Tag Archives: Rugby

The referees have been named for Ireland’s pool stage games of the upcoming World Cup, with England’s Wayne Barnes taking charge of their opener against Scotland. Reffing in his fourth World Cup, Barnes will be in the middle when Ireland kick-off their World Cup campaign against Scotland on September 22nd as they look to impress on the world stage. The …

Both the Ireland Men’s and Women’s 7s sides are through to the quarter-finals of the Rugby Europe Olympics qualifying campaign after Anthony Eddy’s side secured two wins and a draw in Pool B. Ireland began the tournament brightly with wins against Ukraine and Russia but had to fight back from a 17-0 half-time deficit to secure a draw with Spain …

The Ireland Women’s 7s side are through to the quarter-finals of the Rugby Europe Olympic qualifying tournament following two wins from three in the pool stages. Stan McDowell’s side finished as runners-up in Pool C with big wins against Romania and the Czech Republic before they fell to a 12-point defeat to Spain. Ireland dominated possession in the opening minutes …

Stade Francais have announced that Italy captain Sergio Parisse will leave the club after 15 years.  The 35-year-old has made 258 appearances for the Top 14 side, scoring 238 points. The club released a short statement on Friday. “Stade Français Paris and Sergio Parisse have decided by mutual agreement to put an end to the contract that binds them. 📃Communiqué …

Eddie Jones has added five new faces to his latest England World Cup training squad ahead of the announcement of the official training squad next week. An initial squad, which was named last week, omitted Danny Care, Nathan Hughes and Dylan Hartley all missing out. Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), Courtney Lawes (Northampton …

Israel Folau and Rugby Australia are heading for a court date after the parties could not agree on a settlement at the Fair Work Commission. A four-hour mediation session was held on Friday, however, no agreement was reached following Folau’s sacking for a high-level breach of the players’ code of conduct earlier this month. “We are disappointed that we were …

Gallagher Chiefs have confirmed that Warren Gatland has signed a four-year deal to coach the side from 2020-2023.  The New Zealand native will take a year out in 2021 to coach the British & Irish Lions during their tour to South Africa in 2021. Gatland said he was grateful for the chance to return home to New Zealand to coach …

Former international Israel Folau has taken to social media to defend his GoFundMe page which he set up to raise funds for his legal battle against Rugby Australia.  Folau is filing a claim with the Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs for unlawful dismissal on the grounds of religious discrimination. The page has received over $723,000 …

Noel McNamara has made a number of changes to his side for their final U20 World Championship game against New Zealand in Rosario on Saturday (kick-off 5pm Irish time). Ireland are competing in the 7th-8th place play-off following their last-gasp seven-point loss to England earlier this week.  Leinster duo Max O’Reilly and Brian Deeny will make their first starts in …

A GoFundMe page set up by former Australian international Israel Folau to help cover his legal costs has raised almost $400,000 in two days.  ​Folau has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia following their decision to terminate his contract due to a high-level breach of the players’ professional code of conduct last month. Folau has …

Diageo, the parent company of Guinness, have chosen to end their sponsorship deal with London Irish following their signing of Paddy Jackson. The former Irish international was acquitted of rape following a court case last year and subsequently joined French side, Perpignan. Following one season with them, it was announced that Jackson had signed for London Irish, coached by Declan …

Ireland 38 Italy 14 Ireland secured a five-try win over Italy in their final Pool B game in the U20 World Championships but it remains to be seen if the victory was enough to secure the side a place in the semi-finals. Noel McNamara’s side had the bonus-point wrapped up in the 30th minute following tries from Michael Milne, Cormac …

Warren Gatland has said that he would not have taken the role of British & Irish Lions head coach if he didn’t believe his side could win the series in South Africa in 2021. The 55-year-old was confirmed as the head coach this morning making him just the second man to take charge for three consecutive tours, following in the …

Ireland U20s head coach Noel McNamara insists that his side still have plenty to work on following their 42-26 win over England in the World Championship on Tuesday. It was an ideal start to the campaign in Santa Fe for Ireland to follow on from their Grand Slam win earlier this win but they will be careful not to get …

The U20 Championship 2019 kicks off today in Argentina with Ireland in action in the first round against neighbours, England.  Last year’s competition was one to forget for Noel McNamara’s side but they go into the 2019 campaign brimming with confidence following their Grand Slam win in the Six Nations earlier this year. Ireland reached the final of the competition …