between the very distinct and separate games of union -- namely the moribund, stagnant game of international rugby as it is currently played and the pan-European brand which is flourishing.

"It has already been observed what has happened in soccer. The last three FIFA World Cups have been awful beyond words. Ninety minutes of brain-numbing tedium only occasionally enlivened by the odd penalty shoot-out which is not really soccer."

Leinster and Ireland flanker Sean O'Brien defends the professional rugby player's right to throw off the shackles now and again. The Irish Independent reports.

"On September 17, a tabloid newspaper printed a typically florid account of an international team's booze-filled bonding session in Queenstown's now infamous Altitude bar the previous week.

"Apart from Stephen Ferris becoming an impromptu Page 3 topless model, the story dissipated almost as soon as it hit the news stands.

"Why? Well, aside from the fact that it was the team's only night off in 50 days, or that they all returned home before curfew, or that nobody complained of their behaviour, it was really quite simple.

"The same day the article was published, they beat the pants off Australia when it mattered. Had England managed to combine dwarf tossing with winning rugby, few would have quibbled with their behaviour.

"Results dictate context, especially for punters on bar stools reading about professional athletes on bar stools. And, of course, it's about attitude. Who would you rather have fighting in the trenches beside you, Chris Ashton or Sean O'Brien?"

Writing for Iol.co.za, Craig Lewis ponders the options for the Springboks' No.10 shirt.

"South Africa is blessed at the moment to have a number of young flyhalves that have immense potential and the ability to ensure that any debate around the No. 10 position before the next World Cup will be a healthy one.

"...At just 21 years of age, [Pat] Lambie has also already built up a fair bit of experience at a provincial and international level and has never looked out of his depth. Lambie needs to improve his goal-kicking consistency and requires the backing to settle at flyhalf, but the youngster would be an excellent long-term investment at 10.

"...The Lions’ star [Elton Jantjes] finished the year with a stunning man-of-the-match performance in the Currie Cup final that underlined just how much the youngster has matured over the last year.

"...The Baby Boks flyhalf [Johan Goosen] burst onto the senior scene during this season’s Currie Cup, cementing himself as the Cheetahs’ first-choice flyhalf.

The talented Sias Ebersohn finished the Super Rugby season as the Cheetahs’ No 10 with a number of impressive performances, but such is the talent of Goosen that he became the preferred choice during the domestic season."

Brian O'Driscoll is looking forward to beginning his rehabilitation after successful surgery on the shoulder problem that has ruled him out of Leinster's Heineken Cup campaign. The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports.

"The Ireland captain announced last week that he was going under the knife to correct a persistent shoulder issue and expected to be sidelined for six months, making him unavailable for Leinster's bid to retain their European crown and the Six Nations.

"Having highlighted a first Ireland win over the All Blacks as a major career goal, the hope is for O'Driscoll to return fully fit in time for the summer tour to New Zealand for a three-Test series.

"And that hope was reinforced after this week's medical procedure, with Leinster confirming that O'Driscoll was eagerly anticipating the start of his rehabilitation.

"The operation was a success," said a Leinster spokesperson. "Brian is at home resting and he is looking forward to beginning his rehabilitation over the coming weeks."

Bath prop David Flatman, in his column in the Independent on Sunday, has no doubts that Ireland skipper will return to the rugby pitch following an operation on his shoulder, which has caused others to question his future,

"Brian O'Driscoll is 32, has achieved masses, is regarded as one of the greatest of all time and is seriously injured. Inevitably, news of an operation that will leave him on the sidelines for six months has led to questions over his future. Clearly the two of us are barelycomparable in sporting terms, but one thing we share – because pretty much all rugby players do – is a chemical inability to accept defeat.

"Without being too crass, I suspect his financial position is somewhat more comfortable than mine, so this makes life easier, without question. Mind you, the day he quits I expect a lot of extremely lucrative endorsement deals will also cease, so there are ramifications and, whether it's romantic or not, this is professionalism. But what we know about this man is that he cares. He really cares.

"There have been few more driven men than O'Driscoll in world rugby, and watching him on the field for five minutes tells us all we need to know: he'll be back, and it will be like he was never gone."

Tony Word, writing for the Irish Independent, reflects on the career of Brian O'Driscoll and looks at where his career is likely to go after his latest injury setback.

"It's all about timing, they say, and if ever that maxim rang true it is to the news that our greatest ever player is having an operation to free up the trapped nerve that has been causing him so much discomfort in his shoulder.

Not that I would expect anything different, given the individual concerned, but what I like about Brian O'Driscoll's decision to undergo this surgery now is the way he factored in his quality of life post-rugby.

He may have wanted more from his four World Cups and he should have won the IRB World Player of the Year award in 2009, which inexplicably went to Richie McCaw, but the most celebrated -- and for me the most talented -- rugby player in our history has nothing left to prove."

In the Observer, Kevin Mitchell talks to Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll about life after rugby.

Brian O'Driscoll is terrified. Not of physical pain or even losing. He's petrified of what is to come: the unknown, life after rugby, an existence beyond the one that has made him the ultimate centre of attention.

"When you've done something for more than a third of your life," he says, "your whole adult life, and then all of a sudden you're going to have to switch off and say, no more, you want to grasp as much of it and enjoy the last few years of it as much as you can. Because you can't get those years back."

In the Irish Independent Tony Ward argues that Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll should move to inside centre and give up the captaincy in order to prolong his Test career.

I sincerely believe the time is now right for him to move to inside-centre. It would make for a different playmaking role, but one to which he would be ideally suited at this stage of his career. And what better challenge than helping his outside-channel apprentice learn the ropes alongside the master in the midst of the action?

Think of the benefit to Fergus McFadden, Eoin O'Malley, Nevin Spence, Luke Fitzgerald, Eoin Griffin, Keith Earls or whoever it is to be. Imagine the focus O'Driscoll at inside-centre would demand, thereby creating time and space for the trainee alongside.

There is also the captaincy issue, and here again I would urge that a mature approach should be taken.

The role of captain in the professional age is not as demanding as it once was, but in saying that if passing on the armband lightens the on-field load for O'Driscoll, then it is a decision well worth considering.

Hugh Farrelly of the Irish Independent reveals that with Munster blood in his veins, Peter O'Mahony is determined to carve his own name amongst the province's greats.

"For Peter O'Mahony, it started in the crib.

"'From day one, it was always rugby with Peter,' recalls aunt and godmother Fidelma O'Mahony. 'There was always a rugby ball in the cot with him and he was wearing jerseys as a baby and all the way up, either Cork Con or Munster. He was going to games since he was a toddler and playing for those teams was all he ever wanted - it's brilliant to see how far he has come.'

"That journey has been made over a relatively short period of time and included a stand-out showing in Munster's win over Australia a year ago and being appointed the province's youngest captain last month - just as he was turning 22.

"It has been a story of continual progress to this point from underage rugby with Cork Con (where his father, John, played and is now PRO) to a Schools Cup title in PBC Cork, to senior AIL glory back at Temple Hill, to Munster - with representative honours all the way up.

"As the captaincy demonstrated, O'Mahony now has front-line status in Munster, working alongside players he once used to pester for socks and autographs."

Rugby has slipped into the gutter in the professional era, writes Neil Francis in the Irish Independent

"Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow, the shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing - Abraham Lincoln

"What we are about here is charting the slow, imperceptible erosion of standards, the unambiguous degeneracy of the game. Not the game itself but the people who play it.

"When money comes, empirical evidence suggests that the constitutional standards enjoyed and employed by players deteriorate.

"I was quite happy to endure the slow death of a thousand cuts. Events from the 2007 RWC to the one just past suggest that we will be lucky to get 100.

"On balance, most of the players we have seen in that period have been men of character, integrity and honesty possessed of compassion, a grounded conscience and a working moral compass -- all inherently decent men.

"My problem is that the rotten one per cent has grown from a tiny minority to an uncomfortably prominent subsection and show no signs of disappearing any time soon."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly argues that Ireland must start planning for the future and the 2015 World Cup following the disappointments of New Zealand.

"With the core of the Ireland squad -- the oldest at the World Cup -- unlikely to be around for England 2015, now is the time for younger provincial players to put their hands up.

"The Six Nations is three months away but with Wales and France carrying extra confidence after their World Cup achievements and England driven by the desire to prove their critics wrong, it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive of all.

"Ireland cannot go into that tournament with any World Cup exit residue if they are to prosper in that company.

"The hangover cure starts now -- and it starts with the provinces."

Success hasn't always sat easily with Ireland says Peter Bills in the New Zealand Herald

"Ireland, ah Ireland. Instigators of the biggest upset to date in the Rugby World Cup this weekend and the biggest hangovers known to mankind for some of those celebrating.

"Had there ever been a rugby playing nation less suited to the rigours and demands of professional rugby? Was there ever a nation that so epitomised the fun and frivolity of the old amateur era?

"It is 41 years since Irish rugby enacted one of the funniest sights ever witnessed around the international game. Tony O'Reilly, seven years after what he thought had been his final appearance for his country, received a terse message as he entertained guests in a London nightclub, 48 hours before the 1970 England vs Ireland game.

"Injury crisis. Report tomorrow, 10am, training" it said. And so he did, in his own inimitable style. At the appointed hour, a Rolls Royce cruised through the gates. When it stopped, the chauffeur got out, collected a kitbag from the boot and handed it to O'Reilly as he stepped out.

Alas, O'Reilly was no longer the sleek athlete, as his teammates well knew. As he puffed his way around the training ground, lagging at the back with McBride, Willie John produced his great line. "Reilly, there'd be no point in yer doing all this trainin'. Get yer chauffeur to do it for yer."

Writing in the Irish Independent, Hugh Farrelly implores Declan Kidney to have a tactical overhaul of the Ireland side following their narrow win over the USA.

"Ireland went into their opening World Cup assignment stressing the need to enjoy themselves. This, they said, would see them produce their best rugby and get the campaign off to a positive start.

"There was not a whole lot to enjoy yesterday. Ireland were poor -- worryingly poor when you consider they have produced just one compelling performance (against England in March) to reflect upon from more than 12 months of rugby -- and the echoes of 2007 were sounding loud and clear at Taranaki Stadium.

"This wasn't a warm-up match with nothing at stake; this was the biggest stage of all, with the rugby world watching."

In the Irish Independent, Hugh Farrelly urges Ireland to adopt an all out attack approach in their opening game against the USA.

"It was an American, General George S Patton, who offered the following tactical observation: "No-one ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more."

"Not a bad approach for Ireland to take into their opening World Cup assignment against the US Eagles at Stadium Taranaki. All week, the Irish camp has been stressing that their primary focus is to gain a victory and, of course, that is the case, but they also need to make a statement."

Writing in the Irish Independent, Tony Ward refuses to be too downcast on Ireland's Rugby World Cup chances.

"By any standard, it's been a bad four weeks for Declan Kidney. Yes, there are extenuating circumstances and, yes, we now have a fair whack of players with game-time in the tank, but in contrast to that there's a squad with confidence and collective morale diminishing more and more with each successive defeat.

"Ignore all that guff that says winning in August doesn't matter. In the opening two games, selection was such that winning on the road was as unlikely as it would've been expected. Coming second at Murrayfield and Bordeaux could be conceded to the bigger picture. And like almost everybody else, I bought into that. But the last fortnight has seen us drop to levels of performance unacceptable for a team with semi-final aspirations.

"We have gone from fourth to eighth in world rankings and from top team in the northern hemisphere to fifth now, with only Italy of the Six Nations teams below us. Don't tell me that a sudden dip of that magnitude doesn't impact on the overall psyche -- of course it does."

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley reflects on Ireland's worryingly poor World Cup warm-up campaign.

"Yhey're only friendlies, warm-up games, footnotes in history, etc, and at the outset Ireland would have traded four defeats in August for four pool wins.

"Alas and alack, it was grimly evident from a long way out in Saturday’s damp squib of a World Cup send-off that Ireland would be putting that theory to the test.

"But it’s not the losses that have proved so damaging, it’s more the manner of them and the baggage that’s come with them. Ireland haven’t just lost four matches, they’ve lost confidence, they’ve lost their form and, coming on top of losing Felix Jones a week before, even more cruelly, given it would have been his last World Cup and he’s only played in one before, they’ve lost David Wallace. It left a pall of gloom over the ground which must have further affected the squad’s spirits."

Brendan Fanning, writing for the Irish Independent, believes it is crisis time for the Irish following their fourth loss in four.

"If you read somewhere in the aftermath of this, Ireland's sixth defeat in the last eight Tests, that England wanted it more than we did, then you are reading the comments of someone making an excuse for a team in desperate trouble. And they are in desperate trouble.

Ireland came to Lansdowne Road yesterday not just with those mounting losses in the rearview mirror, but around the corner was the marquee, the big top where all the best performers will be on show in a couple of weeks. And they needed to smarten up their act for that.

Immediately ahead of them was England. Beat them for the second time this year, and there was a decent chance of a morale boost that would lighten the load that's been saddled on us this month. It just got heavier, because that win in March has been confirmed now as paper over a crack."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly believes Ireland will rue the absence of their key trio ahead of the World Cup warm-up clash with England.

"Don't panic. That was the rather frenetic message from the Ireland camp this week as their torrid bout with World Cup warm-up internationals received another flurry of gut punches, with Sean O'Brien added to the injury list and Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney ruled out of this afternoon's clash with England.

As 2007 proved conclusively, you cannot expect to perform at a World Cup if you go into the tournament minus any sort of momentum and, with three defeats on the bounce and five losses from their last seven outings as well as a succession of injury issues, Ireland have all the momentum of a drunken slug.

Thus, of all their frontline players, Ireland needed O'Driscoll today."

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley previews Ireland's clash with England in Dublin.

"All the best laid plans of mice and men, and all that. Declan Kidney had intended heading off to New Zealand next Tuesday with all of his squad having played at least two and a bit games but they’ve inevitably fallen short of that target, with fresh injury clouds hanging over Brian O’Driscoll and Seán O’Brien.

"Discretion being the better part of valour, the captain has not been risked in the line of fire against Mike Tindall, Manu Tuilagi and co after suffering “a stinger” in his shoulder last week, which is probably not unwise.

"As warm-up games go, tomorrow’s latest Anglo-Irish affair – with England in expressed vengeful mode for the events here last March when their Slam was spectacularly derailed – is liable to be on the warm side of roasting, so imagine the furore if O’Driscoll was ruled out of his fourth World Cup three days before departure? Better to have him under-cooked."

After a succession of injuries that have interrupted his international career, Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris is determined to make the most of his inclusion in Ireland's World Cup campaign. He talks to Niall Crozier in the Irish Independent.

"When Stephen Ferris was awarded a commemorative cap for Ireland's ill-fated 2007 World Cup campaign, it meant nothing to him.

"I didn't earn it, so I gave it to my mum," he says. His rejection of it is understandable, for he never played a minute in the 2007 World Cup. On the plus side, no guilt for Ireland's abject failure could be attached to the barnstorming Ulster flanker.

"Four years on, it looked like Ferris might be in for another gutting World Cup experience, with his fitness following yet more knee surgery making him a major doubt. But not having played since January 22, finally on Saturday against France he got a run-out for the last 20 minutes. That was enough to persuade Ireland coach Declan Kidney to gamble on him being ready for the rigours of the World Cup. On Monday, when the party for New Zealand was unveiled, Ferris was one of the 30."

The Irish Independent's David Kelly looks at the two high profile casualties following the announcement of Ireland's 30-man squad for the World Cup.

"Last Saturday morning, Luke Fitzgerald and Tomas O'Leary collected the last of their personal belongings and checked out of the Shelbourne Hotel before making the short coach journey to Lansdowne Road.

There, they would seek to make one final lasting impression upon Kidney and his coaching staff before the 30 names were appended to an email the next afternoon confirming the final World Cup squad selection.

Those who didn't make the cut would be told personally by Kidney before that.

Both Fitzgerald and O'Leary had experienced the joys of winning the Grand Slam and the Heineken Cup, but this would represent one of the biggest challenges of their professional lives, for the World Cup is the pinnacle of a rugby player's career -- a level to which neither had before managed to ascend."

The Irish Independent's Tony Ward reflects on the Ireland squad announcement and believes complacency is to blame for the notable omissions.

"In naming his squad for the World Cup, Declan Kidney has acted with the decisiveness sorely lacking from his team at the Aviva last Saturday. The sense had been of a travelling 30 all but set in stone.

Whatever else it may have done, Saturday's no-show against the French put the cat among the pigeons and Kidney, in axing no fewer than six of his Grand Slam-winning squad, has shown little room for sentiment.

He has picked on form and sod reputation, with Luke Fitzgerald, Tomas O'Leary, John Hayes, Marcus Horan, Mick O'Driscoll and Peter Stringer all consigned to a standby place at best.

It is a bold call but the right one. Only in the case of Fitzgerald could I argue with Kidney's selection -- I feel there is potential game-breaking talent being left at home.

Injury has inevitably played its part, with Felix Jones the most unlucky in that regard. It wasn't that he was setting the world on fire, but certainly there was enough evidence to suggest his place alongside Rob Kearney on the flight Down Under was secure."

The Irish Times' reports from Ireland's World Cup warm-up defeat to France in Dublin.

"For all the talk of Irish rustiness – five of Saturday’s starting team were making their first appearance of the season – you couldn’t help but remind yourself that 13 of this French side were making their seasonal bow on Saturday, and 15 of them had done so a week before.

"Furthermore, this was, after all, Ireland’s notional first-choice pack bar one enforced change, notional first-choice halfbacks and first-choice midfield, and they were at home and led 8-0 after a bright first 10 minutes. Indeed, they book-ended the contest with a further 14 points in the final eight minutes and so, for what it’s worth, they could take comfort in again finishing the game strongly.

"But the problem was what happened in between. As Ireland lost their way with a surfeit of errors, the French, during one 22-minute spell, scored 26 unanswered points and were strutting around the Aviva Stadium as if they owned it – which they pretty much did."

The Irish Independent's Brendan Fanning believes it is time for Ireland to drop Luke Fitzgerald.

"There won't be any need to worry about having your phone on or off this morning. No one will be dreading a text that gives them bad news, or not getting a text that gives them good news. Rather if you bumped into Declan Kidney in the corridor of Carton House yesterday and he suggested stepping out for a chat, then chances are he wasn't about to make your day.

"It will all be done face to face," says manager Paul McNaughton. "There won't be any texts."

It is ironic that just when Ireland put together the busiest programme of warm-up matches for the World Cup, of any of the European teams, they get through the games in reasonable shape but still end up looking at a van load of players who are behind schedule."

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley reports from Ireland's latest Rugby World Cup warm-up clash with Connacht.

"A bit like the rest of the team, Tony Buckley, at loosehead, and John Hayes were in something of a no-win situation; or at any rate could probably gain little from the night. As it was, the night, and especially the scrums, did not exactly enhance their claims.

There were eight in the first half, five for Connacht and three for Ireland. None reflected well on the Irish scrum, but the ones on their own put-in were a source of embarrassment.

Dylan Rogers, a 27-year-old South African signed from Buccaneers last year, and Rodney Ah You, the 22-year-old Kiwi from Christchurch and a “special project” who ought to qualify for Ireland in under two years, each had Hayes and Buckley in trouble. Ah You, who represented the New Zealand Under-19s against Ireland Under-19s three years ago, also impressed around the pitch."

Brian O'Driscoll has called on Ireland to show the type of intensity they hope to bring to the World Cup when they run out to face France at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports.

"O'Driscoll leads a side that shows 10 changes from the one that lost 19-12 to the French in Bordeaux and, after missing the first two warm-up internationals through injury, is delighted to be back and keen to lay down a marker for New Zealand.

"It's great to be back," he said. "It's always difficult sitting out Test matches. I never like missing out and this will be a special occasion.

"There is certainly an onus on trying to win, definitely, but it's also about game time and getting up to speed. We have to have the right mentality, so the intensity and physicality has to be there. We need to treat this as anything but a friendly, try to stamp our authority and play the brand of rugby we hope to play at the World Cup."

Ireland have a solitary win from their last 11 matches against the French and O'Driscoll accepted they have found France tough opponents."

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley previews the clash between an Ireland XV and Connacht this evening.

"Those members of the Irish squad who are being sent to Donnybrook this evening may privately feel they’ve drawn the short straw and one wonders how much they can achieve individually or even collectively. Anything less than a convincing win would be a disappointment, yet the more convincing it is then the more it may look devalued.

Admittedly, at least six or seven of the 22 players on duty here should be on the plane to New Zealand, and it’s possible that one or two spots could conceivably be swayed tonight. For example, Isaac Boss would appear to have every opportunity to cement the third scrumhalf slot ahead of Conor Murray, while if there are to be only four props the last one would appear to rest between Tony Buckley, starting at loose-head, and John Hayes."

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley reports from Ireland's defeat to France in their Rugby World Cup warm-up clash in Bordeaux.

"To a degree, Ireland’s second-half comeback and the narrow failure to extract something from the game should give them the confidence and the extra desire to avenge the loss next Saturday, all the more so with the likes of Paul O’Connell and Jamie Heaslip likely to start [next weekend's re-match in Dublin] along with Marc Lièvremont’s stated intention to give the rest of his squad game time.

“But it’s France again at home,” countered Kidney. “So there’s easier matches to play, it’s not exactly a confidence-builder you’re going into play, you know? The French lads will change, you don’t know how many. But whether France change nobody, eight or 15, it doesn’t really matter. France can turn out three, four teams like that.”

Yet, allowing for this result, inaccuracy in possession in the first-half, the way Rory Best’s darts were dismantled by an exceptional French line-out and the four penalties at scrum time, the positives outweighed the negatives."

Brendan Fanning highlights the importance of tight-head Mike Ross to Ireland's Rugby World Cup bid in The Sunday Independent.

"In case you weren't tuned into Mike Ross's importance to Ireland, you should be now. Having been ignored for longer than was reasonable, he has become the difference between having a scrum and Ireland not having a scrum. Yes, it's possible to win the odd game without one -- Wales managed it earlier in the day in Cardiff -- but it's not a policy you want to adopt.

"So the chance of a draw in Bordeaux last night, and with it a boost to morale having come back from as bad a 40 minutes as we have seen from Ireland, went south on a five- metre scrum that went back. Ross was on the bench; Tony Buckley was in the cockpit, and the plane crashed. It remains to be seen what effect this has on Buckley's chances of going to New Zealand. You need two tight heads on board, and aside from Ross we have one who is too old -- John Hayes -- and another who is not a good enough scrummager -- Buckley. There is no way out of this for Declan Kidney."

The return to full fitness of talismanic leader Paul O'Connell is crucial for Ireland's prospects, according to Gerry Thornley in the Irish Times.

"The best of Paul O’Connell comes with game time, so the more we see of him over the next few months, the better. If there was one Irish player who didn’t want last season to end, it was O’Connell.

"The groin problems which plagued him after the 2010 Six Nations, which were compounded by that red card against the Ospreys and his ensuing suspension, have been well documented. The net effect was that he came into last season’s Six Nations virtually cold, and it was no surprise that his best came last up, in the win over England.

"After just 12 starts and the appearances off the bench last season, his mileage count is at least low, and though he’d like to start cranking it up soon, at least this season he also has a pre-season under his belt."

David Kelly, of the Irish Independent, talks to former Ireland centre Rob Henderson about who he would have lining up in the centres for the national side during the World Cup.

"Rob Henderson was one of the great jokers of the Irish team but he is deadly serious when he says that Brian O'Driscoll should be stripped of the No 13 jersey.

Henderson is advocating the move to ensure Ireland's greatest player can become a more creative influence and allow the younger talents to cut a dash outside him.

"I'd play Keith Earls there (No 13)," he asserts. "And I'd move Brian in one -- especially if Gordon D'Arcy doesn't make it, and that would be a pity because he's been playing reasonably well over the last two years.

"Fergus McFadden slotting in is reasonable enough, I suppose. I would like Earls to slot into the midfield area. But it can't be something that could be realistically done mid-tournament."

The Irish Independent's Tony Ward believes inter-squad harmony is key for Ireland ahead of the forthcoming World Cup.

"Far be it from me to defend that most selfish species, the rugby coach -- most are bold and brash enough to look after themselves -- but how anyone could be critical of what transpired at Murrayfield on Saturday is beyond me.

For all but the final few minutes of the opening game of the season, the Irish shadow line-up -- if it was even that -- went close to beating two-thirds of the Scottish first XV on their own patch.

But where are we going here? In all honesty, does it really matter whether we won 6-3 or lost 10-6? Who cares if the record books now show that on Saturday, August 6 2011, Scotland beat Ireland in a warm-up international in Edinburgh?

Of course those at the heart of it -- the Irish players and management -- will make the appropriate soundings for public consumption, but privately the bottom-line objective was very far removed from adding a 'W' to the ego card in Murrayfield."

Neil Francis, in the Irish Independent, is similarly disillusioned with the entertainment offered up at Murrayfield.

"Yesterday morning I watched a Test match, a real Test match, a Test match of unquenchable intensity. It was something I had to do. A form of fascination which would fortify me against the unendurable mediocrity that I knew was coming at around 2.30 at Murrayfield.

"How do we classify what took place yesterday afternoon? Bogus? Counterfeit? Certainly there were 30 rugby players, there was a rugby ball, apparently there was even one of the best referees in the world on hand, but any passing resemblance to a Test match was purely coincidental."

Hugh Farrelly, writing for the Irish Independent, talks to a bullish Denis Leamy ahead of Scotland's clash with Ireland on Saturday.

"New Zealand - a country where rugby reputations are easily shattered and respect is hard to win.

Paul O'Connell has been down there a few times without ever managing to convince the Kiwis of the quality long evident to northern admirers. Jamie Heaslip was ready to confirm his status as one of the world's finest No 8s last year only to be dismissed - in every sense - as Ireland slumped to a record defeat.

And even Brian O'Driscoll (whose status as one of the finest centres to have ever donned togs is long since assured) still attracts mockery over the 'Speargate' farce on the 2005 Lions tour.

Then there is Denis Leamy. They are not good with names down there - unless you are an All Black -- but the Cashel man's performances over the course of three Tests in New Zealand have certainly registered."

Brendan Fanning, writing for the Irish Independent, looks ahead to Saturday's clash between Ireland and Scotland.

"World Cup warm-ups are fretful times for players, a mix of trying to play your way into the squad without playing your way out of it through injury. And before Declan Kidney can even announce his side to play Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday, in the first of five games in August, Gordon D'Arcy looks like he won't be going anywhere with Ireland until the New Year.

D'Arcy had surgery on an ankle in late June and the six weeks rehab from that leaves him short of any pre-season, which would appear to rule the World Cup out for him altogether. Kidney conceded last week that the timeline was "getting tight" for him. In Kidneyspeak, that sounds like the discomfort a crab experiences at 40 fathoms.

You would imagine that Fergus McFadden was nailed on in any case but the likelihood of D'Arcy's demise promotes further the case of a man whose versatility will be important when September rolls around and we're counting who is left standing and what direction they're facing.

Interestingly, the Scots are taking the low road on this one. Italy will provide their only other opposition before flying south, and relying on just two warm-up games seems unwise, especially when you consider that Andy Robinson took his marquee names out of the closing rounds of the Magners League.''

Ruaidhri O'Connor analyses the World Cup prospects of Leinster's Luke Fitzgerald in The Irish Independent.

"If being left out of Ireland's 2007 World Cup squad at the age of 19 came as a shock to Luke Fitzgerald, imagine how he felt about being dropped during this year's Six Nations.

"Until recently, Fitzgerald didn't do doubts -- he has always been the most single-minded of young sportsmen. He was simply fulfilling his long anointed promise -- the golden child of the schools scene was checking off achievements along the way to greatness.

"But over the last 18 months Fitzgerald has had cause to question himself as never before. Injury, loss of form and criticism were all new to a rising star who hit a bump in the road."

Veteran flanker David Wallace speaks to the Irish Independent as Ireland begin their World Cup preparations.

"Carton House was a busy place to be last week - especially the gym. The latest stop for the juggernaut that is Ireland's pre-World Cup camp was the luxurious hotel and its gym and, according to David Wallace, there was plenty of competition between the players when it came to the sessions.

"Although the Limerick man refused to divulge the name of the biggest show-off, he did admit that there was lots of peer pressure and plenty of banter too. But that doesn't mean the Ireland squad was not working hard. They divided their time between the gym and the pitch doing a variety of sessions. Plenty of conditioning, weights, skills, and fitness work with a few practice games thrown in too.

"After the conditioning, which takes a lot out of the players, they have down days to rest and gather themselves for the next block of training. The levels of preparation that players put in have pretty much come full circle since Wallace started playing professional rugby."

Ireland's Rory Best, talking to of the Irish Independent, looks ahead to Ireland's poignant game against the USA on September 11.

"Rory Best has revealed that the Irish squad have already discussed the emotional impact of staging their match against the USA on September 11.

Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Eddie O'Sullivan's Eagles on the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of 2001 in New York and the hooker believes the opponents will be intent on commemorating those who suffered by putting in a performance in New Zealand.

With their former coach and keen psychologist O'Sullivan in charge, Best and his colleagues know that the coach will use the significance of the day to get a performance out of his team, who will be massive underdogs."

In the Irish IndependentRuaidhri O'Connor talks to Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery about his latest attempt to return to full fitness.

"The Munster and Ireland hooker (32) is in danger of becoming the forgotten man of Irish rugby, appearing in squad announcements and being tipped for comebacks only for another part of his body to break down and revert back to square one.

"The last time he played the full 80 minutes was in April 2010 as his province exited the Heineken Cup at the hands of Biarritz in the San Sebastian sun. It's not even a happy memory to reflect on. He hasn't played an international since earning a six-week ban for an 'attempted kick' on Alexis Palisson as Ireland collapsed to a 33-10 defeat in the Stade de France. Fifteen months and counting."

The Irish Independent's Ruaidhri O'Connor talks to Leinster and Ireland flanker Sean O'Brien who believes he can be his country's secret weapon at the forthcoming World Cup.

"Sean O'Brien reckons he could be Ireland's secret weapon at the World Cup in September, writes Ruaidhri O'Connor.

The Tullow tyro will go to the tournament as European Player of the Year but he is hoping to spring a surprise against Australia in New Zealand. The 24-year-old wants to return from the tournament as one of world rugby's big names.

"That's what you want to do," he said. "Over there I suppose they don't know much about me. Hopefully they will by the end of it."

The Irish Independent's Ruaidhri O'Connor pays tribute to John Hayes as it appears he will not be part of the Munster squad for the 2011-12 season.

"John Hayes could have played his last game for Munster after the province confirmed they have no plans to extend his contract beyond the World Cup.

The legendary prop will turn 38 in November and was left out the 45-man squad published by the province earlier this week, fuelling speculation that he is set to retire after the tournament in New Zealand."

Munster flanker David Wallace was full of praise for team-mate Felix Jones when he spoke to the Irish Independent's Ruaidhri O'Connor.

"David Wallace yesterday paid tribute to the character of Munster team-mate Felix Jones, who has battled his way back from injury hell to make Ireland's World Cup training squad.

The full-back suffered a bad neck injury that kept him out for most of his first season at Thomond Park. Then, after he had regained fitness, the former Leinster man damaged knee ligaments against the Ospreys last September.

Undeterred, Jones bounced back to make the Munster No 15 jersey his own with a string of impressive performances at the end of the season."

John Fallon in the The Irish Independent suggests Ireland will withdraw from next year's Junior World Championship.

"The IRFU is poised to withdraw the Ireland U-20 team from the Junior World Championship from next year because of issues over player welfare and finance.

The shock development comes as Ireland bids to achieve their best finish in the fledgling competition, which has been won in each of its three years by New Zealand.

The Baby Blacks have again reached the semi-finals, while Ireland face South Africa tomorrow in Padua in the semi-finals of the mini-competition to decide fifth to eighth places."

Ireland U20 coach Mike Ruddock faces a daunting opening assignment against England at the World Cup but the Grand Slam-winner is energised by the talented youth around him. The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports.

"When it comes to kicking off tournaments as underdogs against England, Ireland U-20 coach Mike Ruddock has decent form.

"Back in February 2005, Ruddock was in charge of a Wales team that went into their opening Six Nations clash against then world champions England as an unproven force, but, on a memorable day at the Millennium Stadium, eked out an unexpected 11-9 victory that would serve as a launchpad for their first Grand Slam in 27 years.

"History does not reflect too kindly on that England side, which was without a clutch of World Cup-winners and contained the likes of Andy Hazell, Chris Jones, Charlie Hodgson and an 18-year-old Mathew Tait, and the challenge facing Ruddock's Irish side tomorrow in Treviso could be said to be more daunting.

"As usual, England's U-20s are physically enormous and go into the tournament as one of the favourites, having scorched to this year's Six Nations title, rounded off with a six-try 46-10 hammering of Ireland in Athlone. The fact Ruddock must then steel his men for the challenge of South Africa four days later, adds to the size of the task, but the Welshman's solitary focus is on upsetting the English."

Eoin Reddan training in the Ireland camp © Getty Images

Eoin Reddan argues to Ruaidhri O'Connor that Ireland will not flop like 2007 and after experiencing domestic success, they will be a force to be reckoned with come the World cup, in The Irish Independent.

"As a reference point, it's hard to see how Ireland can do much worse than they did in France as the 'best prepared Irish squad in history' from the 'golden generation' failed to deliver in a mad world of rumour, boredom and disbelief.

"Looking back, Eoin Reddan can now see that some of the portents were there for the doom which followed, but after this season's provincial success and the revised build-up, he reckons things have moved on.

"The scrum-half was one of the few shining lights from that tournament, rising from a bit-part player to claiming a starting spot for the key clashes with France and Argentina in an era when changes to the team were almost unheard of."

Eamonn Sweeney charts the rehabilitation of Irish rugby since their Six Nations win over England in The Sunday Independent.

"Irish rugby seems to have been sucked into some kind of strange science fiction-style time warp. Because while in normal life March 12 is less than three months ago, in rugby it seems to belong to a different age altogether.

"March 12 was the day when referee Jonathan Kaplan and touch judge Peter Allan's failure to do their job properly enabled Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips to score a blatantly illegal match-winning try against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium. Messrs Kaplan and Allan had combined to produce an all-time classic of awful officiating.

"The media consensus held that the illegality of the winning score was largely irrelevant. Ireland's loss was seen as incontrovertible evidence that Declan Kidney had lost the plot, that the team was in decline, that we had fallen far behind an England team motoring inexorably towards the Grand Slam, that our own Grand Slam of 2009 was the glorious finale of a golden era which might not come again for some time."

In the Irish Independent Tony Ward picks his 30-man Ireland squad for the World Cup.

"Conor Murray has been a revelation at scrum-half for Munster, but this World Cup has come a tad too early for him. On the assumption that Tomas O'Leary is back firing on all cylinders for August, it will be three from O'Leary, Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss and Peter Stringer.

"Cian Healy, Tom Court and Mike Ross are clearly the three leading props, with 'the Bull' Hayes up for one more World Cup as back-up to Ross.

"Tony Buckley has fallen down the pecking order. And good though it was to see Marcus Horan back, I am not a fan of his on-field antics. Assuming Flannery is out, Rory Best, Sean Cronin and Damien Varley make up the hooking triumvirate, with Mike Sherry next in line."

Writing in the Irish Times, Gerry Thornley believes Irish rugby is in rude health ahead of the World Cup after the exploits of Leinster and Munster this season.

"As World Cup cycles go, the 2010-11 season took to three the number of Heineken Cups and Magners Leagues won by Leinster and Munster in that timespan, to augment the Grand Slam of 2009. But for a lack of tactical ruthlessness and belief at home to France, and being the victims of the worst officiating decision of the season in Cardiff, the season might even have emulated two years ago.

"Of course, Ireland were reasonably well set in 2007 as well, and we all know what happened, while as the All Blacks’ 24 years of hurt underline, what happens in between World Cups counts for far less than the last four months or so. Still, Irish rugby looks in reasonably rude health"

Hugh Farrelly writes in the Irish Independent that Munster's Magners League triumph on Saturday against Leinster completed a successful season for Irish rugby.

"Not a bad way to round off a long, tiring but, ultimately, extremely positive season for Irish rugby.

"Irish provinces won both the Magners League and Heineken Cup -- throw in Ulster's resurgence plus Connacht making the elite European competition for the first time and the 2010/11 season must be marked down as a successful campaign.

"When you consider that Ireland had the ability to win the Six Nations, were it not for a touch of self-doubt against France and an inexcusable lapse of officialdom in Wales, the signs are extremely encouraging ahead of the World Cup, now just over three months away."

The Heineken Cup has been ticked off, next up is Munster in Saturday’s Magners League final and then all Leo Cullen has to worry about are his nuptials next week, as he tells the Irish Times Gavin Cummiskey.

"The scrum resurrection is already ingrained in Irish sporting history. But it was dealt with so quickly at half-time, when the pack gathered around scrum coach Greg Feek’s laptop, that Leinster were “ready to go back out nearly five minutes early”.

“Once the talking was done, which was literally a couple of minutes, we were ready to go. We were waiting at the door just dying to get back out there. I was starting to go, in the tunnel, when we said, ‘hold on, hold on’ as the teams were supposed to come out together but we just went on. That was the feeling – we just needed to get out there.”

"Of course, the real challenge now is to summon up enough energy to wrestle the Magners trophy from Munster’s grasp.

"Another 40 minutes worth reviewing is their second-half display in Limerick on April 2nd."

David Kelly talks to Leinster's Fergus McFadden as he plots a domestic and European double in The Irish Independent.

"It didn't take long for Leinster's thoughts to drift last Saturday. In fact, they hadn't even left Welsh soil when the prospect of a salivating, wounded, envious Munster intruded momentarily upon their exhilarating celebrations.

"No it wasn't mentioned in the dressing-room," recalls Fergus McFadden when asked did the 'M' word pass anybody's lips. "We just wanted to enjoy the moment."

"His colleagues may have coldly calculated their route back from the precipice of defeat, but some emotions were allowed to run riot. For a while, at least."

Former England centre Will Greenwood nominates Brian O'Driscoll as the finest Irish rugby player of all time in the Daily Telegraph.

"Over the past 20 years, I have been lucky to go up against, watch or play with some special men. Horan was special, Bunce magnificent, Guscott magical, Tana the leader, Mortlock so brave, Gibbs immense, Jauzion so graceful, Bateman so underrated.

"At international level I missed out on Sella, but saw him at club games. I played a charity match against Dannie Gerber. Of the current crowd, Jaques Fourie is a match winner at the highest level, while Tindall will always be my go to man in the after life because he stood with me in 2003. Sonny Bill scares me. But, no matter what I do, I still keep trying to find the best of the best and I still keep coming back to O’Driscoll."

The anticipation and expectation surrounding the Heineken Cup final between Northampton Saints and Leinster in Cardiff on Saturday is reaching boiling point, according to Hugh Farrelly in the Irish Independent

"Calm before the storm, breath before the plunge ... take your pick -- Leinster's final media engagement before tomorrow's date with Heineken Cup destiny was a paradoxical mix of reflective excitement.

For players and management, the days, hours and minutes before defining contests such as this clash with Northampton are the best, and worst, part of the job. The sense of anticipation wages war with worry and foreboding as the clock crawls towards kick-off and, while the Leinster contingent painted a pretty relaxed picture yesterday, the Cardiff buzz could not be entirely quelled."

In the Irish Independent, David Kelly applauds Leinster for marching into the Magners League final but fears for their walking wounded.

"Leinster entered the citadel with the scent of blood in their nostrils; Ulster, you reckoned, would be content merely to staunch the flow of the scarlet. But Leinster supporters will wear furrowed brows in spite of securing another final; a burgeoning casualty rate will usher in several sleepless nights.

There was a hack theory that Leinster might hold back -- as risible a proposition as asking Jedward to sit still for more than three seconds. That Leinster were utterly at their ease betrayed the immense physicality required to stifle their limited prey; at times in the second half the scene resembled MASH as medics caromed off each other to treat the wounded."

The rise of Munster's No.9s could finally provide answer to Ireland's scrum-half anomaly, according to the Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly.

"Munster may have had to rely on overseas recruits (with mixed results) in midfield in recent times, but McGahan is spoiled for choice when it comes to homegrown talent at No 9, with Conor Murray and Duncan Williams two quality players to go with the more experienced international duo of Stringer and O'Leary.

"It is an encouraging development and one that precludes the need to look abroad, as Munster have done in the past with the likes of Dominic Malone and Toby Morland.

"Stringer and O'Leary's qualities are well established, although they have had their individual challenges recently in terms of game-time, while Williams' ability was never in doubt; rather the question of his durability following a desperate run of injuries has been the issue.

"Then there is Murray, the real surprise package this season, whose contribution was recognised last week with the Munster Academy Player Of the Year award and whose performances will be rewarded with a senior contract."

Hugh Farrelly salutes one of the stars of Leinster's season, hooker Richardt Strauss, in The Irish Independent.

"The tags applied to Richardt Strauss following his phenomenal contribution this season tend to be size-related and rather obvious, along the lines of 'Pocket Rocket' and 'Duracell Bunny.'

"'Tricky Dicky' would be appropriate given opponents' futile attempts to prevent the Leinster hooker's progress in the loose; or maybe 'Mr T' referencing the seemingly superfluous consonant at the end of Strauss' first name as well as the vertically challenged, but immensely powerful actor who wore pumps to make him appear more menacing in 'Rocky 3.'

"'Richardt The Lionheart' would work for Greg Feek, judging by the Leinster scrum coach's extolling of his hooker's capacity to overcome his size deficiency in a world of giants."

Gerry Thornley previews the Magners League play-offs - whether they are fair or not - in The Irish Times.

"For sure, Munster finished 13 points clear of the rest, and there’s an old-school argument that they should be the champions – as Leinster ought to have been 12 months ago after finishing top (a point ahead of eventual winners the Ospreys). But finishing first still earns the added advantage of a home semi-final as well as the knowledge victory would ensure a home final as well.

"As with second over third the difference between a semi-final at the RDS or Ravenhill this Friday, there’s plenty of incentive to achieve the highest place possible and, if a team can’t make home advantage tell in the semi-final or final – as Leinster failed to do a year ago – then so be it. It’s not entirely fair, but them’s the rules, and, besides, it’s not strictly a level playing field during the 22-game programme given so many matches are shoe-horned into the November and Six Nations windows, leaving coaches unable to pick from a full deck."

Hugh Farrelly talks to Ireland's Jerry Flannery after a season disrupted by injury in The Irish Independent.

"Irish club rugby is frequently referenced when charting the provincial and national successes of the last 12 years, but University College Cork rarely merits a mention.

"Yet, UCC could have a significant role to play in Ireland's World Cup assault in four months' time. Their European Students' Cup success of 1999 tends to be lost in the euphoria that surrounded Ulster's Heineken Cup triumph later the same day but the side that landed College's first significant title since the Munster Senior Cup in 1981 was a seriously talented outfit.

"While the majority of names will be familiar only to keen students of the AIL, four of that team could be playing at the World Cup. Tight-head Mike Ross is certainly one, while Mick O'Driscoll and Peter Stringer are well in the frame. Jerry Flannery is the fourth and, if fit and firing, would be a guaranteed starter at hooker."

Time is not on the side of Geordan Murphy © Getty Images

David Kelly looks at the Rugby World Cup prospects of Ireland's walking wounded in The Irish Independent.

"As the World Cup looms, this is the time of year when the night-sweats start afflicting rugby's hypochondriacs.

"Ireland's injury profile remains a major worry: three of the country's world-class players -- Stephen Ferris, Jerry Flannery and Rob Kearney -- are currently sidelined.

"Another -- Paul O'Connell -- has had repeated injury problems for a year. Nightly, thousands offer novenas that Brian O'Driscoll's hamstrings will continue to function well beyond September.

"And Ireland's front-liners still face another few weeks of intensive combat. How Declan Kidney sleeps soundly is anyone's guess."

Brendan Fanning outlines the differences between Munster and Leinster following a shift of power in Ireland in The Sunday Independent.

"Two images you associate with Munster and the Magners League: the first from when they won it in 2009; the second when they picked up the bronze medal three years earlier.

"The scene in 2009 was post-match against the Ospreys, whom they had beaten without too much fuss to secure the title. You know the ritual: the 'Championays' dance as the victors line up behind the sponsor's hoarding, champagne corks popping and players bobbing up and down like corks on the tide. This one had been preceded by a sort of lap of honour, which was more like a circuit of the graveyard.

"The entertainment value came from a gaggle of kids who had joined in the trot and were infuriating a Munster official who was trying to shoo them away. By the time the players lined up for the snap you had to paint the smile on the faces of Paul O'Connell and Mick O'Driscoll."

Ulster’s South African second-row buried his international disappointment before starting a new chapter in Belfast. It proved to be the best decision of his life according to the Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly.

"The ostrich. The world's largest bird, capable of speeds of up to 70km per hour and -- according to Ulster second-row Johann Muller -- damn fine eating.

"Muller should know, hailing from a farm outside Mossel Bay on South Africa's Western Cape where ostriches are big business. The genial giant is an out-and-out farm boy and, although he has become accustomed to city life after 11 years in Durban playing for the Sharks and in his current abode in Belfast, he plans to return to the farming life once his rugby career is over.

"He never had to kill an ostrich, a nearby abattoir took care of that job, nor was there any inclination to adopt one as a pet, but the 30-year-old has eaten plenty of them.

"Yeah, really tasty," he says. "Magnificent fillets for steaks. It's the only animal that you use every single thing on it -- skin, feathers and the meat."

Harlequins ruthlessly exposed Munster on Saturday © Getty Images

Tony Ward comments on the shifting sands in Irish rugby, and Munster's identity crisis, in The Irish Independent.

"I may be in the minority, but the free- running Brive extravaganza is not the Munster way and most certainly not with the line-up as currently constituted. Not alone must this Munster side earn the right to go wide, even more relevant is the acknowledged forward platform from which they are now departing.

"Harlequins couldn't believe their luck in Limerick, where one forward unit dictated in terms of intensity and, quite astonishingly, it wasn't the one in red. If ever the need for old values applied, it is here.

"Munster's run-in could hardly be better mapped, with three successive home games on the cards to secure the Celtic League title. Although, if (and when) it comes to the big one we all crave on the final day, it could be Croke Park -- and not the Aviva Stadium or Thomond Park -- that may be required to satisfy demand."

Thierry Dusautoir@ a leading light for Toulouse © Getty Images

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly warns that Toulouse cannot be underestimated ahead of Leinster's Heineken Cup semi-final clash with the reigning European Champions as he picks a number of the current squad in an all-time Toulouse XV.

"There are various pundits who reckon Leinster are not facing a vintage Toulouse side when they run out for the Heineken Cup semi-final at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

There have been accusations of Guy Noves overseeing the gradual demise of an ageing team who are moving away from the breathtaking attacking rugby that fostered their reputation as one of the game's most watchable outfits.

Considering that Toulouse arrive as European champions, are four points clear at the head of the Top 14 championship and had the highest pool points differential of the sides that did not have an Italian side in their group, writing this side off seems particularly imprudent."

Ireland Schoolboys claimed a first FIRA-AER Under-18 European Championship with a 17-8 win over England in Tarbes, France. The Irish Times' John O'Sullivan reports.

"It exacted revenge for a 29-12 defeat to Saturday’s opponents in the qualification process at Donnybrook last Christmas and followed up an impressive semi-final win over France. The Terry McMaster-coached team led 11-3 at the break with two penalties from outstanding scrumhalf and captain Luke McGrath with winger Conor McEllin crossing for a 26th-minute try.

"England’s heavier pack had an advantage in the scrum but Ireland’s decision-making, composure in possession and ability to take the right options helped them maintain their lead in muggy conditions at Stade Maurice Trelut.

"McGrath kicked another brace of penalties to stretch the margin to 14 points and although English prop Alec Hepburn got over for a late unconverted try, it failed to take the gloss off what was an accomplished display. It was Ireland’s fourth time to reach the final (they lost to France in 2007, ’08 and last year), but this was the first year the schools team competed as opposed to an Ireland team comprised of club players."

Neil Francis puts forward his view on what Leinster have to do to beat Toulouse in their massive Heineken Cup semi-final in The Irish Independent.

"The cracker croakers are coming to town. Courage in the face of adversity is always welcome but in this case probably not so necessary. If you want to win the Heineken Cup, more than likely you'll have to beat Toulouse at some stage in the competition. Best to meet them in a home quarter or semi. Courage is a fundamental, particularly in a battle of wills, but intelligence is the prime ingredient.

"I say this because I look back and observe what happened this time last year in Toulouse. Whatever you think about Leinster's dubious heritage before they won the competition in 2009, their pedigree has been honed in the blast furnace of competing in knock-out competition and a benchmark was set for bravery in that semi-final.

"The exchanges at the point of contact in that match were feral. Savagery, where the participants forget themselves and any sense of self-preservation, came five minutes after the final whistle. It is obvious to point to the grizzlies in the Toulouse pack -- Albacete, Dusatoir, Millo-Chluski and Servat are people I would not like to meet in an alley with lots of bright lighting, secure cordons and police protection. They breathe physical malice."

The Irish Rugby Football Union has placed bets with a bookmaker on Ireland’s progress at the forthcoming World Cup in New Zealand to cover the cost of player and coach win bonuses. The Irish Times' Gavin Cummiskey reports.

"Following the disclosure, in the Guardian newspaper, that the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) placed bets of up to €284,000 to cover England’s progress to the semi-finals and beyond, the union confirmed to The Irish Times that it has laid similar bets at the previous three rugby World Cups.

“The practice of insuring progression of teams in professional sport is as common as insuring private houses,” said an IRFU spokesman yesterday.

“The IRFU, through their relationship with sponsors, Paddy Powers, effectively takes out an insurance policy on the performance of the team during the World Cup to allow the union to offset and minimise the financial outlay during the tournament.

"IRB regulation 6.2 prohibits any “player, referee, touch judge, coach, trainer, selector, health professional (associated with any team or player), member of team or club management, or any match official” from entering “into any wager, bet or any form of financial speculation, directly or indirectly as to the result or any other dimension or aspect of any match, tour, tournament or series of matches (international or otherwise) in which he is participating.

This, however, does not prevent a governing body from doing so."

David Wallace is not planning on hanging up his boots © Getty Images

Ruaidhri O'Connor talks to Munster flanker David Wallace about his future plans in The Irish Independent.

"As each birthday passes and the big ticking clock moves through the 30s, the phrases 'age is only a number' and 'you're only as old as you feel' become as common as silly birthday cards.

"While you wouldn't know it to look at him, by the time the World Cup rolls around in September, David Wallace will be 35. In the mind of others, Father Time is calling.

"Only three of the 105 players he faced during the recent Six Nations were born before the openside on July 8, 1976 and he is the oldest player Ireland used in the tournament."

Are Joe Schmidt's Leinster on course for a Magners League showdown with Munster? © Getty Images

Munster and Leinster are setting the scene for a repeat of their historic 2001 Celtic League decider - Tony Ward writes for the Irish Independent.

"Hard to believe it is almost a full decade ago, but it was December 2001 when the inaugural Celtic League final was staged at Lansdowne Road. Over 30,000 fans saw Leinster defeat Munster in an absolute belter of a final.

"In retrospect, it was probably the day rugby became a serious competitor with Gaelic games and soccer in the hearts and minds of Irish sporting folk everywhere on this island.

"Prior to that, we had Munster and Ulster -- the latter successfully in 1999 -- reaching the biggest European stage in the Heineken Cup but once Munster and Leinster fronted up, albeit in the lesser competition, a new point in the game's development had been reached. And the ultimate tribal war was under way.

"Lest Munster need reminding, 14-man Leinster took that final 24-20 having had flanker Eric Miller sent for an early shower (just 25 minutes in) by referee Nigel Whitehouse for a relatively mundane incident involving Anthony Foley."

Leinster's Nathan Hines talks to the Irish Times Gerry Thornley ahead of his move to French club Clermont Auvergne.

"The man from Wagga Wagga, a remote marina army base in New South Wales, pitched up in Galashiels with a back pack to see the 1999 World Cup. It was meant to be a six-month Aussie “walkabout” yet, in a sense, he’s still hereabouts.

"Alongside an international career with Scotland which now numbers 72 caps and the ’09 tour to South Africa with the Lions, he’s played almost 200 games in six years with Edinburgh, four with Perpignan and two with Leinster, with two more to come at Clermont Auvergne.

"Yet he doesn’t particularly like the term “nomadic” as it hints at something of a rugby mercenary, with no loyalty. “I don’t see it as derogatory, but as a journeyman, or a rugby player for hire.” He cites his six years at Edinburgh and four at Perpignan as a sign that he’s something of a “serial monogamist, in rugby terms”.

"Indeed, he only left Edinburgh because he had briefly retired from international rugby and thus didn’t fit into Matt Williams’ “Fortress Scotland” philosophy, and had it not been for his decision to accept his Lions call-up and thus miss Perpignan’s French championship final in the summer of ’09, he would probably have stayed there.

"Likewise now, for Joe Schmidt and Jonno Gibbes wanted him to stay, but the IRFU Players’ Advisory Group – perhaps mindful that Hines would be nearly 35 by the time he had finished his World Cup commitments with Scotland – wouldn’t sanction even a one-year deal."

Ulster fly-half Ian Humphreys talks to the Irish Independent ahead of Saturday's pivotal Magners League meeting with Leinster at the RDS.

"When Sean O'Brien was reminded yesterday that the vast prairies of space into which he was ushered at Ravenhill when Leinster steamrolled to victory earlier this season may not be so inviting at the RDS tomorrow night, the Tullow titan responded forcibly.

"'Well, I suppose I'll just have to create my own space then!' came the verbal hand-off. One would have normally expected a group of grown men to wince in sympathy as we thought of O'Brien seeking out the rather large, imaginary bullseye on Ian Humphreys' midriff.

"Well, once we might have done; these days not so much. That's not to say that Humphreys has transformed himself into a Wilkinson-esque paragon of teak-tough tackling.

"Let's just say that he's escaped from the parody wherein he was ridiculed for his defence as much as he was lauded for his often outlandish, insouciant brilliance with hand and foot."

Liam Toland of the Irish Times argues that Munster’s success from the 1990s has been built on Shannon and co in sourcing and nurturing raw talent.

"Traditionally, Munster have done well in the market: Rob Henderson, John Langford, Doug Howlett and many more have graced the famous red jersey. But it is not their arrival that has created the success that Munster have enjoyed, it is the arrival of country talent from the province that moved somewhat by accident into Thomond Park. Ian Dowling, for one, wasn’t sourced by Munster. Neither were other legends such as John Hayes, Mick Galwey or, dare I suggest, the greatest Munster man of them all, Anthony Foley.

"All four of these Munster heroes where first and foremost Shannon sourced, nurtured and harnessed. When I say harnessed, I mean they were exposed to the realities of rugby, the pecking order and its physicality at club level, and only then were they allowed to play for Munster.

"Or more accurately put, only then did Munster want them. An almost finished product, if you will."

Ian Bransfield reports on the future plans of Munster's retiring flanker Alan Quinlan in The Irish Independent.

"Alan Quinlan cut a slightly emotional figure yesterday as he announced his plans to retire at the end of this season, but he hinted that Munster supporters may not have seen the last of him.

"The 36-year-old Tipperary man gave a strong indication that he will remain with the province in a coaching capacity when the curtain comes down on a glorious 15-year playing career.

"A former mechanic, Quinlan laughed when asked whether he might consider a return to the motor industry when his playing days come to an end. "I don't think Pearse Motors will be busting a gut to get me back as a mechanic at this stage," he joked."

Alan Quinlan gets to grips with Leicester's Neil Back in 2002 © Getty Images

Hugh Farrelly salutes Munster flanker Alan Quinlan, who will call time on his career at the end of the season, in The Irish Independent.

""To be a warrior is not a simple matter of wishing to be one, it is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment." - Carlos Castaneda

"One by one, they are dropping off. The last links to the All-Ireland League-driven amateur era which forged the success Irish rugby has experienced, and continues to experience, since 2000.
Munster's Keith Wood, Peter Clohessy and Mick Galwey successfully bridged the amateur and professional days, as did Ulster's Paddy Johns and David Humphreys and Eric Elwood with Connacht -- all long since retired.

"In more recent times, Denis Hickie, Malcolm O'Kelly and Girvan Dempsey have moved on, and John Hayes and Ronan O'Gara are on the last laps of glittering careers dating back to Saturday afternoons in the 1990s when thronged clubhouses around the country stood glued to AIL teletext results, pints temporarily forgotten."

Hugh Farrelly assesses Ireland's options for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in The Irish Independent.

"It's 153 days until Ireland kick off their World Cup 2011 campaign against the US in New Plymouth.

"An eternity for the Chilean miners (who were underground for 69) but for Ireland coach Declan Kidney, it does not seem that long. It will be on us before we know it and speculation on the composition of Kidney's 30-man squad has begun in earnest.

"Injuries cloud the issue; in an ideal scenario Jerry Flannery and Stephen Ferris would be fit and in fine fettle but given how their seasons have been ravaged by repeated setbacks, it does not look good for two of the world-class players at Kidney's disposal."

Chris Hewett looks at Ulster's recruitment drive in The Independent.

"Outmuscled financially by the French – the Eurozone may be falling apart in the real world, but on Planet Rugby it goes from strength to strength – the last thing England's beleaguered Premiership clubs need as they attempt to restore their Heineken Cup credibility is a fresh threat from Ireland. Which is precisely what they face.

"Ulster, who take on Northampton in the third of this weekend's quarter-finals, have set their sights on matching their more illustrious provincial rivals, Leinster and Munster, after a decade of playing second fiddle, and while they will start as underdogs on Sunday afternoon, they will not be outsiders for very much longer."

Paul O’Connell’s latest injury setback is deeply worrying for Ireland’s World Cup aspirations, so what are the options if the unthinkable happens and Declan Kidney’s forward colossus is ruled out? Hugh Farrelly of the Irish Independent looks at the alternatives.

"When Paul O'Connell was being helped off the pitch after 46 minutes of Munster's pulsating victory over Leinster last weekend, the cameras cut to the crowd and those pictures carried their own narrative.

"A group of supporters gazed upon the scene, their faces a study of concern, and the fact they were wearing Leinster jerseys emphasised the gravity of the situation. In the midst of the latest compelling contest between two of world rugby's greatest rivals, tribal bias was subsumed by national concern in the face of O'Connell's distress.

"He is that important."

Is Munster v Leinster the biggest club game of them all? © Getty Images

Tony Ward argues that Munster v Leinster is now the biggest club fixture of them all in The Irish Independent.

"The clock was turned back at Thomond Park on Saturday night as Munster and Leinster produced a match of passion in what is now the biggest club fixture in world rugby.

"It would be too simplistic to suggest the half-time interval turned this game around -- but it certainly had a major effect.

"So clinically efficient were Leinster in the first half that the last thing they needed was a break. With the score 20-9, the feeling was of Europe's form team being home and hosed, irrespective of the temporary halt to their gallop. By contrast, Munster couldn't get into the dressing-room quickly enough to regroup, reassess and reinvent themselves. And how."

David Kelly examines the wreckage after Munster's supercharged Magners League win over Leinster in The Irish Independent.

"Something for everyone in a Thomond theatre charged with electricity. The Magners League's superlative clash thus far allowed Munster to exorcise some pressing local issues of concern, while also enabling them to set their sights on foreign fields with renewed confidence.

"Leinster pointed their noses towards north, armed with a coach-load of regret having produced their best 40 minutes of rugby before crumbling beneath a ceaseless red tide inflamed by passion and desire.

"Joe Schmidt's measured tones masked a fury that will not have escaped Leicester as they plot a Heineken Cup away-day upset next weekend; Leinster have a week to apply some make-up to the second-half blotches and not a moment can be wasted."

After writing a controversial article on the state of Munster rugby in January, Brendan Fanning of the Sunday Independent decides to talk to chief executive Garett Fitzgerald to see where the province is headed.

"BF: There is a perception - perhaps outside Munster - that the organisation got lazy in the good times and are not equipped for a downturn. Is this fair?

"GF: I think it's a harsh criticism and it was written in your article a few weeks ago. I accept though that you based that charge on information coming from within Munster. If you work with Tony McGahan and Paul O'Connell, you certainly don't get lazy because they are two extremely driven men. They have a huge work ethic and demand high standards. We have a very hard-working staff who are focused on achieving what is best for Munster.

"I think at times, small as the island is, the comparisons that are made are not always fair given the geography and demographics involved. Look at Dublin with a population of one-point-something million. As the game has developed in Ireland, Leinster have done well but their whole academy and development is going to be different given the volume of people they have. We haven't changed anything we've been doing over the years but I think that given the success Leinster have enjoyed over the past number of years, what should have been more obvious then is obvious now, given the numbers."

This season will be registered as a disappointing one because Munster were knocked out of the Heineken Cup. That’s the reality, as Anthony Foley tells the Irish Times Anthony Foley.

"While it must be difficult for the Munster fans to get their heads around not being in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1998, making almost everything else this season seem a little anticlimactic, they still have a huge amount to play for.

"There are still home semi-finals to play for in both the Magners League and Challenge Cup (along with a home League final) and all the financial imperatives such big days entail, not to mention two trophies and further enhancing their status as one of the ERC’s top-tiered seeds. With the best winning ratio this season of any frontline team in Europe, most clubs would bite your hand off for such an “unfulfilled” season.

“And we all recognise that,” says Anthony Foley, “but unfortunately, we’re Munster and it will be registered as a disappointing season because we were knocked out of the Heineken Cup in the group stages and that’s the reality we deal with down here.

“But we’re in the professional game, we need to win games, there’s a big game this weekend and there’s a quarter-final that we need to win, for the financial impact it will have. But as players and coaches you win for your own selfish reasons. You want trophies. You want to win European trophies and your domestic league, and that’s where we’re at in our mindset.”

Leinster have beaten Munster in their last five meetings, but Paul O'Connell wants to prove that reports of his province's demise are greatly exaggerated. The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports.

"In years to come, it could well be logged as a seminal moment in the history of Munster rugby.

"Saturday, January 22, 2011, Thomond Park, 12 minutes left on the clock and Ryan Lamb has just converted Sailosi Tagicakibau's try to push London Irish into a 14-7 lead.

"The Exiles are on fire, smelling the glory that goes with becoming only the second team after Leicester in 2007 to win a Heineken Cup match in that famed Limerick stadium.

"Munster are in free-fall.

"The week has been dominated by post-Toulon fall-out, peppered with disturbing, unfamiliar words like 'crisis', 'revolution' and 'panic' as Irish rugby tried to get its head around Munster not making the last eight of the Heineken Cup for the first time in 13 years.

"Paul O'Connell stood tall as the players gathered behind the posts. Between injury and suspension, Munster's second-row and captain was featuring in only his fourth match of the season, but the gravity of the situation was not lost on him."

Jerry Flannery looks to be in a race against time for possible World Cup selection after Munster coach Tony McGahan confirmed yesterday his season is now over. The Irish Times reports.

"The 36-times Ireland international underwent an operation on Tuesday to repair a troublesome calf injury which has kept him sidelined since the turn of the year.

"Flannery will now face into a three-month recovery period and will play no part in the remainder of Munster’s season.

"With Declan Kidney due to name his World Cup squad on August 22nd, time is still on Flannery’s side but there remains little margin for error.

"Already this season he has attempted two comebacks (against Toulon and Ulster), both of which ended with the Limerick man breaking down owing to problems with either calf.

"Asked whether this latest procedure represented a last-chance saloon for the 32-yea-old hooker, McGahan refused to speculate, but conceded his immediate future now lies in the hands of the medical team."

Sean Maitland dives over during a Crusaders masterclass at Twickenham on Sunday © Getty Images

Gerry Thornley of the Irish Times found that watching Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams at Twickenham again underlined the imposing scale of the task facing New Zealand’s World Cup opponents.

"The performance and the game of the weekend, by some considerable distance, was the Crusaders’ five tries to four win over the Sharks at Twickenham in aid of the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. Coming a week after the conclusion of the Six Nations, this was rubbing Europe’s noses in it.

"Admittedly, it helps when conditions were perfect, they had a top Southern Hemisphere referee in Steve Walsh and the hindmost foot/offside line was obeyed/enforced. (Why don’t European referees and their assistants pay more heed to this?) The Crusaders had their bonus point by the 32nd minute thanks to sublime, yet simple, attacking rugby, target runners invariably coming from deep and ditto support runners (especially their wingers and fullback), who poured through the middle to feed off the best outhalf and inside centre combination in the world, for if Sonny Bill Williams doesn’t open you up, Dan the Man Carter will.

"Williams is almost the perfect amalgam of pace, power, footwork and handling, particularly that bear-like right paw of his with which he confounds conventional coaching by holding the ball out in front of him one-handed. It’s doubtful whether the game has ever seen a better offloader out of the tackle."

In his weekly column in the Irish Independent, Tony Ward welcomes the arrival of the Shamrock Warriors but casts doubt over the Irish Rugby Football Union's committment to Sevens rugby.

"Yesterday in Dublin saw the launch of the Shamrock Warriors as the first 'recognised' Sevens rugby club in Ireland.

"Former Ulster and Leinster coach Matt Williams will act as its technical director, while former St Mary's out-half Fergal Campion coaches the men's squad and ex-Ireland player Sarah Jane Belton takes charge of the women's team.

"Former Ireland wing Denis Hickie has an honorary chairman role in the new initiative dedicated exclusively -- we are assured -- to the long overdue development of the abbreviated game in this country.

"As someone who believes wholeheartedly in the truncated version of the game and cannot understand why we let IRB Sevens involvement pass us by, I am sceptical about the IRFU's commitment to the Sevens game."

The Irish Times' Gavin Cummiskey reports as Blackrock College beat St Michael’s College in the Leinster Junior Cup Final.

"The Battle of the Rock road. An instant classic due to the manner victory was achieved, this captivating match will always be remembered for the heroics on both sides.

"St Michael’s have now lost five successive Junior Cup finals. It is a depressing statistic but merely enhances the quality of player being continually produced by the Dublin 4 rugby nursery.

"Blackrock made it 46 Junior titles yesterday and on this evidence the recent dip in senior success will not continue for much longer. The massive ’Rock pack looked poised to steamroll over their smaller opponents in the opening exchanges. The key for St Michael’s was to hang on in there during those intense opening assaults."

In the Irish Independent Neil Francis hails the impact of Miker Ross in stabilising Ireland's previously shaky foundations.

"Mike Ross has this facility to tuck his right shoulder tight to his opponent and at the same time being square and giving his second row ample buttock to work behind. Very often a tighthead might have his opponent where he wants him but the way his arse is positioned might mean that his second row can't get 100 per cent of his weight and thrust behind him and the scrum as a whole might not be as solid as it should be, or might not be able to put forward pressure on.

Ross ticks all the boxes. It means the team can plan. We can think about scoring off scrum ball again. It means Kidney and Smal get to sleep at night and the quid pro quo reduces as they belatedly get to work on Ross's body shape and his tackle count."

Tony Ward weighs up Ireland's World Cup options following their impressive win over England last weekend in the Irish Independent.

"We are a long way from being the finished article needed to compete with the Southern Hemisphere three, but as a serious work in progress Ireland have shown enough to offer real hope.

Last Saturday's superb performance against England has raised the bar and, with it, public expectation. The talk now is of a World Cup semi-final slot being the minimum requirement.
You would expect the 22 named for duty against England to travel to New Zealand. To that, add Jerry Flannery (if fit) and Tomas O'Leary alongside Wallace as specialist cover at hooker, scrum-half and out-half respectively.

Should Flannery fail to make it, then it will be Damien Varley next up, with Isaac Boss covering the base of the scrum as well. That leaves just six positions to be filled. Here is where Declan Kidney must earn his corn. Does he go for a 16-14 forward-back split, or is 17-13 the more sensible option, given the guaranteed attritional rate up front?"

The Irish Times' Johnny Watterson talks to Leicester fullback Geordan Murphy on his recovery from injury and his hopes for the future.

"Geordan Murphy is hoping that highly specialised treatment will have accelerated the healing of his ankle enough to allow him make a claim for a World Cup place with Ireland in September.

"The 32-year-old full-back was carried off on a stretcher near the end of Leicester’s win against Northampton at Welford Road at the start of January and underwent surgery to stabilise a dislocated ankle. The screws and pins that were inserted are to come out early next month.

"The treatment, hyperbaric therapy, is an emerging medical speciality that quickens the healing process by using oxygen under pressure. The procedure, which takes place in a chamber, increases blood and oxygen supply to the wounded areas and promotes the healing process. In 2004 Manchester United’s David Beckham used similar methods when he broke a bone in his foot. “We have a chamber in our training facility at Leicester,” said Murphy. “It’s like a diving chamber where they increase the pressure and you breathe pure oxygen. I was doing that treatment for a month or so, which I think was beneficial. The doctors were happy with the way it went and thought there was improvement. But I won’t know for certain until I get the iron ware out of my ankle. I’ll have another operation on April 12th for the metal work to be taken out.”

As thoughts turn to domestic matters, Donnchadh Boyle flags up some players for Declan Kidney to keep an eye on in The Irish Independent.

"With memories of Ireland's epic derailment of England's Grand Slam hopes still burning brightly, the focus switches back to the Magners League this week, with all four provinces in rude health heading into the final stretch.

"Munster, Leinster and Ulster occupy three of the four semi-final positions along with the second-placed Ospreys, while Connacht are well on track to finish off the foot of the table for the first time since the 2006/07 season, when the now defunct Scottish Borders propped up the league.

"Many of the front-line Irish players are not expected to return to action until the Magners League matches on the weekend of April 1-3, which include Leinster's trip to Munster and is a week before the Heineken and Challenge Cup quarter-finals."

Tony Ward argues that the IRFU have got it just right in waiting until fter the World Cup to offer Declan Kidney any new deal in The Irish Independent.

"We are an amazing little nation when it comes to extremes. Win and we are the best in the world; lose and we are the worst, devoid of hope and without any possibility of ever finding our way back.

"Both viewpoints are, of course, nonsense, with the truth as ever lying somewhere in between. In 2009 we won a Grand Slam and Championship which we could have lost.

"Two years on and we have fallen short in our bid for the same two titles, which we might well have won. The margins between winning and losing at the highest level are that thin. Whatever your take on Declan Kidney, you can't but admire the humility with which he goes about his business."

Hugh Farrelly calls for a change in perception around the Irish outside-half debate in The Irish Independent.

"Someone once noted that perception is strong and sight is weak and that is certainly the case with the Irish rugby team during this confusing Six Nations championship campaign.

"Judging by some of the reaction to last Saturday's defeat in Wales, the perception for many is of a squad in disarray and yet proper viewing reveals encouraging progress in foundation areas such as scrum, line-out, kick-offs, defence and discipline that were previously causes of concern.

"The problem is that, while these aspects of Ireland's play have undeniably come on as the championship has progressed, this is still a team somewhat at odds with itself and time is running out for the "pieces of the jigsaw" to come together."

Peter Bills gives his two cents on the recent refereeing farce that unfolded at the Millennium Stadium in The Independent.

"Two men made serious blunders at Cardiff last Saturday that directly influenced the outcome of the Wales v Ireland match. But neither of them was the referee.

"One was Irish fly half Jonathan Sexton, an undistinguished second half substitute, and the other was Scottish assistant referee Peter Allen. Between them, they brought chaos to an international match.

"Sexton erred by kicking the ball out on the full after 49 minutes. Then Allen made the crass error of losing concentration, failing to follow the flight of the ball so that he would have seen the same ball was clearly not used for the quick throw-in for Mike Phillips’ try that proved the crucial difference in the match."

Ireland's loss in Wales was a bitter pill to swallow © Getty Images

Gerry Thornley, writing in The Irish Times, believes that beating England this weekend has become imperative for Ireland in the wake of their loss to Wales.

"This is all becoming a little tediously repetitive. An Ireland team so close yet so far from tearing up trees, and darned match officials, whose influence on games in this Six Nations has been far, far too pronounced. Ireland have had the rawest deal, and perhaps they are paying for incurring the wrath of the IRB and refereeing fraternity to a degree with their reaction to last season’s law amendments.

"In any event, if you’re an Arsenal fan as well as an Ireland one, two disgraceful decisions by match officials at critical points leave a particularly sour taste. Match officials are human beings. They make mistakes, all the more so when they only have a split second. The key is probably to give themselves a time-out as much as they possibly can."

Hugh Farrelly reflects on a key moment in England's 2003 Grand Slam in The Irish Independent.

"The infamous 'stand-off' of 2003 might just get some airplay this week. Just a little.

"Martin Johnson's first return to Lansdowne Road; the fact that he has graduated from captain to manager and is poised to land England's first Grand Slam since lifting the trophy that afternoon; Brian O'Driscoll once again standing in his path as Ireland captain; St Patrick's week and a World Cup looming.

"Mash it all together and you have all the elements you could possibly require for another jingoistic, tub-thumping showdown -- the main difference this time around being that pride not silverware is Ireland's primary motivation."

Hugh Farrelly analyses a famous rugby heartland, Cork, and the pros and cons of living in what is 'a big city but still a small town' in The Irish Independent

"It adds up to a pretty sizeable chip ("bigger than your Jackeen chips, boy") on Cork shoulders and, when natives return, there is an accusatory tone to the routine questioning. "So, are you up in Dublin now...the whole time?", "When are you moving home?", "I'd say you miss the Republic?"

"Those are the cons to Cork, but there are plenty of pros. Moving back permanently may not be on the agenda but it is a cracking city to visit. The pints of Beamish represent quality, affordable imbibing; Cork slagging surpasses that available anywhere else in Ireland (including the over-hyped 'Dublin wit') and then there is the sport -- the primary reason to be proud of your Cork roots."

Keith Wood offers some personal advice to Ireland about how to deal with criticism in The Daily Telegraph.

"In the days of the pomp of the All Ireland League my team, Garryowen, were blazing a trail through all-comers and I was suddenly thrust into the rugby limelight.

"I loved every minute of it and lapped it up. Munster had played and beaten Australia the previous week and although I sat on the bench for that game I leapfrogged the Munster incumbent, Terry Kingston, to gain my place on the national bench.

"Everything was all right in my world as new friends emerged and praise cameg from all angles – I was on the crest of a wave. And worst of all and maybe naturally as a naive youngster, I believed every bit of it, well, the good stuff at least."

Gerry Thornley previews Ireland's Cardiff clash with Wales, a game he sees as being 'set reasonably fair', in The Irish Times.

"No changes for Ireland, but two significant ones for Wales; the net effect being that both sides seem intent on putting their best attacking feet forward. Throw in a southern hemisphere referee with two positively inclined teams, and Saturday’s latest meeting between these feisty Celtic rivals looks set reasonably fair.

"The only possible blight on this landscape may be the weather, although Saturday’s forecast for Cardiff is for a fairly nippy evening with little in the way of wind and some light drizzle. Either way, it requires both camps to agree for the Millennium roof to be closed, and Declan Kidney strongly indicated yesterday that Ireland will not be so inclined.

"Asked about the roof, the Irish coach quipped: “It’s open apparently. I wouldn’t mind that, a lot of noise goes out through the roof.” But asked specifically whether he would agree to the roof being closed, he smiled again. “A bit of fresh air never did anyone any harm.”

Tony Ward of the Irish Independent analyses the difficult job Ireland boss Declan Kidney has in keeping all of his squad members happy.

"There's a temptation to read a lot into the naming of 12 additional players to join an extended Irish squad ahead of next weekend's trek to Cardiff and the final showdown against the steam-rolling English at the Aviva seven days later.

"It makes for an enlarged squad of 34 but if there is any real relevance, it is in the context of the World Cup. It is a difficult balancing act for Declan Kidney in attempting to keep a dozen or so peripheral players happy. When you add Stephen Ferris, Jerry Flannery and Rob Kearney -- three automatic World Cup selections if fit -- then three of those named for 'guinea pig' duty this week will lose out.

"The players might know it but it doesn't make it any easier for them. In their minds, as it should be, they are the best for their position irrespective of the coach's take. Kidney wouldn't want it any other way.

"The player on the fringe who doesn't believe he is better than the man in possession shouldn't be involved at all. "

In his weekly column in the Irish Times, Gerry Thornley writes that Jonathan Kaplan and his fellow Southern Hemisphere referees are overseeing what at times almost looks like a different sport in the Super 14.

"Interestingly, Saturday’s referee, namely Jonathan Kaplan, will be the first from the Southern Hemisphere Ireland will have encountered in the Six Nations. Kidney and the Irish management don’t always avail of the opportunity to speak to referees on the evening before the game, but they would be well advised to do so this Friday, not least because Warren Gatland will.

"Furthermore, Kaplan and co are refereeing what at times almost looks like a different sport in the Super 14. Last Friday, Kaplan (sporting a new, cropped hairstyle which makes him look even bossier) oversaw the Auckland Blues’ 41-32 – and five tries to four win – over the Lions at Coca Cola Park (ye gods, formerly Ellis Park!).

"It was particularly striking, again, how the defending team rarely committed more than the tackler and next player in, and sometimes not even him, to the ruck. There was still a contest, as such, if the next player in could get his hands on the ball."

Munster boss Tony McGahan hailed impact of the new kids on block in the wake of their Magners League victory over the Dragons - Ian Bransfield reports for the Irish Independent.

"Veterans Mick O'Driscoll, Doug Howlett and Alan Quinlan were all among the tries for Munster as they powered their way to a bonus-point win over the Dragons on Saturday night, yet it was fledgling rookies like Conor Murray and Simon Zebo who received much of the post-match commendation.

"There was a decidedly youthful look to Tony McGahan's starting XV and especially so at half-back, where 21-year-old Murray was paired with his Garryowen clubmate Declan Cusack, also 21.

"And while Cusack had a solid outing in the No 10 shirt, it was the performance of Murray at nine that really caught the eye.

"Making his first start at senior level, the Limerick tyro looked assured throughout, bossing his forwards around the park and servicing his backs with wonderfully sweet passing."

Tony Ward discusses the dreaded 'game plan' and players' rigid adherence to strategy in The Irish Independent.

"While the game has changed dramatically in recent times, not least in terms of skill development and physical conditioning, I'm not too sure it is any more exciting now than in times past.

"I am not of the 'ah but in our day' generation -- far from it; I respect and appreciate scientific advancement, particularly in a sporting context.

"My one fear, and I do witness it first-hand at under-age level, is the robotic adherence to preordained strategies in the dreaded 'game plan'."

Hugh Farrelly takes aim at the Twitter hordes following Ireland's narrow win over Scotland in The Irish Independent.

"Twitter - don't use it, don't like it, don't trust it. But it's impossible to ignore as it continues to worm its way into every fissure of existence.

"The election, Ireland beating England at their own game, Usher lowering a few in city centre Dublin, it seems every event from the momentous to the inconsequential now prompts the question: "What's the reaction on Twitter?"

"The journalism business is parasitic by definition: you earn a living charting the achievements of others. That is not about to change any time soon, but it does not mean you have to go over the top."

Jamie Heaslip has not been shy in coming forward © Getty Images

David Kelly analyses Jamie Heaslip's recent criticism of the Ireland selection policy in The Irish Independent.

"Sometimes perception is everything. As Ireland imploded during the 2007 World Cup, marooned in a soulless warehouse far from the civilised world, not one player from this privileged group sought to question what most on the outside perceived to be a rapidly disintegrating escapade.

"Not one player -- or coach for the matter -- questioned the suitability of the squad's conditioning or the fact that the first-choice XV had been effectively swathed in cotton wool since the conclusion of that year's Six Nations.

"The ultimate result? Ireland performed dismally at the World Cup and yet, astonishingly, few players or coaches sought to intelligently assess a freefall into decline that was only arrested when Eddie O'Sullivan left the head position following the 2008 championship."

Gerry Thornley looks at the recent treatment of Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer in The Irish Times.

"Undoubtedly, it helps that he and Ronan O’Gara have an intuitive understanding. O’Gara always looks a better player outside Stringer and it was great to watch the two in tandem on Friday night, whipping the ball out to midfield in the minimum time. Sexton, for the time being, can only imagine what it’s like, having heretofore played the grand total of one match on the end of Stringer’s service, against Argentina last autumn.

"One can’t help but feel Gordon D’Arcy, Brian O’Driscoll and the Irish backline would benefit accordingly. Perhaps not entirely unrelated, Lifeimi Mafi looked back to his self-confident best again on Friday. For his outside break in the 13 channel off quick ball from the tail of the lineout in the build-up to Munster’s third and Doug Howlett’s second try, the ball arrived in Mafi’s hands on the gain line in rapid quick time."

Hugh Farrelly talks to injured Ireland fullback Rob Kearney as the debate about the No.15 jersey rages on in The Irish Independent.

"The Irish have long been known as a nation of begrudgers, but also a people that, as recent history testifies, do not appreciate what they have until it is gone. Sport is particularly vulnerable to both traits.

"Former Waterford hurler Paul Flynn, a regular target of terrace abuse in spite of his consistent match-winning displays, is one example.

"Rob Kearney, the full-back currently rehabilitating from a knee injury that has ruled him out of action since November, is another."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly believes a strong performance against Scotland at Murrayfield will give Ireland a huge lift for the rest of the tournament.

"Confidence would eradicate the fluffed passes and knock-ons currently riddling these Irish players and Murrayfield next weekend is the perfect chance to locate that missing ingredient.

"The Scots drew on the confidence gained from their Croke Park triumph and used it to fashion excellent results in Argentina (twice) and at home to South Africa. However, after a decent showing in Paris, they looked woefully short on confidence (Sean Lamont aside) at home to Wales last time out, incapable of stringing coherent passages of play together and uncertain in defence.

"Now, it is up to Ireland to prey on that insecurity and use Scotland as a springboard for the remainder of the tournament and on to the World Cup."

With Tony Buckley's departure to Sale and the scrum continuing to plague Munster, the question of front-row production has become a live one down south. The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly reports.

"In many ways, Tony Buckley was the great, white hope.

"Since he first caught the eye as Shannon's socks-rolled-down, front-row behemoth at the start of the last decade, 'Mushy' was seen as the long-term future for Munster and Ireland rugby, regularly referred to as 'the new John Hayes'.

"Ten years on and, despite 88 provincial caps and 21 for his country, the 30-year-old has never conclusively proven his worth at the top level in the one area where prop-forwards are defined -- consistency. There is no questioning Buckley's talent, his performance off the bench against Fiji in 2009 stands unchallenged as the most skilful by an Irish prop in the modern era, while there are other displays that readily come to mind."

David Kelly talks to Ireland prop Cian Healy about rugby, hip-hop and art in The Irish Independent.

"November 15, 2009. It is minutes before Ireland play Australia in Croke Park. The stadium is buzzing. The crowd are cheering. The tannoy is screeching. The Irish dressing-room is bustling.

"Cian Healy hears none of it. His head is throbbing with a rhythmic, pulsating hip-hop beat. The music must imprison him in order for him to liberated from outside distractions, thoughts and needs.

"Jerry Flannery can't believe what he's seeing. This debutant bouncing around, drumming his fingers on his tree-trunk thighs. "Normally fellas would be white with the fear," Flannery reports afterwards."

Ireland and Leinster stalwart Brian O'Driscoll chats to the Irish Independent's Vincent Hogan having signed a new deal with the Irish Rugby Football Union.

"Maybe it's taken all this time to strike a contented balance, for there is no drudgery in the discipline now. He says he treats himself occasionally. The night of the recent Heineken Cup defeat of Saracens, he drove down to the Diep noodle bar in Ranelagh to collect dinner for himself and Amy.

"From there, he stepped across the street to a newsagent's and, for a self-confessed "chocaholic", this isn't always wise. "I saw this large bar of Toblerone," he says, laughing now.

"So I'm thinking 'God I love that stuff. We won today. We won well. Maybe I deserve it'. So I come out of the shop, I'm walking across the road and -- of all people to meet -- I see Gordon D'Arcy. He hadn't played that day because of injury and he's like 'Well, well, well, well, well, what do we have here?'

"He's caught me in the act. I'm standing there, with this big bar sticking out from under my oxter -- it's difficult to hide something that size -- and I immediately go on the defensive. I'm like, 'Some of us played 80 minutes today, maybe some of us deserved it!' Sure enough, within 24 hours, that bar of Toblerone was gone. I felt justified. But then you go in that Monday and I think it makes you train harder because you feel you've got to get it out of your system."

Hugh Farrelly takes a critical eye to a new-look Ireland selection for their Six Nations opener in The Irish Independent.

"One new cap, three players making their first Six Nations starts and a backline set on attack mode -- Ireland's team to take on Italy in Rome on Saturday represents something of a new departure.

"Of course, injuries have been a significant factor in this selection, but it has allowed Ireland coach Declan Kidney to set a fresh template, kicking on from the Grand Slam format of two years ago and pointing the way forward after a relatively disappointing 2010.

"Not least in the front-row where Kidney has, belatedly, turned to the scrummaging power of Mike Ross."

Gavin Mairs talks to one of Ireland's brightest hopes - Leinster flanker Sean O'Brien - in The Daily Telegraph.

"Sean O’Brien. Remember the name. If the Leinster back-row forward does not yet enjoy a high profile beyond the shores of Ireland, there is a good chance he will be a household name across the home unions by the end of the RBS Six Nations Championship.

"The Carlow-born 23 year-old has, quite simply, been the outstanding player of the Heineken Cup pool stages, one of the main reasons the Irish province finished as the second-best ranked side in the quarter-finals from a pool that contained heavyweight opposition in Saracens, Clermont Auvergne and Racing Metro.

"O’Brien, playing his first full Heineken Cup campaign, scored four tries as Leinster won five out of their six pool matches, with his ball-carrying and phenomenal work rate earning him his first start for Ireland against Samoa last November. The Amlin Opta match statistics for Leinster’s victory over Saracens at the RDS Arena in Dublin in January reveal just what a potent attacker he has become in a side which includes such forces of nature as Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald and Isa Nacewa."

Fintan Drury represents a new breed of player agents the IRFU fear as their cosy world of contract negotiations begins to be torn apart by ‘the soccer element'. The Irish Independent's David Kelly reports.

"Where once the IRFU sought to conduct their contract negotiations on their terms and at their pace, at all times assuming the status of something akin to a 19th century benevolent landlord, Drury's tactics have launched a wrecking ball at the comfy establishment.

"And the lords of IRFU are not happy. Chief executive Philip Browne has fulminated publicly at the prospect of "agents" -- we noted how he spat the word out earlier this month -- taking money out of the sport.

"Inside IRFU walls, treasurer Tom Grace and director of human resources Maurice Dowling are digging their heels in as Drury seeks to negotiate the best possible deal available for his players, Jamie Heaslip and Jonny Sexton.

"Outside IRFU walls, much of the negotiations are being conducted via the media -- linen is being washed in the full glare of the public. This the IRFU do not like."

Will Jonny Sexton be playing his rugby in Ireland next season? © Getty Images

Vincent Hogan compares the contract negotiations of Jonny Sexton with those of James Hook, who will join Perpignan next season, in The Irish Independent.

"Jonny Sexton will have been hungry yesterday for the finer detail of James Hook's impending move to France.

"The Wales utility player announced that he will play his rugby with Perpignan for the next three seasons. Sky Sports reported that Hook's salary would be worth "nearly £500,000 per season"; an extraordinary sum, yet not an entirely unbelievable one, given the spending history of some of the plutocrat owners in the Top 14 (French Championship).

"Hook was born exactly two weeks before Sexton in 1985 and would probably be seen as having a roughly similar market value. Both are current internationals, albeit Hook's versatility has enabled him to play for Wales at full-back and centre as well as his preferred fly-half position."

Gerry Thornley praises the impact of Joe Schmidt at Leinster as the Kiwi coach emerges from the shadow of predecessor Michael Cheika in The Irish Times.

"Michael Cheika was always going to be a tough act to follow, and the affable and honest Kiwi Joe Schmidt unfairly came under the microscope when Leinster lost three of their first four League games in September, all away from home while the Irish front-liners were gradually being re-introduced. But he looks like just what Leinster needed.

"Cheika, one of the brightest young coaches around, laid the foundations of a hardened professionalism and steely desire, but, with the emergence of Mike Ross and arrival of Greg Feek helping to stabilise the scrum, the former Clermont backs’ coach has added a more ambitious running and offloading game. In terms of their approach, they are the nearest thing to the All Blacks in Europe right now.

"He’s been helped, too, by the continuing emergence of more young jewels off the Leinster production line, but 24 points and 21 tries in such a Heineken Cup group was a remarkable effort. Only Leicester and Perpignan scored more, with 14 of the Tigers’ 25 tries and 10 of Perpignan’s 23 tries coming against Treviso."

Ospreys winger Tommy Bowe tells Ruaidhri O'Connor about the plusses of his move to Swansea in The Irish Independent.

"It was a sense of adventure that made up Tommy Bowe's mind to up sticks and move to Wales.

"Rather than staying at home in Ulster and going with the status quo, the Monaghan man signed for the Ospreys and hasn't looked back.

"And not only has he developed his on-field abilities since transferring to Swansea, Bowe has become more than just the quintessential flying winger."

Munster's Heineken Cup hopes have been dashed by they remain in the hunt for the Amlin Challenge Cup © Getty Images

Writing in his column for the Irish Times, London Irish's Bob Casey sees no reason for Munster to hit the panic button.

"Only great teams can sustain the consistency of success that Munster have achieved over the last decade. Great clubs find a way to come back when playing personnel changes.That is the challenge facing Munster now.

"Every team goes through down cycles. Just look at the Six Nations. England were the dominant force for a long time, then France and then Ireland had their time. In the English Premier League, Chelsea, and Arsenal before them, took command before inevitably struggling when senior players departed. The trick is to realise and accept you are not as good as you were the previous season and plan for the future. It is about minimising the down period. It requires about two years of planning and development.

"Munster are doing just that. They are out of the Heineken Cup but into the Amlin Challenge Cup. A European trophy remains an aspiration. And they are top of the Magners League. Not bad for a team supposedly on an irreversible downward spiral.

"There remains a great honesty about their leaders. We saw this in the post-match interviews of Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell in Toulon. A clever combination of recruitment and promotion of the next generation (those who are ready, that is) is crucial to regenerating a team as quickly as possible."

George Hook in the Irish Independent believes that Declan Kidney has a number of big selection calls ahead of Ireland's Six Nations campaign.

"It is the back division that raised eyebrows. How Kidney can justify the selection of Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls and Andrew Trimble ahead of Fergus McFadden is a mystery. The coach has picked five wings, three centres and one injured full-back, clearly in the belief that Fitzgerald and Earls can also play at full-back or centre. Neither player, partly perhaps because of injury, has demonstrated anything like their early promise, nor is there evidence this season that either can play anywhere other than on the wing. Trimble remains a big, strong, fast young man of adequate defensive abilities and undelivered promise. Meanwhile, McFadden, not to mention Eoin O'Malley, is bang in form.

The forwards too give cause for concern. Finally, Tony Buckley has been exposed and John Hayes, at an age when he should have his feet up in front of a fire, is asked to perform a job that he can no longer accomplish, which seems to indicate that Mike Ross is now the frontrunner for the number three shirt. Ross is no wunderkind at the scrum. He is a journeyman in his 30s who failed to convince Kidney at Munster and Dean Richards at Harlequins.

The evidence of Friday's game in Paris indicates that he is adequate and no more. A Six Nations starting in Rome will be a big step up in class. Ross is one of four prop forwards in the squad, none of whom can perform their primary task at the highest level."

Writing in the Irish Independent, Tony Ward insists all is not lost for Munster in Europe as participation in the Amlin Cup Challenge can facilitate their recovery.

"The suggestion that the visit of London Irish to Limerick for a European Cup tie represents a dead rubber is very wide of the mark. It's up to the fans to do their bit on the Thomond terraces, but for those centre stage, there's not only a professional job to be done, but there's still a massive incentive in gaining European Challenge Cup qualification.

Tony McGahan will have ample opportunity in the coming weeks (running parallel with the Six Nations) to give youth its fling in mixing and matching his Magners League line-ups. To have the added incentive of Amlin Challenge Cup involvement would add immeasurably to the season from here on in.

The opportunity arises here to blood the likes of Ian Nagle, Duncan Williams, Dave Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Sherry and others in a different playing environment and level of intensity to Magners League."

Former Springbok Pedrie Wannenburg tells the Irish Independent's Peter Bills that helping Ulster return to Europe's top table his prime motivation.

"They're an easy target at which to direct your fire, ideal victims of the cheap shot. What on earth are all these South African rugby players doing over here in Ireland, the UK and France? Working hard on their personal pension funds, of course, say the cynics.

"Aren't they creaming it financially, the whole lot of them? Aren't too many playing rubbish rugby? But do they care? Isn't all that matters the dough?

"Well, those are some of the common perceptions in a few people's minds. But Pedrie Wannenburg wishes to offer a case for the defence.

"Ulster's 30-year-old former Blue Bulls and Springboks back-row man puts a very different perspective on the whole overseas slant. He certainly offers a stirring defence of his own motives for playing northern hemisphere rugby.

"Wannenburg, the first player to play 100 Super 14 matches for the Bulls, says flatly: "If you want money, if that is your only interest, you don't come to this part of the world. You go to Japan and don't worry about your rugby career any more."

January 20, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/20/2011

Pecking order remains to be seen

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley analyses the composition of Ireland's squad for the Six Nations.

"The old truism within Munster’s ranks that the better the team performs collectively the more it will be reflected individually in the composition of Irish squads still holds true now, albeit in a reverse way.

"On foot of their first elimination from the Heineken Cup in the pool stages for 13 campaigns, the big losers undoubtedly are Tomás O’Leary and Tony Buckley, neither of whom have made the cut for Ireland’s 32-man squad for the RBS Six Nations Championship.

"Instead, each has to be content with a place in the Irish Wolfhounds squad, whereas Mike Ross, along with Peter Stringer and Eoin Reddan, have apparently jumped ahead of Buckley and O’Leary in the national pecking order.

"For O’Leary it is quite a fall after a couple of years as the clear, first-choice Irish number nine, though this is also a reflection on his struggles to regain form and obtain more game time since suffering a broken hand at the end of November.

"However, the degree to which yesterday’s 32-man Six Nations squad and 22-man Wolfhounds squad – which has one vacancy remaining at fullback and will be supplemented by further players following the weekend games – is a cut and dried pecking order remains to be seen."

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/20/2011

O’Driscoll Boost

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has given the clearest indication yet that he is willing to finish his career in Ireland with Leinster.The Irish Independent's David Kelly writes.

"O'Driscoll's contract is due to expire following this year's World Cup and, although he said he is not under pressure to make a decision, his glowing tributes to new Leinster coach Joe Schmidt's impact with the province might make him reconsider his options.

"O'Driscoll hinted last year that he might be willing to discuss a move to Stade Francais, where Leinster's Heineken Cup-winning coach of 2009, Michael Cheika, is based.

"With Jamie Heaslip and Jonathan Sexton yet to be offered new deals by the IRFU, Leinster could ill-afford to also lose their talismanic midfield star, who turns 32 tomorrow. He had also hinted at retirement in recent times, but ahead of Leinster's trip to Paris to face Racing Metro in the Heineken Cup round six clash tomorrow, O'Driscoll declared that he may shelve talk of retirement.

"I'm feeling good," he said. "Feeling like I'm not ready to go yet, fit; more importantly, I'm really enjoying what I'm doing, more so maybe than I did for many years."

January 19, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/19/2011

Munster under the microscope

The Irish Independent gangs up on Munster in the wake of their euro exit - including the thoughts of David Kelly.

"The alarming increase in indiscipline this season has been simply derived -- when a team's performance dips, the efforts to stem the tide result in increased mistakes and indiscipline. Hence the scrum -- where John Hayes has been unable to live at the highest level of competition -- has been exposed. In turn, David Wallace and Ronan O'Gara have struggled to carry the load, while ridiculous indiscipline from Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan signify a team struggling to maintain its former eminence. Doug Howlett's Christmas shenanigans completed the misery; that senior players allowed such a situation to develop reflected poorly on the group as a whole."

January 17, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/17/2011

Leinster show strength in depth

Leinster's Shane Jennings fends off Saracens' Nils Mordt during their clash at the RDS © Getty Images

The hotter Leinster perform the more coach Joe Schmidt appears to take down the temperature according to the Irish Times' Johnny Watterson.

"In an open, running game that will have thrilled many around Ballsbridge, Seán O’Brien was again at the centre of the demolition and will force Ireland coach Declan Kidney into that place he loves to be prior to the beginning of a Six Nations Championship, the land of tough backrow decisions.

"The impression was Leinster were rampant. Apart from that 10-minute phase just before half-time, as they cruised towards the break but tuned out as Saracens ran in two tries – through winger James Short, after Luke Fitzgerald misplaced a pass to Isa Nacewa, and backrow Kelly Brown touched down – the rugby was a delight.

"There was quick recycling, some wonderful off-loading and support play but, best of all, confidence in their ability to break from defence with ball in hand and deliver cutting passes under pressure.

"True, Saracens appeared to lose interest, or at least the body language told a story of a defeated outfit midway through the second half. But that crushing dominance was of Leinster’s making in the way they relentlessly took the ball on."

January 16, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/16/2011

Fear of failure harnesses old guard

Munster's Donncha O'Callaghan and Peter Stringer believe the side's experiences of near misses in the past will prove a huge advantage when they face Toulon on Sunday. The Irish Times reports.

"Time was when beating touring sides used to define them, but not any more. While scalping the Wallabies in November was nice, and leading the Magners League with daylight to spare is nicer still, were Munster to exit from the Heineken Cup tomorrow their season would be seen as abject failure.

"To a degree, this is unfair. No other team has ever reached the knock-out stages for a dozen years in a row. If, or more likely when, it comes to an end, this record is unlikely to ever be equalled. In that timespan even the mighty Leicester went out at the pool stages four times, while Toulouse came up short of the last eight on three occasions. No one has a divine right to a place in the last eight. Not even mighty Munster.

"Yet, were Munster eliminated tomorrow, much of the rest of the season would seem anti-climactic, beginning with what would amount to the unthinkable, a dead rubber against London Irish next Saturday at Thomond Park instead of one of those do-or-die Anglo-Irish showdowns in their Limerick citadel."

January 15, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/15/2011

Provincial hat-trick can steady the fleet

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley offers his thoughts on a weekend set to define the Irish season like few others – until next weekend anyway.

"The rugby-mad town of Toulon is, by all accounts, in a tizzy. Toulon club president Mourad Boudjellal admitted yesterday: “There is a huge fever in the city and I’ve got to admit I’m unable to do my business as usual as club president because I’m so excited – I’m in a trance. But there is a big question in my mind, ‘are we not usurpers?’, and my fear is that on Sunday afternoon we might be saying: ‘God, America is so far away’,” he commented, meaning that beating Munster is beyond them.

“We are aware that we are going to be faced by a legend and it’s incredible, even Al Jazeera has asked for the rights to this game. Toulon at the Stade Mayol will be seen by 60 per cent of the universe,” he quipped excitedly.

"Toulon’s thirst for revenge following their 45-18 defeat at Thomond Park last October adds a frisson to the occasion. Boudjellal – who has chided Munster about being owned by the IMF, though he has also endorsed an unlikely appeal on the Toulon website to emulate Thomond Park in ensuring silence for the goalkickers from both sides – applied some pepper to the sauce yesterday."

January 14, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/14/2011

Scent of cordite in the air

Toulon boss Philippe Saint-Andre is plotting Munster's downfall © Getty Images

The prospect of knocking out the mighty Munster from this year’s competitiion is stoking the home fires in Toulon, writes the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley.

"As with this entire European campaign, Philippe Saint-André has sought to play down Toulon’s ambitions. The way he describes it, arriving at this stage in proceedings as pool leaders in their debut Heineken Cup campaign has almost been an accident. But a bit like their run to the Amlin Challenge Cup final last season, they seem to have a taste for the European stage.

"Perhaps it’s because of their high quotient of big-name foreign players, Toulon have more of a ready-made understanding and desire for the European competitions than other French sides. Admittedly, the 45-18 defeat in Thomond Park put their Euro pedigree into perspective, but the scent of cordite in the air for Sunday’s return meeting at an eagerly sold-out Stade Felix-Mayol could make them more dangerous.

"As is reflected in his team’s rugby, Saint-André is a very pragmatic man. European rugby is important for him and their litany of overseas’ players, as well as the interim future for the club given it will increase their profile and generate money.

"Affectionately known as le Goret (the pig), there would assuredly be a part of Saint-André that would love to avenge three successive defeats with Sale since they beat Munster in the 2005-06 opener, not to mention two defeats with Bourgoin and the meeting last October."

January 10, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/10/2011

Reds show their warrior spirit

Munster's narrow Magners League victory over Glasgow left boss Tony McGahan with many posers ahead of their European clash with Toulon according to the Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly.

"There are certain occupations that are defined by pressure -- bomb disposal expert and Taoiseach are two that come to mind, but head coach has to be right up there.

Sitting in front of Glasgow's Sean Lineen in Musgrave Park last Saturday night was an instructive experience. Over the course of 80-plus Magners League minutes, the former Grand Slam-winning centre clung on to the rail of a Big Dipper ride of vacillating emotions.

"...If Lineen was feeling the pressure, he should spare a thought for his Munster counterpart Tony McGahan. Glasgow are out of the Heineken Cup and next weekend's meeting with Wasps, essentially, means nothing to them -- Munster's trip to Toulon means everything."

January 9, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/09/2011

Drop in standard of care striking

An independent survey by the Irish Rugby Union Players' Assoacition has revealed an alarming drop in medical care as well as some other worrying trends, writes the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley.

"Furthermore, nearly one in four players also expressed unhappiness with a surgeon or specialist they had been referred to, with the added feeling that the leading players were given preferential treatment. Although a degree of dissatisfaction was to be expected, some of the responses alarmed the IRUPA chief executive Niall Woods.

"The survey is given added credibility due to the high response, almost 75 per cent, of the 150 or so members of IRUPA on either international, provincial or development contracts (academy players were not included). Furthermore, the confidential survey was conducted independently by BDO consultants in Limerick (part of a global chain of chartered accountants), throughout all four provinces in May last year.

"The most striking area where there were problems, which I had been receiving calls on anecdotally throughout last season was the medical area, and the drop in standard of care that the players felt there had been,” explains Woods. “This was backed up then by the stats in the survey."

"

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/09/2011

Older, wiser and revelling in pressure

Paddy Wallace is in a good place right now and he believes that Ulster are too, as he tells Brendan Fanning in the Irish Independent.

"At 31, he is the oldest in the Ulster squad now that Bryn Cunningham has moved on. "Can you actually believe that?" he asks. Well no, at least not without checking first.

"One thing you don't associate Paddy Wallace with is being the grand old man of any group. It doesn't seem that long since Eddie O'Sullivan was giving him his first start in green, against the Pacific Islands in 2006. It was Ireland's last Test at the old ground, and Wallace scored 26 points.

"But, as the most senior of a young squad, old he is. Old and content with what he sees about the place. "I'm enjoying it immensely and I'm encouraged by all the youth around me now. It keeps you going and keeps you invigorated and energetic." You'd swear he was 60.

"It's a feature of Ulster these days that they are not short on fresh blood. And all of it swilling around the midfield where Wallace has been doing a job since 2001. They are the only province this season to have given regular, competitive gametime to -- including Wallace -- five home-grown centres: from the pair who won caps in North America 18 months ago, Ian Whitten and Darren Cave, to the latest and youngest to be transfused, Luke Marshall and Nevin Spence."

January 7, 2011

Posted by Huw Baines on 01/07/2011

A grim start to the year

Can Ireland challenge the big guns at the World Cup? © Getty Images

Hugh Farrelly takes a few minutes out from a diet of Christmas take-aways to tip Ireland for the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup in The Irish Independent.

"It's been a grim start to the year. The recent water shortage had a calamitous effect on hair hygiene, with the result that this much admired mane has lost its customary lustre.

"Phone pollution has run rampant due to people's misguided notion that everyone in their contact book wants to receive generic New Year's messages riddled with choreographed jollity (note: any man who texts smiley faces should be checked for hidden ovaries).

"And our comfort eating has become so chronic that a recent gargantuan takeaway order had to be supplemented with "and two cans of Diet Coke" to distract the Chinese woman on the end of the phone from our sad, solo gluttony."

January 6, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/06/2011

Getting the hit right

The Irish Times' John O'Sullivan talks to Leinster prop Mike Ross who has his mind set on making up for a penalty try when Leinster meet the Ospreys tomorrow.

"The concession of a penalty try is an abhorrence to a prop so it’s hardly surprising to learn Mike Ross took it personally; the slight invaded his sleep patterns for a few days. The particular moment occurred during Leinster’s 19-15 defeat to the Ospreys in a Magners League clash at the Liberty Stadium earlier this season. The two teams meet again in the same tournament tomorrow night, this time at the RDS.

"There are mitigating circumstances as Leinster had two players in the sin bin at that particular moment when referee David Wilkinson chose to make his value judgment. It offers little succour to Ross, as the Ireland and Leinster tighthead prop, a player renowned for his ability at scrum time, recalled the memory.

“I didn’t sleep well that night or for a couple of days afterwards. It’s something I take very personally, take a lot of pride in. Before that I don’t think I gave away a penalty try in eight years. I was fairly raging afterwards.”

January 5, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/05/2011

McGahan facing his defining moments

Crunch time approaches for Munster boss Tony McGahan © Getty Images

Munster coach Tony McGahan's reputation rests on ability to clear his side's Heineken Cup hurdle, according to the Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly.

"January, named after the Roman god Janus, has been described as the "gateway to the year".

"Janus appears to have been some sort of bouncer (carrying the dubious title of 'god of doors and gates') but he was still the guy who decided whether you kicked on or had the door slammed in your face -- a lot like January in the Heineken Cup.

"Munster triumphing in must-win pool games against English opposition at a heaving Thomond Park in January has become one of the great traditions of this competition over the last 15 years. This season, London Irish are the side lined up for the treatment handed out to Gloucester, Sale, Wasps and Northampton in previous campaigns and Toby Booth's side will have a fair idea of what to expect when they run out in Limerick on January 22.

"However, the game that is the true gateway to Munster's season takes place the week before in Toulon."

January 4, 2011

Posted by Mark Doyle on 01/04/2011

Foreign legion

Hugh Farrelly of the Irish Independent selects his Overseas XV currently plying their trade in Ireland - and casts his eye back over the hits and the flops.

"If 2009 was Rocky's year, then 2010 belonged to Isa. When it comes to overseas signings leaving an impact on Irish rugby, then Rocky Elsom's contribution over the course of one glorious Heineken Cup-winning season with Leinster will be nigh on impossible to top.

"However, Nacewa's consistent excellence for the province in a variety of positions has made him a cult hero among Leinster supporters, while second-row Nathan Hines has also proved to be an excellent signing.

"However one feels about an out-and-out Australian declaring for Scotland and then playing his club rugby in France and Ireland, there is no doubting Hines' commitment to whatever team he togs out for, and his physicality and experience were invaluable in Leinster's recent back-to-back clashes with Clermont.

"Finally, hooker Richardt Strauss, a peripheral figure last season, has been sensational since Joe Schmidt took over, stepping up to the plate in a big way after John Fogarty was forced to retire."

Posted by Mark Doyle on 01/04/2011

Kidney can't ignore O'Brien against Italy

In his weekly column in the Irish Independent, Tony Ward reviews performances of the four provinces over the festive season.

"Leinster travelled to what was once 'Fortress Ravenhill' and bullied the Ulstermen into submission. And here the finger of blame points firmly in the direction of the expensive, much-lauded Springbok imports.

"That feeling of Ulster folk being sold short in the immediate aftermath of that game was added to with Brian McLaughlin's admission as regards his selection for Limerick, that he had told the players prior to Christmas that he would be fielding what would be effectively two separate teams. You would have expected the heavily loaded line-up that faced Leinster to come out firing with all cylinders on their home patch.

"Instead, in the absence of the talismanic Stephen Ferris, it was Sean O'Brien who ruled the Ravenhill roost. The Tullow man simply must run out in Rome for the opening Six Nations joust, with the back-row position his to lose after that. On the simple premise of form, he's a shoo-in. Nor can there be any counter-argument as regards balance, with a Ferris/ O'Brien/Jamie Heaslip trio picking itself, leaving either David Wallace or Denis Leamy as cover for all three positions on the bench."

January 3, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/03/2011

Flannery braced for bad news

Munster hooker Jerry Flannery is bracing himself for bad news today when the details of his latest injury breakdown are disclosed. The Irish Independent's Ian Bransfield reports.

"figure as he was helped from the field 28 minutes into his Munster comeback during Saturday's victory over Ulster at Thomond Park.

The source of concern was once again a calf muscle, although not the same one which has curtailed his involvement for much of this season already.

Flannery was taken for a scan yesterday and the results should be known by today.

Speaking after the match, coach Tony McGahan gave no indication as to the severity of the situation, but confirmed that it was a fresh injury and not a recurrence of his old problem.

"He's quite upset and everybody is feeling for him," said McGahan. "He's worked really hard to get back to where he was, and there's no doubt that he'll get back from this one as well."

January 2, 2011

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 01/02/2011

Rugby apartheid row

The Irish Government vetoed grants for rugby-playing schools in the wake of the Lions tour to South Africa 30 years ago. The Irish Independent's Marie Crowe reports.

"The Fianna Fáil government feared that making grants available to rugby would be seen as tacit state approval for South Africa's apartheid regime and damage Ireland's chances of becoming a member of the United Nations Security Council.

"The newly-published state papers for 1980 reveal that senior figures within the Fianna Fáil government, including then Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Lenihan and the minister for state with responsibility for sport Jim Tunney, strongly opposed the tour and also made it known that IRFU plans to tour South Africa in 1981 would be frowned upon.

"The Lions tour, which was a highly controversial one, was opposed by the Irish and British governments and also groups against sporting relations with the apartheid regime in South Africa.

"The Tour manager was Syd Millar, current chairman of the IRB, and coach was Noel Murphy. The Lions lost the series 3-1 in the absence of many of the top players."

December 31, 2010

Posted by Huw Baines on 12/31/2010

Awards time

Hugh Farelly serves up his end-of-year awards following a mixed time for Irish rugby in The Irish Independent.

"It's a tradition as old as the game itself, the end of season awards, and this year is a little tougher than 2009 when Irish rugby swept all before it.

"A hit-and-miss Six Nations was followed by a challenging, injury-ravaged summer tour that produced no victories but did flag the potential of younger players just over a year out from the World Cup."

December 29, 2010

Posted by Jonny McLeod on 12/29/2010

Crisis? What crisis?

Munster have come under pressure in the Heineken Cup and Magners League but remain a force © Getty Images

Writing in the Irish Independent David Kelly delivers his verdict on the fall out from Munster's Magners League win over Connacht.

"Crisis? What crisis? Munster ease seven points clear in the Magners League after beating Connacht but still the microscopic lights arrow in with all the intensity of a police grilling.

"A crisis!" laughed Tony McGahan, presumably still privately seething at the outbreak of farce that attached itself to his players' Christmas festivities with the worst possible timing.

It is clear that a defeat in Galway would have heaped more pressure on the coaching staff. "Look," said McGahan when asked whether the media coverage of his side's partying was the best preparation for this encounter, "we came back off a defeat against the Ospreys, so it was really important we got a result against a side who've proved very difficult in all the derby matches. That was our priority."

Yet still Munster came under the spotlight for their alleged gamesmanship during the final scrums when Connacht sensed a penalty try against a back-pedalling scrum; a canny substitution as a battalion of Munster backroom staff hurried to the scene left Connacht coach Eric Elwood in little doubt that shenanigans were afoot.

McGahan protested his innocence when he twice offered to display the hapless Dave Ryan's injury for all to see. It all smacks of a team under pressure, compounded by Alan Quinlannow joining back-rowers Peter O'Mahony and James Coughlan on the injury list as a crucial January hovers into view.

But then, the beginning of the new year is the business end for hardened outfits like Munster; soon, their dithery December may seem like a distant memory should they negotiate a safe passage to the Heineken Cup quarter-finals for a 13th successive season."

December 28, 2010

Posted by Jonny McLeod on 12/28/2010

O'Brien he's good

Writing in the Irish Independent, Ruaidhri O'Connor praises the impact of backrow Sean O'Brien after another eye-catching performance for Leinster.

"The inspirational Sean O'Brien scored two tries as Leinster pillaged Ravenhill to go fourth in the Magners League and enter the New Year in pristine condition.

Although their Heineken Cup condition looks healthy, Ulster were left reeling from a stunning display by the visiting side that left huge question marks over the performance of their South African imports against a Leinster side shorn of 10 frontline players.

O'Brien and back-row colleagues Dominic Ryan and Rhys Ruddock gave a barnstorming performance in Belfast, as Joe Schmidt's side squeezed Brian McLaughlin's men in every department.

Leinster's only regret was that they didn't pick up a bonus point in their 30-13 win."

December 27, 2010

Posted by Huw Baines on 12/27/2010

Ferris is vital

Hugh Farrelly evaluates Ulster's plight without Stephen Ferris in The Irish Independent.

"We are at the halfway point of the season and it has been a case of so far, so acceptable for Ulster rugby.

'Good' would be stretching it a bit due to the less than convincing nature of the province's performances, but the fact Brian McLaughlin's men have managed to win six and draw one out of nine Magners League matches, as well as securing three wins from four in the Heineken Cup, deserves recognition.

"However, reservations stem from the fact that Pool 4 is made up of new Italian outfit Aironi, a distinctly average Bath team performing with a notable lack of confidence and Biarritz, last season's beaten finalists, but notoriously brittle on the road, as they proved when losing in Aironi."

December 26, 2010

Posted by Mark Doyle on 12/26/2010

Western project facing its biggest threat from within

Brendan Fanning of the Sunday Independent argues that the impending loss of Ian Keatley to Munster sums up Connacht's current dilemma.

"We are about to witness the long goodbye. Less than three seasons since they went to Connacht, Ian Keatley, Sean Cronin and Fionn Carr have embarked on a lap of honour - starting tomorrow at the Sportsground against Munster -- that will take until early May to complete.

"They are a mixed bunch: Carr has proved he can make an impact in the pro game; Cronin is already doing the same thing in the international arena; and Keatley is somewhere between the two. All are keen to kick on. And Connacht are not sure exactly what the future will look like without them.

"Keatley's case is the most pressing. The emergence of Jonny Sexton three years ago, after two seasons finding his way around Donnybrook, gradually and prematurely closed the debate on Ireland's problems at 10. Then the issue became one of who should be picked -- O'Gara, the master, or Sexton, the impatient pupil -- rather than what would we do if anything happened to O'Gara. Because Sexton quickly became so good people forgot that our depth in this position is puddle stuff.”

Posted by Mark Doyle on 12/26/2010

Irish squad rankings all to play for in local derbies

Writing in the Sunday Independent, Jim Glennon reveals that there is always more than pride at stake in the festive season's now traditional inter-provincial clashes.

"I sent a text to one of my former charges in Leinster after their outstanding performance last week. I also wished him an enjoyable Christmas. He immediately replied thanking me, but reminding me too that for professional rugby players there is no such thing as Christmas! In Irish interprovincial rugby, this is derby week.

"These Christmas games are not your run-of-the-mill Magners League games, and while they might not reach the pitch of a Heineken Cup game, they are still a level or two above the routine encounters.”

December 23, 2010

Posted by Jonny McLeod on 12/23/2010

Little luck for the Irish

Munster's fixtures will be tricky but their destiny remains in their hands © Getty Images

Writing in the Irish Times, Gerry Thornley says the scheduling of the final two Heineken Cup rounds gives the Irish sides cause for concern.

"Neither Munster nor Leinster will feel the scheduling for the final two rounds of Heineken Cup pool games has done them any favours. Both have been given six-day turnarounds, while in Leinster’s case their last-day opponents, Racing Metro, will have had an extra day’s rest. Furthermore, they will be among the first results in on the final weekend, which is never particularly helpful.

By contrast, Brian McLaughlin and Ulster will at least be grateful that they have a seven-day turnaround between their games against Biarritz at Ravenhill on Saturday, January 15th, and their trek to Aironi a week later.

Ideally, though, they might have liked one of their traditional Friday night cauldrons in Belfast for the visit of Biarritz, instead of a Saturday afternoon.

At least though, all three provinces have their destiny in their hands."

December 19, 2010

Posted by Jonny McLeod on 12/19/2010

Heineken Cup refereeing at crisis point?

George Hook writes in the Irish Independent that refereeing in the Heineken Cup is ‘reaching crisis point’ and Munster’s must take responsibility for their ill-discipline.

"Munster face a difficult task in qualifying for the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup after a defeat by Ospreys yesterday. With Toulon winning over the London Irish, the trip away for Munster will rank with any in their long and distinguished history. In the past, the possibility of an away win was real but this time the side does not appear to have the armoury up front to take on teams with serious intent.

The most dominant figure in the game was referee Romain Poite. He allowed everything and exerted little or no control. The result was a match of fits and starts that delivered little or no continuity. Refereeing is now reaching crisis point in the Heineken Cup. The Ulster game in Bath was dreadfully refereed and it got worse in the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

The second most noticeable figure for all the wrong reasons was Tony Buckley whose performance yesterday must surely end his pretence at being an international prop forward. The Munster scrum was awful and improved not a whit with the arrival of John Hayes. However, Hayes is at the end of a career whereas Buckley continues to make a mockery of Declan Kidney's rejection of Mike Ross.

This week has seen Munster's one-eyed reaction at its worst. Ex-players were rolled out on the media to extol the virtues of Paul O'Connell and the dastardly actions of Jonathan Thomas who pulled his shirt. Listening to former international Mick Galway this week, one expected Benedict XVI to come to Limerick to canonise the Young Munster lock. Galwey went further to suggest that the Munster scrum had been outstanding this week. Frankie Sheehan even went so far as to suggest that the Welshman should have been punished rather than the Irishman."

December 16, 2010

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 12/16/2010

Connacht on IRFU collision course

Connacht could be set for a showdown with IRFU bosses, just weeks after a new way forward for the province was agreed, according to the Irish Independent's John Fallon.

"The big surprise will be the linking of out-half Ian Keatley with a move to Munster, while Irish hooker Sean Cronin and top try scorer Fionn Carr could be poised for a move to Leinster. A fourth first-team player is being linked with a possible move to Leinster.

"Part of the new agreement was supposed to be the movement to Connacht of players from Munster, Leinster and Ulster, but now Eric Elwood and his management team look like they could be stripped of four key players. All four are in their third season with Connacht and arrived because they were unable to make the breakthrough in their native provinces, with Cronin going on to win seven Irish caps since moving to the Sportsground."

December 12, 2010

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 12/12/2010

Kyle ... to Gibson ... to Drico ... try!

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley tackles the difficult task of selecting the best Irish XV of all time.

"It says something about the choices at midfield and secondrow that they provoked the least debate amongst us and the entries. Indeed, it says everything about the choice at outside centre that some bloke called O’Driscoll prompted no debate whatsoever and polled the highest (98 per cent).

"The great one was the people’s choice and alongside him Mike Gibson provoked almost as little discussion and polled 81 per cent in what is a mouth-watering midfield combination.

"Similarly, there was little argument over the secondrow pairing of Willie John McBride and Paul O’Connell (second most popular pick at 86 per cent).

"Then it started to get trickier. Surprised as we were about the top five at fullback, and particularly no Jim Staples, we eventually settled on Tom Kiernan. He played on the Irish team almost unbroken for 14 years, and though he only scored his first try in his last international, allowance had to be made for him coming from the era of a non-attacking fullback."

December 10, 2010

Posted by Huw Baines on 12/10/2010

Special project

Peter Borlase mixes it with Ben Daley on his Munster debut © Getty Images

David Kelly meets Munster's 'special project', prop Peter Borlase, in The Irish Independent.

"Not even an earthquake could prepare Peter Borlase for Thomond Park.

"After a tremor measuring a ground-shattering 7.1 on the Richter Scale ripped through the 25-year-old's house in Christchurch last September, Borlase could have been forgiven for thinking that such convulsions would become a thing of the past.

"That was before he stepped on to the sacred Limerick turf, a New Zealander defying Australia in the red of Munster, an unforgettable debut highlighted by an outrageous kick-chase and an even more sensational scrap with a gold-shirted opponent."

December 9, 2010

Posted by Graham Jenkins on 12/09/2010

O'Connell champing at the bit

Munster stalwart Paul O'Connell is ready to return to rugby's front line but may not make the the starting XV for this weekend's Heineken Cup clash with the Ospreys. The Irish Times' John Sullivan reports.

"Paul O'Connell has never shied away from a challenge so there was only ever going to be one answer to a query about whether he would be capable of starting Sunday’s Heineken Cup match against the Ospreys at Thomond Park.

"He would feel confident – but he expanded on that assertion by explaining the situation is unlikely to arise this weekend.

"Individually praising Munster’s roster of secondrows by name and singling out attributes he added that half a match for Young Munster and his provincial return to competitive rugby against Cardiff last weekend, again as a replacement, is not a sufficiently compelling argument to muscle his way past other contenders. The bench is his likely starting point."

December 7, 2010

Posted by Huw Baines on 12/07/2010

Time for a 'head bin'

John Fogarty was recently forced to retire due to concussion © Getty Images

Gerry Thornley looks closer at the recent spate of concussions to have affected the game in The Irish Times.

"When rugby historians look back on this era of the game they will hopefully cite John Fogarty and Bernard Jackman as having been saviours of a sort. That their harrowing and cautionary tales of how they and other players have lived in denial about the consequences of concussion prompted the authorities to establish medical protocols which better safeguarded future generations of players.

"Failing that, it will have been due to something far worse. And that doesn’t bear thinking about. Quite simply, all sports have a duty of care to their protagonists. Indeed, that is their first duty. All else is secondary. In talking at length with consultant neurosurgeon Prof Jack Phillips last week, who outlined the protocols which exist in boxing and horse racing, it was no surprise to learn those two sports – arguably the most dangerous sports in the world – were 20 years and counting ahead of other sports."

Posted by Huw Baines on 12/07/2010

Level playing field

Tony Ward believes that Connacht are edging closer to an even playing field with Ireland's big three in The Irish Independent.

"It was a bitingly cold weekend for rugby fans everywhere, except, we suspect, out west. For sure, Connacht's struggle to stay the professional pace has not been fixed through the stroke of an IRFU pen but a big step forward has been made.

"Ireland's fourth proud province now have a fighting chance against the rest. As one who suffered at the hands of Connacht -- being part of a Munster team that passed the 'world champion' mantle to the men from the west the year after we beat the All Blacks -- I know that pride cuts every bit as deep in Connacht rugby as it does elsewhere.

"The demographics may differ but the desire to compete and, on occasion, savour success, is every bit the same as it is with Ireland's big Heineken Cup three. How fitting it is to have Eric Elwood at the helm, a man who epitomises everything positive about Connacht rugby -- a man who wore his heart on his sleeve as a player and continues to do so as head coach."

December 5, 2010

Posted by Jonny McLeod on 12/05/2010

Irish rugby on financial precipice

Ireland’s mixed form on the pitch is of limited concern compared to the financial perils facing clubs at all levels in the country, according to George Hook in the