BRIAN O’DRISCOLL WAS nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award no fewer than three times throughout his decorated career, but not since Keith Wood in 2001 has an Irish player been recognised with the accolade. O’Driscoll was one of the nominees Wood pipped to the inaugural award 17 years ago, before the Read more about ‘Johnny doesn’t play bad games, his 7/10 is a poor game’[…]
LEINSTER HAVE DOWNPLAYED the severity of Dan Leavy’s neck injury, confirming the flanker does not need a procedure to correct the issue which ruled him out of Ireland’s win over the All Blacks. Leavy missed the final two games of the November Test window, and is unavailable for selection again this weekend as Leinster continue Read more about ‘It’s not a huge deal’: Leavy doesn’t require procedure on neck strain[…]
WILL ADDISON WAS pleased to win his first man-of-the-match award for Ulster on Friday night in Llanelli, but he didn’t quite agree with the decision. The 26-year-old was a key cog in Ulster’s superb bonus-point win over Scarlets, a result that brings them firmly into contention for a Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final. Addison scored a Read more about ‘You feel a bit guilty stealing man-of-the-match from someone like that’[…]
THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE is an extract from ‘No Borders: Playing Rugby for Ireland 2018 Grand Slam Edition’ by Tom English. After 71 minutes of Ireland’s opening match of the 2018 Six Nations against France in Paris, Joe Schmidt’s team were ahead in virtually every statistical category you could possibly think of bar the one that Read more about ‘Johnny – the biggest balls on the planet’[…]
ENGLAND STAR BILLY Vunipola has revealed that he was scared when returning to action for Saracens following a three-month hiatus after breaking his arm for a third time. The 26-year-old number eight — who has missed 47 weeks through injury since September 2017 — told The Daily Telegraph that bitter past experience had taught him Read more about ‘I hope it will go away’: England star admits fear on injury return[…]
ENGLAND CAPTAIN OWEN Farrell has suffered a thumb injury which makes him a doubt for his team’s Six Nations opener away to Ireland in a fortnight. Farrell is expected to return in seven to 10 days’ time, and so could be ready for the match against the reigning Grand Slam champions in Dublin on February Read more about England captain Farrell emerges as a doubt for massive Ireland clash[…]
TOMOS WILLIAMS WILL make his Six Nations debut in the 2019 Championship opener against France in Paris on Friday. The Cardiff Blues scrum-half has seen off competition from Gareth Davies to be named in the starting XV announced by coach Warren Gatland on Wednesday for the Stade de France clash. Williams will form a half-back Read more about Cardiff scrum-half Williams to make Six Nations debut in Paris[…]
JACK CONAN IS honest enough to admit he is only in this position because of an injury to CJ Stander. But he also knows, with the Munster number eight absent for the next four weeks, this is his big opportunity, and he needs to take it. The door has opened. No more waiting in the Read more about Conan focused on taking his big chance after waiting in the wings[…]
MUNSTER HEAD COACH Johann van Graan has made six changes to his starting side for tomorrow night’s Guinness Pro14 clash with Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium [KO 7.35pm, TG4 and Eir Sport]. Jack O’Donoghue is back in Munster’s matchday squad. Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO Jack O’Donoghue could also make his first appearance since last May. The Read more about O’Donoghue among the replacements in much-changed Munster line-up[…]
Cody has given a new update just under a week after he had his knee scoped. The AEW star and executive posted to Instagram to update fans and followers on how he’s feeling, as you can see below. Cody posted, “2 days out from the scope. Weight bearing. Swelling still pretty prominent but going down.” Read more about Cody Provides Update After Knee Surgery[…]