CERTAIN MEMBERS OF the Welsh media were left unimpressed by comments prior to the weekend’s big Six Nations match, it seems. The front page of Monday’s Western Mail makes reference to “cocky Irish pundits,” and suggests Keith Wood and Neil Francis, in particular, were guilty of disrespecting the Welsh team ahead of their game with […]
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO Click Here: Parramatta Eels Jersey IRELAND CLAIMED THEIR second consecutive Six Nations title today after a thrilling final day in the Championship when four teams began with hope of winning the trophy. Joe Schmidt’s side defeated Scotland 10 – 40 in Murrayfield, a scoreline that was enough to push Wales off top […]
ULSTER’S NICK WILLIAMS has been suspended from playing for eight weeks for striking Rhys Patchell during the province’s clash with the Cardiff Blues last weekend. Williams’ season is over unless he successfully appeals. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO The ban follows news yesterday that centre Stuart Olding’s season is over, and this eight-week sentence also ends Williams’ […]
CONNACHT HAVE RECALLED centre Bundee Aki for their pivotal Guinness Pro12 clash with Ulster at the Sportsground tomorrow [KO 14.40, Sky Sports] after the Kiwi recovered from injury. Head coach Pat Lam has also handed 10 shirt to Craig Ronaldson as Jack Carty drops out of the squad, while George Naoupu is introduced to the back row […]
Murray Kinsella reports from Stade Vélodrome LEINSTER COACH MATT O’Connor stated his pride at the effort of his Leinster players during their 25-20 extra-time defeat to Toulon in the Champions Cup semi-finals. The Irish province led from minutes 16 to 55 in a game that was closely-fought throughout, as Toulon produced an uncharacteristically high error […]
Updated at 21.50 AS THE GRUMBLES around this weekend’s all-French Champions Cup final in London continue, French rugby authorities are making a strong play to host next season’s decider on home soil. Will the Stade Vélodrome host next season’s final? The most recent top-tier European final to take place in France was the 2010 meeting between Toulouse […]
WALES COACH WARREN Gatland has admitted that he is deeply concerned about the playing future of 23-year-old wing George North. North scores against Italy on the last day of this year’s Six Nations. Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO The Northampton Saints wide man suffered his third concussion in four months when knocked out in a Premiership meeting […]
THE NEXT ONE hundred days can’t pass quickly enough. The Rugby World Cup is on the way, we can’t bloody wait, so here’s a full starting XV of snap judgement and wild predictions. Roll on September. 1. New Zealand won’t defend their title The All Blacks can be hard to love sometimes, but The42 has […]
More details emerged about the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Mean Gene Okerlund who sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 76. TMZ is reporting that Okerlund fell at home last month and broke multiple ribs. His son, Todd, told TMZ that his father’s health had been in decline lately and the fall […]
SUPER RUGBY STRUGGLERS the Blues have named Tana Umaga as their new head coach for the next three seasons. The Blues made the announcement in Auckland today, after John Kirwan resigned on Friday following just 17 wins in 58 games over three years. Umaga — a former All Blacks captain — joins the Blues after […]