Ireland

Rory Best has signalled his intent to see out his career at home province Ulster by signing a new dual Ireland contract that runs until 2018.

With the Rugby World Cup over and the Six Nations still a couple of months away, we are afforded an opportunity to take a look ahead to the British and Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2017.

Izzy Noel-Smith scored a 79th-minute try to hand England Women an 8-3 win over Ireland at Twickenham Stoop.

Keith Wood is a man who is part of a very elite group of players. He is one of the privileged few to have pulled on the famous Lions jersey and come back to the Northern Hemisphere as part of a winning Lions team.

Munster and Ireland full-back Felix Jones has been forced to retire aged just 28 after a neck injury.

Ireland wing Tommy Bowe has been ruled out of the 2016 RBS 6 Nations Championship with a knee injury suffered during the World Cup quarter-final defeat against Argentina nine days ago.

Argentina coach Pablo Bouza believes the Pumas would not have made the World Cup semi-finals had they joined the Six Nations as originally planned instead of the Rugby Championship.

Ireland's World Cup inquest will start in earnest on Monday, and revolve around injuries, supposed inexperience and miscalculations.

Argentina dumped Ireland out of the World Cup for the third time as a 10-minute, two-try salvo floored Joe Schmidt's battered and shattered side at the Millennium Stadium.

Despite lingering concerns over a groin injury, Johnny Sexton will start for Ireland in their quarter-final matchup with Argentina on Sunday.

As a part-Irishman and an accomplished polo player Argentinaian prop Marcos Ayerza is itching to take down the land of his ancestors with the Pumas secret scrummaging weapon.

Juan Martin Hernandez believes Argentina can prove Ireland's World Cup scourge once more in a fourth "El Clasico".

France boss Philippe Saint-Andre has hit out at officials for failing to act on what he branded Sean O'Brien's "assault" on Pascal Pape in Sunday's 24-9 defeat to Ireland.

Peter O'Mahony has been ruled out of Ireland's World Cup campaign with a knee ligament injury.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admits captain Paul O'Connell may not play again at the World Cup but is hopeful Johnny Sexton will be available to face Argentina in the quarter-finals.

Ireland survived injuries to talismans Johnny Sexton, Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahoney to book a quarter-final clash with Argentina by beating France with some comfort, 24-9, on Sunday afternoon.

Centre Jared Payne has been ruled out of the World Cup with a fractured foot, Ireland have confirmed.

French big hitters Louis Picamoles and Noa Nakaitaci will both start for France against Ireland in Cardiff on Sunday.

Ireland must beware Louis Picamoles' broadened horizons in Sunday's pivotal World Cup clash with France, according to Simon Easterby.

Paul O'Connell has fired up Ireland's forwards for Sunday's pivotal battle with France by detailing all their World Cup shortcomings.