ULSTER ARE WELL aware of the task facing them if they want to reach the knock-out stages in Europe for a fifth consecutive year. However, the weight of history – and the fact that no team has made the quarter finals after opening with two defeats – is not enough to force them to throw […]
LAST WEEK IT was Munster who were signing starters up to new deals and now Ulster are doing something similar as they have handed centre Darren Cave a new three-year contract that will keep him at the province until 2018. Cave has been in good form for Ulster over the last few months – he […]
NJPW has officially announced the complete match card for the January 4th NJPW WrestleKingdom 13 event. The traditional pre-show New Japan Rumble is off the show, replaced by a gauntlet match to determine #1 contenders for NEVER six man titles (info via WrestlingInc): * IWGP Title Match: Champion Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi * IC […]
Murray Kinsella reports from Stade Marcel-Michelin ANTHONY FOLEY WAS proud of Munster’s display of mental strength to secure a last-minute losing bonus point away to Clermont, although he admitted his side did not capitalise enough on first-half ascendancy. Ian Keatley’s last-gasp penalty from 35 metres out, following a Fritz Lee indiscretion, allowed Munster to draw […]
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 […]