So, Munster can be Munster after all. They have finished the season on a high note, with a performance of raw courage and true grit. Their match with the Sharks was one of the most dramatic encounters in United Rugby Championship history. The stadium in Durban was packed to the rafters, the men in red … Read more
Jimmy Gopperth believes “jealousy” is at the root of criticism – and worse – aimed at Henry Pollock by players in France since the final whistle blew on the Investec Champions Cup final. The veteran New Zealander plays what could be his last game in the French league on Thursday when his Provence team travel … Read more
Champions Cups final: Bordeaux Bègles 28 Northampton Saints 20 The Champions Cup has a new name on the trophy and a new major force in the European rugby. Strictly speaking, this well-run, superbly supported club have been the coming force for some years now and this spellbinding final merely confirmed the arrival of Bordeaux Bègles … Read more
Were Leinster to reach the Grand Final of the BKT URC on Saturday, June 14th, the province are understood to have plans in place to host the match in Croke Park. Although Leinster have won this title eight times in its previous iterations, they have never reached a final of what is now the URC, … Read more
England and Northampton Saints star Tommy Freeman has revealed how future British and Irish Lions team-mate Josh van der Flier tried to get into his head during their clash with Leinster. It is one of the brilliant features of the famous touring side where enemies at club and international level join forces every four years. … Read more
Former Ireland and British & Irish Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald believes that the Springboks are ‘dodgy selectors’ and claims Leinster paid the price for that in the Investec Champions Cup. Following the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Dublin-based outfit were boosted by the arrival of ex-Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber. He, along … Read more
The decision by Leinster to give RG Snyman their player of the year award has divided fans on social media in the wake of his underwhelming effort in last Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup exit. The Irish province were dumped out of the tournament at the semi-final stage, losing to Northampton in Dublin in a match … Read more
Former Ireland international Shane Horgan believes Sam Prendergast needs to fix up his defensive exploits sooner rather than later if he hopes to keep his place for both Leinster and Ireland. The 22-year-old fly-half’s defensive issues were put under the spotlight in Leinster’s 37-34 defeat to Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup semi-final, missing two … Read more
Former international referee Nigel Owens has called for World Rugby to sort the “problem” around the TMO. Owens is of the opinion that the fourth official is called upon too often in matches and has urged the game’s governing body to limit the TMO’s remit. Limiting the TMO’s influence The Welshman expressed his view on … Read more
Who is playing, when and where? Leinster are playing against Northampton at 5.30pm on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in the Champions Cup semi-final. In the second semi-final, it is an all-French affair with Bordeaux Bègles playing Toulouse on Sunday at 3pm in Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux. How can I watch it? You can watch … Read more