Home comfort at last for Connacht with defeat of Edinburgh
By Connacht 28Edinburgh 15 AFTER TWO HOME losses already this season, Connacht needed a victory to kick-start their Pro12 season and they got it as tries from Niyi Adeolokun, Quinn Roux, Cian Kelleher and Peter Robb secured a bonus-point victory over Edinburgh. In a week of turmoil for Edinburgh, the Scottish side almost stole a losing […]
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Sexton through comeback without a hitch as McFadden and Nagle resume full training
LEINSTER HOPE TO have Fergus McFadden and second row Ian Nagle back in contention for Saturday’s Pro12 trip to face Cardiff (19.35). The former Munster lock suffered a shoulder knock in pre-season, but is back in full training this week. Fergus McFadden has also resumed full sessions after a thigh strain kept him out of […]
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‘We’re waiting to kick into gear’: Leinster up the ante ahead of Toulouse
THE CALM BEFORE THE storm, now the serious business begins for Leinster. A heavyweight European semi-final is just eight days away, their season — and defence of the double — entering the final straight. Long assured a home Pro14 semi-final courtesy of their utter dominance of Conference B, this afternoon’s visit of Glasgow Warriors marks […]
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Munster may look at ‘short-term’ signings but back squad for next season
MUNSTER BOSS JOHANN van Graan says he will be backing the same squad next season after the province’s latest semi-final exit in Europe. Saracens were clearly the better team as they beat Munster 32-16 in Coventry on Saturday but van Graan believes the players he has in his squad are good enough to close the […]
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Defence coach Edwards confirms Wales exit after turning down new contract
INCOMING HEAD COACH Wayne Pivac will have another position to fill in the Wales backroom team next year as Shaun Edwards confirmed he will depart the principality after a decade. The defence coach, who previously looked set to return to rugby league coaching with Wigan, came under public pressure from departing head coach Warren Gatland […]
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McGrath’s ‘experience’ edges him in as Leinster go for ‘important’ Bent over Porter
THE LIKELIHOOD WAS that Leo Cullen would opt for an unchanged team for tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup final and so it has proved the case. Confirmation came this afternoon that the Leinster boss had resisted any temptation to bring the fit-again Rhys Ruddock back into his XV for the clash with Saracens in Newcastle, with […]
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I’ve lived my dreams: Wallabies’ George Smith calls time on 20-year rugby career
AUSTRLIA’S GEORGE SMITH has announced his retirement, calling time on nearly 20 years playing rugby. The veteran flanker, who made his Super Rugby debut for the ACT Brumbies in 2000 and went on to win 111 Test caps, said it had been an “absolute privilege”. The final chapter in Smith’s career was a stint with […]
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Top-10 finish for Ireland 7s in 30-degree Paris heat as Olympic qualification countdown continues
THE IRELAND MEN’S 7s continued their preparations for their Olympic qualifiers with a 10th-place finish at the Paris 7s, which was the final leg of this season’s World Series. Competing as an invitational side after last week’s strong showing in London, they finished this event with two wins out of three and lost out to […]
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Toner returning to full fitness for career’s final big stretch
LIVING IN THE here and now is no great challenge for Devin Toner. A 6′ 11″ heavy-hitting lock, but one of the softest-spoken forwards around. He is second on Leinster’s all-time appearances list, but he might blush if you called him a legend of the province. He is the primary line-out caller for club and […]
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Wallabies’ Bernard Foley to leave Waratahs and Australia after World Cup
AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL Bernard Foley will leave the Waratahs to “pursue opportunities overseas”, the Super Rugby side confirmed today. Wallabies fly-half Foley is reportedly set to move to Japan’s Top League following this year’s Rugby World Cup in the country. Foley will depart the Waratahs and Australia after 119 appearances and a Super Rugby championship since […]
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