“Seventy to 80 per cent of households in Wales watch when we play in the Six Nations,” Sam Warburton told Gabby Logan before Sunday’s game got under way in Cardiff. By the 15th minute, by which point France had scored their third try, you had to conclude that the 20 to 30 per cent might … Read more
“Taking the space” is the latest rugby jargon I do not understand. Nor does Munster coach Denis Leamy. This is not a criticism of referees. It is valid concern about the communication channels between the match officials and clubs involved in the Champions Cup. “Taking the space” was the reason given by English ref Karl … Read more
Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman has provided insight into the spat between Munster’s Jack Crowley and Sharks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse during the penalty shootout. The two sides could not be separated in regular or extra time during the United Rugby Championship quarter-final in Durban, meaning that the semi-finalist would be decided by a penalty shootout. … Read more
The Barbarians have added three Test centurions to their playing stocks ahead of the clash against the Springboks in Cape Town next month. The encounter on Saturday, 28 June at the DHL Stadium is the first time that the two sides will meet on South African soil with former Wallabies and Crusaders boss Robbie Deans … Read more
Mack Hansen, one of four returning Ireland internationals, has been named at fullback, for Connacht’s history making URC fixture against Munster in Castlebar. The 27-year-old has played the majority of his rugby on the wing for club and country but has plenty of experience in the 15-jersey dating back to his days in Australia. It … Read more
Upon the final whistle at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, the curtain came down on the careers of three Irish legends. Cian Healy, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray. Before the three men could even make their way down the tunnel after enjoying the moment with their friends and families, questions began about why Ireland‘s performance … Read more
Italy 17 Ireland 22 Two and a half minutes from time, James Lowe came in off his wing and Manuel Zuliani offloaded one-handed to the talented 23-year-old Italian replacement Leonardo Marin. A star of the future was set to become one of the present with his first touch when he raced up the touchline and … Read more
THE Irish rugby team gathered in Rome for a black tie gala to mark the end of the Six Nations – before continuing the party in Dublin. While it overall felt like an underwhelming tournament from an Irish perspective, they did still win four out of five matches and secured what is still a rare … Read more
JESSICA O’Mahony said ‘arrivederci’ to the Aviva Stadium before Ireland’s retiring trio say ‘ciao’ in Rome. Unfortunately there will be no storybook ending for Peter, Conor Murray or Cian Healy after Saturday’s shellacking at the hands of France. 4 She captioned this snap featuring herself and Conor Murray’s wife Joanna Cooper ‘Monday blues’Credit: @jeskaomahony 4 … Read more
The scrum-half will be hoping to go out on a high with Ireland by winning the Grand Slam. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile It might seem impossible to sum up the career of Conor Murray in four words but a friend of his did a fine job of it yesterday. When Murray checked his phone after training … Read more