Big chance for GAA to upgrade stadia if Ireland’s RWC 2023 bid is successful

Fitzgerald Stadium and Elverys MacHale Park are two of the stadiums shortlisted. Source: INPHO THERE WILL BE a major chance for the GAA to upgrade some of its stadiums if Ireland’s bid to stage the 2023 Rugby World Cup bid is successful. It was announced last November that there are 12 venues on the long…

Henderson, Jackson and O’Brien start as Joe Schmidt names team for Scotland

JOE SCHMIDT HAS revealed his hand for Ireland’s opening Six Nations assignment against Scotland on Saturday afternoon [KO 2.25pm] with Ulster’s Iain Henderson to start in the second row. Henderson will continue his partnership with Devin Toner at Murrayfield while Ultan Dillane will be held in reserve for the clash with Vern Cotter’s side. There…

No new injury concerns for Ireland as Sexton and O’Mahony make ‘positive’ progress

IRELAND TEAM MANAGER Paul Dean was unable to provide any further clarification on the fitness of Johnny Sexton this afternoon, other than the out-half will continue his rehab this week. The 31-year-old missed Ireland’s opening game of this Six Nations Championship with a calf injury and his availability for the second assignment against Italy in…

Leinster wing Larmour among the standouts in Ireland U20s win

A 27-22 VICTORY over France means Nigel Carolan’s Ireland U20s have won all three of their games in the Six Nations so far. Here, we look at three of the standout performers during last night’s success at Donnybrook. Jordan Larmour Larmour came out of St. Andrew’s College with a fine reputation, having also represented Ireland…

Former France coach Saint-Andre takes up voluntary role with Cameroon

FORMER FRANCE COACH Philippe Saint-Andre will help train Cameroon on a voluntary basis in the African Cup in May. Saint-Andre stepped down as France coach in 2015 after a four-year period in which Les Bleus never finished higher than fourth in the Six Nations, failed to beat Wales, Ireland, New Zealand or South Africa and were…

Ireland agree to close the roof for Cardiff clash with Wales

Murray Kinsella reports from the Principality Stadium THE ROOF WILL be closed for tomorrow’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and Wales at the Principality Stadium [KO 8.05pm]. Wales have a preference for shutting the retractable roof for games at the Cardiff venue, but opposition teams have the final say in whether it remains open or…

‘There is a lot of X-factor in this group’: Carolan ranks U20 team as one of Ireland’s best

THROUGH HIS DUAL role as Connacht’s academy manager and Ireland U20 head coach, Nigel Carolan has seen groups of players come through the system and forge careers for themselves in the professional game. Carolan at the team hotel in Sandymount yesterday. Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO Carolan has been involved with this age grade since 2008 and…

Doussain starts at 10 against Munster as Toulouse go for beefy 6-2 bench split

TOULOUSE HAVE NAMED France international Jean-Marc Doussain at out-half for tomorrow’s Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Munster at Thomond Park [KO 5.45pm, Sky Sports 2], with former All Black Luke McAlister kept in reserve. Doussain starts at out-half for Toulouse. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO Ugo Mola, the Toulouse boss, has gone for a 6-2 split of…