Tag Archives: european rugby

What a way to get over the calamity that was the Rugby World Cup in Japan by getting stuck back into one of the best tournament’s European sport has to offer.  The Heineken Champions Cup provided Irish rugby fans with the perfect cure for our World Cup hangovers as each province lit up the opening weekend en route to four …

Munster have added 20-year-old out-half Ben Healy in place of Alex Wootton to their Champions Cup squad ahead of Saturday’s Pool 4 opener against the Ospreys.  With first-choice ten Joey Carbery out injured and back-up J.J Hanrahan a doubt for this weekend, Munster are light of options with Tyler Bleyendaal the side’s only available out-half. Despite Johann van Graan suggesting …

Former Ulster star, Chris Henry voices his dismay at the decision to allow Munster and Leinster to play each other at the Aviva while not giving the other provinces the same exposure. Speaking exclusively to Pundit Arena, the former Ireland international previewed this weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final clash between his former side and champions, Leinster. Leinster and Munster regularly …

England international, Manu Tuilagi has rejected an offer from French rugby powerhouse, Racing 92 in favour of signing a new deal with Leicester Tigers. The robust centre had been to France to discuss terms with the Parisians but has since decided to stay loyal to the club with whom he has spent his entire career. The 27-year-old said on Leicester’s …

Leinster travelled to the Ricoh Arena today in the final group game of this year’s Champions Cup looking to secure a home quarterfinal with a victory over a struggling Wasps side. The two sides met back in October in the opening round of this year’s competition when Leinster ran in eight tries en route to a 52-3 hammering. Leinster fielded …

Analysing where it all went wrong for Munster on Sunday.

The possibility of no English teams qualifying for the knockout stages of the European Rugby Champions Cup is a very real one.

Worrying lack of progress for Ulster's Jared Payne.

We look at five players who will be looking to leave their mark on the weekend's fixtures.

European rugby is in a transitional period. This has set into motion a major reshuffle of the European league system which aims to provide a greater financial platform and grow the game internationally. This begs the question, is this expansion motivated by growing the game, or is it designed to line the pockets of the European rugby hierarchy? Pro 14/15/16/17 …

Wasps will make the trip to Ulster’s Kingspan Stadium in the opening game of this season’s European Champions Cup on October 13th. The EPCP have this afternoon announced the dates, times and television details for each of the first four rounds of fixtures. They can all be viewed here on their official website. Leinster face Montpellier on that Saturday afternoon in …

The future landscape of Guinness Pro12 league is still something of a mystery as clubs, players and fans are still no closer to knowing just how many teams will contest the forthcoming season or even what fixtures lie in wait for them. A mere month out from the start of the 2017/18 campaign and there is still no fixture list. …

The rugby world’s eyes have been understandably transfixed on New Zealand in recent weeks, but other nations also deserve their due. While the collective nations of the British Isles salivated at Seán O’Brien’s sensational score at Eden Park, heroics were also orchestrated elsewhere. Georgia have been making a very strong case for inclusion in the Six Nations due to their …

With four games played and a mixed return of two wins and two defeats the Lions have reached a critical juncture as they prepare to take on the New Zealand Maoris on Saturday. While the results have been mixed there could be little doubt that Warren Gatland has learned a lot about his squad over the past four games as …

Northampton Saints are back in the Champions Cup next season after beating Stade Francais but Tom Wood’s red card offence on Friday night is likely to dominate post-match discussion.  Midway through the second half the flanker stamped down on Djibril Camara’s head during a ruck, which left the French club’s wing bloodied. With the Saints 22-16 behind at the time it could …

In March, the EPCR released a 15-strong list of nominees for their 2017 European Player of the Year. Today, 10 of those players were dropped, as the organisation announced a 5-man shortlist. Eliminated from the running were Wasps flanker Thomas Young, Clermont Auvergne’s Noa Nakaitaci, Glasgow lock Jonny Gray, Leinster prop Tadhg Furlong, Wasps standout Joe Launchbury, Munster scrumhalf Conor …

The Champions Cup once again takes centre stage this weekend as ASM Clermont Auvergne take on Leinster the semi-final of the competition in Lyon on Sunday April 3rd. Going into the match, both sides will know who they will face in the final, with Munster taking on defending champions Saracens on Saturday. Both Clermont and Leinster are enjoying fine seasons …