The Irish Exiles again launch their Festival Days for the Under 16-18 age-range across Britain this weekend in the search for potential Irish qualified players.

Connacht Rugby's CEO Gerry Kelly has announced that he is to step down at the end of the 2011/12 season.

There are no major injury concerns for the Ireland squad following the game against Wales yesterday in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

See below for a look at the official match statistics from Ireland's RBS 6 Nations loss to Wales in Dublin on Sunday evening.

After wins for France and England yesterday, all eyes will be on the Aviva Stadium this afternoon as Ireland look to open their 2012 RBS 6 Nations campaign with a home victory over Wales. You can keep up-to-date with the match via our O2 MatchDay Live service right here on IrishRugby.ie.

Division 1A leaders St. Mary's College beat Garryowen to maintain their winning run in the latest round of action in the Ulster Bank League. Meanwhile, Buccaneers came from behind against UCD to secure the only away win in Division 1B.

The Ireland players took part in the Captain's Run at the Aviva Stadium earlier today as their much-anticipated RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales draws ever closer. Check out our photos from the session.

Keith Earls has been forced to withdraw from the Ireland team to play Wales due to personal reasons. Fergus McFadden comes into the side at outside centre with the uncapped David Kearney promoted to the replacements bench.

Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton brings us up to date with his first diary from inside the Ireland camp including his refusal of chips at the 'kickers' lunch'.

A big weekend in Division 1B kicks off with the mouth-watering Friday Night Lights clash between league leaders Ballynahinch and fifth-placed Dungannon, who are only two points behind the County Down side.

What are the odds? Paddy Power, official bookmaker to the IRFU, give us their take on the match betting for Ireland's opening game of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.

A new-look Ireland Women's team, including new caps Ashleigh Baxter and Sophie Spence, will take on Wales in their Six Nations opener on Friday. The girls in green have made Ashbourne RFC a formidable home in recent years, with wins there over France, Italy, Wales and Scotland.

This is the seventh season that Dubarry Park in Athlone, the home ground of Buccaneers RFC, has played host to the Ireland Under-20s' Six Nations matches, or the Under-21s as they were in previous years.

In his first diary entry of 2012, Ireland's RBS 6 Nations skipper Paul O'Connell fills us in on taking over the captain's armband from the injured Brian O'Driscoll.

It is looking tight at the top of Division 2A with only ten points separating Dublin University in first place from Old Wesley in sixth spot. Every game counts now in the race for promotion.

The Ireland team to play Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship opener at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) has been named.

See below for a statistical preview of Sunday's RBS 6 Nations match between Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

After last week's training camp in Limerick, the Ireland squad and management have moved bases to Carton House in Maynooth as they continue their preparations for the start of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship. Check out our latest photos from training.