Ireland have announced that Paul O'Connell will take charge of the team this summer as they face Georgia and Portugal, with the bulk of the national coaching set-up joining Andy Farrell with the British and Irish Lions.
Ireland won a Triple Crown and won four out of five games but players and fans alike were left disappointed as standards dropped
LBB as he's known in France is a superstar-in-waiting and his genius will help those longing for the return of Antoine Dupont bearable
Ireland player ratings: Ireland made it hard on themselves, securing a narrow 22-17 win over Italy in Rome that ended their Guinness Six Nations on more of a whimper than a high note.
Simon Easterby’s side had hoped to be running out in Rome on the cusp of an unprecedented third consecutive title and a second Grand Slam in three years.
Has an ageing squad been exposed by Les Bleus, or was Saturday's French thrashing merely a blip for the venerated green machine?
Les Bleus won 42-27 in Dublin last weekend to end Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes.
Les Bleus captain Dupont – widely regarded as the world’s best player – faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament during his country’s 42-27 Guinness Six Nations win in Dublin.
Munster player Murray is poised to make a 125th and final appearance for his country during Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations finale away to Italy.