WORLD RUGBY SAYS the pitch at Apia Park passed a routine pre-game inspection before Samoa and Tonga’s Pacific Nations Cup clash at the venue last Saturday. The global governing body has come under fire from some quarters after Samoa’s win over Tonga was played in dire weather conditions, with water pooling in some sections of the…
THE IRFU IS convinced that qualification for the rugby sevens at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo would push the seven-player code of the sport onto an entirely new level in Ireland, and it’s difficult to disagree. Having an Irish team competing at the Olympics in Japan would position sevens on a far wider stage than…
ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones says that the four warm-up matches ahead will allow his side to fine-tune their game and be ready to win the Rugby World Cup for a second time. The 59-year-old Australian — who was on the receiving end when as head coach of Australia when England won the Webb Ellis…
Leinster 47 Coventry 17 THE LEVEL OF opposition provides a caveat, but there was a lot to like about this performance from a youthful Leinster outfit, as Leo Cullen’s side returned to action with a seven-try hammering of English Championship side Coventry. After a summer of hard work, Cullen was keen to test the health…
HARLEQUINS STAVED OFF a spirited Gloucester comeback to seal a 28-24 victory and move above their opponents into sixth in the Premiership table. In front of a mammoth crowd of 77,567 at Twickenham, Quins led 28-10 with less than 20 minutes remaining, but two converted tries hauled Gloucester back into it, with the hosts forced…
Dave Meltzer discussed Becky Lynch on the Wrestling Observer Radio and said that Vince McMahon himself now sees Becky Lynch as “the chosen one” in WWE based on the booking. Becky Lynch being the chosen one: “How does anyone watch TV and think that Charlotte is the chosen one when it is so obvious that…
MUNSTER OUT-HALF Ian Keatley says Rassie Erasmus has given them licence to have a go if they sniff an opportunity is on during a game. The 29-year old, who has played in all but two of Munster’s 16 games this season, was the hero at the Sportsground at the weekend when he masterminded victory over…
CONNACHT ARE CLOSE to signing Steve Crosbie on a short-term contract in order to ease their issues with injuries at out-half. Crosbie has been with Munster in recent months. Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO The 23-year-old has been with Munster recently, having joined the southern province on a three-month development contract in October. Crosbie did not make…
Women’s All-Ireland League Round Four: Old Belvedere’s Jackie Shiels. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO Blackrock 15 – 19 UL BohemiansStradbrook Cooke 17 – 29 St Mary’sShaws Bridge Galwegians 17 – 34 HighfieldCrowley Park Railway Union RFC 25 – 8 Old BelvedereWillow Lodge RAILWAY UNION BUCKED the trend of losing home teams on the resumption of the Women’s…
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…