Category Archives: Rugby Column

RUGBY NEWS Sexton back in Leinster colours By Daire Walsh JUST under two-and-a-half years on from his last appearance for the province, Johnny Sexton finally made his eagerly-awaited return to the colours of Leinster on Sunday afternoon. Following a two-season … Continue reading →

RUGBY Focus turns to provinces after World Cup exit By Daire Walsh FOLLOWING their sobering defeat to Argentina in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup last Sunday week, Ireland’s international players will be slowly, but surely, integrated back into … Continue reading →

RUGBY Loss of key players proves costly for Ireland By Daire Walsh THERE was bitter disappointment for Ireland in the Millennium Stadium on Sunday afternoon, when a slick Argentina side brought their 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign to a halt … Continue reading →

RUGBY Ireland less than assured against Azzurri By Daire Walsh IRELAND will head into their final Pool D encounter this Sunday in the Millennium Stadium against France as table-toppers, but following a tougher than expected game against Italy on Sunday, … Continue reading →

RUGBY Cullen enjoys home comforts By Daire Walsh THEY were made to work for their victory in the end, but with flanker Josh Van Der Flier producing a man of the match display, Leo Cullen ultimately enjoyed a successful home … Continue reading →

RUGBY Focus turns to World Cup following last home game before squad is finalised By Daire Walsh THE place-kicking accuracy of Leigh Halfpenny once again proved pivotal for Wales in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon, when Ireland succumbed to … Continue reading →

RUGBY Cullen steps into Leinster hot seat By Daire Walsh ALTHOUGH it was news that was widely-anticipated, the announcement last week by Leinster Rugby that Leo Cullen was to permanently assume the position of head coach in the province garnered … Continue reading →

RUGBY Heaslip leads Ireland to pre World Cup victory By Daire Walsh A FIRST-HALF scoring blitz proved decisive at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Sunday afternoon, when Ireland enjoyed a winning start to their World Cup warm-up series against Warren … Continue reading →

RUGBY Naas RFC and MU Barnhall kept apart in new league structure By Daire Walsh PREPARATIONS for the new Ulster Bank League season are set to gather pace in the next few weeks, after the fixture list for the upcoming … Continue reading →

RUGBY Shrewd move by IRFU to seal Schmidt deal By Daire Walsh IRISH rugby received a massive boost last Wednesday (July 22), when it was announced that Joe Schmidt had signed a contract extension to remain as head coach of … Continue reading →