Gerry Thornley’s team-by-team guide as the new season gets underway

Head coach says ‘currently we are not good enough at knockout rugby at this stage’

Sexton left out as golden generation miss the chance of a lifetime in 2011 Rugby World Cup

He won 18 caps between 2003 and 2006 before being diagnosed with pelvic cancer

Gordon Elliott’s charge is a 7-1 favourite to emulate legendary stayer Red Rum to win world’s richest jumps race for third time

Warren Gatland has gone but the defending champions have plenty of strength in depth

There’s a recall for Rhys Webb who last played Test rugby just over two years ago

18-year-old has scored nine tries in 10 games for the English club this season

Both will miss Wales v Ireland in the 2020 Six Nations at the Aviva on February 8th

Players from six countries are represented, with five of the XV from South Africa

Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks break Welsh hearts as they take a physical last four tie

Warren Gatland could be taking charge of Wales for a final time against South Africa

Tokyo witnessed a downpour that never relented on Friday ahead of the semi-finals

BBC report Saracens player is also a doubt for Wales’ final game in the tournament

Backrow will miss Springboks semi-final after injuring hamstring during France win

Outhalf Biggar passes return to play protocols with as Gatland names strongest side

Referees are taking the brunt but coaches and players must accept responsibility also

Michael Cheika hits out at World Rugby following Reece Hodge’s three-match ban

Warren Gatland’s side fly out of the blocks before a second-half battle in Toyota City

Applause for Rory Best and Joe Schmidt’s last home game felt even sweeter with a win

Ireland mark Joe Schmidt’s final game in Dublin with nine-point win

Outhalf Rhys Patchell will get first start in 15 months against Ireland in Dublin

Andy Farrell says players are ‘raring to go’ for final World Cup warm-up game against Wales

Secondrow Cory Hill selected despite being on the comeback trail from a fractured leg

Michael Kiernan recalls Ireland’s preparation for the inaugural 1987 competition, an event the IRFU didn't want to enter

There are 13 starters named from the Grand Slam-clinching victory over Ireland

Our rugby correspondent also hands out the gongs for player, coach, team and try of the tournament

It all started badly and quickly got worse at the Principality Stadium on Saturday

Late Larmour try no consolation for Ireland as Warren Gatland wins a third Grand Slam

Three sides are chasing the Championship title with Wales bidding for the Grand Slam

The coach and his team are proven big-game performers and Ireland have it all to do

Gatland’s squad intent on sealing Grand Slam glory against last team to beat them

Referee undermines his final warning to French by refusing to follow through on it

All-conquering Welsh side close in on Grand Slam ahead of weekend Ireland showdown

‘We’ve lost the second half 5-3 but we’ve shown some real character,’ said the Wales manager

Nothing unlucky about it as Warren Gatland’s side hold off Scottish fightback in Edinburgh

‘Project Reset’ could see new side formed in Colwyn Bay

‘We’ve looked really sharp and the squad are incredibly motivated to kick on’

Matches between Wales and Italy in recent years involved a close first half followed by an Italian blow-out in the second

Gregor Townsend is right to gamble on his instinctive playmaker in Ireland clash