ON 31st July 2010 a young Ulsterman scored the first try in a challenge match to mark the opening of the Aviva Stadium. Another reporter turned to me and said…
Blogs
Wales v New Zealand: Five things we learned
WALES HAVE once again become one of those teams that takes positives from defeats against the world’s best. This time last year that wasn’t the case. Wales were a team…
Robshaw’s decision-making under the spotlight
TEST MATCHES are won by inches. The top two inches. Robshaw misread the situation.
Ireland v Argentina: The Preview
A MUCH improved Argentina went to Cardiff a fortnight ago and deservedly beat a faltering Wales 26-12 so Ireland have no excuses for getting caught cold. They know they need…
Lions watch: Movers and shakers for Australia 2013
HANGING-OFF cliff faces, dodging bullets and zip-wiring down air vents may seem like a Mission Impossible, but even Ethan Hunt would think twice about taking on Warren Gatland's Lions coaching…
Debate: Is it time to rethink Ireland’s backrow?
IN 21st century Test rugby, superstars play at No 7. Richie McCaw, David Pocock and Sam Warburton have all been heralded, with Michael Hooper, after his performance against England, set…
Ireland XV v Fiji: What did we learn?
AN EXPERIMENTAL Ireland XV convincingly swept aside Fiji 53-0 on a damp, and blustery Saturday evening in Limerick. So far, so good, yet the game lacked Test match intensity. This…
Scots fail by playing Springbok games
SOMETHING WAS wrong. It did not sit right. Scotland were heading into a game off the back of a colossal All Black drubbing and they were...confident. While South Africa sent…
England 14-20 Australia: The Verdict
ENGLAND WENT into this Test against a supposedly dispirited Wallaby squad full of confidence. Sadly, when the whistle went, the roles had been reversed, with England, not so regal, in…
Wales v Samoa: Five things we learned
I READ a lot of stat sheets prior to writing these articles. But the reason for Samoa’s win against Wales won’t be found on any of them. You can’t measure…