Ireland

Paul O'Connell believes Ireland could be building the best Test side of his lengthy career as Joe Schmidt's men start to home in on an RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam.

Ireland’s march on the Grand Slam gathered pace, Wales continued their revival from an opening day defeat and Italy secured a priceless, potentially Wooden Spoon-avoiding victory.

England collapsed to an alarming 19-9 defeat by Ireland as their pursuit of a first RBS 6 Nations title under Stuart Lancaster derailed spectacularly at the Aviva Stadium.

Paul O'Connell believes England's class of 2015 are the strongest he has faced in his career - more powerful even than Sir Clive Woodward's 2003 World Cup winners.

Alex Goode will spearhead England's counter-attack threat and ease the loss of Mike Brown for the pivotal RBS 6 Nations showdown with Ireland, according to Simon Zebo.

Simon Easterby has rejected Wales coach Shaun Edwards' claims that Ireland play "very dangerous" rugby by employing the choke tackle.

England full-back Mike Brown has been ruled out of Sunday's RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland after suffering a setback in his recovery from concussion, the Rugby Football Union has announced.

England lock George Kruis admits facing Paul O'Connell was a "distant dream" when he joined the legions of travelling fans watching Ireland's talisman lead the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour.

Jordi Murphy can handle the "huge physicality" of England's back-row in Sunday's pivotal RBS 6 Nations showdown in Dublin, according to Ireland team-mate Peter O'Mahony.

George Ford has warned England not to fall into France's trap of targeting Johnny Sexton at all costs in the pivotal RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.

Flanker Peter O'Mahony is the latest Ireland star to reject a move to France after signing a new three-year contract with Munster.

Jamie Heaslip has accepted Pascal Pape's Twitter apology for the crude knee to the back that could end the Ireland number eight's RBS 6 Nations campaign.

Week 2 or round 2 of the Six Nations has been and gone. Our expert analyst in the Southern Hemisphere, Scott Donaldson, looks back on what he saw.

Jamie Heaslip is unlikely to feature again in Ireland's quest to retain the RBS 6 Nations title after being ruled out of action for the next month.

France lock Pascal Pape will face a disciplinary hearing for the knee to the back that could yet end Jamie Heaslip's participation in this year's RBS 6 Nations.

We discussed the implications of the Six Nations taking place on a Valentine's weekend, the conclusion was it was a shame England weren't playing Italy in Rome.

Johnny Sexton will take France's pledge to exploit any lingering weakness from his 12-week concussion lay-off fully in his stride in Dublin on Saturday, according to Greg Feek.

Rory Best has passed concussion testing and will start Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France on Saturday.

Johnny Sexton is "in a really good spot" and "itching to go" for Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash against France, according to coach Richie Murphy.

Ireland could have four Lions back for Saturday's clash with France in Dublin, with flanker Sean O'Brien close to contention after a hamstring injury in the warm-up in Rome last weekend ruled him out of a first Test appearance in more than a year.