Ireland name 34-man squad for Italy match

He may have medals but Leinster haven’t won the URC since 2021 or the Champions Cup since 2018 so maybe JGP likes the runners up medals too.

Ex-England cap Nic Dolly: 'As a rugby player, you obviously want to be wanted'

Brett McKay 20 minutes ago

He’s got plenty of time Mzil, still only 25!

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IkeaBoy 30 minutes ago

Pretty sure that Gibson-Park has 11 medals so far with Leinster. He even played with the Blues, like Rieko.

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

NB 48 minutes ago

I hope not Ed. They do have the best D in the comp, and ‘Defence wins Champs’ as the saying goes.

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

NB 49 minutes ago

No doubt Dupont’s injury at the RWC was the result of some insidious Rassie planning 🤣

It did happen v Namibia after all…

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

NB 53 minutes ago

Interesting that Jordie’s skill-set is only being discussed in this way fater leaving NZ eh Mitch?😁

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

NB 54 minutes ago

Those zeroes are what matter most Miz!

And just as impressive in its own way was that away win v the Sharks by the B team.

I would say that Leinster have a good practical balance for knockout games now, so thre should be less diff between reg season and finals matches.

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

NB 1 hour ago

One of the interesting points of comparison between the Jake/Heyneke eras and the Rassie/Jacques one - when SA first started practising some variations of a blitz D, they always tended to run out of gat in the last 20’, and esp v. NZ. Rassie fixed that with the intro of the 6/2 and 7/1, ensuring that there were always fresh forwards to do the areobic work on D!

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

SK 1 hour ago

After 2003 South Africa were in tatters, Jake white was appointed as coach and was looking for inspiration. During the Trinations Schalk Burger produced his coming of age performance in New Zealand. He tackled and tackled and tackled some more and nearly got South Africa over the line. South Africa lost the 2 opening matches of that series but a massive rear-guard effort in Ellis Park saw them overcome the All Blacks. De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert hit the AB’s so hard in that game it was something many who saw it will never forget. The big hits just kept coming. A week later the Springboks would lift the Tri Nations trophy for the second time. They would also lift the 2007 World Cup on the back of many big hits and the rush defence pioneered by white. In 2018 Rassie looked for inspiration after a close call in Brisbane where the Springboks lost. Facing overwhelming odds the Springboks found their physicality in a battle for the ages against an All Blacks side brimming with confidence. They didnt always defend cohesively but some of the hits going in were stunning. Their intensity secured a couple of turnover tries and inspired a great victory. One year later on the back of that renewed intensity and the Nienaber rush they would win the World cup again. Winning physical contact is what the Springboks live for. It has become the foundation for all their great teams. It defines their success in the modern era of rugby. It gives them a surge like no other nation gets. You see the same thing in Leinster now. Every time a big hit gets made you see the excitement in the eyes of the players around. Their thirst for blood grows with every shot and you see the opposition cower. When a hit is made they dont stop, they swarm and they become ravenous for the ball. They are like a fighter who just wants more. One gets the feeling they will go all the way this year and their success will be built around that physicality. The next weeks will tell.

LW 1 hour ago

Smart. He won't be back in black, others will take the spot but he'll get the best value.

Ex-England cap Nic Dolly: 'As a rugby player, you obviously want to be wanted'

Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

Nice article, Brett. Enjoyed the read. Interesting story of a different path , and be a great finish if Nick can get an Australian cap.

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MT 1 hour ago

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins leaves province 'with a heavy heart'

Very surprised to hear that. Pete is a good person. And gave everything he had to the club. I wish him the best in his future career. Warren Gatland hahaha 😆 Noel McNamara. It’s going to be a tough gig, they need a few players, not sure they have the money. Move to bigger venues for provincial games, make a few bob.

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DJ 2 hours ago

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

Jordie had 2 months (or so) off during the Six Nations. It was all part of the terms of the sabbatical agreed between all parties.

JWH 2 hours ago

Pretty sure they’re gonna be playing differently. Different coaches, and, y’know, hemispheres.

Can Rugby Australia afford to go ‘all in’ on the Queensland Reds?

Marie Ratibor Ewing 2 hours ago

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JWH 2 hours ago

Ex-All Black Richie Mo’unga teases return to ‘Test match setting’ in 2025

Yeah, but Richie was looking so composed during the WC, its a shame we let him go. Seemed like he finally had everything sorted and straightened out, just to leave afterwards. A real shame.

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JWH 2 hours ago

Ex-All Black Richie Mo’unga teases return to ‘Test match setting’ in 2025

On what planet is Richie not one of the best players in the world? 2 medals at a world cup, multiple Rugby Championships, 7, I REPEAT, 7 back to back titles in super rugby with the Crusaders.

The greatest SR player of all time, and you think he’s “average”. Who else is average in your books? Aaron Smith? Handre Pollard? Cheslin Kolbe? Come on dude. Have you even watched him?

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Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

I must say I am surprised at the magnitude of the scores Leinster built in the past two games, Nick. And to hold both opponents scoreless is something for a coaching team to be proud of. I do think that both Glasgow and Harlequins are arguably playing below the level they were at in the last couple of years. What this is leading up to is that I wonder if Leinster have really been tested yet, and to what extent one of UBB or Toulouse will challenge them.

Both Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman have added significant points of difference to an already powerful team. Perhaps it is these points of difference that will see them home with a fifth star this season.

I would expect a strong team will be put on the field against Northampton. While they are not having a great season, Leinster won’t want to take risks. I would expect that Ulster will face a team without many of the top men this weekend. Chance of an upset ??

Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

NB 2 hours ago

There was a strong emphasis on D in that game. We wanted to ensure their big men had to work had to service their rucks by counter rucking up the middle, and it worked.

What didn’t work was our exit startegy in the second half. Typically it was a great strength with Lowe’s left boot but it fell apart. And we never quite got as much out of Jason Jenkins as we though we would.