MUNSTER HAVE BEEN dealt a blow with the news that James Cronin is set for an extended spell on the sidelines. The 26-year-old prop underwent surgery on Sunday and is expected to be out of action for between six and eight weeks. With South African prop Thomas du Toit having left the province following the…
This is part of The42′s Class of 95 series, a week-long examination of professional rugby in Ireland. Packo Fitzgerald gets to grips with Swansea. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO “WHEN MUNSTER PLAYED Swansea in the province’s first ever European Cup tie in November 1995, a crowd of 5,000 witnessed proceedings at Thomond Park,” writes Dr Liam O’Callaghan in his comprehensive…
Murray Kinsella reports from Cumbernauld THE IRELAND SUPPORTERS who made the trek to Cumbernauld on Friday were greeted by icy and wet weather, but late wins for the U20s and Women were warming rewards. Ireland celebrate their win in Scotland. Source: Craig Watson/INPHO After Paula Fitzpatrick and her team-mates had secured a last-gasp victory in…
Murray Kinsella reports from Rome WITH RORY BEST missing at Stadio Olimpico yesterday, Ireland needed leaders to step up to the mark and Joe Schmidt was not left disappointed during their record-setting 63-10 win. Jamie Heaslip assumed the captaincy and delivered one of several outstanding individual performances, but CJ Stander was the clear man of…
JOE SCHMIDT’S HOPES that the Ireland U20s would provide his team with stiff opposition at yesterday’s opening training session in Monaghan certainly materialised. Nigel Carolan’s charges were up for the task, with an enjoyable bout of pushing and shoving breaking out between the forwards during lineout and maul practice. For the second time this season,…
Munster 21Scarlets 30 MUNSTER WERE BLOWN away by a superb fightback by Scarlets in a thrilling encounter at Thomond Park. Munster seemed poised for an easy win when they opened up a 15-point lead by the interval. But the in-form Llanelli side came storming back to carve out a win and hold the leaders scoreless…
AN UNUSUAL SETTING for Ireland’s Monday press duty, and so a different room in the caverns of the Aviva Stadium to stage it in. Peter O’Mahony landed in from the open training session into the astro-turfed warm-up room with socks just rolled down to his ankles, cloth clinging to his thighs for line-out drills and…
THIS TIME TWO weeks ago, there was a serious conversation ongoing surrounding Ireland women’s rugby. Hannah Tyrrell. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO Click Here: gold coast titans jerseys Leading the Six Nations after two bonus-point wins in their two opening games, there was speculation that three key players were set to be pulled from the squad to…
FORMER LEINSTER OUT-half Ian McKinley has extended his contract with Italian Pro12 outfit Benetton Treviso into the 2017/18 season. The 27-year-old was forced to retire from professional rugby in 2011 after losing the sight in his left eye following a training-ground accident. McKinley in action against his native province, Leinster. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO Click Here:…
Newport Gwent Dragons 17Ulster 27 ULSTER STAGED A late show to keep the heat on Munster and overcome a brave Newport Gwent Dragons side 27-17. Craig Gilroy pounced to give Ulster the lead but the hosts fought back thanks to Rynard Landman. A slick backs move put Jared Payne over, before Ollie Griffths hit back….