‘It just gets you into that mindframe but I don’t think we need it’ – Johnny Sexton

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

Andy Friend’s side bounce back from defeat to Scarlets

Champions take advantage of sending off to seal bonus-point win in Treviso

South African’s strong bond with outhalf Joey Carbery shows key mentoring skills

Rugby stats: Squad changes and work done between now and September will be key

So far this year he’s made nine appearances, and he played at outhalf on Friday night

Guy Noves’ France tribunal begins, eventful London Irish bow for resilient Ian Keatley

Planned €30m upgrade would help club attract talent and boost commercial growth

The Irish outhalf is second on the list of Munster’s all-time top points scorers

News round-up: Leinster register Conor O’Brien; changes afoot in Munster

Outhalf has not started a game for Munster this season

Opportunity knocks for Addison, Conway and Cooney in Ireland’s final Test

Ireland could take a leaf from All Blacks book and ensure all replacements get game time

Coach van Graan has named strong team despite seven changes from last weekend

Alby Mathewson makes his Munster debut, as Andrew Warwick set to win 100th cap

CJ Stander to make first Munster appearance of the season against Cardiff Blues

Johann van Grann’s side open up Ospreys at will to claim bonus point at Musgrave Park

Munster have made a raft of changes for first game on the new 3G pitch at Musgrave Park

Former All Black joined up with the squad but will not feature against Glasgow

Declan Kidney’s London Irish score two late tries in friendly encounter

International contingent join the province's squad for pre-season camp at Fota Island

Leinster contemplate Contepomi as Munster look forward to Carbery’s influence

Munster back reveals that players have already given Carbery a new nickname: Rog

Leinster outhalf to vie with Carbery for role of understudy to Sexton on Australia tour

The 22-year-old is on the horns of a dilemma and has no guarantees with Leinster or Ulster

Players have chance to impress Schmidt in three-Test tour ahead of 2019 World Cup

Ulster still seeking permission to sign an established international outhalf

Tadhg Beirne and John Cooney among those likely to be selected for Australia tour

Leo Cullen’s side profit from superior skillset and accuracy of their passing

‘If we had gone and scored it would have been a momentum changer’

Ding-dong battle at the RDS is decided by a single point at the final whistle

Matt Williams: Racing 92 defeat was the worst Munster performance I have witnessed

Hosts have physicality to meet Edinburgh head on plus greater variety in attack

Semi-finals require experience in the back three – as Leinster learned last season

Munster flourish comes too late as French side set up final date with Leinster

A day to forget for Munster as Champions Cup challenge ended by half time

French team possess some outstanding players in Teddy Thomas and Leone Nakarwara

Halfpenny and Sexton set for battle off the tee - but Maxime Machenaud leads the way

Paris club’s latest reincarnation has not been all plain sailing