WHEN MICHAEL BENT came off the bench to replace Tadhg Furlong for the final 14 minutes of Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup win over Toulouse last weekend, the tighthead prop bridged a 16-month gap between European appearances. Bent has been an ever-present and reliable member of the Leinster dressing room for the last seven years, racking
HomeHorse racing great Kieren Fallon announced his retirement at the age of 51 today.The GAA qualifier draw has allowed Cork and Limerick fans see both their teams in action next Saturday as part of a triple header in Thurles.Leinster have called wing Niall Morris home from his spell with Leicester.Mayo woman Martha Carter showed her grit as
ANTHONY FOLEY’S REACTION to having a new superior landed into the Munster coaching setup has been one of an exemplary professional. You’d hardly of expecting anything less of a man with Munster in his veins. Source: James Crombie/INPHO The imminent start of a new season, complete with clean slates and promises of hope and bright
JOE SCHMIDT’S IRELAND squad gathered at Carton House last Sunday and got through two days of preparation for November. The All Blacks came up more than once or twice. Click Here: ireland rugby shirts The mindset under the Kiwi head coach has always been about taking things one game at a time. For this meeting
“THE BACK THREE is just stacked” Ulster back row Clive Ross succinctly sums up the province’s enviable array of options in the fullback and wing positions. Names like Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy, Louis Ludik, Charles Piutau, Tommy Bowe and perhaps Jared Payne – he may well be deployed at 13 upon his return – instantly
THE ITALIAN RUGBY Federation has this evening announced it has withdrawn its bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, leaving Ireland, France and South Africa vying to stage the tournament. The decision to pull out of the running was made following consultation meetings with the Italian Olympic Committee, who are fighting to keep Rome’s
FORMER AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN James Horwill announced on Monday he is to retire at the end of the season. The 62-time capped lock, who turns 34 next month, could yet bow out on a high note by skippering Harlequins to the Premiership title. Horwill — who led out Australia 16 times including during the 2011 World
JERRY SEXTON, THE younger brother of Ireland and Leinster out-half Johnny, has signed for the Guinness Pro14′s Southern Kings. The 26-year-old will join the South African side this summer on a three-year contract, having spent the last two seasons with Jersey Reds in the English Championship. Sexton is captain of the Jersey Reds. Sexton, who
RONAN O’GARA HAS confirmed he is considering a prominent coaching offer from Top14 side La Rochelle amid French media reports the club want him as their next backs coach. O’Gara, presently employed as backs coach of Super Rugby champions Crusaders, told Off the Ball that he is weighing up a number of coaching opportunities –
ALLOWING FOR THE expected physical and mental scars from the bitter disappointment of Saturday, Leinster have reported a relatively clean bill of health ahead of their Guinness Pro14 semi-final against Munster. Leo Cullen’s players reconvened at their UCD base this afternoon as a disconsolate squad bid to pick themselves back up from their first European