Ireland

Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton will be missing the tour of South Africa in June after sustaining a shoulder injury.

Leinster fullback Luke Fitzgerald will miss Ireland's tour of South Africa with a knee injury.

Springboks head coach Allister Coetzee has announced a new-look 31-man squad for the three-Test series against Ireland in June.

Ireland have announced a 32-man squad that will face South Africa in a three-Test series in June.

Ireland international and Wasps centre James Downey has brought an end to his 13-year professional rugby career after he announced his decision to retire next month.

Ireland and Leinster flanker Josh van der Flier will undergo an ankle surgery which has ruled him out of the South African tour scheduled in June.

There is never a shortage of southern hemisphere voices condemning northern hemisphere competitions – both domestic and international – and insisting that the likes of New Zealand and Australia have nothing to fear from their northern rivals.

Ireland outmuscled Scotland 35-25 in Dublin for an RBS 6 Nations victory to put themselves in pole position for a third-place tournament finish.

Wales secured runners-up spot in this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship after running riot against an outclassed Italy, racking up a record 67-14 win.

Ireland host Scotland in Dublin in Saturday's final round of RBS 6 Nations fixtures, with the winner ready to scoop a third-place finish.

Joe Schmidt will make a decision on whether he will coach Ireland at the 2019 Rugby World Cup after this summer's tour to South Africa.

Rory Best has won his fitness battle to captain Ireland in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland.

Ireland captain Rory Best must prove his fitness on Thursday in order to face Scotland in Saturday's final RBS 6 Nations encounter.

Rob Kearney has been ruled out of Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland, paving the way for Simon Zebo to continue at full-back.

Ireland piled up nine tries against sorry Italy in Dublin, romping home 58-15 to set up a mid-table RBS Six Nations finish.

Ireland host Italy in Dublin on Saturday still seeking their first RBS 6 Nations win of the campaign at the fourth time of asking.

Connacht prop Finlay Bealham is in line for his Ireland debut after Cian Healy was ruled out of Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy through injury.

Joe Schmidt has signalled Ireland's desperation for victory against Italy on Saturday by parachuting fit-again Jared Payne back into his midfield rather than shifting the Ulsterman to full-back.

Cian Healy insists Ireland will not let their desperation for a first RBS 6 Nations victory cloud their judgement in Saturday's clash with Italy in Dublin.

Ireland have added uncapped Munster flanker Jack O'Donoghue to their squad for the final two RBS 6 Nations fixtures against Italy and Scotland.