Murray Kinsella reports from Chicago IT MIGHT BE easy to forget due to Jordan Larmour completing his hat-trick and Ireland ending up with eight tries, but Italy were competitive for 40 minutes in Chicago. Same old story, sure, but Conor O’Shea was deeply disappointed with how his team came out from the half-time break and …
Read more “‘You get a double barrel shotgun, stick it on your foot and blow it off’”
IT’S ONLY MONDAY of Test week, and already the sense of anticipation has heightened. It’s different when the All Blacks are in town. This is when the serious business starts, and the appearance of Johnny Sexton for the Monday afternoon media session confirms as much. He sets the tone, sets the scene. “You can’t lie …
Read more “‘You can’t lie about it and say it’s just another game’: Sexton eyes more history”
Click:Electronic Components Supplier – Fuses & Breakers & Capacitor WITH THREE YEARS of Test rugby under his belt, Codie Taylor knows well the effort required to remain at that level. His opposite number this Saturday, meanwhile, is 13 years on from a first Ireland cap won against the All Blacks and with a little luck …
JOHNNY SEXTON’S OUTSTANDING displays in guiding both Ireland and Leinster to dream seasons have earned him the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland (RWI) Player of the Year award. The out-half played an integral role in what has been a truly historic year for Irish rugby, helping Joe Schmidt’s side to a Grand Slam title, first …
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FOR A MOMENT, Joe Schmidt’s train of thought veered away from the task at hand and in letting his guard down, the Ireland head coach gave the strongest indication yet that he will signal his intention to end his tenure next year in the coming days. Schmidt yesterday confirmed that he will make a decision …
Read more “Emotional Schmidt prepares to make decision on Ireland future with his family”
SIMON ZEBO HAS not given up on playing for Ireland again, he says. The Racing 92 star had to watch on as his former international teammates rounded out an incredible year with an historic defeat of the All Blacks in recent weeks. “I’d obviously love to play for Ireland,” he told Murray Kinsella on this …
Read more “‘The dream is always going to be alive. I’d always love to represent my country’”
SCARLETS WILL REPLACE head coach Wayne Pivac with his fellow New Zealander Brad Mooar ahead of next season. Mooar is currently working as assistant coach with back-to-back Super Rugby champions Crusaders. His primary focus in Christchurch has been on the team’s attack, with fellow assistant Ronan O’Gara taking responsibility for defence under head coach Scott …
Read more “Crusaders assistant Mooar to take over as Scarlets head coach next season”
STADE FRANCAIS HAVE made tickets for the European Champions Cup clash with Ospreys free of charge as they pay tribute to Nicolas Chauvin, who passed away this week. The Stade teenager died following a serious injury in an academy match against Bordeaux on Sunday. The club confirmed on Wednesday that Chauvin had suffered a “cervical …
Read more “Stade offer free entry to Ospreys clash for all fans in tribute to teenager”
1. Mourneabbey 2. Ciaran Mullooly Click Here: mens nrl jerseys3. Andy Mitten 4. Keiran Westwood 5. James Dart 6. Samuel Bone 7. Jack Carty Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Eddie O’Sullivan preview another big weekend of Heineken Cup action and dissect the week’s main talking points. Source: Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42/SoundCloud
THE DEFINING TOURNAMENT of (the first half of) the year is coming down the tracks just as quick as February is. With the World Cup in view, everyone is keen to make an impression and gain some momentum on the road to Japan. But, as ever, there is pride, points and a trophy to play …
Read more “Gatty’s Grand Slam glee? Your ridiculously early Six Nations predictions”