Comings And Goings In Munster Academy : Irish Rugby

Six members of the current Munster Academy are moving on to senior development contracts for next season, five of those with Munster - Cian Bohane, Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Ronan O'Mahony and Niall Scannell - and James Rael is heading to Connacht.

Corey Hircock has returned to Bedford Blues, while Cathal O'Flaherty has not been re-contracted and both Philip Donnellan and Brian Hayes are understood to be negotiating opportunities to play abroad.

The new recruits include six players promoted from the province's sub-academy - Niall Horan, David Johnston, Sean McCarthy, John Madigan, Darren O'Shea and Rory Scannell - two players from Schools level, Gearoid Lyons and Greg O'Shea (both Crescent College Comprehensive), and one Irish Exiles player - Jack Cullen (Saracens).

As Rory Scannell joins the Academy, his big brother Niall advances to the next level - both Rory Scannell and Sean McCarthy were part of the Ireland Under-20s squad that competed in the RBS 6 Nations this year.

Gearoid Lyons captained Crescent College to the Munster Schools Senior Cup title in March, defeating Rockwell College in the decider.

2013/14 MUNSTER RUGBY ACADEMY (Position/Age/Club) -

Year 3: Shane Buckley (Back rower/21/Garryowen).

Year 2: Brian Haugh (Scrum half/20/Young Munster), Jonathan Holland (Out-half/21/Cork Constitution), Harry McNulty (Centre/20/Young Munster), Darren Moroney (Winger/22/UL Bohemians), Ryan Murphy (Back rower/20/Dolphin), Jack O'Donoghue (Back rower/19/UL Bohemians), Darren Sweetnam (Full-back/20/UCC).

Year 1: Jack Cullen (Scrum half/18/tbc), Niall Horan (Prop/19/Shannon), David Johnston (Full-back/19/UL Bohemians), Gearoid Lyons (Out-half/18/CCC), Darren O'Shea (Lock/21/Dolphin), Greg O'Shea (Winger/18/CCC), Sean McCarthy (Lock/19/Shannon), John Madigan (Lock/18/Dolphin), Rory Scannell (Centre/19/Dolphin).

Munster Rugby Academy Staff:

Elite Development Manager: Peter Malone
Elite Player Development Officers: Colm McMahon and Greig Oliver
Strength and Conditioning Coaches: Feargal O'Callaghan and Joe McGinley
Sub Academy Strength and Conditioning Coaches: Gordon Brett and PJ Wilson
Physios: Patrick Hanley and Damien Mordan
Video Analysis: Elliot Corcoran

Felix Jones spoke to Irish Rugby TV about captaining the Ireland Wolfhounds team and the opportunity Friday's match presents for players ahead of the RBS 6 Nations.

Newly-appointed Ireland Women's captain Niamh Briggs was all smiles at her first RBS 6 Nations launch as she spoke about the challenge ahead and facing Italy in their first game next week.

Irish Rugby TV went behind the scenes at the launch of the RBS 6 Nations in the Hurlingham Club in London. It was a case of 'lights, camera, action' as Joe Schmidt and Paul O'Connell spoke to the assembled media to preview rugby's greatest Championship.