Can ageing Ireland deliver? Or is it finally Scotland's year? A statistical deep dive into the runners and riders of rugby's ultimate European championship.
Prop Tadhg Furlong is out of Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations opener against England through injury.
Stormers captain Deon Fourie has accused Leinster of a lack of sportsmanship for their antics against his side in their URC clash at the Aviva Stadium.
Dan Sheehan made a try-scoring return as Leinster claimed a 36-12 United Rugby Championship bonus-point win over the Stormers, joining team-mate James Lowe in providing Ireland with a Six Nations fitness boost.
Leinster player ratings: Leinster secured a workmanlike 36-12 victory over the Stormers in a scrappy URC contest at the Aviva Stadium, with the Irish province showcasing their depth without quite reaching their peak.
Dan Sheehan will captain Leinster on his first appearance of the season against the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship (URC) to mark his return from a long-term ACL injury.
Even with uncertainty over hooker and left wing, Ireland's XV for their Six Nations opener is set to be distinctly blue-tinted.
Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has named uncapped Leinster prop Jack Boyle in a 36-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations.
Interim head coach Simon Easterby, who is filling in for the sabbatical-taking British and Irish Lions boss Andy Farrell, is due to name his squad this Wednesday.