Cathal Forde (Connacht) Since Tom Farrell’s departure to Munster, filling the 13 shirt at Connacht hasn’t been an easy task. Many were called, a few were chosen, but no one’s claim to the jersey was unequivocal. This season, Stuart Lancaster initially turned to Byron Ralston, but a knee injury in October has kept him on … Read more
Munster look set to be without Diarmuid Barron, Brian Gleeson and Calvin Nash for this Saturday’s Challenge Cup knockout clash at Exeter Chiefs, the province revealed on Wednesday. The trio each failed their respective Head Injury Assessments following last Saturday’s narrow United Rugby Championship loss at the Bulls in Pretoria. Wing Nash was removed after … Read more
European rugby, albeit with a South African twist, returns over the next two weekends when both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup suddenly assume an altogether different tempo. It is the season’s first knockout phase. After the jostling for position which saw 48 matches whittle the 24 contenders down to 16 in the Champions Cup, … Read more
IN THE space of four days, commentating on the Ireland U20’s win over Scotland that delivered a Triple Crown and second place in their Six Nations championship followed by PBC’s emphatic victory over St Munchin’s in the Munster Schools Senior Cup final, I left Musgrave Park with a profound sense of hope for an ailing … Read more
Jack Crowley’s return to the Munster line-up against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld gave his side a much-needed lift. Photo: Nic Bothma/Sportsfile On Monday, when Munster announced their intention to host a Champions Cup pool game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh next season, there must have been a strong sense of trepidation for fear of … Read more
Confidence represents a fuel source for the individual and the team, one that drives success in all its forms, whether it is accomplished performances or the ultimate collective goal, winning trophies. Its absence can make the best players appear hesitant and unsure and great teams distinctly ordinary. Confidence can come from a single source, a … Read more
The fire still burns. Munster have some of that old fighting spirit left in them, especially when backed into a corner. Beaten 45-0 the week before at sea level, admittedly after a delayed and prolonged flight to Durban, Munster extracted two bonus points from last Saturday’s 34-31 defeat against the Bulls in the altitude of … Read more
In sport, hope is like grass: it’s cut down, it grows back. Long before the qualification draw for Euro 2028 is made in Belfast in December hope will have been restored in the Ireland soccer team. In the months between Budapest and Prague it was the most powerful feeling the Ireland soccer team had generated … Read more
Munster captain Craig Casey warms up ahead of the United Rugby Championship match against Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: Nic Bothma/Sportsfile Munster captain Craig Casey said they had no choice but to produce a response against the Bulls after last weekend’s 45-0 hammering by the Sharks was followed by the … Read more
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has acknowledged that securing qualification for next season’s Champions Cup has taken on added significance in light of the province’s current financial challenges. A voluntary redundancy scheme was outlined to Munster staff earlier this week, with the province seeking to address budgetary pressures. However, it is understood that senior playing … Read more