Tag Archives: Rugby

The two heavyweights of Europe, Leinster and Saracens, meet in the Heineken Champions Cup final today at 5pm in St James Park, Newcastle. Leinster are aiming for their fifth title, their second in-a-row, while Saracens will be hoping to lift the trophy for the third time. Ahead of the game, we asked you to vote for your preferred team from …

Both Leinster and Saracens have named their teams ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final showdown in St James Park, Newcastle. Mark McCall has made two changes to his Saracens side who overcame Munster in the semi-final last month. Sean Maitland was a late withdrawal in that game but returns to the starting XV for the final. Meanwhile, Will Skelton’s …

Israel Folau rejected a $1 million offer to from Rugby Australia to walk away from his contract prior to the beginning of his code of conduct hearing according to local media reports. The hearing continued today after eight hours of evidence on Saturday during which Folau, Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle, and head coach Michael Cheika all spoke, but …

Ulster 21 Connacht 13 Ulster provided a fitting Kingspan Stadium farewell to Rory Best and Darren Cave as they secured a nervy win over Connacht to progress to the Guinness PRO14 semi-final against Glasgow. It was a typically tight affair between the inter-provincial rivals but Ulster were the deserved winners having taken many lessons from their defeats to Connacht earlier …

Munster head coach, Johann van Graan, has insisted that he doesn’t need to see “pretty rugby” from his players in their PRO14 quarter-final with Benetton as long as they get the win.  A loss against the Italian side in Thomond Park on Saturday would bring Munster’s season to an end after they exited the Heineken Champions Cup at the hands …

Munster head coach, Johann van Graan, has confirmed that Conor Murray will be available for selection for their Guinness PRO14 quarter-final against Benetton on Saturday.  The scrum-half was forced to miss their final group game against Connacht last Saturday after he picked up a neck injury during the warm-up. Van Graan revealed afterwards that his withdrawal from the matchday squad …

Wales assistant coach, Robin McBryde, will replace John Fogarty at Leinster when he becomes Ireland scrum coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Fogarty will also take up the role of IRFU National Academy forwards coach from July 1, working across all four provinces “to further develop the alignment and deliver a technical programme for both scrum and lineout for …

James Ryan was voted as the Players’ Player of the Year at the annual Leinster Rugby awards night last night in Dublin. The 22-year-old has made 13 appearances in a Leinster shirt this season with his stats including one try, 283 metres gained and 172 carries. Ryan has enjoyed a prolific career since making his competitive debut for the province …

The final interprovincial derbies of the regular PRO14 season will take place this weekend with Munster welcoming Connacht to Thomond Park while reigning champions, Leinster, travel to Kingspan Stadium to face Ulster.  It is a must-win game for Johann van Graan’s side in Limerick if they are to have any hope of topping PRO14 Conference A and qualifying directly for the …

Munster have confirmed that South African centre, Jaco Taute, will join Leicester Tigers at the beginning of the next season.  The announcement comes hours after the Premiership club confirmed the signing of Leinster centre, Noel Reid. Taute was first brought to the province in September 2016 as a replacement for the injured Francis Saili and made his debut the following …

Leinster Rugby have confirmed that centre Noel Reid will join Leicester Tigers from the start of the 2019/2020 season. The 28-year old made his senior debut for the province against Aironi in October 2011 and has made 120 appearances in a Leinster jersey since then, scoring 103 points. Reid also has one international cap to his name, which came during …

Saracens face Munster in a highly-anticipated Heineken Champions Cup semi-final in Ricoh Arena in Coventry tomorrow (Kick-off 3pm). Both Mark McCall and Johann van Graan have named their sides for the clash with the Irish province having to do without the services of Joey Carbery and Keith Earls with Tyler Bleyendaal and Darren Sweetnam named instead. Meanwhile, captain, Brad Barritt, …

Leinster have named their team for the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse on Sunday with an injury to Jamison Gibson-Park meaning James Lowe will start.  The New Zealander is named on the wing alongside Rob Kearney and Jordan Larmour. Captain, Johnny Sexton, is set to make his first appearance of the year for Leinster following a quad injury sustained …

Munster have confirmed that Keith Earls will miss their Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens through injury, with Darren Sweetnam replacing him on the wing.  The 31-year-old, who scored a brace of tries against Edinburgh in the quarter-final, picked up an injury during the game and did not train during the week. Mike Haley was a late withdrawal in BT …

Tommaso Benvenuti has received a two-week ban for his high challenge on Stephen Archer during Munster’s 37-28 win over Benetton Treviso on Friday. The centre was reported by the Citing Commissioner in charge for an infringement of Law 9.20 – A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders. The player was shown a …

Gordon D’Arcy believes Conor Murray will need to stamp his authority in their Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens in order to fill the void left by Joey Carbery. Carbery has been deemed as “highly unlikely” to start the game after being withdrawn during their quarter-final win over Edinburgh after 36 minutes with the hamstring injury that prematurely ended his …

Ireland and Ulster captain, Rory Best, has confirmed that he will retire from rugby following the World Cup in October.  Best is Ulster’s most-capped international with 116 appearances (10 tries) and has helped Ireland win the Six Nations Championship on four occasions, including two Grand Slam successes (one as captain). He made his competitive debut for Ulster in 2004 and …