News about Conor Murray

MUNSTER will be most people's favourites to reach the URC final again but I'd give Glasgow Warriors a fighting chance of beating them in tomorrow's semi-final. Munster peaked at just the right time last season and did it the hard way by winning away from home in all three rounds of the play-offs. They've looked strong again this season, topping the regular season table and then getting the better of Ospreys in their quarter-final on Friday night. Munster could well be the team to stop again this year, especially with home advantage.

Warren Gatland has expressed disappointment that the current state of Welsh rugby is like 'plugging up the holes in a sinking ship,' as well as cast doubt about whether the country's national game will go through what he sees as a mandatory 'proper reset' at a regional level. Gatland was asked to compare his current team's rugby system with Ireland's crunch Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday in Dublin. They (Ireland) have just got the right structures in place,' he said. We were kind of papering over the cracks of the activities in Welsh rugby when I was here the first time.'

RORY KEANE: This one is going to be painful for a long time. Another World Cup quarter-final exit. Another Blacklash. At least Ireland went down fighting. Deja-vu and the depressing sinking sensation are among the reasons. The late siege at the endgame was heroic, but the seeds for this humiliating loss were laid long before the exhausting, yet fruitless final attack. Ireland has received so many accolades over the past 24 months, but opponents' timing was unstoppable. They won the game that mattered, just as much as they did in Tokyo four years ago.

SHANE MCGRATH: Andy Farrell is relying on Ireland's intelligence and speed to defuse the Springbok Bomb Squad, with Ireland's coach again relying on his key lieutenants ahead of Saturday's World Cup blockbuster in Paris. Farrell has made just one change from the team that started against Tonga last weekend, with Jamison Gibson-Park replacing Conor Murray at scrum half. Farrell dismissed the allegations of tumbling Leinster lock Joe McCarthy, who has made a major impression on the Irish camp, in favour of his established second-row pairing of Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan.

CONOR Murray has arrived in Nantes, transforming him from surprise pick to starter in less than a month. An early-autumn heat wave has followed Ireland north from Bordeaux, but the rain that has clattered home into submission over the last 24 hours is forecast to crack in this Atlantic city today. The Irish supporters, many of whom will be family members of Murray's family, including his father Gerry, will not be deterred.

Following Ireland's 29-16 victory over England in Dublin on Saturday, the Irish nation became Grand Slam champions for the fourth time. Captain Jonathan Sexton received the most fitting salute in his last Six Nations match, as well as the championship's all-time record. He limped off with six minutes to receive a standing ovation. Freddie Steward was turned off right before halftime, but Ireland could not begin the St. Patrick's weekend celebrations until Henshaw and Sheehan converted for 24-9 after more than an hour. The players were rated by Sportsmail's ADAM HATHAWAY and SHANE MCGRATH.

ROB COLE AT THE PRINCIPALITY STADIUM: Ireland set down a marker in the first game of the Six Nations as they advanced past Wales 34-10 in Cardiff. Despite a spirited comeback from Wales after the break, the visitors scored three attempts in the first 21 minutes and never looked like relining their lead. Rob Cole of Sportsmail was on hand to rate the players from both teams.