THE FACT THAT Robert Baloucoune wasn’t even part of Ulster’s full academy at the start of last season makes the impact he has made in the current campaign all the more impressive. The 21-year-old wing scored two tries in his province’s wins over Racing 92 and Leicester in the past fortnight, helping them to earn a […]
THE END OF a big block of games is in sight for Leinster, but before they face into a three-week gap between Pro14 games there is yet another chance to showcase their wealth of talent. Young and old. Scott Penny goes through a training drill under the watchful eye of Rob Kearney. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO […]
THIS ONE HAS all the makings of a Six Nations opener for the ages, and Rory Best admits Ireland will need to produce their best performance of the Joe Schmidt era to topple England at the Aviva Stadium this evening. The Ulster hooker, who will win his 114th cap later, has captained Ireland 28 times […]
FORMER CONNACHT ACADEMY out-half Tadhg Leader made a try-scoring debut for the USA in their 71-8 win over Chile in the Americas Rugby Championship on Saturday. The 26-year-old Galway man was a second-half replacement for starting 10 AJ MacGinty – another Ireland native – in the Eagles’ rout of the Chileans and Leader had a straightforward […]
LOSING JOHNNY SEXTON to injury is never a good thing for Ireland, but his failed HIA in Edinburgh on Saturday did at least mean Joey Carbery got 57 minutes of exposure at out-half in a big Six Nations game. It is, by some distance, the longest stint the 18-times Carbery has had on the pitch […]
KIERAN MARMION IS set to make his return to action when Connacht host the Toyota Cheetahs in the Guinness Pro14 on Saturday evening [TG4/eir, kick-off 5.30pm]. The scrum-half has not played in almost three months since undergoing ankle surgery following Ireland’s famous win against New Zealand. But after making quick progress through his rehab, the […]
Roman Reigns was a guest on Good Morning America on ABC this morning live from New York in an eight-minute segment to discuss his battle with leukemia. Asked what was it like to be back by host Robin Roberts, Reigns said that it was amazing and it was something that he thought about over and […]
CONFIDENCE IS KEY for Ultan Dillane as he heads into his first Six Nations start. The Connacht lock has had to wait his turn for a Championship starting berth in Ireland’s second row, getting the nod for this afternoon’s clash with Italy in Rome on his 13th cap. His previous starts for Ireland came in […]
L’heure est aux vacances pour Jamel Debbouze. Et c’est en famille avec sa femme Mélissa Theuriau et leurs enfants Léon Ali (11 ans et demi) et Lila Fatima Brigitte (8 ans) que l’humoriste de 45 ans a quitté Paris pour profiter de quelques jours à la plage. Sur Instagram dimanche 26 juillet 2020, il a […]
EVEN AHEAD OF a potential Leinster debut on the recent Guinness Pro14 trip to Zebre, Jack Dunne didn’t waste any opportunity to catch up on his academic studies, using the plane journey to glance over lecture notes. The 20-year-old second row was firmly in rugby mode, preparing to make his first senior appearance for Leo […]