"Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." George Bernard Shaw

The news this week that the northern hemisphere, like its southern hemisphere rivals, will have to learn to adapt to the new law interpretations in the 16 months leading up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, presents rugby in this part of the world with its greatest challenge for years.

WIN or lose against Ireland this Saturday, Welsh second-row Bradley Davies, while ready to give his all to the cause, knows there are more important things than a game of rugby football.

Jerry Flannery has denied trying to use a "concussion defence" to extricate himself from the ban that ruled him out of the final three rounds of the Six Nations.

Leinster sealed a bonus point win over Gael Force in Stirling last night in their final British & Irish Cup outing. Shane Monahan bagged a brace of tries.

Mathieu Bastareaud will be on the bench when France continue their Grand Slam bid against Italy on Sunday.

IRISH coach Declan Kidney has given his Twickenham winners a huge vote of confidence by naming an unchanged starting line-up for Saturday's Croke Park date with Wales.

OUT in Killiney yesterday, there was a brief burst of excitement when the media were initially not allowed into the grand ballroom reserved for team announcements.

BRIAN O'Driscoll has had more than a decade in which to become accustomed to being Irish rugby's golden boy.

DAVID WALLACE says Ireland have to be "harsh" on themselves over their lack of discipline if they are to defeat Wales in Croke Park on Saturday, writes Hugh Farrelly.

The ability of Presentation College Bray to make the most of the opportunities that came their way made all the difference in this semi-final showdown at Kilternan yesterday.

Flanker Paul O'Donnell crossed for a brace of tries as Calasanctius College from Oranmore captured their second successive Connacht Junior Cup final at the Sportsground yesterday.

During the last Irish coaching interregnum, Geordan Murphy sat in a Dublin hotel and wondered whether he would ever have a chance of playing in another World Cup.

A last-gasp try from Wilson's scrum-half Philip Butler ensured there was no silverware handed over yesterday in the Senior Section 'A' League final.

David Butler crowned a superb display with a try from his own 22 to secure the Connacht Schools Senior Cup for Sligo Grammar at the Sportsground yesterday.

Chris McAuliffe's two tries settled a nail-biting contest at Dooradoyle and booked CBC a place in the final of the Munster Schools Junior Cup.

Martyn Williams believes patience will be critical when Wales aim to ambush Ireland's Triple Crown ambitions in Dublin on Saturday.

* The countries have met on 114 occasions - Wales lead the series 62-46, with six draws.

Nick De Luca spent Scotland's last Calcutta Cup win "schmoozing" the prawn sandwich brigade at Murrayfield.

Brian O'Driscoll feels more comfortable on the pitch having tackled the recurring hamstring injuries that have hampered his career.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has labelled Gareth Delve's return to Test match rugby on Saturday as "a great opportunity" for the in-form Gloucester captain.

Mathieu Bastareaud will be on the bench when France continue their bid for an RBS 6 Nations grand slam against Italy on Sunday.

England manager Martin Johnson described his selection decision for Saturday's trip to Murrayfield as "the toughest" of his 18-month tenure.

One of Brian O'Driscoll's seminal sporting influences -- aside, of course, from his family -- was a Kiwi called Lee Smith. A former All Blacks U-21 coach, he could spot a player and he had seen a fair few gems pass through his hands on both sides of the world.

RUMOUR down Aussie way has it that after Michael Cheika missed out on the Melbourne Rebels' gig when the investor picture changed, the Waratahs have now emerged as a potential staging post for the amiable Aussie.