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Click:软文 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 […]

WITH THE RUGBY World Cup fast approaching, coaches will do whatever they can to get a tactical edge on their pool opponents. Former Australia coach Eddie Jones, who guided the Wallabies to the final in 2003, is now in charge of Japan and he has sought out the advice of two-time Champions League winning manager Pep Guardiola. Pep oozes slickness […]

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 […]

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 […]

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE power of the person operating a stadium PA system. Rory McIlroy was at the Kingspan Stadium (Ravenhill, to you and me) for this evening’s Pro12 clash between Ulster and Connacht. The four-time Major champion was given a warm ovation as he presented the Claret Jug to the crowd at half-time but then found himself as the butt […]

Connacht’s classy centre partnership Source: James Crombie/INPHO A raw and emotional night out west as Connacht were inspired by a smashing performance from Robbie Henshaw. The stylish manner in which Henshaw combined with Bundee Aki augurs well for Pat Lam’s team. There was so much to admire in how Henshaw carried out his duties. Solid defensively, but also capable going […]

Adebayo understands the delicate balance of between beauty and beast “The thing about Zlatan is, he backs it all up with outrageous skill and goals. He also knows he could beat most men to death.” Some very wise words from Paul O’Donohoe “You can teach a lad how to play ball. But you can’t teach him how to be 6’11!” […]

RACING METRO REMAINED the only unbeaten side in the Champions Cup following Toulouse’s defeat as they trounced hapless Treviso 53-7 this evening. First half tries from Henry Chavancy, Benjamin Lapeyre and Dimitri Szarzewski put them in command 19-0 up at the break. Szarzewski completed his hat-trick early in the second half before Michele Campagnaro replied for Treviso. But two Juan […]

THE GUINNESS PRO12 will dispense with recent tradition this season by naming Ulster’s Kingspan Stadium as the venue for the final before the playoff places are even decided. Until now, the highest seeded team in the Pro12 final has been allowed to nominate their preferred venue for the final. However, with Ravenhill not meeting capacity requirements to host the 2013 […]

Click: LOOK AT YOU. You’re an intelligent, knowledgeable rugby-loving fan, we can tell. So you want to know about more than just what’s going on with Ireland. You want to know what you can expect from the five less important nations before you sit down to watch events unfold. So, to let you know what the enemy is thinking, we […]