Rugby Statistics: It’s time for change as Farrell puts his own shape on things

There is an average 5.4 selection changes between the final game of an Irish coach and the opener of his successor

Ireland pull it out of the fire to avoid leaving Rome in ruins

Joe Schmidt’s side limp home with bonus point after poor performance at the Stadio Olimpico

Terenure win battle of former powerhouses against St Mary’s

Patsakorn Kidd’s stunning first-half try the highlight at Donnybrook

Anatomy of a try: Hickie’s wonder score kick-started the Leinster era

Victory over defending champions Toulouse away proved a seminal moment in team’s development

Gordon D’Arcy: For Leinster, these days are precious and few

It’s fleeting but being together in a trophy-winning dressing room will be cherished forever

Gordon D’Arcy: Racing will not live with Leinster for 80 minutes

Parallels with 2009 abound and leaders from that campaign should give side the edge

Scarlets flourishing but Welsh sides still trailing the provinces

Leinster and Munster have thrived as regions struggled in the continental wilderness

No quarter given: Jamie Heaslip recalls Leinster's last-eight battles

Former number eight played in all of Leinster’s quarter-finals up until last year

Tadhg Furlong’s pass deserves its own special word of celebration

Fascinating thing was that the tighthead prop was the player chosen by Schmidt for key pass

Jacob Stockdale: the fearless rookie producing All Black numbers

21-year-old’s superb pace and try-scoring ability makes up for his defensive weaknesses

Grand Slam winners 2009 - where are they now?

Nine years from Ireland’s second Grand Slam, Gavin Cummiskey looks at the class of 2009

Any talk of Grand Slam forbidden in Ireland camp

But Brian O’Driscoll says players will be ‘100 per cent’ focused on the ultimate goal

Keith Earls in a good place ahead of defining Six Nations endgame

Maturing winger believes communication is key to keeping Scotland at bay on Saturday

Liam Toland: To hell with precedent, Ireland need Zebo

There’s not a player in Irish rugby akin to Zebo and his case should stand on its own merits

Ross O’Carroll-Kelly: ‘The anaesthetist is a total knockout – no pun intended’

Ross is going under the knife, but counting backwards from 20 is causing problems

Joe Schmidt knew Gatland would call up Welsh and Scottish players

‘For our guys, if they have missed an opportunity because of the logistics, it is tough’

Tommy Tiernan, Abandoman and Spencer Jones shine at Kilkenny Cat Laughs

The festival gets a new set of directors for 2017

Gordon D’Arcy: Clermont loss can be springboard for Leinster

Battling defeat in Lyon can do for current side what Toulouse victory did for 2006 crop

Eddie O’Sullivan’s untouchables offer inspiration to coming men

Veterans of 2007 retain influence as Ireland’s first fully professional generation emerges

Gordon D’Arcy: The importance of winning the mental battle

Leinster and Munster must both go to The Well on Saturday and not give an inch away

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