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Posted 453 days ago
Brian O’Driscoll will make his first appearance for Leinster after making significant progress in recent weeks following injury and he will partner fellow Ireland international Fergus McFadden at centre for the visit of the Ospreys at the RDS (KO: 7.05pm).
Isaac Boss links up with Ian Madigan at half back with David Kearney forming a lively back three alongside Luke Fitzgerald…
Posted 469 days ago
Leinster Rugby is delighted to announce the arrival of New Zealand World Cup winning second row Brad Thorn on a three month contract.
Mosgiel born Thorn, 37, arrived in Dublin this week on temporary loan from Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues where he has been playing since helping the All Blacks win their second Rugby World Cup title in October 2011.
One…
Posted 470 days ago
International wing Tommy Bowe will return to play in Ireland with Ulster next season until 2015.
Following agreement from his current club Ospreys, Bowe has been given early release from his contract with the club to allow him to take up a new contract with the IRFU and to play in Ulster for the next three seasons.
Schooled at Royal School Armagh,…
Posted 474 days ago
The Blues have made five changes to the team that narrowly lost to Munster last Friday.
There are two changes in the backs with Ben Blair starting at fullback and Ceri Sweeney at inside centre. Chris Czekaj moves to the wing from 15 in place of Tom James who moves down to the bench.
There are three changes in the forwards. Xavier…
Posted 475 days ago
CARDIFF BLUES’ South Africa-born back-rower Andries Pretorius qualifies for Wales on residency this summer, but here are a few facts about him you probably don’t know…
1. He’s currently reading Jonny Wilkinson’s autobiography and says: “It sounds like he’s got a little bit of OCD.” He’s also a big fan of Bear Grylls’s “phenomenal book” Mud, Sweat and Tears.
2. He can…
Posted 481 days ago
Isa Nacewa, who has now scored 105 points in 12 PRO12 games so far this season, continues in the back three alongside Fionn Carr and David Kearney, with Brendan Macken resuming his centre partnership with Colm O’Shea who started the 42-8 victory over Benetton Treviso two weeks ago.
At half back, Ireland international Isaac Boss again partners Ian Madigan who is…
Posted 481 days ago
More than three months after injuring a shoulder, Nick Williams is ready to come back in the starting lineup named by Aironi to face Newport-Gwent Dragons on Sunday afternoon in Viadana (kick-off at 4,30 in Italy, 3,30 GMT) in round 16 of the RaboDirect PRO12.
The New Zealander number 8 played his last match on November 5th when Glasgow won in…
Posted 481 days ago
Newcastle Falcons have completed a transfer deadline day swoop for Ospreys second-rower James Goode and experienced No.8 Adam Balding on loan until the end of the season.
Goode, 29, who was part of the Grand Slam winning Wales under-21s team of 2003, burst onto the scene with his hometown club Cardiff Blues. Making 15 appearances for the Blues, the renowned line-out…
Posted 483 days ago
London Irish has signed Tom Smith from Ospreys on a two year deal the club can reveal this afternoon.
Smith, who was born in Bristol, has made 60 appearances for the Welsh region scoring two tries. Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing just under 17 stones, he will bring plenty of physicality to the Irish back row as well as…
Posted 483 days ago
After losing against two Irish teams, Benetton Treviso continue their Celtic adventure in Wales for Round 16 of the RaboDirect PRO12.
Treviso have been hit hard by injury and six nations selections, missing 15 players in total including Francesco Minto, who replaces Paul Derbyshire. They meet Llanelli on Thursday (ko 19:35) at Parc y Scarlets, just 7 points behind the Welsh…
