Leinster were absolutely clinical in the Amlin Challenge Cup final against Stade Francais. The French side had the majority of possession but didn’t do much with it until Jeremy Sinzelle scored a consolation try. One fan’s reaction to Stade’s butchering of a first half chance says it all about their performance. »
We heard the new earlier today that Ronan O’Gara would join Racing Metro as an assistant coach. He confirms the move and his retirement from playing rugby in his first Irish Examiner column tomorrow. Delighted to confirm that Ronan O’Gara has joined the Irish Examiner and pens a first, extensive column in tomorrow’s edition. Do not miss. — Tony Leen (@tonyleen) May 17, 2013... »
A remote controlled helicopter delivering the kicking tee, now that would be really impressive. »
Leinster hold a commanding lead at half time in the Amlin Challenge Cup final against Stade Francais. Their third try of the game was a beauty. It was created by Jonny Sexton off a scrum on the right-hand side of the pitch. He kicked a beautiful cross field ball to Isa Nacewa who was tackled but managed to offload to Rob Kearney who touched down. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE »
Update: The Irish Independent has confirmed that ROG will be joining Racing on a two year contract. L’Equipe are reporting that Ronan O’Gara is set to join Racing Metro’s coaching staff next season as a kicking coach. There aren’t many details about at the moment but the prospect of O’Gara coaching Jonny Sexton is pretty insane. ROG joining Racing as kicking coach/con... »
Amlin Challenge Cup Final Preview A few weeks after the “One More Year” chant echoed around the RDS the announcement finally came that Irish rugby’s Great One had granted his supporters’ plea. But no Brian O’Driscoll in the squad for the Amlin final due to the back injury suffered against Glasgow last week. Such has life been in the Leinster camp this year. Forced to ... »
Once again the Heineken Cup is being held in Ireland and once again it is two French teams that contest it as the provinces look on from the outside. But that shouldn’t deprive Irish rugby fans from enjoying the occasion so we have dug through our box of old polaroids and produced 15 photos from past Irish Heineken Cup finals. There is even one of Pat Kenny. »
The lads at Rugby HQ on Fox Sports Australia have come with another excellent rugby top 5. This time it features the top five tries from more than 90m and a bizarre language switch from the Aussie presenter. We hope Ian Madigan is watching this video intently. »
We have started to dig into the bowels of the internet to bring you some classic footage of a bygone era where HD, Player Cams and red zones were just science fiction. These were simpler times when the trusty VHS was there, willing and able to stand up to all questions it was asked. We land today in 1989 with the Lions touring Australia, here they take on the Warratahs, this VHS in particular seem... »
This Saturday Dublin hosts its third Heineken Cup final and its first since 2003. Two French teams competed for European rugby’s most coveted trophy that day and ten years later we have a similar scenario. Clermont Auvergne take on Toulon at the Aviva stadium, a first time final appearance for both clubs. Come seven o’clock Saturday evening the Heineken Cup will have a new name etched ... »
Jamie Roberts has quite a distinctive head, in the sense that it is very large and blocky. Here a teammate feels the full wrath of Jamie Roberts’ cranium. The poor guy is completely out of it before he hits the floor. »
Brian O’Driscoll signed a new one year deal today so what better time to bring you his career thus far in a series of random and unrelated pictures. »
Granted, Owen Farrell hasn’t been in great form lately but it probably isn’t fair to make him practice kicking beside a roaring jet engine as punishment. From this video it is obvious where the players stand. North and Roberts get to have some crack in the air while Farrrel gets to practice his kicking. If you can’t kick a goal with a helicopter flying overhead how can you expect... »
Coenie Oosthuizen made a serious impact for the Cheetahs against the Wellington Hurricanes last Friday. The twice capped Springbok prop, who joins the long list of athletes to be nicknamed Shrek, scored two tries and delivered a fearsome blow to Hurricanes openside flanker Jack Lam. The second try was one that Ginger McLoughlin would have been proud of. (H/T Rugbydump) »
