INJURY TO SONNY Bill Williams leaves the All Blacks looking considerably lighter in midfield, but head coach Steve Hansen is quite content with his mix of youth and experience in his centre slots for Saturday’s clash with Ireland. “We’re not going in with too many newbies and we have plenty of guys who have been …
Continue reading “O’Gara-influenced Goodhue at the head of New Zealand’s queue for centre slot”
LEINSTER HEAD COACH Leo Cullen has named his side for their visit to Wales to face the Dragons tomorrow [kick-off 5.15pm, live on eir Sport]. With a number of changes across the board, Scott Fardy captains the eastern province in Rodney Parade as some Ireland internationals return to the fold, but there’s also a settled …
THERE ARE FEW tougher assignments in women’s international rugby than going to Twickenham to face the world’s second-ranked side, no more so than when Ireland find themselves in the middle of a transitionary period. After defeat to USA at Donnybrook last weekend, the task facing Adam Griggs’ side couldn’t be greater this evening as they …
Continue reading “Ireland face ‘one of the biggest challenges in women’s rugby’ at Twickenham”
MUNSTER HAVE ANNOUNCED their Guinness Pro14 inter-pro clash against Leinster on Saturday 29 December has sold out in record time, and is set to equal the highest attendance for a game at Thomond Park. The southern province will install additional goalline seating at the Limerick venue for the round 12 clash, bringing the overall capacity …
Continue reading “Munster and Leinster’s festive inter-pro set for record-equalling Thomond crowd”
AS SOMEONE WHO has played for Connacht, coached at Connacht, moved onto the Glasgow Warriors and now joined Ulster as head coach, Dan McFarland has plenty of years invested into the Guinness Pro14. Indeed, even in the years he wasn’t in the Pro14, he was working primarily with players from the league as assistant coach …
FORMER ENGLAND RUGBY union international Christian Wade admits he is struggling to make the transition to American football but will not give up. Wade quit rugby and Wasps in October to pursue a career in the NFL through the International Player Pathway programme. Click Here: sydney roosters rugby store The 27-year-old is currently learning the …
Continue reading “Ex-Wasps star Wade struggling with NFL transition”
Leinster 40Ulster 7 Ryan Bailey reports from the RDS LESS AN INTER-PRO derby, more a phoney war. This was as uncomplicated, and sweat-free, a victory Leinster are likely to enjoy all season, as Leo Cullen’s much-changed side once again exposed the glaring gulf in quality and resources between these two provinces without ever really getting …
Continue reading “Six-try Leinster make light work of Ulster in facile inter-pro victory”
JOE SCHMIDT SAID he relishes the verbal ‘grenades’ coming in Ireland’s direction from England head coach Eddie Jones ahead of the Six Nations opener between the nations in Dublin. Jones has already stoked the fire in the build-up to the eagerly-anticipated Aviva Stadium showdown by claiming Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton has the ‘bat phone to …
Continue reading “‘Eddie went past me just before and said, ‘get ready for a few grenades””
Updated at 20.15 A TENURE-DEFINING year lies ahead for Joe Schmidt. Schmidt speaking at an event in the Aviva this week. Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO The Kiwi will depart his role as Ireland head coach after the World Cup’s conclusion in Japan and, ultimately, the silverware and landmark victories he has delivered since taking over in …
Continue reading “Connacht revival presents lead contenders to break into Ireland Six Nations squad”
AS ANDY FRIEND’S Connacht continue to ride the crest of a wave, the western province head into this afternoon’s pivotal Guinness Pro14 clash against Cardiff Blues as victims of their own success. Without the services of six players on international duty for the first time, this is the sort of headache Connacht have always hoped …
Continue reading “Connacht a victim of their own success for crunch Cardiff clash”