DURING THE TWO bye weeks during the Six Nations, the Irish team have treated Connacht and Ulster fans by staging opening training sessions at The Sportsgrounds and Ravenhill.

It is a great opportunity for fans young and old to mingle with the players and take photos. Today’s session once again highlighted the Irish players’ willingness to mix with the fans and it is great to see.

Here are the best pictures from today’s training session.

A fan uses a selfie stick to take a snap of Sean O’Brien (but he’s standing right beside you!)

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Paul O’Connell puts his amateur photography skills to use

Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO / Russell Pritchard/INPHO

Jack McGrath and Peter O’Mahony take a breather

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Jamie Heaslip continued his fitness battle ahead of the trip to Cardiff

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland fan Johnny O’Kane won a signed jersey

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

It is like holding a peanut for Paulie

Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO / Russell Pritchard/INPHO

The demand for Robbie Henshaw’s signature was high as always

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

He was caught off-guard but Devin Toner still managed to shoot the camera a pensive look

Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO / Russell Pritchard/INPHO

It’s DC10′s birthday so here are 5 times Dan Carter was a complete and utter Dan Carter

After a taste of Schmidt’s set-up, Leinster’s returning international wants back in