Irish rugby

Six Nations round 3: Sheehan to Captain Ireland (Updated!)

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a large building with a statue in front of it

Wales Versus Ireland Saturday 2.15 (Virgin Media 1, BBC1) OP updated for Italian, French, England ‘A’ and Ireland ‘A’ team announcements, complete with some surprises, not to say shocks! Two weeks ago, in a comment on my post here on the second round of the Six Nations and on Facebook, I suggested that Simon Easterby could make up to 14 changes to the team that beat Scotland with only Aki retained, and still have a decent chance of beating Wales. …

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Rugby Six Nations Review: Round 1 

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Although none of the results came as a shock, the glorious unpredictability of the 6 Nations was underlined by three away victories in the opening round. Italy came close to shocking France in Rome, which would have been only the fourth time they have beaten France in 47 matches since the sides first met in a fully recognised international in 1937. Scotland beat England for the third time in a row for the first time in over 50 years and …

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Is Irish Rugby Truly the Beacon of Inclusiveness It Is Purported to Be?

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We often hear that Irish rugby has yet to shed its elitist baggage and that the very significant level of coverage devoted to the game by the Irish media is disproportionate in comparison to the level of genuine national interest in the game across the country – whether this is true or not, it’s a debate that rages on in light of Ireland’s elimination from the Rugby World Cup at the hands of Argentina last weekend – but, amidst all …

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Jack Kyle RIP ” Irish sport has revolved around a debate on the right way and wrong ways of conducting yourself”.

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                A selection of  tributes to the late great Jack Kyle, fixed in the minds of my generation as the ideal sportsman. It was in a way fortunate that in the days of the amateur game, a man’s character could be  expressed in other fields. From the Irish Times  Out-half on the Grand Slam-winning Irish rugby team of 1948, the Belfast surgeon played 46 times for Ireland and another six with the British and …

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