“This time around is a lot different and (I’m) now really coming into my own performance-wise.”  This time four years ago Jack Conan received his first cap for Ireland as he looked to make a late surge into Joe Schmidt’s final 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. That cap came in a warm-up game against Scotland at the …

Leinster will hand out a number of debuts for their opening preseason game of the summer against Coventry on Saturday which could include Roman Salanoa, a former high school American football player from Hawaii Salanoa plays at AIL level with Old Belvedere and he represented Leinster ‘A’ in the inaugural Cara Cup competition in Boston earlier this year. He has …

The World Rugby rankings could be set for a major shakeup this weekend as three different teams could overtake the All Blacks as the world’s number one side just a few weeks out from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  Wales, who had a huge opportunity last weekend to become the number one ranked side if they had beaten England, will …

The 2019 Rugby World Cup is just five weeks away and fans around the world are growing increasingly excited about what the tournament will have in store.  At the moment, all of the participating nations are currently finalising their preparation with a series of warm-up matches where the respective head coaches will be hoping for no unfortunate injuries. With the popularity …

“Liberty Fields” is the inspirational story of a Japanese women’s rugby team who stood together, in the face of societal pressure, to pursue their passion for the game. “Liberty Fields” tells the remarkable tale of a group of women who defied the social conventions of 80s Japan, by forming an ultimately indomitable rugby team. In 1989 Tokyo, women’s rugby was …

Eddie Jones has made three changes to the team from Sunday’s win over Wales at Twickenham for the return fixture in Cardiff this weekend.  Saturday’s clash at the Principality Stadium will see an international debut for Bath’s Ruaridh McConnochie as he has been named to start on the right wing. Maro Itoje has been named in the second row where …

Ireland are creeping ever-closer to their final 31-man World Cup squad.  Last week, the original 45-man squad was reduced to 43 when Rory Scannell and Ultan Dillane returned to Munster and Connacht, respectively. Joe Schmidt’s side then played their first warm-up game of the summer on Saturday which saw a 29-10 victory over Italy. On Wednesday, Schmidt reduced the squad …

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has made a number of changes to the team for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup decider against Australia.  In total, Hansen has made five changes which sees some highly experienced players cut from the starting XV. Upfront, the 108 times capped Owen Franks loses his place at tighthead to Nepo Laulala while Patrick Tuipulotu comes in …

History will be made this weekend when Leinster Rugby host a double-header at Energia Park.  Saturday’s action will consist of the senior men’s team opening their preseason campaign with the visit of Coventry which will act as the curtain-raiser to the main event – Leinster Women taking on Connacht in the opening match of the extended interprovincial series. Women’s rugby …

The draw for the second round of the League Cup, or Carabao Cup, has been made tonight with 13 Premier League teams learning their fate. There is one all-Premier League tie which sees Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United hosting Leicester City. That clash could see Ayoze Perez make an early return to his old stomping ground. The ties will be played …

It was an exciting weekend of international rugby as preparation ramped up for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  Northern hemisphere nations got back onto the pitch with some warm-up games while down south, the Rugby Championship came to an exciting conclusion which included a win for Australia over New Zealand. With everything that happened, we want to know how close …

Former Kerry boss Jack O’Connor is set to take over as manager of the Kildare senior footballers.  Cian O’Neill stepped down from the position after the Lilywhites exited this year’s championship in a heavy defeat to Tyrone in Newbridge in Round 3 of the qualifiers. According to a report in The Irish Independent, O’Connor’s name will be ratified at the …

Injury permitting, Peter O’Mahony will be lining out at the Yokohama Stadium for Ireland’s opening game of the World Cup against Scotland on September 22. But he already has experience of playing at a World Cup in Japan when he captained the Ireland U20 side which travelled to the country for the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship. 10 years have …

Dan Leavy still has a long road ahead of him in his recovery from a horrific knee injury he suffered last season.  The Leinster and Ireland star has been out of action since April when he damaged his ACL and MCL in Leinster’s win over Ulster in the quarter-final of the Champions Cup at the Aviva Stadium. Leavy was introduced …

Leinster have confirmed that James Lowe underwent a shoulder reconstruction at the end of the 2018/19 season.  Lowe, who made 17 appearances for the eastern province in all competitions last season, had surgery soon after he featured in the Guinness PRO14 final victory over the Glasgow Warriors at the end of May. The club have confirmed that the 27-year-old is …

Warren Gatland and Wales have received a massive blow with the news that out-half Gareth Anscombe has been ruled out of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  Anscombe suffered a knee injury in the 34th minute of Wales’ clash with England at Twickenham on Sunday afternoon. It has now been confirmed that the 28-year-old has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) …

Eddie Jones has named his 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  The deadline for World Cup squads to be submitted is September 8 but despite this, Jones has decided to announce his squad almost four weeks early. “Today is another step in the progress towards the Rugby World Cup,” Jones said. “We have taken the decision to go …

The recent weekend of international rugby has had a major bearing on the latest World Rugby rankings.  The last few days have seen a welcome return to top international rugby as countries around the world prepare for the upcoming 2019 Rugby World Cup. Australia’s emphatic win over the All Blacks in the opening match of this year’s Bledisloe Cup saw …