Rugby

Saracens have opted to leave a number of heavy-hitters at home for their trip to Munster for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup clash in Thomond Park.  World Cup finalists, Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola, George Kruis, Jamie George, Billy Vunipola and Elliot Daly have all been left out of the Saracens side though Maro Itoje is named along with captain Brad Barritt …

Racing 92 have sacked Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa, the club confirmed today. The 31-year-old returned from the Rugby World Cup two weeks later than scheduled having played in all four of the Pacific Islanders’ pool matches in Japan before being knocked out. Nakarawa was expected back in Paris on Monday, October 28, but did not return until Monday, November 11. …

The third round of the Heineken Champions Cup gets underway this week with all four provinces looking to further their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.  The action gets underway at 1 pm on Saturday when Leinster travel to Franklin’s Gardens to face the Northampton Saints. At 3.15 pm Ulster host Harlequins at the Kingspan Stadium while Munster host …

Graham Rowntree has opened up about his feelings towards Munster just five weeks into his role as forwards coach. Speaking to BT Sport in the build-up to the province’s crucial Heineken Champions Cup clash with Saracens in Thomond Park, the Leicester Tiger’s legend said it “feels natural” to be in the red kit of Munster. “It feels natural. I’ve said …

On their debut at the World Sevens Series as a full-time member on the circuit, Ireland suffered a 24-19 defeat to last year’s runners-up USA.  However, Anthony Eddy’s side can take a lot positives out of this game as they pushed a talented USA side all the way and could have come away with a win if they showed a …

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has insisted that the province will not be rushing Tyler Bleyendaal back onto the field as he recovers from a neck injury.  The New Zealand native was ruled out of Munster’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Racing 92 last month due to “neck stiffness” but the province confirmed on Monday that he will be …

Ireland’s women suffered an opening day defeat in the Dubai leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series.  Stan McDowell’s side went into Thursday’s match hoping to get off to a positive start in Pool B but they conceded a converted try at the death to hand Spain the victory after leading throughout the majority of the match. Ireland got off …

For Rory Best, Ireland’s premature exit from the 2019 Rugby World Cup was not the way he would have wanted to sign off on his decorated career.  With the rest of the squad, there is an opportunity to right some wrongs by getting back on track at provincial level in the white heat of European Cup rugby and, of course, …

“Over the next hours and days, spare a thought for the players.” These were the initial thoughts of Mike Ross in the immediate aftermath of Ireland’s 2019 Rugby World Cup exit at the hands of New Zealand. Social media on that Saturday in October and the days which followed were awash with criticism, disappointment and unfortunately, at times, abuse. Ross’ …

Corry’s Corner predicts the starting XV for the 2020 Six Nations opener with one huge call thrown in. ___ With his first Six Nations campaign as Ireland head coach just eight weeks away, Andy Farrell has a lot to think about ahead of Scotland’s visit to Dublin. With Rory Best’s retirement now officially official, a new captain must be selected …

The fixture details for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021 have been confirmed this morning.  The tour in 2021 will involved eight games which will take place between July 8 and August 7. The Lions’ first match will be against Super Rugby side the Stormers on July 8 before taking on a South African invitational …

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall believes Munster are a much tougher prospect than the last time the two sides met thanks to the addition of Graham Rowntree and Stephen Larkham. The pair have crossed paths a few times in rugby’s most prestigious club competition with their most recent match coming in last season’s semi-final at the Ricoh Arena in …

England head coach Eddie Jones has said that Rugby Australia were never really interested in him taking over from Michael Cheika for the previously vacant Wallabies job.  Current Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie will take over from Cheika in 2020 but Jones was one of many names thought to be under consideration for the role. However, Jones, who led …

Three members of the 2019 U20 Grand Slam winning side have been included in the Ireland Men’s Sevens Development squad for this week’s Dubai Invitational tournament.  Ireland’s men’s and women’s senior sides are already in Dubai preparing for the beginning of the HSBC World Series with action getting underway on Thursday. For the men’s side this will be the first …

Former Wales coach Mike Ruddock has been appointed by the Ospreys on a short-term basis to review the club’s rugby operation.  Although head coach Allen Clarke is still technically employed by the club, coaches Matt Sherratt and Carl Hogg were in charge of the Ospreys’ 13-18 loss to the Cheetahs at the weekend. Ruddock, who led Wales to a Grand …

Rob Jermyn weighed in with a 25-minute first-half hat-trick as Cork Constitution ran out convincing 35-19 bonus point winners over Ballynahinch. The flame-haired winger showed off his finishing skills with a neatly-taken trio of converted tries, helping Con to extend their lead at the top of Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A to five points. Garryowen moved up to third place …

Munster have announced that they will increase the capacity of Thomond Park for Saturday’s mouth-watering clash with Saracens (KO 5.30pm).  The southern province, due to high demand, will install pitchside seating at the northern and southern ends of the ground which will bring capacity up to 26,267 from 25,600. Munster are currently tied at the top of Pool 4 with …

Munster must face into back-to-back clashes against reigning European champions Saracens without the services of experienced out-half, Tyler Bleyendaal. Following a bright start to the season, Bleyendaal was ruled out of their European clash with Racing 92 with neck stiffness and the province confirmed that he will be rested for a number of weeks in order to take “every precaution …