Leinster take no risks with Sexton after out-half pulls up with ‘leg niggle’

LEINSTER HEAD COACH Leo Cullen was not prepared to risk Johnny Sexton’s fitness by selecting the out-half for tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Ulster after he pulled up with a ‘leg niggle’ during the week. Ross Byrne will instead start for the defending European champions in Saturday’s inter-pro at the Aviva Stadium [KO 5.45pm,…

Ireland U20s affected by injury but welcome new faces for World Championship

WITH GRAND SLAM winners Wales and reigning world champions New Zealand in their pool at this year’s World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester, the Ireland U20s are going to have to cause an upset to compete at the top table. Jacob Stockdale, Bill Johnston and James Ryan before yesterday’s squad announcement. Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO Nigel…

‘It’s an incredible story for them and they fully deserved the title’

Murray Kinsella reports from Murrayfield LEINSTER WERE GRACIOUS in defeat after Pat Lam’s Connacht convincingly beat them in the Guinness Pro12 final. Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun and Matt Healy scored superb tries as Connacht beat Leo Cullen’s side on a 20-10 scoreline. Matt Healy crosses for Connacht’s third try. Source: James Crombie/INPHO “I don’t think…

De Klerk debut, 10 shirt for Lambie in Springbok side to take on Ireland

SOUTH AFRICA HEAD coach Allister Coetzee has named one debutant in his first Test line-up for Saturday’s meeting with Ireland in Cape Town [KO 4pm]. Golden Lions Scrum-half Faf de Klerk will win his first cap at Newlands with Sharks playmaker Patrick Lambie named in the number 10 jersey. There is a first start for…

The five-tiered Haka wall that surrounds this school’s rugby pitch is more than a bit intimidating

NEW PLYMOUTH BOYS high school waited 13 years for a win over their north-west neighbours Hamilton. But they ended that unwanted streak with a 19 – 16 victory yesterday, after unleashing an incredible five-tiered Haka in their intimidating pit of a rugby pitch. Having let Hamilton lead off with their own pre-match ritual, the fun starts…

The42 Rugby Show: losing at altitude, Ireland’s gameplan and looking ahead to a series decider

Source: The42.ie/YouTube IRELAND’S SUMMER TOUR of South Africa will be decided in a mouth-watering clash in Port Elizabeth this weekend. Click Here: UK soccer tracksuit Joe Schmidt saw his side overpowered by the Springboks at altitude on Saturday, levelling the series 1-1. Former Ireland and Connacht fullback Gavin Duffy joined Murray Kinsella in The42 newsroom…

Analysis: Springboks’ clever attack leaves Ireland’s defence floundering

HAVING IMPRESSIVELY BUILT a 19-3 lead in the first half of Saturday’s second Test against the Springboks, Ireland simply could not withstand a second-half onslaught from the hosts. Ireland were unable to halt the Boks’ remarkable turnaround. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO The Boks scored 29 points in the closing 25 minutes of the game but the…

Days on the big stage leave 20-year-old Ulster star Lowry wanting more

Click:custom keychains MIKE LOWRY WEARS a grave expression on his youthful face as the first question lands with a thud. The42 last encountered the young Ulster playmaker in pre-season, before his 20th birthday and before he had won his first senior cap for his native province. So approaching the end of a campaign which has seen…

Rio will be a family affair for Sonny Bill Williams as New Zealand announce sevens squads

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS has been included in New Zealand’s squad for the rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics, but fellow All Black Liam Messam misses out. Messam, who has 43 Test caps, was left out of the 12-man panel for the Games, but Williams will be heading to Brazil – and so is his sister. Niall…