IT WAS notable how even former Ireland and Lions skipper Paul O’Connell was remarking on the shudderingly physical nature of the exchanges in the first half of the Wales-Ireland Six Nations Test at the Millennium Stadium last Friday night.

O’Connell is only recently departed from the professional scene and lived through the increasing emphasis on power that has seen the size of players increase to such an extent that many consider rugby to be a collision sport ra...

RASSIE Erasmus has made 11 changes for Munster's Guinness PRO12 game against Edinburgh Rugby tomorrow evening in Myreside (7.35pm).

A combination of international commitments and the desire to rest other frontline players, as well as injury to the likes of captain Peter O'Mahony (hamstring) has prompted the much-altered line-up from the Champions Cup game against Racing 92 at Thomond Park last Saturday week.