Ryan and Turner among Leinster’s new academy players for 2019/20 season

CHARLIE RYAN AND Liam Turner are among five new players added to the Leinster academy for the 2019/20 season, with the Ireland U20 duo entering the system at the first-year stage. Second row Ryan captained Ireland during the recent U20 World Championship in Argentina, while former Blackrock College centre Turner played every minute of Ireland’s …

Sonny Bill to sit out Bledisloe opener as New Zealand trim squad to 34

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS will miss New Zealand’s Rugby Championship clash against Australia as the All Blacks named a 34-man squad for the two Bledisloe Cup Tests. Williams is set to play two games with Counties Manukau, including their Mitre 10 Cup opener, while missing the meeting with the Wallabies in Perth on 10 August. However, …

Carbery included in 40-man training squad as Cooney among trio cut

JOEY CARBERY HAS been included in Joe Schmidt’s 40-man squad bound for a warm weather training camp in Portugal despite picking up an ankle injury last weekend against Italy. The IRFU confirmed that Munster fly-half will be available for selection in “four to six weeks” as his rehab continues. The versatile John Cooney is among …

UL Bohemians maintain unbeaten run at top of Women’s All-Ireland League

NINE GAMES, NINE victories. UL Bohemians remain unbeaten at the top of the league after their ninth win of the season, their victims this time St Mary’s. Home games, away matches, they all come alike to the Munster women who were the away team in the lunchtime game at Templeville Road but emerged with all …

From 200 diehards to 11,000 season-ticket holders: how Leinster compete in the professional game

This is part of The42′s Class of 95 series, a week-long examination of professional rugby in Ireland. Source: Gary Carr/INPHO WHEN RUGBY TURNED professional in 1995, it had just as big an impact on how teams operated off the pitch as they did on it. Correctly managing the business side of the game from brand …

Struggling Terenure shock champions, Cookies beat Garryowen and more from last night’s UBL

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1A CLONTARF 6 TERENURE COLLEGE 13, Castle Avenue Bottom side Terenure College stunned Division 1A title holders Clontarf with a 13-6 defeat at Castle Avenue last night, inspired by a ferocious defensive display. Mark O’Neill celebrates at the final whistle last night. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO ‘Nure number 8 Eoin Joyce crossed for …

Analysis: Ireland always work hard but their breakdown must be better in Italy

Updated 11 February WHATEVER YOUR GAME plan might be, it’s always going to come up short if your breakdown work is not of a sufficient standard. Ireland found that out to their detriment last weekend in Murrayfield and we can be certain head coach Joe Schmidt has spent time working on this area of his …

France centre Mermoz opts to join Newcastle Falcons

FRENCH INTERNATIONAL MAXIME Mermoz will join Newcastle Falcons in time for the start of the 2017/18 season following his short-term deal with English Premiership rivals Leicester. The 30-year-old centre has previously won the domestic French Top 14 title with three different clubs in Toulouse, Perpignan and Toulon. At Toulon, he also won two European Cups …

Tierney continues to ring the changes as Ireland team named for France while trio confirmed in 7s squad

Updated 16.40 IRELAND HEAD COACH Tom Tierney has made wholesale changes to the Ireland team set to face France in their Women’s 6 Nations clash at Donnybrook Stadium on Sunday (RTÉ Two, 12.45pm). As expected, there’s no room for Sene Naoupu, Alison Miller and Hannah Tyrrell in the squad with Tierney saying: “We’ve got a couple …