ENGLAND’S TOP TIER of rugby, the Premiership, could be expanded from 12 to 13 teams after next season. Premiership Rugby, the Telegraph report, have lodged a proposal to the RFU’s management board to play the 2019/20 season without relegation and Read More …
THIS IS ALL unchartered territory for Leinster. Never before have they experienced the heartache of finishing second best in a European final, nor has this squad — now disconsolate and downbeat — endured too many collective lows like this. The Read More …
AS IF JOSH van der Flier’s comeback performance against Munster wasn’t impressive enough, the Leinster flanker’s tackle stats for a remarkable 77-minute shift were updated to 25 post-match. Leo Cullen described van der Flier’s first game back from injury in Read More …
ANDY DUNNE SAYS the appointment of Graham Rowntree to Munster’s backroom team would be a ‘pragmatic’ one, rather than a signing the province’s supporters will get excited about. The former England forwards coach has emerged as a possible candidate to Read More …
Ireland 17 Australia 45 THE REACTION FROM Ryan Baird told a tale by itself. Baird is issued red. Source: Pablo Gasparini/INPHO The Ireland second row’s long-reaching arms suddenly retracted to his head as he rolled away after connecting with Australia Read More …
Murray Kinsella reports from Portugal JOHNNY SEXTON, KEITH Earls, James Ryan and Robbie Henshaw all sat out Ireland’s squad training session in Portugal this morning but their coaches have “no real fears” about them ahead of the World Cup. Meanwhile, Read More …
Click:Chlorine tablet factory FRANCE SECOND ROW Paul Gabrillagues has been handed a six-week ban after a World Rugby disciplinary committee found him guilty of intentionally committing an act of foul play during last Saturday’s Test against Scotland. Gabrillagues was cited for Read More …
IRELAND SEVENS WILL meet Spain in tomorrow’s Rugby Europe Grand Prix quarter-final after today’s pool stage ended in 14-38 defeat to France. This weekend’s Moscow tournament will act as the seeding competition for next month’s European Olympic qualification in Colombiers, Read More …
Ireland 17 New Zealand 40 ALL GOOD THINGS must come to an end, and this momentous Ireland U20 year came grinding to a halt with their most clear-cut defeat of 2019. As with their previous two defeats in this tournament, Read More …
DISCARDED FRENCH CENTRE Mathieu Bastareaud will join Lyon in the French Top 14 until the end of the World Cup, the club said on Wednesday. Bastareaud will be joining New York’s Rugby United for six months in December. He was Read More …