Tag Archives: wales rugby

The Welsh Rugby Union have confirmed that former captain Sam Warburton will join Wayne Pivac’s background team ahead of the 2020 Six Nations.  The former flanker retired in the summer of 2018, a year after leading the British and Irish Lions to a series draw against the All Blacks. Warburton’s role will be a technical advisor for the breakdown/defence. Former …

After five weeks of Rugby World Cup action, we finally know who will be contesting the final on November 2.  England will meet South Africa where both sides will be hoping to lift the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time since 2003 and 2007, respectively. This will also be a repeat of the 2007 final. The dreaded third-place playoff …

Wales 16 South Africa 19 South Africa are through to the World Cup final for the first time since 2007 after they clinched a 19-16 win over Wales at the Yokohama Stadium. This match won’t live long in the memory as both sides deployed a tactic of kicking the leather off the ball at every opportunity. At halftime, the Springboks …

World Rugby have confirmed the referees who will take charge of this weekend’s semi-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  Nigel Owens (Wales) will take charge of England versus New Zealand on Saturday (17:00 JST) with Romain Poite and Pascal Gaüzère (both France) as assistant referees and Marius Jonker (South Africa) as TMO. Jérôme Garcès (France) will referee Wales versus …

The vice-president of the French Rugby Federation has taken offence with the photo which emerged on social media of referee Jaco Peyper with Welsh fans.  Peyper, of course, officiated Wales’ one-point win over France in a dramatic quarter-final at the Oita Stadium on Sunday. The South African referee dished out a red card to second-row Sébastian Vahaamahina for elbowing Welsh …

France face an uphill battle if they want to secure a semi-final spot at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  They currently lead 19-13 after 50 minutes but they will play the majority of the second half with 14-men. Jacques Brunel’s side were in a promising attacking position as their maul stopped just a few metres out from the French line …

At halftime, Wales lead Fiji 14-10 in a highly entertaining Pool D clash at the Oita Stadium.  The Pacific Islanders raced into a 10-0 lead thanks to some typically incredible tries from Josua Tuisova and Kini Murimurivalu. 04: TRY Fiji! What a sensational finish from Josua Tuisova 👏 LIVE now on eir sport 1! #RWC2019 #WALvFIJ pic.twitter.com/Fb19bxLBmz — eir Sport …

Sean McMahon reporting Tokyo Stadium Well, that was certainly entertaining, wasn’t it?  Drop goals, offloads, high tackles, yellow cards, interceptions, length of field tries – the Pool D clash between Australia and Wales certainly packed a punch. Wales ultimately came out on the right end of a 29-25 scoreline after Australia mounted a comeback in the second half when they …

Sean McMahon reporting from the Tokyo Stadium Wales have defeated Australia 29-25 at the Tokyo Stadium as they set their course on securing top spot in Pool D.  Wales produced a superb first-half performance as they scored tries through Hadleigh Parkes and the excellent Gareth Davies. Points from the boot of Dan Biggar, who was replaced by Rhys Patchell due …

With just three minutes on the clock, Wales took the lead in their World Cup opener against Georgia with a try from Jonathan Davies but Dan Biggar somehow missed the subsequent conversion.  Wales struck early on off a scrum setpiece strike move which saw Davies receive a flat pass to fly through a gap in the Georgian defence and touch …

With a summer that yielded three losses out of four, you could forgive Wales head coach Warren Gatland for being a little bit worried heading to the World Cup.  However, like all head coaches, Gatland will be confident that he will have his players primed for their opening match of the World Cup, which in Wales’ case, is a match …

Ireland are the number one side in the world.  Well, that’s according to the official rankings. Ireland’s 19-10 win over Wales at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon has lifted them above New Zealand and into first place for the first time in history. Of course, this comes with a caveat. Ireland are not the best team in the world and …

Sean McMahon reporting from the Aviva Stadium The only blight on what was a very good performance from Ireland in their 19-10 victory over Wales at the Aviva Stadium was a member of the Irish medical staff accompanying Keith Earls from the pitch during the second half.  On 53 minutes, just as Tadhg Furlong scored Ireland’s second try of the …

Ireland 19 Wales 10  Sean McMahon reporting from the Aviva Stadium  It was a day of ‘lasts’ at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon. Last appearance for Rory Best at the Aviva Stadium, last appearance for Joe Schmidt at the Aviva Stadium and most importantly, the last game for Ireland before they open their World Cup campaign on September 22 against …

Ireland and Wales are in the midst of a heated battle at the Aviva Stadium as the two sides round off their summer warm-up series before heading to the World Cup in Japan. Ireland looked the better side throughout the majority of the first half despite, again, losing two of their own lineouts. Rob Kearney opened the scoring for Ireland …

Ireland have named a strong team for the clash with Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.  The big news is that Johnny Sexton returns to start at out-half in what will be his first appearance of the season. He will partner Conor Murray who makes his first appearance since the heavy loss to England at Twickenham. Ireland Team To …

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named a very strong side for Saturday’s clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.  As expected, Gatland has named many of his front-liners in the starting XV which sees Alun Wyn Jones captain the side. Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee and Tomas Francis pack down in the front-row while Jake Ball and Alun …

Joe Schmidt has confirmed that a number of Ireland’s top players who have yet to see action so far in the current preseason, will play a part in the final warm-up game against Wales on Saturday.  Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw and Johnny Sexton have yet to see any minutes this summer but it looks like they will be involved against …