Ireland will face Nations Championship Tests away to Australia and New Zealand next month without a number of key players, including Jack Crowley, Andrew Porter and Mack Hansen.
Ulster missed out on the chance to lift silverware for the first time in 20 years as they were blown away 59-26 by Montpellier in Friday's Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.
Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne and Jacob Stockdale have each been picked to start for Ireland against France in their Guinness Six Nations opener in Paris, but Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out.
Ireland appear a side in decline having lost their Six Nations crown to France in 2025. Can they prove people wrong?
Leinster held on to register a feisty URC interprovincial Irish derby win against Munster, winning 13-8 at Thomond Park.
Captain Caelan Doris returns for Ireland as one of eight changes to the side to face Japan in Dublin on Saturday.
Jack Crowley has been restored as Ireland's starting fly-half for Saturday's clash against New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago in the headline team news on Andy Farrell's return.
November 5, 2016 - the date when Ireland and New Zealand's rugby rivalry changed forever at Soldier Field in Chicago.
©2026 Chan Celaria US
