Ireland recorded a 35-0 victory over Russia on Thursday at the Rugby World Cup. Joe Schmidt’s team earned a bonus-point in the win, scoring five-tries against an aggressive but limited Russian side. Rob Kearney, Peter O’Mahony, Rhys Ruddock, Andrew Conway and Garry Ringrose all scored tries. However, it wasn’t entirely convincing. Ireland were solid, but lacked much spark, committing a …
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Ireland fell to a bruising 19-12 defeat to Japan on Saturday at the Rugby World Cup. The hosts blitzed Joe Schmidt’s team in a relentless, breathless performance. At one stage of the match, Ireland were ahead 12-3. They scored two tries in the opening 22 minutes. However, at full-time, when it mattered, Japan had raced into a 19-12 lead. The …
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Ireland got their World Cup campaign off to the perfect start with a 27-3 victory over Scotland this morning in Yokohama. Joe Schmidt’s side were dominant from start to finish scoring three first-half tries through James Ryan, Rory Best and Tadhg Furlong before Andrew Conway put the final nail in Scotland’s coffin midway through the second half. The win means …
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Ireland began their Rugby World Cup campaign in style as they defeated Scotland by 27-3 in Yokohama thanks to four tries and a dominant display. James Ryan, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Conway all dotted down to give the number one ranked team in the world the perfect start to Pool A. So many players stood out in the …
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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 …
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Ireland Head Coach, Joe Schmidt was among the guest speakers at the inaugural Rugby Players Ireland/BDO Rookie Camp held in Druids Glen this week. New Academy players from each of the four provinces were invited to participate in the induction programme to help them with various aspects of a career in the game. There was a major focus on off-field matters during the …
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Ireland legend Jamie Heaslip thinks the 2009 Grand Slam team would beat the 2018 vintage.
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After the devastating news that Jamie Heaslip has called time on his playing career, we thought it would be a fitting time to look back at the 2016 World Rugby Try of the Year… On Monday morning, rugby fans were shocked to learn that Leinster and Ireland man, Jamie Heaslip, had made the decision to hang up his boots. Heaslip …
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The reaction to the retirement of Jamie Heaslip showed just the level of respect the Irish public had for the Naas man, who won 95 caps for Ireland. However, it is when you read the reaction of those who played alongside him you really get a feel for how good he was. Started my career 14 years ago with this man …
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Ninety-five international caps and three Heineken Cups is a remarkable return for a remarkable player and that is what Jamie Heaslip was. The out-pouring of emotion after Monday’s news that he has retired from rugby was a testament to the high esteem that fellow professionals and the Irish public at large had for the Leinster back-row. While he has struggled …
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Ireland and Leinster back-row Jamie Heaslip has announced his retirement from professional rugby. The 34-year-old has had an injury-plagued 12 months and on Monday announced he would be leaving the sport. Heaslip won 95 caps for Ireland and won three Heineken Cups with Leinster. Thanks for everything pic.twitter.com/cZpK78vzXu — jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip) February 26, 2018 Heaslip said on a social media …
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Max Deegan has been one of the finds of the season for Leinster. The 21-year-old number eight has long been touted as a future star, but when he was promoted to the province’s senior squad from the academy at the start of this season, few could have predicted how rapid his rise would prove to be. Deegan was the star of the …
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Irish fans breathed a huge sigh of relief on Wednesday morning when they were drawn in Pool A alongside Scotland and tournament hosts, Japan, for the 2019 World Cup. That’s not to say that the group won’t pose some challenges, Scotland beat Ireland in this year’s Six Nations championship and Japan, as tournament hosts, will likely prove formidable opposition. However, when …
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With Warren Gatland today naming his Lions squad to tour New Zealand this summer, there were of course many, many big name players who have not made the cut. We put together a XV made up of those players who missed out on selection this time around. 1) Rob Evans There is a tremendous amount of talent in the Lions …
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One week from now the wait will be over and Lions hopefuls will know if they have met the criteria sought by British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland. The 37-man squad will comprise of the very best the home nations have to offer and following the recently concluded Six Nations championships and the ongoing club competitions, we generally …
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Leinster are riding the crest of a wave at present. Sitting atop the Pro12 table, they marched onto the Champions Cup semi-final with a comprehensive win over Premiership leaders Wasps last weekend. However, what is evening more promising for the RDS-faithful is the manner in which the younger generation led the charge in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Joey Carbery, …
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Munster fans are having to come to terms with the all but certainty that their second row warrior Donnacha Ryan will leave the province this summer following the failure by the IRFU to offer the 33-year-old a central contract. Despite Munster stepping up and offering their veteran talisman a two-year contract extension, director of rugby Rassie Eramus confirmed that Top …
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Round four of the Six Nations is upon us and as the championship builds towards another grandstand finish, former England and British and Irish Lions star Phil Vickery has a pop at predicting Warren Gatland’s selection for the summer tour of New Zealand. Having toured twice with the Lions back in 2001 and 2009, the former prop knows a thing …
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