AN ANKLE INJURY to Jamison Gibson-Park made Leo Cullen’s selection ‘conundrum’ a little less complex this week, yet Leinster’s remarkable reservoir of talent is again evidenced in their team — and the players left out — for Friday’s Heineken Champions Cup opener against Wasps. Gibson-Park’s unavailability made Leinster’s decision around their ‘non-European’ players straightforward, with…
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‘We got a glimmer of what we’re capable of’ – Ulster still a work in progress
Murray Kinsella reports from Paris FOR THE FIRST 25 minutes against Racing 92 last night, Ulster looked like the better team as they scored two excellent tries through Dave Shanahan and Jacob Stockdale. They looked good again in the middle part of the second half, although they couldn’t find the finishing touches after manufacturing some…
Late slump and injuries a concern as Munster march ahead in pool race
Sean Farrell reports from Thomond Park “FIVE POINTS IN Europe, at home, we’ll take any day of the week,” said Johann van Graan, and there was no arguing the issue. Sam Arnold celebrates the bonus point-sealing try. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO Yesterday’s five-try win over Gloucester came with more than a few tempering factors, but a…
Eight debutants named in All Blacks’ 23 for opening Test of November series
DALTON PAPALII AND Matt Proctor are two of eight All Blacks set to earn their Test debuts against Japan on Saturday. Papalii, 21, and Proctor, 26, have been named in the starting side for the clash in Tokyo. But New Zealand could play eight debutants in total, with the uncapped group of Tyrel Lomax, Dillon…
After weeks of appeals and counter appeals, Saracens centre Lozowski banned for All Blacks Test
TWO WEEKS AFTER he was first cited, Saracens centre Alex Lozowski has been hit with a ban that will keep him out of England’s Tests against South Africa and New Zealand. The 25-year-old was cited for two offences in the wake of Saracens’ Heineken Champions Cup opening weekend win away to Glasgow Warriors, dangerous play…
Read invites England to ‘do what they like’ after Eddie Jones’ Spice Girls jibe
NEW ZEALAND CAPTAIN Kieran Read says England ‘can do what they like’ in response to the Haka at Twickenham tomorrow (kick-off 3pm, Sky Sports) after Eddie Jones sneered that the Spice Girls could be singing pre-match for all he cared. The Haka, a Maori challenge, has long formed part of the pre kick-off routine of…
Cunning plans, 900kg and bajada – Ireland’s November Tests go up a gear
AFTER THE PHONY war in Chicago last weekend, today feels like the start of Ireland’s November Test series proper. Johnny Sexton, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Keith Earls and co. are back in harness, the atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium should be a great deal better than it was at Soldier Field, and Joe…
Cena to host a new season of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
John Cena got a new hosting gig of a popular television show on Nickelodeon. In comments given to Variety, Nickelodeon chief Brian Robbins explained how the network is trying to attract back the young viewership demographic and one of the moves they as a network are making is hiring John Cena to be the host…
This year’s rumored WWE hall of fame class
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake is rumored to be headed into the WWE hall of fame, according WrestleVotes. So Far: DX (Confirmed) Honky Tonk Man (Confirmed by WWE) Torrie Wilson (WrestleVotes) Tazz (WrestleVotes) Hart Foundation (WrestleVotes) Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake (WrestleVotes)Click Here: New Zealand All Blacks Jerseys
Michael D Higgins and Shane Ross fly out with congrats for Ireland’s win over All Blacks
Ireland’s Bundee Aki celebrates after victory the country of his birth. Source: PA Wire/PA Images PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins and Minister for Sport Shane Ross have both congratulated the Irish rugby team on last night’s victory over New Zealand. The 16-9 victory for Joe Schmidt’s side is the first time Ireland has defeated the All…