Six Nations title winners in 2024, Ireland's form has suffered of late and they are under pressure to perform heading into 2025.
Leinster made it 10 wins from 10 in all competitions but had to work hard for a 20-12 victory over Connacht at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell says Ireland have "battened down the hatches" in their quest to retain the Six Nations title after players received online abuse after their loss to England.
Ciaran Frawley has been named to start for Ireland at full-back in place of the injured Hugo Keenan vs Wales in Six Nations Round 3.
Grand Slam winners in 2023, Ireland suffered familiar quarter-final heartbreak at the autumn's Rugby World Cup. How will Andy Farrell's charges respond?
Ireland Sevens star Andrew Smith helped Connacht keep their Investec Champions Cup hopes alive as they beat 14-player Bristol to finally open their account.
Northampton registered nine tries as they thrashed Bayonne 61-14 to reach the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages.
A look back at the highlights and lowlights from an action-packed, breathless year for Irish sport.
Clinical Ulster secured a big victory against Racing 92 in the Champions Cup while Bath edged out Cardiff and holders La Rochelle lost again.
Tommy Freeman scored two tries as Northampton opened their Champions Cup campaign with a three-try 28-19 victory away to Glasgow.
An Ireland all-time great has stepped away from the stage in Johnny Sexton. One of the big questions in rugby is, who does Andy Farrell turn to next?
Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose and Tadhg Furlong have each proved their fitness to start in Ireland's Six Nations clash vs Scotland.
Andy Farrell has made six changes to the Ireland Six Nations side to face Italy in Rome on Saturday, with half-backs Ross Byrne and Craig Casey in.
Ireland have suffered a further injury blow ahead of hosting France in the Six Nations, with Dan Sheehan ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland's 2023 Six Nations opener vs Wales in Cardiff, in a major blow for Andy Farrell's side.
Triple Crown winners in 2022, and off the back of a series win in New Zealand, can Andy Farrell's Ireland kick on to clinch the Six Nations?
Glasgow held off Perpignan to make it two wins from two in the Challenge Cup, while there were also victories for Connacht and Emirates Lions.
Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune will start for Ireland against South Africa on Saturday, in what will be his third Test cap.
Ireland centre Bundee Aki has been banned for eight games, meaning he will miss Tests vs South Africa and Fiji in November.
Ireland have made one change with wing Mack Hansen replacing Keith Earls, while Johnny Sexton is also named to start the second Test vs New Zealand
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