Simon Hick

As the Six Nations approaches, how Tadhg Beirne has taken time to thrive tells us much about player development in Ireland and what is prioritised.

Munster have advantages other teams could only dream of, so why do so many coaches decide to leave the province when they've been offered new contracts?

Ireland's triumph over the All Blacks was based on a more expansive style of play but at its heart it was an ability to stay calm which can be truly encouraging as Andy Farrell's side face even bigger challenges over the next two years.

Ireland's performance against Japan was radically different to the first two years under Andy Farrell and the Joe Schmidt era but at this delicate stage of development, a heavy defeat against New Zealand would be a killer blow.

Ireland aren't bad enough to give out about or good enough to get excited about so where does Andy Farrell go from here?

It's naive to assume Irish women's rugby has hit rock bottom with losses to Spain and Scotland. The way the IRFU are handling it, things can always get worse.

Sport is partly about winning, but it's also about expressing yourself, about entertainment, about risk, and crucially, it is also meant to flow. That is why the match between the Lions and South Africa last weekend was an objectively awful game of rugby. Will today's game be any better?

The Lions tours are mysterious, undefinable and captivate us, not because of the marketing guff, but despite it.

Reality and myth. Is Ronan O'Gara about to become the next superstar coach?

For lots of new rugby fans Munster were effectively Ireland, or at least how they would like Ireland to be. Do they once again need to embrace their romantic roots?