Tag Archives: 2019 Rugby World Cup

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has announced the team that will take on England at Twickenham on Saturday. This will be Ireland’s second pre-Rugby World Cup warm-up game after they got their summer off to a solid start thanks to a 29-10 victory over Italy two weeks’ ago. An experimental side was named for that Italy clash but Schmidt has …

Ireland’s World Cup squad has experienced some trimming in recent weeks as the original squad of 45 has been reduced to 40.  Of course, only 31 players can travel to Japan for the Rugby World Cup and Ireland’s final three warm-up games against England, Wales and Wales again will provide the testing ground for those who are in a battle …

We’re a month away from the first match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and excitement is certainly building as we close in on what should be a memorable tournament.  With all the unions currently focussing on their pre-season preparations, there is also some activity off the field as we see the release of the various kits the participating teams …

Ireland’s World Cup squad has experienced some trimming in recent weeks as the original squad of 45 has been reduced to 40.  Of course, only 31 players can travel to Japan for the Rugby World Cup and Ireland’s final three warm-up games against England, Wales and Wales again will provide the testing ground for those who are in a battle …

“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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has said that the ankle injury suffered by Joey Carbery in Saturday afternoon’s win over Italy at the Aviva Stadium is “stable”.  The Auckland-born out-half left the field on a stretcher 10 minutes into the second half with an ankle injury. Carbery attempted to walk off the field but he struggled to put weight on …

Ireland 29 Italy 10  Sean McMahon reporting from the Aviva Stadium  You would have to feel for the marketing team in the IRFU for trying to sell this game to the masses. Not only is it difficult to capture the imagination when it comes to a warm-up game against a team Ireland beat on an annual basis but there must …

All going according to plan, Jean Kleyn will make his Ireland debut on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.  The 25-year-old South African has completed his three-year residency period which sees him qualify to play for Ireland just in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He’s been named to start on Saturday which could also see an international debut for …

Ireland have announced their team for their opening Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Italy on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (KO 2 pm).  As expected, the team is a blend of youth and experience as those who are selected will be desperate to make an impression in order to be selected for the final 31-man squad that travels to …