World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont has hailed the Rugby World Cup 2023 bids as 'exciting and impressive' after the candidate Unions presented their vision and plans to World Rugby Council in London today.

Bob Geldof reads from the WB Yeats poem, 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree', as he talks about the Irish around the world and the impact they will have on a Rugby World Cup in Ireland.

The Ireland team bidding to host Rugby World Cup 2023 delivered a powerful presentation to the World Rugby representatives in London today and promised to deliver a 'tournament like no other'.

Ireland is in the final stage of bidding to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. We have put a great bid together, it is a partnership between North and South, between the IRFU and the GAA, between our communities, business, diaspora and Government. Everybody is coming together, it is Ireland at its best.

Over a century of points for leaders Railway Union and impressive displays from Old Belvedere, reigning champions UL Bohemians and Cooke marked the second weekend of the Women's All-Ireland League, writes Michael Gallagher.

Second row Dean Moore marked his Dooradoyle debut with a try as Garryowen battled past Division 1A rivals Buccaneers for a 29-17 bonus point victory yesterday afternoon.

Flanker Kevin Allen produced a man-of-the-match performance as Dolphin opened their win account for the new season by defeating Ballymena 10-6 at Eaton Park on Saturday.

UCD, Naas, Malone, Wanderers and Sligo are the table toppers in the Ulster Bank League following an exciting second round across all five divisions.

Jarrod Evans nailed the match-winning conversion in windy conditions as Cardiff Blues edged out Connacht 17-15 for their first win at the Sportsground since May 2014.

The second annual 15-a-side series of IRFU Under-18 Girls Interprovincial rugby takes place over the next three weeks, with Ulster aiming to defend the title they won in impressive fashion last year.

Ulster moved to the top of the GUINNESS PRO14 Conference B table tonight courtesy of an eight-try 52-25 blitz of the Dragons, with several fringe players making a strong case for more game-time in the weeks and months ahead.

After a frustrating 21-8 defeat away to the Dragons, Connacht will aim to bounce back when they entertain Cardiff Blues in a crunch Conference A duel at the Sportsground.

Leinster rounded off their South African tour with a disappointingly lacklustre performance, going down 38-19 to the inspired Cheetahs who deservedly blitzed them for a bonus point in Bloemfontein.

Munster tasted defeat for the first time this season as Glasgow Warriors claimed a 37-10 bonus point win in stylish fashion at Scotstoun Stadium tonight.

Four of this weekend's Ulster Bank League Division 1A games are in the capital, beginning with tonight's derby between last season's beaten finalists Clontarf and St. Mary's College, who are now coached by Peter Burke and Steve Bradshaw.

Division 1B's three Ulster clubs, Ballymena, Ballynahinch and Banbridge, are all at home in Saturday's second round, while early pacesetters Naas have Fionn Carr and James Connolly in the mix for the visit of UL Bohemians.

Out-half Andrew Deegan is set to make his debut for Connacht against conference rivals Cardiff Blues in the GUINNESS PRO14 at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick-off 3.15pm).

There are two Women's All-Ireland League clashes in Dublin on Saturday, and two more in Belfast and Limerick on Sunday. Railway Union are the early leaders after their stunning 76-5 demolition of Galwegians out west.

The only two teams to notch a try-scoring bonus point last week will face off in Belfast tomorrow as promotion hopefuls Malone and Highfield meet in Ulster Bank League Division 2A's match of the day.

Ulster entertain Welsh opposition for the second week running, with director of rugby Les Kiss looking for his side to build on last Friday's encouraging win over the Scarlets. "I don't think it was a 10-out-of-10 from us but it's a sign that we're on the right track. It's a good marker but there are work-ons," he said, ahead of the visit of the Dragons.