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CONNACHT’S RECORD TRY-SCORER Matt Healy returns to the starting XV for Sunday’s Guinness Pro14 clash against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth [KO 1pm Irish time, eir Sport]. Healy has recovered from a foot injury to take his place on the left wing in a side that is still shorn of Connacht’s Irish internationals. There is good news too for […]

Munster 44Edinburgh 14 JOE SCHMIDT WAS in Cork on Friday evening as he watched the returning Ireland international Chris Farrell pick up man of the match in a stunning personal display against Edinburgh. In his first start since he played for Ireland on 21 January, Farrell scored two tries and played a key role for a number of other efforts […]

IT DIDN’T TAKE Tadhg Beirne long to endear himself to the Munster faithful following his summer arrival, but after another powerful display on his return to the shirt after international duty he is keen to strengthen their Champions Cup standing against Castres this weekend. Beirne celebrates Tyler Bleyendaal’s try in Cork. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO Beirne, 26, was one of seven Ireland […]

THE BIG DAYS keep rolling for Leinster, and with another bumper Christmas crowd expected at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night, Leo Cullen’s side are hoping to rise to the occasion again.  Champion sides make a habit of winning, and despite not being at their best in Bath last weekend, the defending European champions were able to dig deep and grind […]

MICHAEL CHEIKA WILL remain Wallabies coach as Rugby Australia (RA) announced significant changes around the embattled boss. Cheika is under fire after Australia endured a forgettable year, losing nine of their 13 Tests, a worrying run of form ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. While he has survived, Cheika will now report to Scott Johnson, who was appointed to […]

Updated at 10.57 N.B. THIS LIST is in no particular order. 1. The Boy on the Shed by Paul Ferris (Hodder & Stoughton) Sports books are rarely written by their subjects, yet former Newcastle footballer Paul Ferris more than justifies his choice of himself as author with an exceptionally told story that is ostensibly about his bittersweet time in football but […]

CONNACHT HEAD COACH Andy Friend has recalled star wing Matt Healy for tomorrow’s eagerly-anticipated inter-provincial clash with Munster at the Sportsground (kick-off 19.35, TG4, eir Sport). The Western province must do without Bundee Aki, however, after the Ireland man started both of the seasonal derby clashes in Christmas week. On-loan Leinster centre Tom Daly starts at inside centre in Aki’s […]

Click:defoaming performance Click:辦公室出租 BUNDEE AKI CAN see a lot of similarities between this season and Connacht’s glorious march to silverware in 2016 as he prepares for his second Six Nations campaign. Three years ago Connacht’s great season was kick-started by a memorable trip to Siberia, a first win of the professional era in Thomond Park, the creation of their longest […]

THE FINISH LINE is in sight. The front-runners and chasing pack have made themselves known in the race for the Heineken Champions Cup knockout stage and round six brings the chance to finish the job. Before we get into the nitty gritty of outcomes and bonus points, here are some important lines in the rulebook to keep in mind. Source: […]

LEINSTER BACKS COACH Felipe Contepomi doesn’t expect to see Jonathan Sexton put off his usual approach and natural game after his communication style was highlighted by England head coach Eddie Jones. Jones’ side face Ireland in Dublin in the opening round of the Six Nations (2 February) and the Australian stoked the flames before the clash by taking issue with Sexton’s […]