5 backs who will set the Rugby World Cup alight

YESTERDAY, WE BROUGHT you the ugly mugs who will decide who wins what at the World Cup next month. Here are the guys who’ll determine by how much (and make it enjoyable for the rest of us who don’t call the bottom of a ruck home). Aaron Smith With all due respect to Conor Murray…

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Provinces get financial top-up as IRFU reports €8.7 million surplus

THE IRFU SAYS it will sink an extra €4 million per annum into the four provinces and the club game from the start of the 2015/16 season onwards, after reporting an encouraging financial surplus in its annual accounts. Munster and Leinster will get a financial top-up. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO Irish rugby’s governing body reports it had a surplus…

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Marie Tabarly : La fille du navigateur ne veut pas d’enfant… voilà pourquoi

Blessée très tôt par la vie, Marie Tabarly a appris à faire confiance aux animaux plutôt qu’aux êtres humains. Elle qui a perdu son père à l’âge de 13 ans s’est créé une épaisse couche de protection, qu’elle brave toutefois quand elle se retrouve plongée dans un contexte professionnel. “Je suis très solitaire, mais j’ai…

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Welsh rugby player gets 4-year ban for anti-doping violation

WORLD RUGBY TODAY announced a four-year suspension for Wales sevens player Carl Townsend for an anti-doping violation. The back-rower tested positive for Oxandrolone — an anabolic steroid which promotes muscle growth — while representing Wales at the Rugby Europe Grand Prix 7s in Moscow in June. In a statement to World Rugby, the 27-year-old claimed…

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Ireland ‘don’t have to reinvent the wheel’ but growth needed for RWC

THE INITIAL DOOM and gloom after Ireland’s defeat to England at Twickenham last weekend seems to have lifted and the growing consensus is that the real rugby lies ahead. Disappointments against England and Wales can be used to spark the necessary improvements Joe Schmidt’s men need to make before they launch into the Pool D…

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Parisse and Fofana miss out as Ireland’s pool rivals go head-to-head

FRANCE HEAD COACH Philippe Saint-Andre has held back only Wesley Fofana from his perceived strongest XV for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup Pool D clash with Italy (KO 8pm). Fofana has been struggling with a thigh injury and is replaced at inside centre by Alexandre Dumoulin. Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO Thierry Dusatoir captains Ireland’s main pool rivals…

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