Jumping off the Luas, I bumped into the mother of an old team-mate, Stephen Grissing. She was still energised after watching St Mary’s College win the Leinster Schools Senior Cup for the first time in 24 years, having beaten Blackrock College after a replay. It offered an instant reminder of the place that schools rugby … Read more
Under-10 Six Nations: Ireland 47 Scotland 14 An Under-20 Six Nations campaign which began with alarm bells ringing after a hammering in Perpignan ended to a different chime as Ireland, like their senior counterparts, bounced back from a drubbing in France to capture the Triple Crown. They ran in seven tries in Cork to make … Read more
Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland 48 Wales 33 Similar to their senior counterparts, the Irish Under-20 side will take on Scotland next weekend with a Triple Crown on the line after they chalked up their third win in succession at Virgin Media Park in a high-scoring affair against Wales. Indeed, Ireland have a slim chance of … Read more
Ireland head coach Andrew Browne has made two changes and a positional switch to the team that beat England for Saturday night’s Under-20 Six Nations game against Wales at Virgin Media Park (7.45pm, Virgin Media Two). Right wing Derry Moloney, who has impressed throughout the campaign, has recovered from an injury that saw him miss … Read more
It’s an affliction that is impossible to avoid. One of the more contagious viruses that runs through sports fans the world over. Irish rugby punters are no different and the latest bout has fast taken hold. Shiny new toy syndrome has certainly kicked in thanks to the performances of one Irish Under-20 forward: South African-born … Read more
Under-20 Six Nations: England 21 Ireland 31 Let’s hope this is a foretaste of things to come this weekend as a fancied England were ousted by a fired-up Ireland, who produced a stunning display of heart and hard work to silence more than 13,000 at the Rec in Bath. Head coach Andrew Browne, who insisted … Read more
Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland 30 Italy 27 Andrew Browne’s Ireland just about did enough to secure their first win in this season’s Under-20 Six Nations after a cracking encounter at Virgin Media Park. Italy deservedly left with a couple of bonus points and would have secured the win had Ireland not defended stoutly in the … Read more
Under-20 Six Nations: France 50 Ireland 21 Ireland left the Stade Aimé Giral bruised, battered and with a nagging disappointment that they contributed to their downfall to a far greater extent that would be acceptable. France were worthy winners, scoring eight tries, possessing a surfeit of power, pace and guile that enabled them to play … Read more
Tom Wood knows what’s coming and smiles good-naturedly when asked if he wants to “get the family rugby background stuff out of the way, now or later”. “Yep, go on, go for it.” He is the son of former Lions, Ireland, Harlequins, Munster and Garryowen hooker Keith. Which means he is also the grandson of … Read more
Ireland Under-20 head coach Andrew Browne has named a 29-man squad for the Under-20 Six Nations championship that opens with a game against France in Perpignan on Saturday, February 7th. Four players return from last year’s squad, outhalf Tom Wood, wing Derry Moloney, fullback/wing Charlie Molony and secondrow Donnacha McGuire. Browne has named tighthead prop … Read more