The Irish fullback’s kicking was average and it is the work in progress part of his brief

‘He is trying to get every single last inch out of that ball. He slightly overcooked it’

Visitors left with a mountain to climb as Six Nations campaign starts with bruising loss

John O’Sullivan hands out the marks after Ireland’s latest defeat in Cardiff

Ten first half minutes which proved crucial for both Wales and Ireland in Cardiff

Farrell’s side travel to Cardiff as things get underway behind closed doors this weekend

John O’Sullivan takes a look at Ireland’s opponents ahead of Sunday’s opener

Last year’s results were so poor that a big improvement this term seems inevitable

Andy Friend’s side lose a fourth-consecutive fixture in Galway as Rhys Webb impresses

Conor Murray and Brian O’Driscoll in team of the decade; Richie McCaw best player

Wayne Pivac’s side ran three tries in the final 22 minutes in Llanelli

Winger showed against Wales the power and work rate that have made him a Leinster star

Wayne Pivac has otherwise kept faith in the team beaten by Scotland in the Six Nations

Wales secondrow named in Wayne Pivac’s team for Six Nations clash with Scotland

Ireland know what they have to do but England remain in the driving seat

Sexton left out as golden generation miss the chance of a lifetime in 2011 Rugby World Cup

Recent incidents involving Jones and Tuilagi show disciplinary systems needs updating

Secondrow will match Richie McCaw as the Six Nations reaches conclusion in Cardiff

Affability doesn’t always work while Eddie Jones’ rants need to be tackled

Former Ireland captain fails to produce what the genre of rugby autobiography craves

Gareth Thomas apologises for saying ‘he would have never retired’ after incident

Eddie Jones’s side turn the screw after Justin Tipuric’s try for the ages and sign off in style

Wayne Pivac facing an outhalf crisis while England’s Mako Vunipola is ruled out

Concussion language needs to change, Ireland women need more jerseys and more

Replacement outhalf's injury-time drop goal attempt charged down

A much improved performance is rewarded with a bonus point win in Dublin

Ireland earn the right to go wide as they beat Wayne Pivac's side at their own game

Wayne Pivac makes one change to his XV with George North reverting to the wing

The defending Grand Slam champions are in town as Farrell’s side look for a second win

Hosts cruise to bonus point victory as Italians fail to register a score in Cardiff humbling

If Northampton win and Glasgow claim five-point haul, province’s cup campaign is over

18-year-old has scored nine tries in 10 games for the English club this season

Defending champions defy Rhys Carre’s fifth minute red card to edge Ospreys in Swansea

Gavin Cummiskey looks at the contenders ahead of the first round of Champions Cup games

Eddie Jones’s men look to complete quartet of wins against southern hemisphere big four

Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks break Welsh hearts as they take a physical last four tie

Warren Gatland could be taking charge of Wales for a final time against South Africa

Vahaamahina’s red card proves crucial as Moriarty breaks French hearts at the last

Coach determined to achieve more success in what is his last campaign after 11 trophy-laden years

Outhalf Biggar passes return to play protocols with as Gatland names strongest side