THIS IS not to belittle England’s 50-point spree last weekend but the Fiji squad touring Britain and Ireland is a desperately mediocre bunch. No team should concede tries as soft…
Ireland
Ireland need to get back to winning ways
I CAN'T begin to imagine the impact on Ireland's pysche having come so close to beating the World Champions on their own turf, and then suffering a record defeat the…
Ireland 12 South Africa 16: The Verdict
IT WAS an unspectacular match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with the physical exchanges dominating and little creative attacking play on show. Ireland built a healthy 12-3 half-time lead,…
Ireland v South Africa: The Preview
JAMIE HEASLIP will lead Ireland out against the Springboks for the first time, promising to ‘give the Irish people something to cheer about’. The big Leinsterman added for good measure.…
Five Lions ‘bolters’ to tour Australia
EVERY FOUR years, a player not considered for the Lions tour suddenly finds themselves on the plane, regardless of Test experience or age. Ahead of the British & Irish Lions…
Strauss named in Ireland squad
DECLAN KIDNEY has named a 31-man squad for Ireland’s upcoming Test matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina. There are four uncapped players named in the squad, including Leinster hooker…
Options at 9 for Kidney as Ireland look to forget whitewash
THE AUTUMN Internationals are just around the corner, with the Irish tasked to banish all memories of that humiliating 60-0 whitewash in Hamilton. If you cast your mind back, Ireland…
Gatland named Lions coach for 2013 tour to Australia
SO THE worst-kept secret in rugby is out, Warren Gatland is the man entrusted by the Lions to bring a first Series win since South Africa in 1997. In truth,…
Future Faces: Jan Serfontein and Iain Henderson
Jan Serfontein (Blue Bulls) IF THE perfect day existed in rugby, Springbok U20 centre Jan Serfontein went close to achieving it on 22 June. Not only did he win the…
Chill-out chat with Fergus McFadden
RUGBY WORLD: We hear you’re one of the Ireland team’s jokers… FERGUS McFADDEN: No, that’s Donncha O’Callaghan. He gets up on the mic to hand out fines and punishments. Andrew…