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Brian O'Driscoll (pictured centre) is favourite for the Lions captaincy. Photo: Stu Forster, Getty Images

Paddy Power suspends betting on Lions captaincy

A leading bookmaker has closed betting on who will become Lions captain for this summer's tour to South Africa.

Famous five left out by McGahan

By Donnchadh Boyle

IT'S a tribute to the depth of Munster's squad that coach Tony McGahan can afford to leave out a host of front-line players in his pack and still name one of the most impressive forwards units in the league.

'We' must slam door on these begrudgers

By Hugh Farrelly

SPORTS fans in this country have a 'we' problem -- particularly followers of English Premier League soccer teams who spray it about with irrelevant abandon.

Inside Six Nations

Resurgent England bully way past poor Scotland

ENGLAND were not always more skillful or more sly than Scotland, but they won nearly all the big hits. In boxing terms it was Frank Bruno against Jim Watt with the Scottish lightweights ending up flat on their backs. This was bullying rugby in the image of Martin Johnson, and mighty effective it was too.

Bowe hoping Grand Slam joy triggers glorious run of success

Tommy Bowe insists he will not rest on his laurels after guiding Ireland to a historic Grand Slam. Bowe returned to training with the Ospreys yesterday following his try-scoring exploits which led to Ireland's first Grand Slam in 61 years at the Millennium Stadium last Saturday.

Tough week for Chabal

Sebastien Chabal admits France's preparations for today's Six Nations match against trans-Alpine rivals Italy have been far from serene.

Ice-man O'Gara freezes time to seal deal

Such a tale. Let's start at the end. Seconds away from destiny. But a decade in the making. Sixty-one years of yawning yearning. The most edgy of endings for a team on the edge of greatness. Plans hatched in deep mid-winter, primed for fruition on a beautiful spring day.