STEVE HANSEN SAYS he will confirm a decision on his future next month, with his current All Blacks contract set to expire after the 2019 World Cup. Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, whose side beat the Kiwis for the second time last night, is also due to announce a decision on his future plans imminently….
Author: FASHIONISLANDBLOG
‘Joe will want to leave this Irish team in a better place than he found it’
AS ONE OF Joe Schmidt’s most trusted and reliable lieutenants, Rob Kearney has enjoyed some of his most memorable days under the head coach’s watch for both Leinster and Ireland. And knowing Schmidt as he does, Kearney says the 53-year-old will do everything within his power over the next 11 months to ensure Ireland are…
Outstanding November tees Ireland up superbly for Schmidt’s final year
THE NEXT TIME Joe Schmidt gets his hands on his Ireland squad will be for what he calls a “24-hour get-together” before the back-to-back interprovincial clashes on 22 and 29 December. Thereafter, it’s into the Six Nations for the Ireland boss, Schmidt’s final championship in charge of the team. The fact that he only gets…
Leinster find a way as Bath promise to go ‘full metal jacket’ for return leg
IN TOULOUSE, LEINSTER lost their way even after edging in front. In Bath, it was a different story as Leo Cullen’s side nudged ahead via Jordan Larmour’s intercept try and then closed out a hard-fought victory. The win puts them back into a strong position from which to earn Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final qualification. “Finding…
Decision on under-fire Cheika’s Wallabies future to be finalised ‘ahead of Christmas’
RUGBY AUSTRALIA WILL decide the fate of under-fire Michael Cheika and his coaching staff “ahead of Christmas”, chairman Cameron Clyne has said after an end-of-season review, following a disappointing year for the team. Cheika has been under growing pressure after a poor season, with recent losses to England and Wales, and an uninspiring win over Italy….
Open thread: What was your favourite moment from the 2018 sporting year?
THIS WAS CERTAINLY a year for the record books. From Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam success to that fairytale journey to a silver medal at the Women’s Hockey World Cup, there were several memorable moments to savour in 2018. The Limerick hurlers defied the odds to end a 45-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup…
Dunphy to hurling’s meaning: some of our favourite sportswriting of 2018
1. Two River fans sat next to me in the last row. They talked softly to themselves, but my translator could hear. “This could change my day so much,” one said. His friend looked at him. “No,” he replied. “My life.” He paused. “I went to the psychologist Friday and only talked about this,” he said….
Leinster Rugby announces new TV deal for 2019 Senior Schools Cup
EIGHT GAMES FROM this year’s Leinster Senior Schools Cup will be aired live on UK-based channel FreeSports as part of a new television deal announced by Leinster Rugby this afternoon. FreeSports, which officially launched in Ireland on the Sky network this week, will begin its coverage of the competition on 31 January as Belvedere College face…
Byrne primed for Leinster’s 10 shirt with Sexton set to miss out
LEINSTER ARE SET to be without captain Johnny Sexton for Saturday’s pivotal Heineken Cup clash with Toulouse at the RDS, meaning Ross Byrne is primed for a big opportunity in the 10 shirt. Ross Byrne is in line to start for Leinster. Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO As first reported by Des Berry of The Herald, Sexton…
Participant for the Elimination Chamber reportedly pulled
Mustafa Ali is being pulled from the chamber match according to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp: Ali had been working through an injured tailbone that got hurt at Royal Rumble. Then last week on SDL Ali’s eye was swollen shut after sitting up into Randy Orton’s boot. Sapp was told that an injury was accelerated on…