Category: Match wrapup

226 : ITALY v IRELAND WRAP

2023 Guinness Six Nations Championship Round 3, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy 25/2/2023 Italy vs Ireland Ireland’s Mack Hansen Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

🏉 IRELAND’S CAAAA…..

🏉 Centre, Backrow & Halfback options

🏉 ……..AAAAAAAA………

🏉 Italy’s improvement

🏉 …AAAAAAAAAAAAALL.

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

CONOR CRONIN & TOM COLEMAN

PLUS A SPECIAL REPORT FROM RICH MIFSUD

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Imelda Reidy Great Italian performance. Job done. 5 points. On we roll.

Andrew Byrne Today showed one thing in particular, that Gary Ringrose is a world class operator and is streets ahead of the rest of them at playing outside centre. 12 and 13 are two very different positions, as shown by our defensive lapses today.

Alan Murphy Brilliant. Two teams playing the game in a positive way. Italy have really improved. Let’s be honest, some of our team today were 2-3rd choice and a few played out of position. We scored a bonus point, left some tries out there and also managed to think our way out of danger today. Previously we would have lost this game. Building strength in depth. So positive from me.

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Joanne  In fairness to Kieran Crowley, not only has he got Italy playing brilliantly, he’s got them believing too. So good to see and long may it continue.

Koochulainn Another win with a bonus point without conceding a losing bonus.

The performance wasn’t perfect, and Italy found some flaws in the defensive system, but you can’t get any more than five points.

Italy were great value for money too. After today and the 20s last night Italian rugby is heading in a good direction.

POTM Mack Hansen dropping an F bomb in the post match interview was a lovely coda

Colm Splendid match. Continued resurgence and improvement from Italy, and as usual this year, Ireland responded magnificently to pressure. Really looking forward to Murrayfield next month.

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. Former Ireland international Tom Tierney, who coached Irish women’s team, dies aged 46 – Independent.ie [Ruairidh O’Connor]
  2. Ireland U20s withstand second-half surge to keep back-to-back Grand Slam ambitions alive (the42.ie) [Daire Walsh]
  3. Ulster stun Sharks with sensational victory in Durban | BelfastTelegraph.co.uk [Jonathan Bradley]
  4. Borthwick praises England’s tactical nous in ‘incredible Test match’ – england | Rugby365 [via AFP]
  5. Scotland suffer first Six Nations defeat in France despite valiant effort after early red cards | The Scotsman [Graham Bean]

6N RD 3 & URC ROUND 6 WRAP

6N WRAP

ROUND 3

ITA 20-34 IRE

WAL 10-20 ENG

FRA 32-21 SCO

ROUND 4

MAR 11

ITA V WAL

ENG V FRA

MAR 12

SCO V IRE

URC WRAP

ROUND 6

SHA 24-31 ULS

LIO 35-24 GLA

ROUND 15

MAR 3

GLA V ZEB

MUN V SCA

MAR 4

STO V SHA

BUL V LIO

EDI V LEI

OSP V BEN

DRA V CON

CAR V ULS

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224 : Leinster v Dragons wrap

18 February 2023; Rhys Ruddock of Leinster celebrates with teammate Dave Kearney after scoring his side’s third try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Dragons at RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

🏉 Welsh mess

🏉 Rhys Ruddock

🏉 Dragons fronting up

🏉 Harry Byrne

🏉 G**** S***

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

TOM COLEMAN & CIARÁN DUFFY

click here for Ciarán’s fundraising page

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Greg Kelly

Not a great performance. Probably the worst or amongst the worst of the season. Quite disjointed and not as controlled as Leinster teams usually are.

Performance aside its yet another routine win that was never really in doubt. The URC is great for blooding players but week by week it becomes worse for challenging them.

Andrew Bailey

First up you have to play a referee who’s agenda from the start is to favour the home team. But you can’t do that with poor lineouts , Ruck protection snd an awful kicking game. A big win but worst performance of the season. Why not trust the outside backs more ??

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RichardMifsud Had a bit of everything that one. Always love watching the young kids getting a run out. Second 40 saw a dip in intensity that let Dragons back into the game and gave the boys good practice on D. A bit of a flourish at the end with two well worked tries. Invaluable experience for the kids and Rhys a worthy POTM although Lukey pushed for that too Liam Turner had a good outing and it was great to see Jason J and Will on the pitch

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John Shine  I’m jumping aboard the Jack Boyle hype train!!! In all seriousness it was a nice little 20 mins for him.  Held up his end of the scrum. Couple of good carries and a great jackal turnover.  Bigger tests await but he’s an exciting prospect.

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. Welsh rugby’s almighty mess, the immoral treatment of players and the uncomfortable truths – Wales Online [Steffan Thomas]
  2. Blow for Ireland & Munster as full extent of Tadhg Beirne injury revealed | SportsJOE.ie [Jason Hennessy]
  3. Gavin Coombes stars as nine-try Munster rout Ospreys at Thomond (irishexaminer.com) [John Fallon]
  4. URC: Connacht score nine tries in comfortable victory over Zebre – The Irish Times [Linley MacKenzie]
  5. Glasgow v Ulster: bench impact helps Warriors extend unbeaten run (theoffsideline.com) [David Barnes]

URC ROUND 14 WRAP

ROUND 14

GLA 17-11 ULS

MUN 58-3 OSP

LIO 7-29 SHA

ZEB 37-57 CON

BUL 19-23 STO

CAR 30-13 BEN

SCA 42-14 EDI

LEI 43-14 DRA

REARRANGED MATCHES

ROUND 6

SHA V ULS

LIO V GLA

ROUND 15

MAR 3

GLA V ZEB

MUN V SCA

MAR 4

STO V SHA

BUL V LIO

EDI V LEI

OSP V BEN

DRA V CON

CAR V ULS

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221 : IRELAND v FRANCE wrap

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

MARK JACKSON & CONOR CRONIN

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James Griffin

Given the travails experienced by the Murray family this past week, Conor showed immense fortitude and strength of character to even tog out today. Delighted for him and the whole squad! A fantastic performance.

Imelda Reidy

Some game. Outstanding from Ireland. There can be no argument now about the No. 1 team in the world. Need to drive on now and continue to improve. ☘☘

Gavin Hegarty

My god.what a game. We just got a bp over the second best team in the world.

Let’s not mention the definite red card.

Every man in green (bar Hanson in my view) was utterly outstanding.

Tom O’Toole, my god where did that come from? Was worried about bealham before the Wales games now we have three class tightheads.

Chuck Doris, world’s best 8. Completely outplayed alldrit.

Lowe’s try, Mon dieu c’est magnifique.

Take a bow Ireland, you have wrecked me.

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Koochulainn @Koochulainn So that’s the “bogey match” and the “defacto title decider” out of the way Bring on the “gimme” (which isnt what it used to be), the “potential banana skin”, and the “Auld enemy”.

Séamus Mac an tSábhaisigh @jamessavage French rugby fans affronted by selective tv replays …  #karma winning big games well but with clear room for improvement each time is a very exciting place to be.

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. Worcester Warriors change name and drop down leagues amid anger at RFU | Worcester | The Guardian [Michael Aylwin]
  2. How would the Rugby World Cup pools look based on today’s rankings? [Sarah Rendell]
  3. U-20 star Sam Prendergast shows nerves of steel to get Six Nations weekend off to winning start – Independent.ie [Sean O’Connor]
  4. Scotland v Wales: Finn Russell pulls the strings as hosts rampage to record win (theoffsideline.com) [David Barnes]
  5. England 31-14 Italy: Pragmatic hosts claim first win under Steve Borthwick – BBC Sport [Mantej Mann]

SIX NATIONS ROUND 2 WRAP

ROUND 2

IRE 32-19 FRA

SCO 35-7 WAL

ENG 31-14 ITA

FEB 25

ITA V IRE

WAL V ENG

FEB 26

FRA V SCO

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218 : WALES v IRELAND wrap

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

RICH MIFSUD

CIAN “RUGBY KINO” O’MUILLEOIR

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Conor Cronin

Some great individual performances, a few players who might feel they can improve on individual aspects, particularly Porter for me, who was responsible for almost half our penalties, can’t be that sloppy against the French. (though I’m discounting the one conceded as they scored a try)

Expectation will be high going onto next week, and rightly so, I want to see the same high intensity against France

Ian Frizzell

Out of the traps so quickly. We were so powerful in the first 30 minutes they didn’t have any answers.

Thought we coped pretty well in the third quarter when they threw everything they had at us and then a few fresh legs gave us the momentum to finish pretty strongly.

Gavin  Hegarty

Job done. Rough second half but we shouldered it well.

Can’t help but think the ref played a part in their comeback but cest la vie.

I still can’t see the logic in bringing gatland back.

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Andrew Byrne That first half was ruthless, we were too comfortable in the 2nd half. That won’t be good enough next week, but you can only play one match at a time.For Wales they can fix a lot very quickly and will take scalps later in the tournament.

Brian Nisbet 10-34, with the Welsh playing much better in the second half. But that’s a clear statement of intent from Ireland with a BP win in the first match. Good stuff! 

Rob Atkinson A much better performance from Wales, but need to be a lot better in the opposition 22, they need to be better. I’m sure it will come together later in the tournament

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. 4 Ireland U20s Players Who Impressed In Their Six Nations Win In Wales | Balls.ie [Colman Shanley]
  2. Stormers hand Sharks a rugby lesson in Durban | Rugby365
  3. Irish Rugby | Combined Provinces Win With Seven Tries At Kingspan Stadium
  4. Scotland record stunning win over England at Twickenham as 2023 Six Nations campaign gets perfect start | The Scotsman [Graham Bean]
  5. Six Nations Rugby | France hang on after thriller in Rome [Paul Eddison]

6N & URC WRAP

6N ROUND 1

WAL 10-34 IRE

ENG 23-29 SCO

ITA 24-29 FRA

ROUND 2

Sat Feb 11

IRE v FRA

SCO v WAL

Sun Feb 12

ENG v ITA

URC ROUND 1

SHA 19-46 STO

Round 14

Feb 17

MUN V OSP

GLA V ULS

Feb 18

LIO V SHA

BUL V STO

ZEB V CON

SCA V EDI

CAR V BEN

LEI V DRA

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215 : Leinster v Cardiff wrap

28 January 2023; A general view of a scrum during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Cardiff at RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4wHHMVqQAnSwAXNs11HCm4?si=abdd7adf387842e3

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SIX NATIONS GUINNESS PINT PREDICTOR LEAGUE

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

CONOR CRONIN & CIAN O’MUILLEOIR

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Gavin Hegarty

We beat a Cardiff team with our thirds. We had the bp quick enough and took the foot off the gas in the second half to allow them two tries back.

Delight to have chopper Connors back and to see him doing what he does best.

Great to see the debutants, Leinster are going to be a force for years to come.

Brian Corr

Feel Cardiff came thinking they were going to have an easy game with so many Leinster players on Ireland duty, they realised their mistake too late.

It’s great to see Deegan playing so well and even better to see Connors back.

It’s a great testament to Cullen and his coaches that they have the back up squad so tuned in and able to step up when needed, even if Cardiff were not really at the races.

Tector getting his first points, Turner with another great try.

Great outcome for Leinster, especially racking up the points for home games in the knockouts.

Karen Brennan

Well done to new young players getting their first cap,a great occasion for them,especially Balbriggan rugby clubs Aitzol King👍🏻

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RichardMifsud I always love watching @leinsterrugby play but I particularly love it when the young guns get a run out. TBH I was expecting a tougher game but Cardiff disappointed Deegs very worthy POTM Good outings from Milne Brownlee Turner as well as our starting back row and halfbacks Disappointing 10 minutes in the final quarter but that’s great learning for the kids 

Andrew Byrne Harry Byrne’s kicking out of hand was very good, amazing the difference a bit of game time makes. We got a bit sloppy in the final quarter but to be expected with so many changes. Cardiff’s coaches must be pulling their hair out, their team was outclassed by an inexperienced Leinster team.

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. RFU Apologise After Severe Criticism Over Controversial New Tackle Laws | Balls.ie [Colman Stanley]
  2. Bernard Laporte resigns from FFR president role after corruption conviction (talkingrugbyunion.co.uk)
  3. Ulster sink Stormers with home success | Belfast News Letter [Ciaran Donaghy]
  4. Six-try Munster bank bonus in Treviso thriller (irishexaminer.com) [Kevin Fallon]
  5. Jack Carty becomes Connacht’s all-time top points scorer as Lions tamed at Sportsground – The Irish Times [Linley MacKenzie]

URC ROUND 13 WRAP

ROUND 13

ULS 35-5 STO

SCA 37-28 BUL

BEN 30-40 MUN

DRA 28-42 GLA

LEI 38-14 CAR

EDI 19-22 SHA

CON 43-24 LIO

ZEB 24-28 OSP

Feb 4 (Round 1)

SHA v STO

Round 14

Feb 17

MUN V OSP

GLA V ULS

Feb 18

LIO V SHA

BUL V STO

ZEB V CON

SCA V EDI

CAR V BEN

LEI V DRA

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212 : Leinster v Racing 92 wrap

21 January 2023; Garry Ringrose of Leinster scores his side’s sixth try despite the attentions of Christian Wade and Kitione Kamikamica of Racing 92 during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A Round 4 match between Leinster and Racing 92 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

TOM COLEMAN

NATHAN JOHNS

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Conor Cronin The number of penalties is a concern. A strong win, and some great individual performances weren’t. We’d a strong first and last 20, needed to be more conscious of the ruck in the middle 40, that’s where we lost our most to Racing. I found a group of Racing fans after the game and brought them to the pub, great group, great fans who really love the game and are very passionate about good rugby, I’m really glad we could meet up expectation, particular the O’Brien try

Gavin Hegarty I actually enjoyed how they challenged us. They clearly did their homework. But still, the good will out. Yes we were not at the level we were last week, but class is permanent. Highlight was ringer flick, sublime.

Richard Collumb Racing slowing the game right down caused us problems. Scrum, some sloppy passing & silly penalties will be punished in later rounds, but last 20 minutes was great. Ringrose just gets better & better.

John Hyland (reply to Richard Collumb) don’t agree re scrum. Other teams are cheating and getting away with it. Our scrum is collapsing on the loosehead side because opposition tightheads are boring in, leaving Porter / Milne nothing to push against. Refs have been clueless.

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Richard Mifsud We weren’t at our best for long periods and credit R92 for parts of that but it’s an 80 minute game and when we clicked it was sublime. We need these tests to keep us honest and sharp it’s about finding a way and thus far this season we’ve been pretty good at that this season. Very satisfying BPW


Koochulainn The numbers do not lie LEINSTER 4 games 20 points (and did not concede a single losing BP) 28 tries +150 points difference #PerfectRecord


RugbyNerd Too good again! But good game for around 60 minutes and good refereeing. Very clear communication.

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. Ireland squad for Six Nations announced with Joey Carbery the major omission – Pundit Arena [James Fenton]
  2. Munster retain Women’s Interprovincial Championship title after win over Connacht – The Irish Times 
  3. Bealham hat-trick not enough to stop Connacht losing away to Newcastle (the42.ie) [John Fallon]
  4. Ulster v Sale Sharks LIVE: Rob Lyttle try the difference at half-time as province edge towards European knockouts – BelfastTelegraph.co.uk [Jonathan Bradley]
  5. Frustrated Munster face away day in Champions Cup Round of 16 (irishexaminer.com) [Simon Lewis]

HCC ROUND 4 WRAP

ROUND 4

LYN 31-7 BUL

LEIC 26-27 OSP

HAR 39-29 SHA

NOR 13-31 LAR

BOR 17-26 GLO

LEIN 36-10 R92

STO 30-16 CLE

EXE 40-3 CAS

ULS 22-11 SAL

MON 21-21 LIR

TLS 20-16 MUN

EDI 20-14 SAR

LAST 16 (weekend of Mar 31/Apr 1,2)

LEIN V ULS

LEIC V EDI

TLS V BUL

SHA V MUN

EXE V MON

STO V HAR

LAR V GLO

SAR V OSP

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210 : Gloucester v Leinster wrap

14 January 2023; Michael Ala’alatoa of Leinster makes a break during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A Round 3 match between Gloucester and Leinster at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

210 : Gloucester v Leinster wrap – Harpin' On Rugby

🏉 MUN, ULS & CON 🏉 Jamie Osborne 🏉 Clinical finishing 🏉 Cian Healy’s career 🏉 Leinster’s scrum Harpin’ On Rugby match wraps are brought to you by The Irish Rugby Store Our guests… MARK JACKSON https://twitter.com/hoomanbear CONOR CRONIN https://twitter.com/ccbooms FRONT FIVE ARTICLES RFU intervenes to let Borthwick pick Farrell in England Six Nations squad | Owen Farrell | The Guardian [Gerard Meagher] Women’s interprovincials: Munster claim bonus-point win over Leinster to move closer to title – The Irish Times Fourteen-man Munster hold off Northampton in Champions Cup thriller | Rugby365 ‘Heartbroken’ Dan McFarland bemoans decision not to award Ulster penalty try in late La Rochelle defeat – BelfastTelegraph.co.uk [Jonathan Bradley] Clinical Connacht put 61 points on Brive to progress to Challenge Cup knockouts (the42.ie) [Daragh Small] Where to find Harpin’ On Rugby Website > https://harpinonrugby.com/ Mastodon > @HarpinOnRugby@mastodon.ie Twitter > https://twitter.com/HarpinOnRugby Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/HarpinOnRugby Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/harpinonrugby/ TikTok > https://www.tiktok.com/@harpinonrugby YouTube > https://youtube.com/@HarpinPreviewShow

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

MARK JACKSON & CONOR CRONIN

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Andrew Potts The scrum is a concern, probably just needs a little collective focus. Nice to see them using short penalty moves in the red zone, it’s a good variation then going to a line out, plus suits Leinster tempo.
Some of the Leinster play was excellent and Ross has developed into quite the facilitator

Richard Collumb Says it all about current European competition when URC is providing more challenges.
Great to see Osborne step up & some game time to replacements.

Chris McDonnell Too good just too good.

TWITTER

MASTODON

Brian Nisbet @natural20 14-49 A match with a couple of lessons for Leinster (discipline, line-outs), but ultimately another emphatic victory in Europe and the match goes on.


Colin Mehigan @colinmehigan@mas.to @vnvobit @HarpinOnRugby @rugby Lots of impressive performances in Kingsholm today – Jamie Osborne really standing out

Adam Ashby (Gloucester fan) @adamashby@mas.to Well. That was worse than I expected.

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. RFU intervenes to let Borthwick pick Farrell in England Six Nations squad | Owen Farrell | The Guardian [Gerard Meagher]
  2. Women’s interprovincials: Munster claim bonus-point win over Leinster to move closer to title – The Irish Times 
  3. Fourteen-man Munster hold off Northampton in Champions Cup thriller | Rugby365
  4. ‘Heartbroken’ Dan McFarland bemoans decision not to award Ulster penalty try in late La Rochelle defeat – BelfastTelegraph.co.uk [Jonathan Bradley]
  5. Clinical Connacht put 61 points on Brive to progress to Challenge Cup knockouts (the42.ie) [Daragh Small]

HCC ROUND 3 WRAP

ROUND 3

CLE 29-44 LEIC

SAL 5-27 TLS

GLO 14-49 LEIN

MUN 27-23 NOR

SHA 32-3 BOR

LAR 7-3 ULS

BUL 39-28 EXE

OSP 35-29 MON

SAR 48-28 LYN

CAS 21-34 EDI

LIR 14-28 STO

R92 30-29 HAR

ROUND 4

FRI JAN 20

LYN V BUL

LEI V OSP

SAT JAN 21

HAR V SHA

NOR V LAR

BOR V GLO

LEI V R92

STO V CLE

EXE V CAS

ULS V SAL

SUN JAN 22

MON V LIR

TLS V MUN

EDI V SAR

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208 : Ospreys v Leinster wrap

7 January 2023; Jimmy O’Brien of Leinster celebrates after scoring his side’s third try during the United Rugby Championship between Ospreys and Leinster at the Swansea.com Stadium in Swansea, Wales. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

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[plus a special report from CONOR CRONIN]

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Conor Cronin A few key things from this game that concern me.

The pack were bullied in the first half, and let themselves be.

Harry Byrne struggled behind the pack, but they’re not entirely to blame for his struggles. He needs a lot more time and needs to build confidence behind a dominant pack.

The scrum was awful. We have suffered as a province since Fogarty went to the Ireland set up, that needs to be dealt with.

Grinding out the win is great, and you learn much more from a game like that. But we need to learn fast, especially if the injury Ross Byrne picked up last night is bad.

Paul Smith Probably the poorest we’ve played in a good while, but the sign of a good team is to still manage to win while playing poorly so we’ll the gladly take the points and move on.

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MASTODON

WRRAP podcast @WRRAP@toot.wales It is not often you see a Leinster pack hit reverse but deserved the win

Brian Nisbet @natural20 19-24 in Swansea. Come back was quite late, but a win is a win and well done to the lads for doing what needed to be done.

Jay Long @Jay_Long_626 Seriously good win on the road and Ospreys were proper up for it. Turned it on when it counted, I think Nick McCarthy won us that game imo. Just slipped us into a flow. Never in doubt 

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. Munster secure vital bonus point win against the Lions (irishexaminer.com) [Simon Lewis]
  2. Benetton 31-29 Ulster: Struggling Irish province suffer late URC defeat in Italy – BBC Sport
  3. Conor Cronin report on Leinster v Connacht in Women’s Interpro
  4. Connacht outclass second-string Sharks (sarugbymag.co.za)
  5. Does Irish rugby have enough space for the talent it’s producing? (the42.ie) [Murray Kinsella] > bonus clip from the chat on this article available on our YouTube channel

URC ROUND 12 WRAP

ROUND 12

DRA 14-29 BUL

MUN 33-3 LIO

BEN 31-29 ULS

EDI 24-17 ZEB

CAR 22-28 SCA

CON 24-12 SHA

OSP 19-24 LEI

GLA 24-17 STO

ROUND 13

JAN 27

SCA V BUL

ULS V STO

JAN 7

BEN V MUN

DRA V GLA

LEI V CAR

EDI V SHA

CON V LIO

JAN 8

ZEB V OSP

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206 : Leinster v Connacht wrap

1 January 2023; Ryan Baird of Leinster on his way to scoring his side’s sixth try during the United Rugby Championship between Leinster and Connacht at RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

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Gavin Hegarty Boring. It’s tiresome how even after they get ahead we don’t fear the result. Yes I know it’s a good position to be in but we’ve suffered as a result before, Saracens, la Rochelle etc. We need to be challenged more.

Chris McDonnell Another shocking day at the lineout. Its been a while since we had one if them but that was not acceptable. Kelleher will not get his starting jersey back from sheahan until he learns how to throw the ball

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rhubarbsticks Ryan Baird in full flight is a sight to behold. A scrappy enough performance but plenty of positives to go forward with.

RugbyKino A tale of 3 parts to that match. A tight, well-matched fast-paced game gave way to more of a broken-up tussle in midfield in the second half. But come the final quarter Leinster flexed their handling muscle and put Connacht to the sword.

A shame Connacht don’t come away with something as the scoreline doesn’t do them justice.

However, Johnny coming off with a big dent in his face is a worry, possibly for the next 2-6 weeks.

RichardMifsud Really entertaining match at the RDS Connacht competitive deep into it but a couple of late tries put a gloss on the score line Good performance from the much changed side with a fair crop of youngsters Lineout issues need to be resolved but that apart a good enough performance Top of the pile in January 2023 let’s see how it pans out 🤷🏻‍♂️ Good performances from JL and Ryan B Deeny looked good and the Foley cameo was exciting 

james @gortoshay putting 40 pts on Connacht while still having plenty of work ons is a nice place to be. Leinster being made to work for their victories this season. I’m hoping it stands to them at the business end. Sexton definitely a worry.

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. Andy Farrell dressing room phonecall captured after Ireland beat All Blacks | SportsJOE.ie [Pat McCarry]
  2. What did Joe Marler say to Jake Heenan? – Rugby World 
  3. No relegation will produce more shocks – Baxter – Huge Rugby News 
  4. Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins leave Wales coaching jobs with immediate effect as Gatland shakes up his backroom team – Wales Online [Ben James]
  5. Dan McFarland calls Ulster ‘terrible’ in late defeat to Munster | Belfast News Letter [Ciaran Donaghy]

URC ROUND X WRAP

ROUND 11

EDI 25-32 GLA

ZEB 17-40 BEN

SHA 47-20 BUL

STO 40-8 LIO

CAR 19-22 OSP

ULS 14-15 MUN

SCA 33-17 DRA

LEI 41-12 CON

ROUND 12

JAN 6

DRA V BUL

MUN V LIO

JAN 7

BEN V ULS

EDI V ZEB

CAR V SCA

CON V SHA

OSP V LEI

JAN 8

GLA V STO

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204 : Munster v Leinster wrap

26 December 2022; Leinster players celebrate with teammate Dan Sheehan, hidden, after he scored their side’s second try during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

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Conor Cronin On the road, taking a win home with us without a lot of players who might have wanted the opportunity to play and might sometimes be considered higher up the pecking order, and having missed out on the chance to get a BP, there’s a lot to be positive about here.

Yes there were some things that we’ll use the video for to tidy up, and yes the referee was not at the top of his game, but you play the ref, you play what’s in front of you, and you take your chances.

I’m happy with that, munster threw their best available team at us, it wasn’t enough tonight

Andrew Potts A collection of random penalties until 50, then a game broke out

Martin Loughrey Scrappy to say the least. Great to get the win and our response to Deegan’s yellow was incredible, but the game didn’t really kick into gear until the 2nd half. I felt Munster had a slight edge on us for long periods but couldn’t capitalise. And of course Busby was poor. It seemed like he heeded the crowd’s reaction after Deegan flipped POM over, and made some strange calls after that. Very quick to ping Leinster after that, and of course there was his own obstruction of Leinster at the ruck that lead to a penalty for Munster. Still though, a win in Thomond is always great to get, so happy to take it!

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rhubarbsticks @rhubarbsticks@sself.co

Although that was a tough, valuable and well earned victory it didn’t alter any pecking orders in Leinster.

RichardMifsud @RichardMifsud 

A win away at Thomond with a rotated side and not playing particularly well is not to be sniffed at. Great runouts from Dan (again) and Big Joe Mac. Luke McG and Ross M made a big impact from the bench. Happy with that and isn’t it brilliant to see a return of the St Stephen’s Day fixture? #MUNvLEI

Bernard McKeever @dregin

#MUNvLEI Would not want to be on the receiving end of Graham Rowntree’s anger after conceding those tries with us a man down.

FRONT FIVE ARTICLES

  1. Leinster Rugby | James Tracy to Retire With Immediate Effect [Marcus Ó Buachalla]
  2. World Rugby announce new guidelines to speed up game (talkingrugbyunion.co.uk) [Frank Nickson]
  3. Steve Borthwick: England appoint Leicester coach to replace Eddie Jones – BBC Sport [Becky Gray]
  4. Benetton suspend member of staff and issue condemnation as Cherif Traore racial abuse investigation continues – Independent.ie [Duncan Bech]
  5. Ulster survive remarkable Connacht comeback to end disastrous December (the42.ie) [John Fallon]

URC ROUND X WRAP

ROUND 10

SHA 37-10 LIO

STO 37-27 BUL

CON 20-22 ULS

GLA 16-10 EDI

BEN 38-5 ZEB

DRA 24-29 CAR

OSP 34-14 SCA

MUN 19-20 LEI

ROUND 11

DEC 30

EDIVGLA

DEC 31

ZEB V BEN

SHA V BUL

STO V LIO

JAN 1

CAR V OSP

ULS V MUN

SCA V DRA

LEI V CON

HARPIN’ MATCH WRAPS

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