Neil Treacy

Andy Farrell was left to lament "uncharacteristic" errors from his Ireland side as they fell to a 19-point defeat to New Zealand in Auckland.

Pretty early on at Eden Park, you got the feeling it was going to be one of those nights on Saturday.

Dan Sheehan insists Ireland can close the gap between themselves and the best sides in the world before next year's World Cup, although he admits improvements are needed.

Andy Farrell has put down six seasons in charge of Ireland, but none of the previous five have had such a disparity between the highs and the lows.

Rassie Erasmus has responded to Saturday's heavy defeat to New Zealand by making potentially four changes to his side ahead of this weekend's second Test in Cape Town.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has named a 36-player training squad ahead of the upcoming WXV Global series, with seven uncapped players included in the group.

Munster head coach Matt Brown believes Ireland's upcoming WXV Global Series will add an extra pinch of spice to Saturday's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final against Leinster in Galway.

Leinster have learned their lesson ahead of their rematch with Munster in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final on Saturday, according to head coach Sana Govender.

Leinster chief executive Shane Nolan says the process to appoint a new head coach is well underway, but he would not specifically comment on any potential candidates, including Ronan O'Gara.

Leinster Rugby has confirmed that second row Alan Spicer remains a member of the province's academy for this season, but he has been disciplined