Craig Joubert to ref World Cup final - but under-fire Rolland lands role too
Irishman will be reserve referee this weekend after Saturday’s tough day at the office.
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Irishman will be reserve referee this weekend after Saturday’s tough day at the office.
Sam Warburton, Jason McGuinness and Andy Murray all feature in our daily bite-sized edition bringing you all the sports news that’s hitting the headlines.
Manu Tuilagi says he is ‘disappointed’ with himself after hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons during the Rugby World Cup.
The French coach launched an astonishing tirade at his own players – a week before they face New Zealand in the RWC final.
Graham Henry pays tribute to his side’s “huge ticker, huge character and guts” after they booked their place in next Sunday’s World Cup final.
The Welsh back row admitted to a dangerous tackle on Vincent Clerc and will now miss his country’s game against Australia.
There was no love lost as New Zealand met Australia for a place in the World Cup final. Here’s the minute-by-minute report.
There’s little to choose between the teams as New Zealand and Australia prepare for their semi-final showdown in Auckland.
Irishman Alain Rolland is the focus of all the talk following Wales’ one-point exit from the Rugby World Cup.
Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu faces a significant playing ban unless he apologies for a tweet he wrote about Welsh referee Nigel Owens.
The Australian full-back has a hamstring strain and won’t be available to face the All Blacks on Sunday.
Wales manager ‘gutted’ after controversial red card gives the French the upper hand in semi-final.
“There wasn’t much to say in the dressing room and in the team room afterwards. Deccie didn’t even say that much. What could you say?” Jenno checks in with the final installment of his World Cup diary.
Ireland’s victors took on the mercurial Gauls in the first of the weekend’s semi-final clashes. We went minute-by-minute.
“These lads are model professionals who’ve helped to build a great rugby legacy in this country and this was their last chance. There’s just nothing you can say.”
The flanker was criticised by John Smit for his performance in last Saturday’s game, as Australia edged out South Africa to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
With the Welsh squad less than 48 hours away from the biggest game of their rugby lives, we turned to our man in the valleys for some pre-match guidance.
Carling, Brooke, Henderson and Quinnell look forward to this weekend’s action in Eden Park.
Kurtley Beale looks set to start for Australia after Robbie Deans provisionally named the full-back in his starting XV to face New Zealand.
The Premier League continues, the Rugby World Cup approaches its climax and the Korean Grand Prix gets underway all in the next few days.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made a number of changes from the side that beat Argentina in last weekend’s quarter-final.
Yo, stats nerds. Come join us as we crunch the numbers on the Dubliner’s refereeing performances and look at what to expect from him in Saturday’s semi-final.
The England boss has been given the opportunity to walk before an independent review panel decides his fate.
We’re hoping for a couple more of these pearlers in the run-up to Saturday’s semi-final.
Wales have made just one change to their starting XV ahead of Saturday’s World Cup semi against France.
It’s the enduring trademark of Southern Hemisphere rugby, but New Zealand’s pre-game war dance is about more than intimidation on a massive scale.
Nobody has any idea if Ronan O’Gara is retiring from international rugby or not. Not even the man himself.
Cian the van is parked up for the last time and the lads file onto the flight home with plenty of other Irish. It’s been a wild ride.
Declan Kidney’s men were met by a crowd of fans as they disembarked at Dublin Airport.
Because there ain’t no party like a moustache party. Apparently.
All Blacks legend Colin Meads has praised Priestland and the Welsh side, tipping them to reach the final.
As they point it towards the airport, our man in the van recalls the many Irish friends they’ve made along the road.
The South Africa coach claims the speech he delivered following the Springboks’ quarter-final loss to Australia definitely wasn’t about his resignation. Whatever gave you that idea?
Robbie Deans has hinted the mercurial utility back could be deployed as a replacement for the injured Kurtley Beale, while Berrick Barnes looks a possible starter at fly-half.
In addition, Wales coach Shaun Edwards has rejected the suggestion that France lack consistency at the best of times.
The Samoan-born centre was reportedly encouraged by his England teammates to make the dive following their World Cup exit.
They topped the group for the first time, beat a Tri-Nations side in the southern hemisphere and made a lot of friends. But was it a success?
With a handful of Ireland’s Golden Generation having now slipped the wrong side of 30, how many have the appetite for another year of competitive international rugby?
Following Saturday’s demoralising defeat, who will you be cheering from here on in?
It’s back behind the wheel for the lads after the weekend’s heartbreak before the flight home this week.