HE’S FONDLY THOUGHT of by Connacht fans and his departure for Sale in the summer of 2016, just after helping the province to a Pro12 title, was met with disappointment. Connacht have firmly moved on…
1. By that stage he had a tumour removed and battled through chemo. He had improved. Baby James had arrived as a brother to Isabelle (7) and Ava (5). He was ready to go back to…
Ryan Bailey reports from the RDS YOU COULD ALMOST feel the sense of relief that overflowed from the stands yesterday afternoon as St Michael’s captain Mark Hernan followed in the footsteps of Conor Cleary and…
LEO CULLEN WAS keen to downplay the significance of the omission of Rob Kearney and Jack McGrath from his Leinster side for tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Ulster, rather choosing to focus on the…
THIS SATURDAY LEINSTER, as experienced as they may be in late-season finales, will be find themselves on a new approach road. They’ve entered deciders as favourites, as underdogs, against teams from overseas and their fellow…
NEW SOUTH AFRICA coach Allister Coetzee has named nine uncapped players in a new-look squad for June’s three-Test series against Ireland. Garth April (Sharks), Ruan Combrinck (Lions), Faf de Klerk (Lions), Steven Kitshoff (Bordeaux), Jaco Kriel…
Rory Keane reports from Cape Town TOMORROW’S OPENER AGAINST South Africa could very well be the toughest examination of Joe Schmidt’s career. The All Blacks in Dublin, France in Paris, England at Twickenham, Argentina in…
IRELAND U20 HEAD coach Nigel Carolan has made minimal changes to the side which defeated Wales in their World Rugby U20 Championship opener. Tighthead prop Ben Betts starts having played most of Tuesday’s match as…
STATE OF ORIGIN is known for its brutal, high-octane drama but today’s Test match in Brisbane delivered in spades, even by those traditionally high standards. The annual three-Test rugby league series between inter-state rivals Queensland…
NIGEL CAROLAN’S IRELAND U20s have earned a place in the World Rugby U20 Championship, the first time an Irish side has ever advanced into the decider at this level. Ireland beat Argentina 37-7 in their…