Analysis: What’s so different about South Africa’s attack to before?

MUCH OF THE focus around South Africa this week has discussed their attacking ‘transformation’, but Heyneke Meyer’s men remain a unit that prides itself on winning the set-piece battle and the collisions. Those pillars of their game will lay the foundation for any expansive play with ball in hand on Saturday against Ireland; getting those elements right is the primary […]

Payne and Henry remain fitness concerns as both issues continue to be investigated

Updated 14.00 IRELAND TEAM MANAGER Mick Kearney says that Chris Henry’s illness will continue to be investigated despite the flanker ‘feeling well’ this week. Source: Inpho/Billy Stickland Henry was a late withdrawal from the starting line-up of Saturday’s opening November Test against South Africa with a reported virus. Kearney today was  able to add little clarity other than that Henry […]

Ireland v Australia: 11 battles that will be settled once and for all by sport tomorrow

CENTURIES OF EMIGRATION have left Ireland and Australia inextricably linked despite their geographical differences. Tomorrow, however, the two nations will be at war. Not actual war, you understand, but sporty war. Yes, our best and brightest GAA and rugby players are going up against their counterparts in the two codes. So, before the one off International Rules match throws in […]

All Elite Wrestling officially announces “Double or Nothing” event rally

THE ELITE ANNOUNCES “DOUBLE OR NOTHING” EVENT RALLY IN JACKSONVILLE ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 @ 5PM — New “All Elite Wrestling” Poised to Change Wrestling Landscape — JACKSONVILLE, FL, (January 3, 2019) – All Elite Wrestling, the new wrestling promotion headlined by members of The Elite, today announced plans for a special DOUBLE OR NOTHING event rally in Jacksonville, FL. […]

T Minus 400 to the Rugby World Cup, time to look at the likely squad

Reproduced with permission from Whiff Of Cordite Following the November series / Autumn internationals / over-marketed “Irish” drink owned by London-based multinational series, Ireland now have the following games left on their pre-RWC schedule: 5 Six Nations games (Italy, France, England, Wales, Scotland)The Barbarians in Mayfour World Cup warm-ups (Wales x 2, Scotland, England) Ignoring the money-spinner in Thomond, and taking […]

Munster aware that Clermont’s cast of stars are no ‘typical French side’

BOTTLERS, CHOKERS, MENTALLY weak. Put it however you like, but Clermont can’t quite shake the doubts over their ability to deliver in highly stressful situations. The last three seasons have seen the Auvergne-based club lose two Top 14 semi-finals and one quarter-final, a Heineken Cup final and two European semi-finals. They’ve had no silverware since Joe Schmidt helped them to […]

It’s Sunday so here’s 13 of our favourite images from the past 7 days

Darragh Leader breaks clear in Connacht’s win over Bayonne Source: James Crombie/INPHO Ballyhale Shamrocks and Kilcormac/Killoughey players battle for the ball Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO Fionnuala Britton and Sara Treacy go out on a practice run ahead of the European Cross Country Championships Source: Sasa Pahic Szabo/INPHO Ronnie O’Sullivan celebrates with the trophy after winning the final of the UK Championship […]

Geezer’s grappling and Rory’s Best year yet – Armagh’s 2014 sporting highlights

But what about [insert your county here]? Don’t worry, we’ll be producing a series of articles that will cover every county in Ireland – even yours – over the next few weeks. See the ones we’ve already covered here. 1. Kieran McGeeney fulfilled a lifelong ambition for every GAA fan Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO 2. The Championship got off to a rip-roaring […]