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 […]
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 […]