Steve Hansen philosophical as his baby All Blacks brace for battle

Saturday’s defining Auckland Test a family-affair for Barrett’s Beauden and Jordie

Natural finisher Keith Earls has unfinished business

‘If I never scored another try and we won every game I played in, I’d still be happy’

Hundreds at removal of property developer Owen O’Callaghan

Politicians, business leaders and sporting figures among hundreds paying respects

Mother of dancer Michael Flatley laid to rest in Co Carlow

Remains of Elizabeth Flatley, who died in Chicago on December 28th, were flown home in recent days

Depleted Munster squad face daunting task in Thomond Park

Maori All Blacks are effectively shadow New Zealand squad but still contain big threats

Munster not planning a response to Maori All Blacks’ haka

New Zealand natives Howlett, Mafi et al performed their own dance at Thomond in 2008

Haka: Tradition must be abused, or at least ignored

‘Why should a side coming to Ireland get the first applause by doing a dance’

All Blacks are machine because of quality of coaching, says Howlett

Former Munster winger says there is no magic formula to New Zealand’s success

On Rugby: More at stake for Munster than current season

Irish provinces desperately need a win or two in Champions Cup this weekend

‘Dr Paul’ O’Connell lines out for honorary doctorate at UL

‘I am delighted but a little embarrassed’ says former Ireland rugby captain

Australia v New Zealand: a Rugby World Cup history

Ahead of next weekend’s final we look back at the rival’s three tournament meetings

Springboks New Zealand’s ‘ultimate rival’, says Conrad Smith

The All Blacks and South Africa renew their rivalry on Saturday in World Cup semis

Richie McCaw and Thierry Dusautoir prepare for own Thrilla in Manila

All Black and France flankers have enjoyed compelling rivalry for almost a decade

Doug Howlett: Lesser teams must relish chance to play game’s giants

Former All Black Doug Howlett says players are playing for their positions in each game

Doug Howlett: All Blacks are far from chokers

‘I’ve found that whoever is playing against the All Blacks play the best game of their life’

RWC #20: Gregan taunts New Zealand: ‘Four more years boys, four more years’

All Blacks’ wait for second World Cup continues after 2003 semi-final loss to Australia

Doug Howlett: Schmidt can be Ireland’s trump card

Mental strength essential for success in tournament, says former All Black winger

Luke Fitzgerald firmly on the road to recovery

Leinster star targeting a return in time for the World Cup warm-up games

Even Munster can’t take their supporters for granted

Gerry Thornley: As European success has become more elusive, some attendance fall off was on cards

Munster edge it as Ian Keatley fills Ronan O’Gara’s boots

Former outhalf watched from hotel room as successor notched winning drop goal

All Black pedigree good for Connacht rugby

The arrival of Mils Muliaina has already set hearts racing as the Pro12 season begins

Doug Howlett has no doubt about Munster’s motives

Former All-Black winger well versed in what will push former team-mates at the Aviva

One More Thing: Doug Howlett to try his hand at the mining business in Guinea

Day the crowd dared to sense a magical day

It was rugby’s version of McGuigan going toe-to-toe with Pedrosa

Developing the next generation key for the IRFU

Bringing through players for the national team is key to IRFU strategy according to the union’s director of rugby

Spear tackle leaves Lions captain’s tour in tatters

From the archives: Brian O’Driscoll v New Zealand

Ronan O’Gara returns to Cork for testimonial dinner

Record Heineken Cup points scorer says he would love to coach Munster some day

Casey Laulala proving his worth to Munster

Laulala admits to lacking confidence in first year with the province

Tale of two chips shows up Munster deficiencies

Madigan chips and the Blues make hay; Hanrahan chips and the Reds lose their way

Low-key Munster-Leinster occasion did not live up to golden past

Events in Ellis Park and Rosario underline daunting November schedule for Ireland

Peter O’Mahony’s Munster captaincy could clear the Ireland way for Paul O’Connell

Joe Schmidt yet to appoint skipper but veteran secondrow has strong CV

O’Mahony named as Munster captain for coming season

Flanker takes over from the retired Dougie Howlett

Nothing easy for Leinster as bogey boys Ospreys lie in wait

All four Irish Provinces have difficult pools after next season’s Heineken Cup draw

Madcap season of highs and lows reserves Best until last

Retirements and departures leave huge voids at Leinster, Munster and Connacht

Munster will give Ronan O’Gara time to consider contract extension

Rob Penney pays tribute to captain Doug Howlett as he steps down

Kerry teenager’s mother appeals for more cancer research funding at emotional send-off in Tralee

Donal Walsh’s inspirational life recalled as thousands of mourners gather for funeral

Money talks in the big-budget Heineken Cup final between Clermont and Toulon

These are clubs of tradition and values but financial muscle has put them top of the pile

Howlett retirement yet another blow for Munster

Munster and former All Blacks player to hang up boots at the end of this season

Donncha O’Callaghan ruled out while Keith Earls remains a doubt for Munster’s trip to France

Rob Penney reignites war of words with Joe Schmidt over Paul O’Connell’s kick

Munster’s Archer ruled out of Clermont game

Prop out for four or more weeks after dislocating wrist bone in recent defeat to Dragons

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