ENGLAND CO-CAPTAIN Dylan Hartley is closing in on a return from the knee injury which has sidelined since December. After February surgery, the hooker returned to training in recent weeks and he could make his comeback in Northampton’s final-round Premiership clash with Exeter Chiefs. However, neither club are assured of their play-off seeding yet with Read more about Dylan Hartley on verge of return, but won’t be rushed by Northampton[…]

CHALLENGE CUP FINALISTS La Rochelle have today confirmed the departure of their backs coach Xavier Garbajosa, amid reports linking Ronan O’Gara with a position at the French club. Ex-France international Garbajosa will leave the Top 14 outfit at the end of the season, with O’Gara heavily linked with a role on Jono Gibbes’ coaching staff Read more about La Rochelle announce departure of backs coach amid O’Gara links[…]

WHILE LEINSTER’S RECORD in European finals had been faultless up until two weekends ago, the province have enjoyed and endured mixed fortunes in league deciders, having four won and lost four of their eight appearances at this stage of the competition. Whereas 12 months ago their motivation at the Aviva Stadium was to complete the Read more about ‘Our analysis is broader than just one game or the result of a final’[…]

OTAGO HIGHLANDERS and Northern Bulls played out a frustrating 24-24 draw in Dunedin on Friday that dented both teams’ chances of making the playoffs. The Highlanders scored four tries to three, with two apiece for Waisake Naholo and Josh McKay, but Handre Pollard’s boot kept the Bulls in touch with three conversions and a penalty. Read more about Naholo double not enough as Highlanders forced to hold off Bulls’ late charge[…]

LEO CULLEN ADMITS it has become ‘trickier’ for the provinces to sign non-Irish qualified [NIQ] players in the future following World Rugby’s move to change the qualification period from three years of residency to five. Leinster have successfully recruited a number of NIQ players in recent seasons — notably Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe — Read more about Rule change makes it ‘trickier’ for provinces to sign NIQ players[…]

LEINSTER WILL OPEN their Guinness Pro14 title defence with a trip to Italy to face Benetton on Saturday 28 September. Leo Cullen’s men welcome the Ospreys to the RDS the following Friday, 4 October, before Edinburgh visit Dublin on 11 October, with the first break weekend following on 18/19 October.  Leinster lifted the 2018/19 trophy Read more about Cullen’s Leinster to open Pro14 title defence with a trip to Italy[…]

WHENEVER 27-YEAR-OLD Irishman Ian Robinson is feeling homesick, he plays the video his dad sent him of a Serena Williams ad that ends with the slogan ‘It’s only crazy until you do it.’ It’s a phrase that reminds Robinson he’s pursuing his dream of eventually being a professional rugby coach and that the thought of Read more about ‘There aren’t too many 27-year-old Irishmen coaching in New Zealand schools’[…]

SERGIO PARISSE WILL captain Italy at his record-equalling fifth World Cup next month, but Ian McKinley has missed out on a place in Conor O’Shea’s final 31-man squad. Talismanic number eight Parisse made his return to action on Saturday as Italy hammered Russia in their second warm-up outing, and 16 years after making his World Read more about Parisse set for record-equalling World Cup as O’Shea names Italy squad[…]

Andy Farrell (left) with Lions head coach Warren Gatland. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO IRELAND AND LIONS defence coach Andy Farrell believes the new Six Nations bonus-point system will help both teams’ prospects next year. For the first time, the 2017 Six Nations will see teams awarded additional points for scoring four or more tries, or for Read more about Farrell: Six Nations bonus-point system will suit Ireland – and the Lions[…]

WWE has announced that they’ve released Hideo Itami and TJP (TJ Perkins), both from the Cruiserweight Division. Itami, age 37, had been on the Cruiserweight / 205 Live roster since late-2017, and before that had been part of NXT. Perkins, age 34, had been part of WWE’s current Cruiserweight / 205 Live roster since its Read more about WWE Releases Hideo Itami and TJP[…]