RUGBY UNION STAR Quade Cooper made it three wins from as many professional fights with a second-round stoppage of Jack McInnes on Friday. The Australia fly-half had spoken about how fear of a humiliating loss had been fuelling his desire as he once again prepared to swap to the rugby pitch for the boxing ring. However, there […]
This is part of The42′s Class of 95 series, a week-long examination of professional rugby in Ireland. PROFESSIONALISM WAS ALWAYS going to drastically change rugby, and not just in the sense that players would be paid. With far more time to work on technical, tactical, physical and mental skills in the professional era, the sport […]
ALL BLACKS LOCK Patrick Tuipulotu has been “fully exonerated” of doping, New Zealand Rugby said, after his B-sample came up clean. Tuipulotu’s provisional suspension was immediately lifted after the second sample was examined at a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in the United States. “This is an important and welcomed conclusion for both Patrick and for […]
JAMISON GIBSON-PARK, Leinster’s Kiwi scrum-half, has declared his intentions to remain at the province despite being largely limited to a bench role during his debut season. The Maori All Black, who celebrates his 25th birthday today, joined Leinster from the Hurricanes on a three-year contract last May following the retirement of Eoin Reddan and departure […]
IRELAND WOMEN’S SIX Nations bid is set to be dented by the loss of three key players, who are being pulled from the competition to go on sevens duty. Click Here: rose toy sucking The decision comes despite the fact that Ireland will host the 15-a-side Women’s Rugby World Cup later this year. Sene Naoupu […]
WALES DEFENCE COACH Shaun Edwards expects his team to have their hands full when Ireland visit Cardiff for Friday night’s crucial Six Nations meeting. And, having seen Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton re-form their partnership to great effect against France last time out, Edwards will hope to prevent the Irish players having an ‘outstanding’ game. […]
MOMENTS AFTER TALKING about the forthcoming arrival of a new second row option for next season, Leo Cullen soon brought himself back to speaking about a homegrown lock who will be hoping to keep Leinster off the top of the Pro12 this evening (19.35, TG4). One-time Clongowes schoolboy Tadhg Beirne will be in the heart […]
IT CAN’T BE easy being Johnny Sexton. While he is amply rewarded for his rugby-playing abilities in a financial sense, the Ireland out-half’s health is a constant talking point for the rugby nation, and he is expected to consistently deliver world-class performances for Joe Schmidt’s side. Add to that the savage pressure Sexton places on […]
IAN KEATLEY RECALLS the day vividly. How could he not? Even now, as a Munster centurion and five-time capped Irish international, it still ranks as one of his proudest on a rugby field. Thirty-three years. History. Triumph. Black and white. Only in God. Belvedere. The Belvedere team sing the school anthem in front of their […]
MUNSTER WILL HOST Top 14 heavyweights Toulouse in the round-of-16 of the Champions Cup next month after today’s official European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] draw. Leinster have also been drawn against French opposition as they will face Toulon in the knock-out round. Both Irish provinces will be at home for their round-of-16 ties, which will take […]