'Those first 20 minutes are probably on my shoulders' - Munster skipper Tadhg Beirne was very critical of himself after his side's disastrous start in Bath: the42.ie/6896104

Bath's first-half demolition job leaves Munster empty-handed: the42.ie/6895900

Michael Milne has been injured in Munster’s warm up. Jeremy Loughman into the starting pack and Josh Wycherley onto bench. Another change for Munster after losing Jean Kleyn for personal reasons.

Craig Casey slotting shots at goal as Munster warm up in Bath. Rain has eased a little but still drizzle at the Rec.

It was a lot of fun reliving the epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final between the Springboks and France. Latest episode of Tests of Time is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlO3...

Outstanding scrum analysis from James Tracy on today's pod. James breaks down how things unravelled for Ireland in detail. Also chat about Nienaber at Leinster, card decisions, and listeners who think we got referee views wrong on Monday. the42.ie/subscribe to sign up!

Who has Andy Farrell relied on most in this World Cup cycle? Ireland have used 60 players across the last 22 Tests post-RWC23. Read here: the42.ie/6884997t

Mack Hansen is out for the warm-up. Strapping on his finger and right hand. Odd boots again!

Paolo Garbisi provided a statement to the disciplinary hearing that helped Franco Mostert get his red card rescinded. The disciplinary committee were also shown a text message from Garbisi to Mostert.

Mack Hansen came through Ireland's captain's run today despite a finger injury earlier this week. Had strapping on his right hand and two of his fingers, but Ireland say he's good to go. More here: the42.ie/6881918t

Rassie Erasmus in good form today. Full of praise for Sam Prendergast. "He's got guts. People are talking about his tackling, that there's maybe a weakness there, but I've seen him go really hard and he's a big boy, and he looks pretty fit." More here: the42.ie/6881045t

"Yes, we'll have a look at that." Rassie Erasmus confirms the Springboks' interest in bringing Jacques Nienaber back for the 2027 World Cup: the42.ie/6880782t

Confirmation that Springboks lock Lood de Jager's appeal of his suspension has been dismissed. His red card and suspension stand.

Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, and Andrew Porter all come into Ireland's starting XV against South Africa. Sam Prendergast continues at number 10. Finlay Bealham and Tom Farrell included on the bench.

Rassie Erasmus speaking here in Dublin. He says that he and his players have spoken about not having won at the Aviva yet. "You want to fix something you've never done. "There's excitement. Let's go and try and do it."

Big guns back for the Boks against Ireland. Arendse out with concussion, so Canan Moodie starts. Boks says Franco Mostert was not considered due to his disciplinary hearing. RG Snyman will win his 50th cap in Dublin.

Sat down with Ireland international Anna McGann recently to speak about rugby, TikTok, business, and her late father, Mick. This was an open and honest chat that underlines the importance of family support: the42.ie/6872961t

Sam Prendergast is set to start at 10 for Ireland against the Springboks: the42.ie/6879349

Sat down with Jamison Gibson-Park last week and had a great chat about growing up on Great Barrier Island. Fascinating place. Also interesting to dig into his experiences in New Zealand rugby before coming to Ireland. Interview is here: the42.ie/6872957t

Franco Mostert's red card has been rescinded. He is free to play against Ireland on Saturday.

Cross kicks, hang time, a spiral bomb, and Ireland's clinical scores: the42.ie/6878111

Munster set to sign ex-Leinster tighthead Michael Alaalatoa: the42.ie/6878945

Paddy McCarthy gets his first start for Ireland. Sam Prendergast in at 10. Mack Hansen back from injury, first Test start at fullback. Caelan Doris moves to openside. Stuart McCloskey back at 12. Cian Prendergast and Nick Timoney on the bench.

Another cracking evening at the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards last night in the Storehouse. Congrats to all the winners and a huge thanks to everyone who put the night together.

Greystones/Wexford man Dylan Fawsitt has had a brilliant journey in US rugby. Became the first player ever to reach 100 MLR caps this year and had brilliant experiences with the Eagles. A real pleasure to catch up with him in Chicago last week: the42.ie/6868209

This new book is excellent. Great insight into and analysis of how Irish rugby has got where it is.

Six months sidelined with injury, including missing out on a chance of captaining the Lions. This was Caelan Doris' first carry on his return for Ireland last weekend in Chicago.

Tom Farrell's circuitous route to an Ireland debut shows his grit. He has faced lots of setbacks in his career, but has always backed himself to make it: the42.ie/6866674

Tom Farrell starts at 13 on his Ireland debut against Japan. Caelan Doris back in to captain. Robbie Henshaw, Jacob Stockdale, Craig Casey, Nick Timony, Thomas Clarkson, and Rónan Kelleher all start.

The statement Beauden Barrett provided for Tadhg Beirne's disciplinary hearing. "I take responsibility for entering contact in a high position, as that contributed to the nature of the collision." Barrett praised Beirne for "good awareness" to prevent a more serious collision.

Stuart McCloskey deserves his first shot at the All Blacks: the42.ie/6860637t

Ireland vs. New Zealand at the 2023 World Cup was one of the best games of rugby I've ever seen. It was fun/agonising to go back through it all with Tom Vinicombe and the crew for the first episode of Tests of Time: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVig...

Dan Sheehan captains Ireland against the All Blacks. Caelan Doris to make his comeback off the bench. Stuart McCloskey and Ryan Baird in the starting XV. Paddy McCarthy to make his debut off the bench.

Former Leinster and Ireland centre Noel Reid is now coaching with the Chicago Hounds. Met him to chat about his really interesting journey in the last few years: the42.ie/6859488

Paul O'Connell spoke really well in Chicago yesterday. Here he is on being interim head coach, Ireland's inconsistency, and the talent in Irish rugby: the42.ie/6859351

Chicago has been Ireland's happy place. Can they make it three from three? the42.ie/6857476

Saucy stuff from Harry Byrne for Leinster.

How McMillan's Munster took Leinster apart at Croke Park: the42.ie/6850199

The hunter, not the hunted. Clayton McMillan on the theme he set for Munster this week: "I just wanted to make it a dogfight. "So we needed to be in the scrap for everything and want to be the hunter, not the hunted."

Excellent work from Jamie Osborne getting upfield after his pass. Then the kick from James Lowe is a thing of beauty. One-handed drop while fending, ball pointing infield, gets a delicate nudge towards top point of the ball to help it sit up. Class skill.

How about the impact from Ennis RFC duo Ethan Coughlan and Tony Butler tonight? Clever, composed stuff from the Munster replacement halfbacks. The Munster bench made a difference. Edwin Edogbo back with an accurate performance.

Bad injury news from Munster, with Craig Casey among those sidelined. Munster say Casey's recovery period is "to be confirmed." Alex Kendellen out for 6 to 8 weeks after ankle surgery. John Hodnett has another five weeks to go. Here's the full injury list from Munster:

Ireland A will play Spain in Leganés on Saturday 8 November. Local kick-off time of 5pm is a few hours after Andy Farrell's Ireland team face Japan in Dublin. Spain also playing against England A and Fiji next month on home soil.

Casey the heartbeat as McMillan's Munster make encouraging start: the42.ie/1826126

Hugo Keenan ruled out until the New Year after hip surgery. Joe McCarthy out until November after foot surgery. More here: the42.ie/6818539t

Ireland fall agonisingly short of a World Cup semi-final as France cling on. Report from Sandy Park: the42.ie/6816551

Conor Murray has decided to retire fully from professional rugby, won't play on next season. Had a couple of offers but opted against continuing: the42.ie/6815135

Aoife Wafer is back. She starts at openside for Ireland in their quarter-final against France on Sunday in Exeter. Fiona Tuite returns to the back row too. Stacey Flood fit to start again. Edel McMahon misses out due to injury.

Spoke to Sam Prendergast about spiral kicks, tackling, and the highs and lows of his big breakthrough season with Leinster and Ireland: the42.ie/6813335

Leinster are set to sign Irish-qualified South African back row Josh Neill. The South Africa U18 back row is set to move in the coming months and could be playing for Ireland U20s next year: the42.ie/6811595t