The family of an elderly widower who was brutally beaten to death on a hospital ward by a fellow patient warned a judge that the killer "deserves no pity and no leniency”.

Ireland’s play-off history features more pain than pleasure, with our record making for grim reading – played 11, won 3, lost 8. Here’s how the previous 10 play-offs played out.

Munster are still in South Africa where they take on the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow. The match is live on TG4, Premier Sports and URC TV, kicking off at 12pm.

Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney insists there has been no contact with Andy Farrell as part of England’s succession planning for the time beyond next year’s World Cup.