ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones is “cautiously optimistic” Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes will be fit to face New Zealand on Saturday but Tom Curry looks set to miss out at Twickenham. Tuilagi was ruled out of Saturday’s victory over South Africa due to a groin strain after initially being named among the replacements. The … Continue reading "England hopeful over Tuilagi and Lawes for All Blacks clash"

JOE SCHMIDT HAS issued a strong defence of Bundee Aki’s right to represent Ireland amid the extra attention the Connacht centre is receiving from the All Blacks camp this week. Auckland-born Aki will face the country of his birth for the first time at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening, after being named in Schmidt’s … Continue reading "Schmidt strongly defends Bundee Aki’s right to play for Ireland"

THE LONGLIST FOR the 2018 RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year award has been revealed, with Johnny Sexton, Katie Taylor and Dublin footballer Brian Fenton among the 23 nominees. The final shortlist will be announced on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 on Sunday 9 December and the awards will be presented on 15 December. 2018 was an … Continue reading "Sexton, Taylor and Fenton among longlist for 2018 RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year"

Ryan Bailey reports from the RDS LEO CULLEN POINTED to the importance of Leinster’s recent trip to South Africa after he watched his young side produce a consummate performance to get a key block of fixtures up and running in emphatic fashion. A much-changed Leinster team, including three senior debutants, scored seven tries in a … Continue reading "South Africa trip key for Leinster as Cullen’s young side in seventh heaven"

THERE WERE IMPRESSIVE performances all over the pitch for Ulster on Friday night against Scarlets and chief among them was 23-year-old loosehead prop Eric O’Sullivan. Outside centre Will Addison was named man of the match but O’Sullivan could easily have been awarded that honour as he played all 80 minutes for Dan McFarland’s side. O’Sullivan … Continue reading "Academy prop Eric O’Sullivan shining with opportunity in Ulster"

ENGLAND MAY YET consider re-hiring Stuart Lancaster as the RFU prepare to launch a search for a coach to join Eddie Jones’ backroom team after the 2019 World Cup. RFU chiefs reportedly want Jones, the current head coach, to mentor his eventual successor, and Lancaster could be one of the potential candidates lined up by … Continue reading "England not ruling out approach to re-hire Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster"

CONNACHT HAVE BEEN boosted by the return of Bundee Aki to training ahead of Saturday’s inter-pro clash with Leinster at the RDS, while they have also secured a loan deal for centre Tom Daly. Aki returned to Ireland on Monday following his wedding in New Zealand last weekend, and has reported for action in Dublin, … Continue reading "Aki back in training with Connacht as Friend’s side prepare for Leinster"

CONNACHT HAVE MOVED to reinforce their backline options with the loan signing of centre Tom Daly from Leinster until the end of the current season. Click Here: Malaysia Rugby Shop The 25-year-old, who has endured an injury-hit two years, moves west to join province ahead of the Guinness Pro14 inter-pro meeting between the sides at … Continue reading "Connacht bolster backline options with loan signing of Leinster’s Daly"

FORMER IRELAND AND Leinster captain Brian O’Driscoll feels that Johnny Sexton’s captaincy style comes across as “confrontational” and that his “antagonistic” character doesn’t help in his dealings with referees. Speaking on Off The Ball last night, O’Driscoll and fellow Ireland legend and ex-skipper Keith Wood took a closer look at the 2018 World Rugby Player … Continue reading "‘Johnny is an antagonistic person’ – BOD on Sexton’s ‘confrontational’ captaincy style"

IT TOOK WORCESTER until the 98th minute, and until Bath were down four men and defending the try-line with just 11 players, but they forced a 21-19 home win. Todd Blackadder’s side led 3-19 at half-time thanks to a Zach Mercer try and Freddie Burns’ four penalties. Click Here: new zealand rugby jersey It all … Continue reading "Three yellows and a red take Bath down to 11 men in late loss to Worcester"