PRO12 ORGANISERS SAY discussions have not been held with London Scottish and London Welsh over the possibility of the English clubs joining the Guinness Pro12. Leinster are the reigning Pro12 champions. Source: James Crombie/INPHO The Rugby Paper last weekend reported that informal talks have already taken place with both clubs, with a source quoted as saying: Read more about Could two London-based clubs join the Pro12 in the near future?[…]

THOUGH THE NEW coach and performance director set the clock ticking long ago, the countdown to the next Women’s Rugby World Cup start for the majority of the public yesterday. The announcement that Ireland would host the 2017 edition of the tournament was, of course, warmly welcomed by all connected to the game. However, one Read more about Ireland Women still calling on newcomers to rugby with a World Cup in view[…]

LEINSTER, ULSTER AND MUNSTER have all been handed tough draws for next season’s Champions Cup. Leinster will come across Toulon-bound Paul O’Connell in Pool 5, with English sides Bath and Wasps joining the champions from the last five seasons in the group. Leinster faced both English sides in last season’s competition, beating Bath in the quarter Read more about Leinster to face Toulon-bound Paul O’Connell in Champions Cup pool stage[…]

YESTERDAY CONNACHT UNVEILED Galway Free Range Eggs as a new sponsor and the photos from the launch were, eh, interesting.  It did, however get us thinking about other awkward sponsorship photos involving sportspeople and here are some of our favourites. Eggcellect spoon work by the lads Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO Brian Clough realises he’s made a Read more about 13 of our favourite awkward sports sponsorship photos of all time[…]

RARELY HAVE IRELAND approached a World Cup in as strong a position as they currently find themselves. They were ranked third in the world under Eddie O’Sullivan before the 2003 version, of course, but a quarter-final exit at the hands of France was comprehensive. Strong words about being contenders in 2007 infamously fell short of the Read more about ‘Conor Murray came from nowhere and got a spot on the plane’[…]

Hulk Hogan spoke with Justin Barros of Sports Illustrated where he talked about what it would mean for Kenny Omega to come to WWE. “It’s tough to go your whole life without eating at McDonald’s or riding in a Chevrolet,” said Hogan. “If you don’t touch on the WWE, the story’s not complete. But maybe Read more about Hogan speaks on possibility of Kenny Omega signing with WWE[…]

WHEN WE TALK about dominating games of rugby, we’re not talking about the pretty patterns that are unfurling in the wide open spaces behind the scrum. We’re talking about the pack. These lads decide who win the crucial coalface battles and therefore matches. These five pack Alphas have a habit of bullying their way to much Read more about 5 forwards capable of dominating the Rugby World Cup[…]

WWE and J SPORTS will extend their partnership into its 22nd year with a new agreement to broadcast WWE’s flagship shows Raw and Smackdown Live in Japan. Beginning Tuesday, January 1, J SPORTS 4 will air Raw live at 10AM JST on Tuesdays, and Smackdown Live at 10AM JST on Wednesdays. Additionally, beginning Monday, January Read more about WWE and J SPORTS in Japan extend their TV broadcast agreement[…]

THERE ARE SELECTION conundrums in many places for Joe Schmidt in the Ireland squad as he looks towards eventually naming his 31-man group for the World Cup by the 31 August deadline. The back three features strength in depth, there are decisions to be made in the locking department, while the choice of bringing five or Read more about ‘Joe always says you’ve got to make the guy outside you look better’[…]

Juste avant que le confinement entre en vigueur en Espagne, Iñaki Urdangarin s’était vu accorder au mois de février dernier une nouvelle permission de six jours pour quitter le centre pénitentiaire de Brieva à Avila, où il a été incarcéré le 18 juin 2018 pour y purger la peine de 5 ans et 10 mois Read more about Cristina d’Espagne et son mari Iñaki, sorti de prison, réunis quelques jours[…]