Month: November 2022

BERNARD JACKMAN IS open to getting “another crack” at coaching roles after his recent departure from the Dragons.  The former Irish hooker parted company with the Welsh outfit last month despite signing a three-year deal in June 2017.  The Newport-based club were second from bottom in the Pro14 Conference B when Jackman left, after three wins …

Read more “Jackman open to ‘another crack’ at coaching following Dragons departure”

NO MATTER WHAT the circumstances, how bad a situation feels or bleak an outlook may seem, there is always a road back. There is a path to something better. Mick Finnegan is living proof. A native of Dublin, a veteran of rough-sleeping and both sides of support services, Finnegan currently finds himself enjoying the greatest …

Read more “‘Just don’t give up’: Finnegan living proof that there is always a better day ahead”

FOUR FROM FOUR on another perfect weekend for Irish rugby leaves the provinces in a strong position for qualification for the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-finals heading into the final round of pool action. A quartet of impressive performances across the weekend leaves Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht firmly on course to advance …

Read more “European clean sweep another marker of Irish rugby’s rude health”

LEINSTER WILL BE without number 10 Ross Byrne in this Friday’s Pro14 meeting with Scarlets (kick-off 19.35, TG4/ eir Sport) after he sustained a head injury in the Heineken Champions Cup win over Wasps. The out-half will undergo concussion return to play protocols this week and his province today ruled him out of contention for …

Read more “Ross Byrne to sit out Leinster’s Pro14 clash with Scarlets”

FRANCE CENTRE WESLEY Fofana announced on Thursday that he will retire from international rugby after the 2019 World Cup in Japan. The 31-year-old has made 45 France appearances, scoring 15 tries, but played only once for Les Bleus in 2017 and 2018 after a succession of injury problems. “I’ll try whole-heartedly to make the World …

Read more “France centre to retire from internationals after World Cup”

JOE SCHMIDT HAS thrown a curveball this week by picking Leinster man Robbie Henshaw at fullback.  Joe Schmidt has been pondering the option for some time and, given Rob Kearney’s evident ring-rust, made the call for tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations opener against England at Lansdowne Road.  Last night at our tournament preview event in Liberty …

Read more “‘I think it’s a good fit… Robbie will go really well’ – Simon Zebo on Henshaw’s fullback selection”

TO BE A fly on the wall in the Carton House meeting room this morning. The video review session won’t make for particularly pleasant viewing, as Joe Schmidt’s Ireland begin the inquest into Saturday’s humbling at the hands of England. No-one quite saw it coming, so there was still an element of shock when Schmidt …

Read more “Pride dented but Furlong confident Ireland will find a response”

WITH AN EXTENSIVE injury list coming into the game having already deprived him of a handful of key players, Joe Schmidt might have sighed in frustration at the sight of Johnny Sexton leaving the pitch in the 23rd minute in Edinburgh. His first-choice out-half left the scene after taking an accidental blow to his face and …

Read more “Schmidt hoping Ireland’s challenges are a ‘vaccination’ for the World Cup”

IN LAST WEEK’S win over Scotland, Conor Murray made 13 kicks. Joey Carbery made two, one of which was kicking the ball out for half-time.  Conor Murray’s box-kicking ability has become a pillar of the Irish game in recent years, but its effectiveness is being stifled by teams that recognise the threat.  Click Here: Women …

Read more “Conor Murray needs to offload Ireland’s kicking responsibility to focus on returning to form”

Roman Reigns appeared at a signing yesterday at the World of Wheels in Pittsburgh, PA and was said to be in good spirits. He stayed an hour after he was scheduled. He is also scheduled to appear at the World of Wheels event in Indianapolis tomorrow. I got to meet Roman Reigns today. Omg 🥰😍❤️ …

Read more “Photos: Roman Reigns appears at an autograph signing”