Tag Archives: Rugby

Munster senior coach Stephen Larkham has heaped praise on the province’s departing scrum-half, Alby Mathewson, who will feature for Munster for the final time this weekend.  The province announced his departure earlier this week. The New Zealand native was originally signed on a short-term contract as injury cover for Conor Murray but remained with Munster for 15 months. This weekend’s …

Connacht suffered the worst possible start to their first Champions Cup outing since the 2016/17 season as Aaron Cruden scored Montpellier’s first try after just 70 seconds. Prior to kick-off, Jarrad Butler, Matt Healy and Niyi Adeolokun were all ruled out through injury and while being interviewed on the pitch, club captain Butler predicted an 18-0 win for his side …

Connacht have been forced to make three late changes to their starting XV ahead of their Champions Cup opener against Montpellier with Jarrad Butler, Matt Healy and Niyi Adeolokun all sustaining injuries. Robin Copeland, Tom Daly and John Porch have all been introduced into Andy Friend’s starting lineup with a number of other positional changes as a result. While the …

World Rugby have confirmed that Scotland will seek no further action against them and have expressed their regret over comments made by chief executive Mark Dodson during the World Cup. Scotland were officially reprimanded for their conduct earlier this month and were ordered by a disciplinary committee to “issue in writing a meaningful apology to World Rugby”. World Rugby have …

Mark McCall has refused to comment further on the sanctions placed on Saracens by Premiership Rugby for breaching the salary cap regulations over the past three seasons. The club were fined over £5.3 million earlier this week on top of a 35-point deduction in the Premiership table for failing to disclose payments to players in each of the seasons 2016-17, …

An emotional Alby Mathewson admitted that he has “no plans in the pipeline” as he nervously awaits news on his future with Munster. Mathewson originally joined the province in 2018 on a short-term contract as injury cover for Conor Murray. However, he signed further contract extensions that saw him remain with the province until the end of the World Cup. …

Connacht have announced that key trio Tiernan O’Halloran, Sean O’Brien and Tom Farrell have all signed contract extensions that will see them remain with the province until the end of the 2021/22 season. O’Halloran has been capped 175 times for Connacht since making his debut in 2010, amassing almost 200 points during that time. The full-back is a product of …

Beauden Barrett has appeared to throw his support behind Ian Foster to succeed Steve Hansen as the New Zealand head coach.  Hansen stepped down from the role following the All Blacks’ 40-17 victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup Bronze Final after eight years in charge. Barrett was speaking to media as the side arrived back in New Zealand …

England head coach Eddie Jones was gracious in defeat as he commended South Africa for their outstanding performance in the World Cup final.  The Springboks bullied England for the majority of the game and powered their way to a 32-12 victory with tries courtesy of Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe while Handre Pollard chipped in with 22 points. England had …

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi spoke passionately after his side were crowned world champions about the impact the win would have in the country.  Rassie Erasmus’ side recorded a 32-12 win over England following a phenomenal performance, backboned by their dominance at the set-piece. Makazole Mapimpi became the first man to score a try for South Africa in a World …

England were dealt a very heavy blow in the opening minutes of the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa with Kyle Sinckler substituted after three minutes. The highly-influential tighthead prop was knocked out cold when he ran into his teammate Maro Itoje’s shoulder in a tackle on Makazole Mapimpi and referee Jerome Garces immediately stopped the game. Sinckler was …

Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that he will step down from his role as South Africa head coach following the World Cup final on Saturday. However, the 47-year-old will remain as the country’s Director of Rugby with current defence coach Jacques Nienaber likely to take over as head coach. It was thought that Erasmus would stay in the role for the …

With so many different narratives running through this week, facing the haka in the bronze final on Friday is of little concern to Wales head coach Warren Gatland.  The 56-year-old will take charge of his final game for Wales following 12 years at the helm and it’s quite fitting that his native country of New Zealand will provide the opposition. …

Wales winger Owen Lane is set to make his World Cup debut in the third-place play-off against New Zealand on Friday. The Cardiff Blues player was a late call-up to the squad last week in place of the injured Josh Navidi. He is one of nine changes and is named to start in the backline alongside Hallam Amos at full-back …

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has made seven changes to the side who lost out to England in the World Cup semi-final last week for their third-place play-off against Wales on Friday.  Dane Coles comes in at hooker for Codie Taylor, Shannon Frizell starts at blindside flanker for Scott Barrett who moves to the second row replacing Sam Whitelock …

England head coach Eddie Jones has hit back at Warren Gatland after the New Zealand native claimed that England had peaked in the semi-final stage of the World Cup. Following his side’s loss to South Africa on Sunday, Wales coach Gatland was asked his thoughts on England’s performance the previous day. While he was very impressed with Jones’ outfit, the …

New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith has admitted that his aim was to intimidate England’s captain Owen Farrell in the haka prior to today’s semi-final in Yokohama. England came away from the clash with the spoils following their dominant 19-7 win. Eddie Jones’ side showed their intent right from the off with a try after 98 seconds. Prior to that, the …