Month: October 2022

Murray Kinsella reports from Stade Ernest Wallon HE’S 35 NOW, but Thierry Dusautoir continues to battle away for Toulouse and he is still looking forward to new rugby experiences. The 80-times capped former France captain has done a hell of a lot in his magnificent career. A World Cup final les Bleus very nearly won, Six…

This is part of The42′s Class of 95 series, a week-long examination of professional rugby in Ireland. The Irish team singing Ireland’s Call in 2006. Source: ©INPHO ON THE DAY that Croke Park hosted a Six Nations game between Ireland and England in 2007, former rugby international Trevor Ringland approached a guard on his way…

Murray Kinsella reports from Murrayfield FIRSTLY, LET’S DEAL with the late arrival thing. Why were Ireland 15 minutes late getting to Murrayfield? “We were certainly on time leaving the hotel, it just took a long time,” said Joe Schmidt. “Those things happen. It’s certainly not an excuse for being late to things in the first…

IRELAND SECURED THE Six Nations’ very first bonus point win away to Italy today. Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO Rob Kearney: 7 Never really gained aerial dominance, but, after an early blip, got his passing radar on target to help guide Ireland’s back-line to the bonus point. Keith Earls: 9…

PAT LAM HAS made five changes to the Connacht team to face Newport Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground on Saturday night (7:35pm). Following last weekend’s defeat of Cardiff Blues, Irish internationals Kieran Marmion, Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane all return to the starting XV, while 23-year-old centre Tom Farrell makes his full debut after signing from Bedford…

JOE SCHMIDT HAS defended Ireland’s style of play, as perceptions that they are based on one-out phases persist. Ireland’s approach to attack has undergone a clear shift in the last year or so, with an increasing use of forwards to pass the ball and attempts from Schmidt’s men to hit the wide channels more regularly.…

LEINSTER AND IRELAND have received a significant boost with news that the shoulder injury Josh van der Flier suffered against Edinburgh 10 days ago is not as serious as first feared. It was initially thought the openside flanker would miss eight weeks with the problem, including the rest of this year’s Six Nations, but Leinster…

ULSTER HAVE ADDED another South African forward to their squad with the signing of 26-year-old loosehead prop Schalk van der Merwe as a project player from next season. The Southern Kings front rower will link up with Les Kiss’s side following the conclusion of this year’s Super Rugby season in July or August, depending on…

Nothing to see here… Just Andrew Conway latching on to Peter O’Mahony like a koala to a branch Source: Alice Bolger Aboud/INPHO This poor steward took a tumble while trying to tackle a pitch invader at the Gonzanga and Blackrock college Leinster Schools Senior Cup Semi-Final Source: Gary Carr/INPHO Oregon’s Chris Boucher fouls Arizona State’s Tra…

Updated 5.15pm SIX NATIONS RUGBY has confirmed it is looking into the circumstances around the Head Injury Assessment dispute arising from France’s win over Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday. Championship organisers have also indicated that an independent citing commissioner is free to bring forward any citing complaints around the alleged biting of a…