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?
Two-time European winners Munster were dumped out of the Champions Cup at the pool stage for just the fourth time since 1998 as they were stunned by Castres at Thomond Park 31-29.
Northampton Saints were brought back down to earth after they suffered a 50-28 loss away to Champions Cup holders Bordeaux in a repeat of last season's final.
Leinster held on to register a feisty URC interprovincial Irish derby win against Munster, winning 13-8 at Thomond Park.
Munster bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Bath last week to comprehensively beat Gloucester 31-3 in the Champions Cup at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.
An astonishing start which saw Bath 28-0 ahead inside 19 minutes proved crucial as the Prem side saw off Munster 40-14 in their Champions Cup opener.
Captain Caelan Doris returns for Ireland as one of eight changes to the side to face Japan in Dublin on Saturday.
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