Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill can shock Clermont ...

On Saturday, the stand-out Leicester players were two relative unknowns, Owen

Williams, the young Welsh fly-half who kicked 17 points, and Ed Slater, the

barnstorming lock and current captain. These are men who have thrived in the

Leicester environment, grown in stature to the point where both ought to

tour with their countries this summer, Williams to South Africa and Slater

with England to New Zealand. Good players are improved at Leicester.

Cockerill took delight last week in revealing the letter he had pinned up on

the training ground noticeboard that took him to task for Leicester’s

underwhelming performances and lack of silverware.

Nothing wrong with tending to complaints from supporters, even if the small

matter of Leicester being reigning Aviva Premiership champions was

overlooked. Or that they have reached the past nine finals.

The roll-call of honour is impressive, and reason enough for Leicester to

travel to deepest France with deep reserves of confidence in their ability

to get the job done.This is not a club in fear of a challenge, overawed by

forbidding odds.

The same used to be said of Thomond Park in Limerick as is now being said of

Parc Marcel Michelin. Munster’s Heineken Cup fortress was finally breached,

and it was Leicester who did it back in 2007. Guts, edge, strut, ferocity,

belief, cussedness – all these and more will be on Leicester’s agenda.

Cockerill reckons victory would merit entry into the Leicester annals as “one

of our most famous wins in history”, no small claim as he himself

acknowledged given that this is a club that has won Heineken Cups finals

away from home.

Leicester have proved resilient on so many occasions. The woes of David Moyes

at Old Trafford is testimony enough to illustrate that there are no

guarantees in succession planning. Leicester have not always got that

handover right. They have with this generation.

They merit huge credit as a club that has soul as well as a blue-chip

corporate plan. There is no better occasion then a Heineken Cup

quarter-final weekend for them to fly the Premiership flag along with

Saracens. Both clubs face mighty tests of their resolve as well as of their

squad depth, with league leaders Saracens heading to refurbished Ravenhill

to take on Ulster, the unbeaten No 1 seeds.

The European landscape has been the subject of drawn-out review by the various

warring factions. The competitions needed an overhaul, and the fight has

been worth it. This tournament has to be about high-end performance. The

pool stages do not always give us that. The knockout stages do. The

assembled cast of the eight teams is star-quality. Cockerill will be in his

element.

Hartley still tainted

Dylan Hartley discovered a horrible truth on Saturday, namely that a

reputation for bad behaviour lingers longer in the memory than any

favourable notices for good, disciplined performances. The Northampton

hooker found his name in every headline over stories of Tom Youngs’ allegation

of biting. Yet Hartley has been exemplary this season. Nobody

accused him of biting on Saturday. Only Saints’ director of rugby, Jim

Mallinder, mentioned his name, and presumably only in Hartley’s capacity as

club captain. Mallinder then cut short questions on the issue. He would have

been better served clarifying the comments. As for Hartley, he has learned

that the punishment for any incident extends far beyond the length of ban.

Hartley got 11 weeks for his verbal abuse in last season’s Aviva Premiership

final. Saturday proved he is still paying for that indiscretion.

Rees seals brave fightback

How heartening to see team-mates react to the deeds of one of their own, in

this case Cardiff Blues responding to the heroic battle of Matthew Rees.

The Wales and Lions hooker was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October. On

Saturday he came off the bench to help the Blues home, 28-23, against

high-flying Ulster. That is a proper fightback.

Article source: http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/ThreeTrending/video/russell-crowe-schools-irish-reporter-at-noah-premiere-30141333.html

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill can shock Clermont ...

Bath Rugby"s Class of "98: Where are they now?

Comments (1)

Bath Rugby will welcome Brive to The Rec on Sunday in the Amlin Cup quarter-finals in what is an historic fixture for the club.

Bath became the first British club to win the Heineken Cup 16 years ago when they beaten the same French opposition 19-18 in the final.

The victorious side was studded with men now considered rugby royalty in the West Country and beyond.

The heroics of the Class of ’98 – whose special achievement that day in Bordeaux gave rise to The Rec faithful’s ‘Allez Bath’ chant – could serve to inspire Mike Ford’s new generation of Bath players on Sunday.

Here is a look at where some of Bath’s European Champions are in 2014:

Mike Catt: With 220 appearances and 64 tries for Bath between 1992 and 2004, Mike Catt OBE remains something of a fans’ favourite at The Rec.

The oldest player ever to play in a Rugby World Cup final, South African-born Catt made 75 appearances for England, including the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, and earned one British and Irish Lions cap.

He left Bath in 2004 to join London Irish and in became the Exiles’ attack coach in 2007. Irish’s new brand of attacking rugby under Catt’s supervision helped guide them to a Premiership final in 2009.

England soon came calling for Catt again, first as backs coach for the 2012 South Africa tour before being made full-time attacking skills coach.

Phil de Glanville: During a 12-year career at Bath, former captain Phil de Glanville made nearly 200 appearances and scored 53 tries for the men in Blue, Black and White. The centre was capped 38 times by England and was made captain of his country in 1996.

De Glanville is now putting all his top-level experience in the game to good use at Hartpury College in Gloucester, where he has been director of elite sport since 2012. He oversees all eight of the college’s sports academies, from rugby to equestrian.

Dave Hilton: Dace Hilton is currently the forwards coach at Championship club Moseley where he works alongside another former Bath player, head coach Kevin Maggs.

Having retired from hometown club Bristol in 2008, Hilton cut his coaching teeth at nearby Dings Crusaders in National Division 2 South until taking up his post at Moseley.

As a player, he battled through controversy over the validity of his Scottish qualification to play 42 times for Scotland, his final appearance after an enforced two-year hiatus coming in a famous victory against South Africa in 2002.

Dan Lyle: Dan Lyle came to rugby at the mature age of 23 in his final years as a history student at the Virginia Military Institute. The number eight was instrumental to USA Rugby in its seminal years and in 1994 his potential was brought to the attention of Bath during an international match against Canada in Toronto.

He joined the club in 1996 and endeared himself to the supporters during his seven years at The Rec. A tremendous athlete, Lyle was once described by Heineken Cup-winning team-mate Jeremy Guscott as having “the full arsenal” of skills.

After hanging up his boots in 2003, 45-cap Lyle moved into the higher echelons of USA Rugby. He is now spearheading the development of USA Sevens in his role with United World Sports, including overseeing the popular Las Vegas leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Matt Perry: Matt Perry made the transition from professional rugby to the business world seven years ago after a glittering career for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions.

England’s most-capped fullback, the free-running Perry started all three Lions Tests against the Wallabies in 2001 – one of the most captivating series in the touring outfit’s professional history.

He was the third generation of his family to don the Bath jersey – after father Brendan and grandfather Idris – and in an astonishing 221 appearances for the club he scored 561 points. He retired prematurely at the age of 30 with a bulging disc in his back.

Perry is now a group performance director with Monitise, a financial services company which specialises in banking, paying and buying with mobile devices. He can also be found providing commentary and broadcasting for Sky Sports and BT Sport.

Bath Rugby is paying homage to the club’s famous 1998 European victory by offering supporters tickets to Sunday’s match for just £19.98*.

Along with this one-time offer, key members of that Heineken Cup-winning team will be doing a pre-match QA in the Swift Half to relive the historic win.

To see Bath’s new generation take a step closer to European glory, visit www.bathrugby.com/tickets, call 0844 448 1865 or visit the Ticket Office on Pulteney Bridge.

*Offer available in Blue and Bronze seating only.

Article source: http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/ThreeTrending/video/russell-crowe-schools-irish-reporter-at-noah-premiere-30141333.html

Bath Rugby"s Class of "98: Where are they now?

Scotland warned of USA"s Rugby World Cup challenge

Scotland have been warned the USA do not intend to just make up the numbers at the 2015 Rugby World Cup after earning their place in Saturday’s qualification showdown with Uruguay.

The “Americas 2” decider was on a knife-edge following the previous week’s 27-27 draw in Montevideo, but the USA held their nerve in Atlanta to progress with a 32-13 second-leg victory. The Eagles are the fourth nation confirmed in Scotland’s group for the tournament south of the Border in September and October next year, with South Africa and Samoa already formidable opponents for Vern Cotter’s team.

However, with Japan set to be formalised as the “Asia 1” qualifier via the Asian Five Nations in April and May, the USA are determined not to prove the Pool B whipping boys. Coach Mike Tolkin said: “My approach is we are going to compete as a team that can come out ahead.

“The thing I always say is ‘why not us?’ We are out on the field and we competed in the World Cup the last time. I think we have more depth now, we play a better level of games and we are better prepared.”

The USA have only failed to reach the finals of the World Cup once, in 1995, but have not managed more than one victory at any tournament since the event began in 1987.

Article source: http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/ThreeTrending/video/russell-crowe-schools-irish-reporter-at-noah-premiere-30141333.html

Scotland warned of USA"s Rugby World Cup challenge

New Zealand Rugby Team Dances Shirtless in the Rain, and It"s Glorious

Rugby is officially your new favorite sport. You’re welcome.

New Zealand’s national rugby team, the All Blacks, celebrated in a special way after winning the Hong Kong Sevens tournament on Sunday. After beating out England 26-7, the guys stripped off their shirts and performed the traditional Haka dance in the rain.

See also: Brazilian Soccer God Neymar Nabs Cutest Pitch Invader Ever

The haka is a Māori posture dance that has grown popular worldwide because of the the rugby team. Various versions of the dance are performed for a variety of reasons: funerals, amusement, as a welcome to important guests and, in this case, celebration.

The All Blacks perform the Haka before every match to intimidate the other team, but in this case, they also did it at the end of the game. Check out the photos below (and the video above, too, for the full experience).

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Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Article source: http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/ThreeTrending/video/russell-crowe-schools-irish-reporter-at-noah-premiere-30141333.html

New Zealand Rugby Team Dances Shirtless in the Rain, and It"s Glorious

[TICON-A VIDEO] Russell Crowe labels Irish reporter a "plonker" on Twitter ...

Screengrab via YouTube.com

Clare Cullen

– Updated 31 March 2014 01:35 PM

An Irish reporter was taken to task by Russell Crowe at the Irish premiere of his new film ‘Noah’.

Niamh Walsh asked Crowe if his rugby team would ever play against Ireland, prompting Crowe to explain that the South Sydney Rabbitohs play rugby league and not rugby union.

Undeterred, the Mail Online reporter asks the actor again, to which he irately responds “do you understand what I’m saying? They’re different sports.”

Crowe is then informed that he also makes mistakes, in particular when he referred to Ireland as part of the UK.

The video has been uploaded twice, once by ClickTV with the title ‘Russell Crowe Schools Reporter at the Dublin Premiere’ and once by Evoke.ie with the title ‘ Russell Crowe Being Rude to Reporter at Dublin Noah Premiere’.

Evoke.ie described Crowe as “very mean” and “pretty condescending to our Niamh”, claiming she was “unkindly schooled” for “not knowing” about the “South City Dragons” adding “but who in Ireland does?”

As the South City Dragons don’t exist, probably nobody.

Watch Crowe’s reaction below.

 

Article source: http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/ThreeTrending/video/russell-crowe-schools-irish-reporter-at-noah-premiere-30141333.html

[TICON-A VIDEO] Russell Crowe labels Irish reporter a "plonker" on Twitter ...

Northampton"s Dylan Hartley cleared of biting following Leicester defeat

Hooker Jamie George scored two of their four tries in a 32-20 victory to take his tally to the season to seven.

“Just hanging around at the back of mauls is the key to my success,” said the England Saxon.

Harlequins remain in the hunt for a play-off spot after accounting for London Irish 23-9 at The Stoop with Sam Smith scoring the crucial try 10 minutes from time.

Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea believes their April 11 visit to Sale, who won at Bath on Friday, will be decisive.

“We know that whoever wins when we go to Sale is in the fight for the top four. Whoever loses, isn’t,” said O’Shea.

Gloucester picked up a 14-13 win on the road at Exeter to leapfrog the Chiefs and move into eighth place.

Charlie Sharples’ second-half try proved pivotal as Gloucester held on with two men in the sin-bin despite Don Armand’s late try.

Article source: http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/ThreeTrending/video/russell-crowe-schools-irish-reporter-at-noah-premiere-30141333.html

Northampton"s Dylan Hartley cleared of biting following Leicester defeat

Bath Rugby"s Heineken Cup Class of "98: Where are they now?

Comments (1)

Bath Rugby will welcome Brive to The Rec on Sunday in the Amlin Cup quarter-finals in what is an historic fixture for the club.

Bath became the first British club to win the Heineken Cup 16 years ago when they beaten the same French opposition 19-18 in the final.

The victorious side was studded with men now considered rugby royalty in the West Country and beyond.

The heroics of the Class of ’98 – whose special achievement that day in Bordeaux gave rise to The Rec faithful’s ‘Allez Bath’ chant – could serve to inspire Mike Ford’s new generation of Bath players on Sunday.

Here is a look at where some of Bath’s European Champions are in 2014:

Mike Catt: With 220 appearances and 64 tries for Bath between 1992 and 2004, Mike Catt OBE remains something of a fans’ favourite at The Rec.

The oldest player ever to play in a Rugby World Cup final, South African-born Catt made 75 appearances for England, including the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, and earned one British and Irish Lions cap.

He left Bath in 2004 to join London Irish and in became the Exiles’ attack coach in 2007. Irish’s new brand of attacking rugby under Catt’s supervision helped guide them to a Premiership final in 2009.

England soon came calling for Catt again, first as backs coach for the 2012 South Africa tour before being made full-time attacking skills coach.

Phil de Glanville: During a 12-year career at Bath, former captain Phil de Glanville made nearly 200 appearances and scored 53 tries for the men in Blue, Black and White. The centre was capped 38 times by England and was made captain of his country in 1996.

De Glanville is now putting all his top-level experience in the game to good use at Hartpury College in Gloucester, where he has been director of elite sport since 2012. He oversees all eight of the college’s sports academies, from rugby to equestrian.

Dave Hilton: Dace Hilton is currently the forwards coach at Championship club Moseley where he works alongside another former Bath player, head coach Kevin Maggs.

Having retired from hometown club Bristol in 2008, Hilton cut his coaching teeth at nearby Dings Crusaders in National Division 2 South until taking up his post at Moseley.

As a player, he battled through controversy over the validity of his Scottish qualification to play 42 times for Scotland, his final appearance after an enforced two-year hiatus coming in a famous victory against South Africa in 2002.

Dan Lyle: Dan Lyle came to rugby at the mature age of 23 in his final years as a history student at the Virginia Military Institute. The number eight was instrumental to USA Rugby in its seminal years and in 1994 his potential was brought to the attention of Bath during an international match against Canada in Toronto.

He joined the club in 1996 and endeared himself to the supporters during his seven years at The Rec. A tremendous athlete, Lyle was once described by Heineken Cup-winning team-mate Jeremy Guscott as having “the full arsenal” of skills.

After hanging up his boots in 2003, 45-cap Lyle moved into the higher echelons of USA Rugby. He is now spearheading the development of USA Sevens in his role with United World Sports, including overseeing the popular Las Vegas leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Matt Perry: Matt Perry made the transition from professional rugby to the business world seven years ago after a glittering career for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions.

England’s most-capped fullback, the free-running Perry started all three Lions Tests against the Wallabies in 2001 – one of the most captivating series in the touring outfit’s professional history.

He was the third generation of his family to don the Bath jersey – after father Brendan and grandfather Idris – and in an astonishing 221 appearances for the club he scored 561 points. He retired prematurely at the age of 30 with a bulging disc in his back.

Perry is now a group performance director with Monitise, a financial services company which specialises in banking, paying and buying with mobile devices. He can also be found providing commentary and broadcasting for Sky Sports and BT Sport.

Bath Rugby is paying homage to the club’s famous 1998 European victory by offering supporters tickets to Sunday’s match for just £19.98*.

Along with this one-time offer, key members of that Heineken Cup-winning team will be doing a pre-match QA in the Swift Half to relive the historic win.

To see Bath’s new generation take a step closer to European glory, visit www.bathrugby.com/tickets, call 0844 448 1865 or visit the Ticket Office on Pulteney Bridge.

*Offer available in Blue and Bronze seating only.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22749174

Bath Rugby"s Heineken Cup Class of "98: Where are they now?

Japan Rugby 7s Player Fails With Swan Dive Try (VIDEO)

Kosuke Hashino’s attempt to add gloss to Japan’s Rugby 7s victory over Italy spectacularly backfired when he dropped the ball during an attempted swan dive try.

With Japan 26-5 ahead, Hashino theatrically dove over the line, but the ball squirmed out of his arm. At least he saw the funny side.

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  WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 07: A spectator dressed as Tarzan is ejected from the stadium after getting onto the outer field during the parade of nations at Westpac Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

  
  


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  WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 07: A spectator dressed as Tarzan is ejected from the stadium after getting onto the outer field during the parade of nations at Westpac Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

  
  


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  WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 07: A spectator dressed as Tarzan is ejected from the stadium after getting onto the outer field during the parade of nations at Westpac Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

  
  


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  WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 07: A spectator dressed as Tarzan is ejected from the stadium after getting onto the outer field during the parade of nations at Westpac Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

  
  


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  WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 07: Singer songwriter Tiki Tane waits to perform during the Sevens at Westpac Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

  
  


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  WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 07: Fans dance during the Wellington Sevens at Westpac Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

  
  


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  WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 07: Fans look on during the Wellington Sevens at Westpac Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

  
  


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  WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 07: Fans party during the Wellington Sevens at Westpac Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

  
  

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22749174

Japan Rugby 7s Player Fails With Swan Dive Try (VIDEO)

Edinburgh Rugby agree to Scotland"s request to rest Greig Laidlaw

Edinburgh Rugby have agreed to a request from the Scotland camp to rest Greig Laidlaw for five weeks.

Incoming coach Vern Cotter, as well as director of rugby Scott Johnson, want the scrum-half to be fully recovered in time for the summer tour of North America, Argentina and South Africa.

The number nine is due to join Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership this summer, but Cotter wants his vice-captain to be fit and available in time for his switch from Clermont Auvergne.

Laidlaw was one of few Scotland performers to emerge with significant credit from last year’s RBS 6 Nations, but couldn’t replicate that form in this season’s tournament.

Tired could be a factor, and Scott Johnson wants him as fit as he can be for the summer.

But Johnson said: “Greig has played a lot of rugby for both Edinburgh and Scotland this season and he’s been a key figure in our leadership group.

“His time at Edinburgh has meant a great deal to him and he will have the opportunity to play again for Edinburgh this season.

“With the schedule as it stands looking ahead over the next 16 to 18 months, we’re grateful to Edinburgh for supporting this move.”

Edinburgh Rugby supporters have been assured that Laidlaw will get a chance to say his farewells, but Alan Solomons will now put his faith in Grayson Hart, Sean Kennedy and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

He said: “The performance of the national team is of the utmost importance to the whole of Scottish Rugby, and this is will be a big year for Greig.

“He has been a long-standing servant of this club and we are happy to support him and Scottish Rugby in this regard

“We have very capable, young Scottish scrum-halves who will compete for the number nine shirt next season, and will continue to get the opportunities they have handled admirably in Greig’s absence during the RBS 6 Nations.”

Related articles

• More Six Nations despair for Scotland but new era under Vern Cotter looms

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22749174

Edinburgh Rugby agree to Scotland"s request to rest Greig Laidlaw

Russell Crowe "schools" Irish reporter at Noah premiere

Screengrab via YouTube.com

Clare Cullen

– Updated 31 March 2014 01:35 PM

An Irish reporter was taken to task by Russell Crowe at the Irish premiere of his new film ‘Noah’.

Niamh Walsh asked Crowe if his rugby team would ever play against Ireland, prompting Crowe to explain that the South Sydney Rabbitohs play rugby league and not rugby union.

Undeterred, the Mail Online reporter asks the actor again, to which he irately responds “do you understand what I’m saying? They’re different sports.”

Crowe is then informed that he also makes mistakes, in particular when he referred to Ireland as part of the UK.

The video has been uploaded twice, once by ClickTV with the title ‘Russell Crowe Schools Reporter at the Dublin Premiere’ and once by Evoke.ie with the title ‘ Russell Crowe Being Rude to Reporter at Dublin Noah Premiere’.

Evoke.ie described Crowe as “very mean” and “pretty condescending to our Niamh”, claiming she was “unkindly schooled” for “not knowing” about the “South City Dragons” adding “but who in Ireland does?”

As the South City Dragons don’t exist, probably nobody.

Watch Crowe’s reaction below.

 

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22749174

Russell Crowe "schools" Irish reporter at Noah premiere

Rugby - Nucifora set for Irish role

The former Wallabies hooker is expected to take a role in Ireland’s two-Test South America tour in June, Press Association Sport understands.

The 52-year-old’s appointment should be formally confirmed once the long-term wrangling over the future of European club rugby is completed.

The IRFU is understood to be keen to tie up the negotiations on the competition to replace the Heineken Cup before completing the formalities on Nucifora’s new role.

Former Brumbies and Blues front-rower Nucifora will assume a post designed in part to ease some of Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt’s workload.

Nucifora’s wide-ranging remit will be to take an overview on the professional game in Ireland, ensuring performance standards and helping maintain and expand the depth of top-level talent.

The two-cap Australia forward’s appointment will not affect the make-up of Schmidt’s backroom staff, with the roles of assistant coach Les Kiss and forwards specialist John Plumtree remaining unchanged.

The IRFU hope this appointment will allow Schmidt to focus yet more intently on Ireland’s long drive towards Rugby World Cup 2015.

Ireland face Argentina in Resistencia on June 7 and again in Tucuman on June 14.

Schmidt’s side have 10 full-blown Tests before the 2015 World Cup in England.

The former Leinster boss is yet to decide just how strong a squad he will take on tour this summer, refusing so far to rule out frontline stars like Johnny Sexton from his party for South America.

Ireland’s first big challenge now is to replace stalwart centre Brian O’Driscoll, with Robbie Henshaw and Darren Cave likely to be given first-refusal on the 13 shirt during the summer.

Schmidt has already admitted the two Argentina clashes and the three autumn Tests, against South Africa, Georgia and Australia are his only realistic chances to experiment before the World Cup, given the intensity of the Six Nations.

Nucifora’s addition to the IRFU set-up should allow Schmidt total focus on the job of preparing Ireland’s World Cup assault.

Schmidt worked as Nucifora’s assistant at the Blues in Super Rugby in 2006, and the former New Zealand schoolteacher will have ratified the IRFU’s move.

After coaching the Brumbies and the Blues, Nucifora assumed the role of general manager in the ARU’s high performance unit.

Nucifora resigned his ARU post in December 2012, closely following managing director and chief executive John O’Neill’s exit.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22749174

Rugby - Nucifora set for Irish role

Rugby League - Cup hopefuls claim wins

Halifax warmed up for next Sunday’s fourth-round tie against Widnes with a crushing 48-6 success over Doncaster at the Shay.

The Dons, who started the day in second place, made the perfect start when Hull centre Joe Arundel scored in the corner after a break from his dual-registered team-mate Liam Kent after just five minutes.

But Karl Harrison’s men went on to dominate the match by scoring nine tries, with Gareth Potts and Dane Manning both touching down twice, to condemn their visitors to a second defeat of the season.

Dewsbury ran in seven tries in a 38-16 win over Workington to put them in good heart for the visit of Cup holders Wigan to the Tetley’s Stadium on Friday night.

Anthony Thackeray and Greg Scott both scored two tries and others came from Shane Grady, Karl Pryce and Dale Morton for the Rams, who led 22-6 at half-time.

Wigan’s Wales international prop Gil Dudson, playing on a dual-registration for the champions’ partnership club, scored the Cumbrians’ first-half and substitute Andy Morris touched down twice after the break.

Full-back Miles Greenwood scored two tries as Batley warmed up for their Cup clash with Castleford with a 26-14 win over North Wales Crusaders in Wrexham.

Adam Gledhill, Luke Blake and Alistair Leek got the other tries for the Bulldogs as they bounced back from their surprise defeat by Rochdale.

Crusaders’ t ries came from Tommy Johnson, Dan Birkett and Toby Adamson.

Leigh moved four points clear at the top as they continued their perfect start with a 34-22 win over Rochdale .

Ryan Brierley, the leading Championship tryscorer, touch down twice, taking his tally for the season to 15 in seven matches, and Liam Kay also scored two as the Centurions led 20-4 at the break, but Adam Bowman, Chris Baines and Daniel Davies scored tries to give the Hornets hope at 28-22.

However, former St Helens centre Tom Armstrong rounded off the scoring just before the end to clinch a sixth straight win for the home side.

Featherstone moved into second place with a 36-22 triumph over Swinton, who had threatened to pull off an upset when they led 16-10 at the break.

Prolific centre Mick Nanyn, Josh Barlow, Lewis Hulme and Kevin Penny scored tries for the Lions, who had Warrington forward Anthony England playing against his old club.

Etuate Uaisele, Will Sharp and James Mendeika all scored two tries apiece as Rovers finished the game strongly to secure a fourth win in six attempts.

Winger Steve Turner continued his prolific run for Sheffield with his 13th try in the Eagles’ last nine matches as the champions won 42-24 at Keighley.

Quentin Laulu-Togagae scored in each half and Dane Straugher, Michael Knowles, Menzie Yere, Pat Walker and Matt Garside got Sheffield’s other tries.

Scott Law scored two tries for the Cougars and Josh Lynam and Andy Shickell also touched down, with Danny Jones kicking four goals.

Bobbie Goulding experienced a losing start on his return to rugby league as his Barrow side went down 37-12 in a Cumbrian derby at Whitehaven.

Liam Harrison and Joe Burke scored tries for the Raiders, who are above bottom club Rochdale only on points difference.

Tommy Carr and former Wigan and Bradford winger Shaun Ainscough both scored two tries apiece for Whitehaven, with others coming from Lee Doran, Jessie-Joe Parker and Craig Calvert.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22749174

Rugby League - Cup hopefuls claim wins

Rugby League - Smith: Giants will have better days

A 33-14 defeat saw last year’s table-toppers drop into the bottom half and leaves them still searching for their first home win of the 2014 First Utility Super League.

There were encouraging signs as the Giants, who had drawn their first two home games of 2014, led 14-4 at half-time but their second-half collapse was all-too-reminiscent of their earlier below-par performances.

The scores were level at 14-14 on the hour but the Wolves cut loose in the final quarter, scoring at a point a minute to secure a 10th straight win over their Yorkshire rivals.

“That’s what can happen when teams are chasing the game,” Smith said. “It’s happened to us. When you are behind on the scoreboard, it creates pressure and you become a bit desperate.

“There wasn’t much in that first half between two teams who aren’t just quite quite clicking.

“They will click at some stage soon, there’s no doubt about that. They’ve got too many good players for them not to click.

“They’re not quite nailing their game at the moment but it will come for them. We will have some more hard battles with Huddersfield as the year goes on.”

Elsewhere, Widnes maintained fourth spot thanks to a 22-18 win over Bradford and Hull KR put back-to-back wins together for the first time for eight months with a 44-6 rout of Wakefield.

Wildcats coach Richard Agar admitted he was shocked by the performance of his side as they crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season.

“It’s fair to say we didn’t see that coming,” Agar said. “It’s thrown up a lot of question marks for us as to why we would get a performance so lacking in skill, smartness and, at times, effort and desire.

“What we served up there was terribly, terribly short of where it needed to be. Some of the defence in the second half looked at times like they’d given up.

“They’re the questions that we’re talking to our guys about, that lack of effort. I’m not going to shy away and hide from that. It’s a trait that I don’t think has too many times been levelled at us.

“I thought at times in the second half, some of the tries showed a complete lack of effort and we’d stuck up a white flag. That’s a difficult one for us as coaches.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22749174

Rugby League - Smith: Giants will have better days

Salford set to swoop for Welsh rugby league legend Iestyn Harris

Salford could be set to reunite Wales head coach Iestyn Harris with his old Crusaders boss Brian Noble at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Red Devils chairman Marwan Koukash is looking to shake up the team following their disappointing run of results and has confirmed that Harris, currently assistant to Shaun Wane at Wigan, and Australian Shane Flanagan are potential additions to the club’s backroom staff.

It is not thought Noble’s position at the club is threatened, although his contract is up at the end of the year.

“I am looking at strengthening Brian’s hands by adding to the coaching staff,” said Koukash, who is also considering changes to the playing personnel in the wake of Friday’s 30-8 Super League defeat at Hull.

“I did not come into the sport to see us beaten 30-8, especially after beating Castleford the previous week,” Koukash said.

“We have taken one step forward and two steps back and that is not acceptable.

“If anybody is not performing or not trying, there is no place in the team for them.”

Koukash, who took over last year’s wooden spoonists just over 12 months ago, brought in 14 new players at the start of the season and set them a target of finishing in the top four in 2014 but they are currently outside the top eight after winning just one of their last four matches.

Noble appointed Andy Hay and Stuart Donlan as his assistants and recently welcomed back Sean Long as a coaching consultant.

Harris, 37, who played under Noble for both Bradford and Great Britain and worked alongside him at Crusaders in 2010 before succeeding him as head coach, is thought to be out of contract at Wigan at the end of the year.

Koukash told Press Association Sport he had not yet spoken to Wigan but confirmed that Harris is “under consideration”.

Flanagan, 48, was appointed as head coach of Cronulla in 2010 but is currently suspended following an investigation into the club’s supplements programme during the 2011 NRL season.

“It’s a strong possibility that Flanagan could be joining us on a consultancy basis to help us out,” Koukash said. “His manager is a good friend of mine and he knows how to build structures.

“We need to be developing our own players and he is the ideal person to advise us on this.”

In the short term, Koukash is hoping for a big improvement from his side when they return to Hull on Thursday night for a Tetley’s Challenge Cup fourth-round tie.

“It’s the biggest game of the season so far and there will be a number of players who have not done themselves justice who will have the chance to put it right,” he said.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22749174

Salford set to swoop for Welsh rugby league legend Iestyn Harris

Impressive Ireland post four-try victory

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Impressive Ireland post four-try victory

RTÉ still in mix for Rugby World Cup TV rights

RTÉ are still in contention with Setanta and TV3 for TV rights to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Contrary to reports that TV3 had secured rights for the tournament, RTÉ sources maintain they are very much in competition for the broadcasting rights, with the IRB to make a decision in the next two weeks.

Withdrawn
Having withdrawn from the bidding for rights to the Pro12 on foot of Sky securing 30 matches per season, thereby leaving the field clear for TG4 to go on televising that competition along with BBC Northern Ireland, the national broadcaster have evidently prioritised the World Cup in England, along with the November Internationals and the Six Nations.

This in turn follows the pronouncement by the RTÉ director general Noel Curran a year ago that RTÉ would suffer a 25 per cent reduction in sports rights by 2014.

Co-incidentally, RTÉ, TV3 and Setanta are also embroiled in an equally hard-fought bidding war along with Sky for rights to the All-Ireland hurling and football series, which may affect how the three Irish broadcasters balance their bids.

This amounts to a delicate but high risk game of poker, although the IRB are not likely to decide based solely on money, as evidenced by their decision to sell rights to the 2015 World Cup to ITV when it was believed Sky were also in the market – it is understood the BBC did not even enter the bidding given their stretched resources, particularly in light of broadcasting the London Olympics.

The IRB may also be mindful of Ireland’s impending bid to host the 2023 World Cup, but recent history gives little clues, given both the 2003 and 2011 World Cups were shared between RTÉ and Setanta, whereas 2007 was shared between TV3 and Setanta.

Leading figures from Sky Sports will be in Dublin to take in the sold-out Leinster-Munster match at the Aviva Stadium, in the likelihood this fixture will be one of their prime choices next season.

Safeguard
Under the deal, to safeguard the League’s presence on terrestrial television, Sky will not be able to show the same fixture home and away, meaning, for example, were they to pick next season’s Aviva derby, then the Thomond Park meeting would be shown on TG4.

On foot of Rabo ceasing sponsorship of the Pro12 at the end of this season, and given the increased security of the competition, it is understood prospective sponsors will also be in attendance at the Aviva. Helpfully, the four competing countries have reached a new accord as equal partners, while there will be heightened qualification requirements for the new European Champions Cup.

Amongst the Pro12’s new suitors are Turkish Airlines, but contrary to rumours, neither Heineken nor any other drinks sponsor are involved.

With BT and Sky having brokered a deal for shared coverage of the European Champions Cup, which will have four to six “partners’” as opposed to a title sponsor such as Heineken to ape its footballing equivalent, the likelihood remains Sky will be the main broadcaster of matches in Ireland.

Although the Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Italian share of participation funds in the new European order will drop from 11.26 per cent apiece (and 10.4 per cent to the Italians) to a combined 33.3 per cent, with the French and English share rising from 20.4 to 33.3 per cent, the respective Celtic Unions have been assured they will not lose money, which in the IRFU’s case would be in the region of €8 million per annum.

Out to tender
To boost revenue, it is likely the French Federation and Ligue Nationale de Rugby will abandon restricting the Heineken Cup to free-to-air television, and put the European Champions Cup out to tender a la the Top 14, for which Canal+ recently secured a new €355 million five-year deal ahead of beIN Sport.

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RTÉ still in mix for Rugby World Cup TV rights

Brian O"Driscoll takes centre stage in Leinster victory

Leinster 22 Munster 18:

The story? Brian O’Driscoll of course. When has it not been? A flash of brilliance on the last lap of his long goodbye should have been the tale of tonight but instead it was what looked a recurring calf injury that puts his rematch with Mathieu Bastareaud in grave doubt.

Leinster coach Matt O’Connor mentioned a stiff neck as being the centre’s main problem after the game, but the next 48 hours will tell how the great one came out of a brutal physical contest at the Aviva.

Munster put themselves in a position to do Leinster twice in the one season for the first time in ages but O’Driscoll’s try and the boot of Ian Madigan denied Ian Keatley’s flawless kicking its just reward.

It was easy to forget that this was an important Pro 12 encounter, not just a precursor to Europe, and an engaging occasion all on its own.

Leinster reported no major injuries at the start of last week but come tonight they were down four props. Munster were seemingly at the same codology with Peter O’Mahony’s hamstring.

After doing the coin toss with Jamie Heaslip, the Munster captain twinged the hamstring that ruled him out of the Italy game and saw him pulled off in Paris.

Yet Leinster’s propping shortage proved far more damaging than O’Mahony being replaced by CJ Stander.

Still, somehow, Leinster found a way to win.

Michael Bent was parachuted into the Ireland rugby team in November 2012 against the Springboks as a tighthead prop (back when there was a genuine shortage). The Kiwi is seen as a loosehead nowadays.

Not the most effective one though. Ed Byrne made the bench last night and while it was a little premature, keep an eye out for him (and his hooker twin Bryan who is tearing up trees for Clontarf in the AIL).

Carl Hayman, perhaps the greatest New Zealand tighthead of them all, could make mince meat of Bent if given the opportunity in Toulon next Sunday.

Cian Healy’s ankle has been patched up these past few months and must be once again. They’ll also probably need Jack McGrath to make it back.

As was always a possibility with Healy and McGrath crocked, Munster’s scrum dominance was the initial difference between the sides. Keatley’s first of four first-half penalties came after three minutes. However, it was Dave Kilcoyne getting the majority of the back slaps after the Leinster eight was wheeled into the Lansdowne turf.

Worst of all was Mike Ross having to put in a rare 70 minute-plus shift. He thought those days were gone but Tadhg Furlong and Marty Moore are not yet as durable as the master craftsman.

It was 6-0 after eight minutes with Bent almost certainly at fault.

Madigan pulled it back to 3-9 but scrum penalty number four came on the half hour. A psyched up Kilcoyne – perhaps revved by the Irish management overlooking him during the Six Nations – leaped away in delight as Keatley pushed it out to 3-12.

Approaching the break O’Driscoll’s trademark kick down the outside channel yielded an attacking five-metre scrum when Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald collared Felix Jones.

Madigan planted the chance from wide on the left only to miss his third strike from far right to leave Munster 12-6 ahead.

Time for Greg Feek to work some iPad magic, much like at the Millennium Stadium in 2011, and from the first engagement on the resumption of hostilities a steady platform allowed Eoin Reddan scamper up the touchline.

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Brian O"Driscoll takes centre stage in Leinster victory

Rugby Union: Rotherham"s finishing the difference says Bedford Blues centre ...

Action from Bedford v Rotherham

Bedford Blues were eventually well beaten 33-12 by promotion-chasing Rotherham yesterday with the quality of the Titans’ finishing the difference according to centre Michael Le Bourgeois.

The Blues frequently punched holes in their opponents’ defence, particularly in the first half, but were all too often let down by either wild passing or poor handling.

Despite this, they were very much in the game at half-time but their high-flying opponents stepped up several gears after the break as they gave the final score an emphatic look.

Le Bourgeois said: “The score feels a bit harsh but they were clinical when they broke through and they only missed a few chances because our scramble defence was pretty good.

“We were fluffing up our opportunities at the last and it ended up killing us.

“We were breaking through and making clean chances but we’re just not taking them well at the moment while they were clinical and that shows on the scoreboard.

“Our play is getting a lot better because we’re getting towards the end of the season and we’re enjoying how we’re playing now.

“But just when we look good, we cough the ball up and teams are punishing us.”

Bedford trailed 13-9 at half-time in what was a feisty encounter and looked well set to turn the game around as Rotherham had two men sent to the sin bin in fairly quick succession.

But for the second home game in a row, the Blues failed to make the most of a two-man advantage and they were eventually starved of the ball as the Titans squeezed the life out of them.

Le Bourgeois, who was himself shown a yellow card in the first half for a dangerous tackle, said: “It comes down to basics and that is where we must really step it up a notch and use the extra man to our advantage.

“We’ve got a week off now so the guys can go away and recuperate and after that we intend to enjoy the last few games.

“Everyone now is looking to take their opportunities and stay in the club’s plans for next season.”

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Rugby Union: Rotherham"s finishing the difference says Bedford Blues centre ...

RFU rules out action over "bite"

The Rugby Football Union confirmed on Sunday that citing officer Wade Dooley reviewed the match footage and opted against taking any action.

Youngs appeared to suggest England team-mate Hartley was responsible for the alleged bite and Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder later stated he would speak to his club captain.

The lack of evidence to support Youngs’ claim and absence of any complaint from Leicester have led to Dooley’s decision.

“The incident has been reviewed and no action will be taken against Dylan Hartley,” an RFU spokesperson said.

Referee Wayne Barnes referred the 15th-minute incident to television match official Trevor Fisher after hearing an unnamed player’s allegation on the pitch.

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill confirmed Youngs’ claim that he had been bitten but stopped short of identifying a culprit.

“Tom said that he was bitten on the hand by someone he didn’t elaborate on,” Cockerill said.

“The referee referred it to the TMO, and looked at it and there was clearly nothing to look at. Maybe Tom was mistaken. It will be looked at by the relevant people.”

It was unclear on Saturday whether Mallinder intended speaking to Hartley because of his role as club captain or because he was under any suspicion.

“I don’t think there was anything in it. I would be very surprised,” Mallinder said.

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RFU rules out action over "bite"

RaboDirect Pro12: Leinster beat Munster in Dublin duel

Leinster’s Shane Jennings is tackled by Tommy O’Donnell

Munster’s Casey Laulala tangles with Leinster’s Kevin McLaughlin

Brian O’Driscoll scored the game’s only try as Leinster held off Irish rivals Munster in front of 49,800 at the Aviva Stadium to record a 22-18 win and remain top of the RaboDirect Pro12.

The game was initially going Munster’s way until Leinster turned things around, with Shane Jennings putting O’Driscoll over for the decisive 57th-minute try while Munster prop David Kilcoyne was in the sin-bin.

Ian Keatley’s fifth and sixth penalties of an unblemished night with the boot set up a frantic finish at 19-18, but a 79th-minute kick from Ian Madigan made certain of the home win.

The visitors had opened up a 9-0 lead by the 22nd minute with two of Keatley’s opening three penalties coming from Munster’s assertive scrum.

Matt O’Connor’s home side ended the first half with a two-thirds share of possession. Two Madigan kicks closed the gap to 12-6 by the interval, before O’Driscoll and man-of-the-match Jamie Heaslip drove Leinster to a hard-earned comeback victory.

A typically robust opening saw blood falling from a wound on Paul O’Connell’s face within two minutes. Before temporarily departing, he helped Munster win a scrum penalty and Keatley’s close-range kick put them ahead.

A second successful penalty followed from inside the 22, rewarding half-breaks from Simon Zebo and Tommy O’Donnell as Munster’s positive start continued.

There were glimpses of O’Driscoll’s brilliant sleight of hand, but some ‘industrial language’ from the veteran centre also earned him a talking to from Rolland.

Although Leinster improved approaching the midpoint of the half, Munster’s scrum was becoming a weapon with a strong shove near the 10-metre line setting Keatley up for his best strike of the night.

Madigan snapped back three points with a difficult penalty from the left, before Kilcoyne forced another scrum penalty out of Mike Ross and Keatley’s kick split the posts.

Increased tempo

Leinster increased the tempo in sight of half-time, Luke Fitzgerald chasing down an O’Driscoll dink over the top and the resulting five-metre scrum – Ross getting the call this time – saw Madigan half Munster’s lead.

The Leinster out-half, who missed a kickable chance in injury-time, quickly got his side off the mark in the second half – his half-back partner Eoin Reddan’s break doing the initial damage.

The penalty count against Munster increased with David Foley singled out for not rolling away. Madigan mopped up with the points to bring Leinster level at 12-12.

The pressure increased on Munster when Kilcoyne was sin-binned for the same offence as Foley’s, with Leinster beginning to build momentum in and around the 22.

They moved ahead for the first time when the increasingly influential Jennings took the ball up and his offload out of the tackle sent O’Driscoll scampering over from a few metres out.

Madigan converted for a 19-12 scoreline, but 14-man Munster countered superbly with CJ Stander spearheading a drive for a left corner. They came away with an important three points converted by Keatley.

O’Driscoll’s night was ended by injury past the hour mark and the Leinster defence had to withstand some energetic running from the likes of Simon Zebo, Keith Earls and speedy replacement Gerhard van den Heever.

Munster kept pressing and Ross’ high tackle on Stander gleaned them another three points from Keatley, before a crossing call against O’Donnell allowed Madigan close out Leinster’s 10th-straight win.

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Article source: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/rl-headlines/rugby-league-ferres-in-to-help-iron-out-future-for-bulls-1-6523308

RaboDirect Pro12: Leinster beat Munster in Dublin duel

Super Rugby: Sharks punish stuttering Waratahs at Kings Park

Fred Zeilinga: Controlled the game and contributed the majority of the Sharks points

Bernard Foley: Could only give Waratahs a late consolation

The Sharks extended their lead at the Super Rugby summit with a 32-10 victory over an undisciplined Waratahs side at Kings Park.

Fred Zeilinga kicked three first-half penalties and Francois Steyn also slotted over the post as the hosts took a 12-3 lead into the break in Durban, with Bernard Foley’s strike the lone reprieve for the Waratahs.

The visitors’ indiscipline continued after the break as captain Dave Dennis was shown a yellow card, before Ryan Kankowski and Keegan Daniel crossed the whitewash as the Sharks raced to victory, meaning Foley’s late try was little but consolation for the Waratahs.

Despite being on away soil, the Waratahs made a typically attacking start as Adam Ashley-Cooper charged towards the whitewash, only for the Sharks to scramble in and prevent the try.

As the visitors continued to press forward, the Sharks remained resilient, until conceding the penalty which allowed Bernard Foley to put the Waratahs in front.

Sharks started to find their rhythm as the opening quarter played out and drew a penalty on the Waratahs 22, which Zeilinga slotted over with ease.

Swinging

The hosts were awarded a second penalty on 15 minutes when Rob Horne was caught swinging a high arm on Steyn and Zeilinga ensured the Waratahs paid the price.

A lack of discipline at the scrum gave Zeilinga a third penalty before Foley squandered the opportunity to respond as his place kick drifted wide.

With the Waratahs struggling to work through the phases, Zeilinga kicked upfield and caught the visitors offside and Steyn struck through the upright from his own half.

Foley wasted a second kick on goal as the Sharks took a 12-3 lead into the break.

Waratahs returned from the break with the intention of playing running rugby, but were thwarted by a number of handling errors, which allowed the Sharks to turn the ball over.

Advantage

New South Wales skipper Dennis was sent to the sin bin for pushing and the Sharks immediately utilised their numerical advantage.

Having won their line-out, the Sharks established a maul and drove their way over the line, with Kankowski claiming the score, while Zeilinga made no mistake from the tee.

Michael Cheika’s men continued to lack discipline and Zeilinga slotted home his fourth penalty of the afternoon from halfway line as the Sharks took a 22-3 lead.

The Sharks extended their lead with eight minutes to play as Daniel raced over the line after a clever tap-and-go move, before Zeilinga’s conversion gave the hosts a 26-point advantage.

However, the Waratahs were not willing to settle as they stretched the Sharks’ defence late on, with Foley racing over their only try of the match after Kurtley Beale exposed the gap.

Zeilinga added a fifth three-pointer to complete the Sharks haul as they strengthened their lead at the Super Rugby summit.

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Article source: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/rl-headlines/rugby-league-ferres-in-to-help-iron-out-future-for-bulls-1-6523308

Super Rugby: Sharks punish stuttering Waratahs at Kings Park

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A big blow there for Munster with captain and Ireland flanker O’Mahony ruled out. Not sure what the problem is as yet but the teams now look like this.

Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald; I Madigan, E Reddan; M Bent, R Strauss, M Ross; D Toner, M McCarthy; K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip. Replacements: S Cronin, J O’Connell, E Byrne, L Cullen, J Murphy, I Boss, J Gopperth, Z Kirchner

Munster: F Jones; K Earls, C Laulala, D Hurley, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, D Varley, BJ Botha; D Foley, P O’ Connell; CJ Stander, T O’Donnell, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Casey, J Cronin, A Cotter, D O’Callaghan, Billy Holland, D Williams, JJ Hanrahan, G van den Heever.

Article source: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/england-rugby-player-drops-warwick-6883960

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Leinster v Munster: Is the war over?

There was a time when rugby matches between Leinster and Munster were as weighed down with symbolism as any medieval pageant. In those days, Orwell’s description of sport as “war minus the shooting” seemed particularly apposite.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, there were so many layers of meaning to the games that you felt that Roland Barthes, the great French semiotician, should have been called in to help the referee.

Among other things, these games were billed as tribal clashes, conflicts between one brand of Irishness and another. It was Gaelic Ireland against the Pale, “Irish” Munster against “Anglified” Leinster. They were also supposed to represent another skirmish in the ongoing class war, working class Munster against middle class Leinster, Limerick dockers versus Dublin doctors, Moyross against Mount Merrion.

Then there was the political dimension. For years, according to Munster perception, Leinster players had been picked for the Irish team ahead of better Munster ones. The selectors, with their built-in Leinster majority, had looked at the world through blue-tinted spectacles.

Some commentators even dipped into the world of gender studies: manly Munster were taking on the Ladyboys of Leinster. It was brawn against brain, raw physical commitment versus mere skill, substance versus style. Really, it wasn’t a rugby match at all, but an exercise in competing versions of masculinity.

On top of these layers of history, sociology and politics was placed yet one more: geography. Leinster were based in Dublin, the capital city. Munster had twin bases, Cork and Limerick. It was the provinces versus the capital.

Twenty years ago, there was some validity to each of these. Yes, Munster had been hard done-by in selecting the Ireland team back in the days when the starting XV were scribbled on the back on an envelope in Paddy Madigan’s pub in Donnybrook. The team seemed immutable; the joke was that it was harder to get off the team than get on it.

Yes, the game in Leinster relied heavily on the output of private schools and their supporters were often to be found in sheepskin coats with special pockets for a hip flask.

Certainly, there was an element of “second city” disaffection in Munster ranks. Beating the boys from the capital was part of the enjoyment of playing Leinster in Thomond Park back then. And Munster were definitely the tougher team. They were more physical, more direct, and more successful. They got to four Heineken Cup finals, winning two of them, before Leinster began to pull themselves together.

But does any of that still pertain, almost 20 years after the game turned professional? Will any of the players running out on to the pitch tomorrow feel the weight of any such symbolism? Will any of the supporters? I don’t think so. Most of the rancour has been lanced. The layers of meaning that once may have enclosed and almost smothered this fixture have been peeled away.

Munster, so long motivated by a Munster-contra-mundum feeling, have tasted success on many levels. It’s tricky to feel put-upon when you are champions and when half the Irish team comes from Munster, as it did in the Grand Slam year of 2009. Leinster have broadened their playing base to include men from Wexford, Carlow and beyond. Their supporters are more socially diverse too. The demographics of both sides have changed, and for the better.

As for playing styles – or versions of masculinity as some would have it – well, Munster have tried to play a bit more like Leinster, and vice versa in the past season or two. Both teams aspire to be able to play different styles depending on the circumstances.

Then there’s the geography. Instead of seeing their “second city” status as a reason for grievance, Munster have used it positively. It has ceased to be about what they’re not, but about what they are.

Tomorrow, after years of rancour and bile, a Leinster versus Munster match will be what it should have been about all along. The rugby.

Dave Robbins is a freelance journalist and lectures in DCU’s school of

communications. He played junior rugby for Bective Rangers RFC from 1986 to 1995

Article source: http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/irish-rugby-star-conor-murray-makes-letterkenny-girl-vanessa-s-day-1-5939158

Leinster v Munster: Is the war over?

O"Driscoll walks away a champion

France 20 Ireland 22

All hail the chief. Not Brian O’Driscoll nor Paul O’Connell but Jonathan Sexton is central cog in Ireland’s success in Joe Schmidt’s first season.

Sexton didn’t finish the game, having been knocked out trying to tackle the enormous Mathieu Bastareaud on 68 minutes. But he left the stage as it finished having registered 17 points to construct a 22-20 lead.

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Six Nations champions for the first time since 2009 then. And before that 1985. These days are like gold dust to Irish rugby and to win it in Paris, on O’Driscoll’s last stand, makes this one for the ages.

The greatest player the country has ever seen may have retired this evening but the future looks as bright as it has ever been. Because of Sexton and Iain Henderson and what is coming behind them.

The difference at half-time was the Racing Metro 92 halfbacks.

Maxime Machenaud’s accuracy and the lack thereof from Sexton.

But he will be eternally forgiven and revered.

This Six Nations title is down to him more than anyone and if not for an off day at Twickenham it could have been a Grand Slam.

Sexton left five points out on the Stade de France turf. Granted, he cleverly stepped inside Bastareaud for Ireland’s first try to reel in Machenaud quality strikes in the second and 15th minutes.

It was a thrilling score born out of Ireland’s superiority in the scrum and a lovely one handed offload by Chris Henry.

Ireland were humming but Sexton couldn’t convert.

No matter. Another scrum penalty from Steve Walsh (who has now atoned for 2007 against France at Croke Park) on 25 minutes and Andrew Trimble was over for the second try. The linking roles came from a darting carry by O’Driscoll and clean break by Conor Murray before he offloaded to put the Ulster winger away.

Sexton converted to make it 12-6 and the decent pockets of Irish in this cavernous arena began to dream. And sing.

Rob Kearney was at his imperious best, grabbing a high ball away from Pascal Pape. Gordon D’Arcy was also racking up his usual double figure tackle count, atoning for an early miss on the rampaging Bastareaud with a solid hit (discussions in the press box presumed the upright approach of Irish tacklers was to deny France the crowd invigorating offload game).

Then, in a moment of brilliance, as can happen in Paris, the game swung back France’s way.

Their try was created by an inch perfect cross field kick from Remi Tales which saw Yoann Huget leap over Rob Kearney and flick the ball to Brice Dulin as the despairing Dave Kearney failed to nudge the fullback into touch.

Machenaud stitched the near touchline conversion and France were 13-12 ahead.

Ireland still had plenty going for them. Louis Picamoles appeared to break Nicolas Mas’ arm. Thomas Domingo also didn’t return for the second half but the arrival of Vincent Debaty hardly weakened the French frontrow.

In fact it turned the scrum tide back France’s way.

The Sexton penalty miss on the stroke of half-time, at that moment, seemed like a crushing blow. He took an age to hit it and really should have nailed it. Dark memories of the New Zealand game resurfaced.

O"Driscoll walks away a champion

Adam Macklin leaving Ulster Rugby after fulfilling big dream

By Niall Crozier

– 28 March 2014

With John Afoa moving on to join Gloucester at the end of the season, fellow-Ulster tight-head Adam Macklin’s departure for English Championship club Rotherham Titans leaves another vacancy to be filled at Ravenhill.

The 24-year-old former Methodist College captain has played 28 times for Ulster as well as having represented Ireland at Under-19 and U20 levels.

But in addition to having had to play second fiddle to Afoa, Declan Fitzpatrick and BJ Botha at various times, Macklin’s six-year stint with Ulster has been seriously disrupted by injury, a fact reflected in his comments regarding his imminent departure.

“I would like to thank the management, coaching staff, medical and strength and conditioning department and also my playing colleagues for their help and support during my six years at Ulster Rugby,” Macklin said.

“It was a boyhood dream of mine to play for my native province and it would be wonderful to play again at Ravenhill at some stage in the future.

“I am greatly looking forward to joining Rotherham. I am thankful to Lee Blackett who is giving me the opportunity to play first team rugby at such an ambitious club.”

Meanwhile, The Ireland Women’s squad for today’s Hong Kong Sevens Pool D matches against Singapore and Japan features one Ulster player, Belfast Harlequins‘ Nicole Caughey.

All games in the tournament are being streamed live at http://en.hirugby.com/

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Article source: http://www.sport.co.uk/rugby/danny-care-targets-england-rugby-world-cup-triumph/4645873/

Adam Macklin leaving Ulster Rugby after fulfilling big dream

Ulster Rugby: Sharks" Wiehahn Herbst to join club on three-year deal

Sharks’ Wiehahn Herbst will join Ulster on a three-year deal

28 March 2014

South African Sharks’ tighthead prop Wiehahn Herbst will join Ulster Rugby this summer on a three-year deal.

The 25-year-old – from Klerksdorp, South Africa – played his first game for the club in Super Rugby in the 2019/10 season, before going on to make 37 appearances.

The latest acquisition for the club said he looked forward to a “great opportunity to develop my career and to take it to the next level”.

“Ulster Rugby is a province on the up,” he said.

“The team is doing extremely well at the moment and with the stadium being redeveloped there is a great set-up at Ravenhill – it will be exciting to be part of.”

Ulster’s director of rugby David Humphreys described Herbst as a “highly talented young player with a proven track-record in a specialist position”.

“I have no doubt that he will be a huge success at the Province and that he will follow in the footsteps of the other overseas players that have come to Ravenhill in making a major contribution to the success of Ulster Rugby,” he said.

Further reading

Ulster Rugby v Cardiff Blues: Tom Court to make 150th appearance

Luke Marshall upbeat as Ulster Rugby prepare for vital battles 

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Article source: http://www.sport.co.uk/rugby/danny-care-targets-england-rugby-world-cup-triumph/4645873/

Ulster Rugby: Sharks" Wiehahn Herbst to join club on three-year deal

Gloucester Rugby: Cherry and Whites on cloud nine with Tom Palmer signing

GLOUCESTER have completed their latest round of recruitment with a surprise – by handing London Wasps second-row Tom Palmer a belated birthday present.

The former England lock, who turned 35 yesterday is the fifth and final player that has put pen to paper this week and brings an abundance of experience.

He will take Will James’ spot in the Cherry and Whites’ squad and Nigel Davies is confidence the 6ft 7ins, 18-stone plus giant will become a tower of strength at Kingsholm.

Davies said: “Tom played for England just over a year ago, he’s a quality player with a proven track record.

“He brings a lot of experience, he’s English qualified which is important and he should be available for the bulk of the season.

“He also has experience of winning at club level which is important. Tom is still very ambitious.

“As I’ve said all along, part of this recruitment process has been about me meeting the players to judge their state of mind in terms of their ambition.

“Having sat down with Tom, he is very eager to continue to be successful and he thinks coming into this Gloucester squad will allow him to do that next year.

“He’s a good ball player, he reads the game well and is extremely powerful .

“He brings a lot with him and will be available all year.

“We’ve looked far and wide for what we needed to recruit in the second-row and feel at this time Tom is an excellent choice.”

Palmer, who is currently in his second spell at Wasps previously enjoyed stints at Leeds Carnegie and Stade Francais.

He was plagued by a chronic calf injury last season but has made 17 appearances for the Wycombe-based outfit this campaign.

At 35-years-old, there could be some concerns over Palmer’s longevity at Kingsholm but the 37-cap former international passed a medical with flying colours and Davies has no concerns.

He said: “He had a bit of a difficult season with injuries last year and didn’t play very much.

“But he’s fresh and has started to play again for Wasps.

“He’s very keen to play at the top level and contribute, he has a lot of experience to the group and is very fresh faced.

“He’s fit, he’s had a full medical and the boys are very pleased with his general condition.”

Palmer is the ninth new signing as Davies rebuilds his squad following a disappointing season.

“He will compete with Elliott Stooke, James Hudson and fellow new-boy Mariano Galarza for a starting spot.

And Davies admits the former England man took little persuasion to sign on the dotted line.

Davies added: “He’ll be a great addition to the squad that we’re currently putting together.

“It adds real strength in depth to that area of the squad. We will have a lot of options, people like Sav (Tom Savage) can go up there and we will need them.

“He will also really add to the dynamic of the group. We’ve already made a considerable signings in the front-five and one or two real quality additions will have a significant accumulative effect.

“It’s never difficult when you speak to players from outside the club in terms of what Kingsholm stands for, the crowd, the environment and the passion.

“It’s never a tough sell and he’s genuinely excited, as are the other signings, to come and play for Gloucester in front of the Shed.”

Article source: http://www.sport.co.uk/rugby/danny-care-targets-england-rugby-world-cup-triumph/4645873/

Gloucester Rugby: Cherry and Whites on cloud nine with Tom Palmer signing