PERCEPTIONS INSIDE THE Leinster group have been very different to those outside in recent weeks. Yesterday evening’s 21-11 victory over Connacht was the latest step forward in the development of Leinster’s attack, which continues to grow in width and incision. Man of the match Noel Reid helped greatly in both those facets on a chilly […]
Ulster 13Connacht 10 ULSTER EARNED A hard-fought 13-10 victory over Connacht in the Guinness Pro12 encounter in Belfast this evening. Winger Craig Gilroy gave his side the advantage with a try early on, crossing over on 20 minutes, meaning the hosts went in at half-time 10-3 ahead. Paddy Jackson’s second penalty of the evening after […]
THERE ARE MANY reasons Connacht deserve no end of praise for their New Year’s Day win over Munster. Not least, the manner in which they lit up a dreary night with some scintillating attacking moves, or the way they neither panicked at 13 – 0 down, nor felt the nerves at 17 – 16. However, […]
AHEAD OF THIS afternoon’s PRO12 game away to Cardiff Blues, the Leinster squad made what should have been a routine trip from Dublin to the Welsh capital last night. Joining them on their Cityjet flight were the Clontarf U12s and U13s, who secured a number of autographs and selfies with the players in the airport. […]
IN THE END, Munster barely even fired a shot as their European dreams died for another year. Saracens were wholly convincing in their 33-10 win over Anthony Foley’s side at Allianz Park, scoring three tries when few would have argued they deserved a fourth to clinch a bonus point. That said, it particularly aggrieved Munster […]
WASPS HAVE CONFIRMED that New Zealand-capped wing Frank Halai will join the club from the Auckland Blues next season. The 26-year-old has scored 13 tries in Super Rugby over the last two seasons, ending the 2013 campaign as the top try scorer in the competition after dotting down 10 times in 16 starts. Source: Wasps/YouTube […]
THE SIX NATIONS kicks off on Friday night with the eagerly-anticipated clash between Wales and England at the Millenium Stadium. Ahead of that first fixture, we’ve picked out six players who could light up the championship. We’ve looked below the very top tier of established figures such Sergio Parisse, Thierry Dusautoir, etc., and we’ve also concentrated […]
BRETT GOSPER, CEO of World Rugby, says Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be “very attractive”. Ireland’s intention to bid was formally announced last December in Armagh, when the IRFU was joined by the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, both of whom pledged their support to plans for an All-Ireland […]
Newbridge College 8Cistercian College Roscrea 8 Captain Jimmy O’Brien was electric in the centre for Newbridge. Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO ROSCREA AND NEWBRIDGE will replay their Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi-final after a tense 8-8 draw at Donnybrook. The replay has been scheduled for Monday, 9 March at 16.00 and will again take place in Donnybrook. […]
JAMES HOOK HAS never really been trusted by Warren Gatland. The Welsh out-half is undoubtedly one of the most talented men at his position in the world but for some of the biggest games during the Kiwi’s tenure, Hook has been left on the bench. Stephen Jones and Rhys Priestland have both been preferred to […]