20 May, 10:19
Irish Rugby TV spoke to Ireland interim head coach Les Kiss about the upcoming North America tour and his future within the management team.
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20 May, 10:06
Ireland interim head coach Les Kiss announces the squad for the summer tour to North America, and he also reveals the make-up of the Emerging Ireland squad for the Tblisi Cup competition.
19 May, 11:13
There are six uncapped players in the Ireland squad for the summer tour to North America that was named this morning. An Emerging Ireland squad has also been selected for the Tblisi Cup in Georgia.
Editor
18 May, 11:09
IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne has issued a statement following confirmation of Ronan O'Gara's decision to retire from playing professional rugby.
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News
Provinces Ready For British & Irish Cup Kick-Off
9 October 2012, 9:22 am
By Editor
Billy Holland lifts the British & Irish Cup for Munster 'A' after their final victory over Cross Keys at Musgrave Park last April
© www.Inpho.ie
The fourth edition of the British & Irish Cup will be a novel one for Irish rugby as all four provinces will compete in the cross-border tournament for the first time - Connacht Eagles join defending champions Munster 'A', Leinster 'A' and Ulster Ravens in the pool stages.
Ian Costello's Munster 'A' side will launch the defence of their title away to Plymouth Albion on Saturday. In the other Pool 7 tie, Aberavon will welcome Rotherham to the Talbot Athletic Ground.
Munster 'A' became the first Irish province to win the British & Irish Cup with a 31-12 final win over Cross Keys at Musgrave Park last April. Earlier in the knockout stages, they beat both Ulster Ravens (20-9) and Leinster 'A' (36-29).
There are eight Anglo-Welsh ties this weekend, including the meeting of Cardiff and Bristol - the revival of one of the oldest rivalries in club rugby which stretches back 124 years.
Ulster Ravens are in Pool 1 alongside Cardiff and Bristol and will host Welsh side Bridgend in their opener on Saturday afternoon.
Connacht Eagles' debut in the competition will see them battling it out in Pool 4 which contains last year's runners-up Cross Keys, Newcastle Falcons and Newport.
Nigel Carolan's men, who recently claimed back-to-back wins over Munster 'A', will venture to Newport on Saturday for their first game.
Meanwhile, Leinster 'A' will get their campaign underway at home to Leeds Carnegie in Pool 5 on Saturday night. The pool is completed by Jersey and Pontypridd.
The 2012/13 tournament will be played over nine weekends throughout the season, with all of the fixtures taking place on weekend dates. There will be one leg ties for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
BRITISH & IRISH CUP OPENING FIXTURES:
Pool 1 -
Cardiff v Bristol, Saturday, October, 13, 2.30pm
Ulster Ravens v Bridgend, Saturday, October 13, 2.30pm
Pool 2 -
Bedwas v Bedford Blues, Saturday, October 13, 2.30pm
Stirling v Neath, Saturday, October 13, 3pm
Pool 3 -
Swansea v Dundee, Saturday, October 13, 2.30pm
Cornish Pirates v Carmarthen, Sunday, October 14, 3pm
Pool 4 -
Newport v Connacht Eagles, Saturday, October 13, 2.30pm
Newcastle Falcons v Cross Keys, Saturday, October 13, 3pm
Pool 5 -
Jersey v Pontypridd, Saturday, October 13, 3pm
Leinster 'A' v Leeds Carnegie, Saturday, October 13, 7pm
Pool 6 -
Gala v London Scottish, Saturday, October 13, 3pm
Moseley v Llanelli, Saturday, October 13, 3pm
Pool 7 -
Aberavon v Rotherham Titans, Saturday, October 13, 2.20pm
Plymouth Albion v Munster 'A', Saturday, October 13, 3pm
Pool 8 -
Doncaster Knights v Melrose, Saturday, October 13, 2.30pm
Llandovery v Nottingham, Saturday, October 13, 3pm
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
2011/12 - Munster 'A'
2010/11 - Bristol
2009/10 - Cornish Pirates
Provincial News
20 May
Samoan international James So'oialo will join the Connacht squad this summer. So'oialo, who played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, was recently named in the Samoan squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa where they will face Scotland, Italy and the Golden Lions.
Editor
19 May
Following the epic Dublin 2013 finals which featured Heineken Cup success for Toulon and an Amlin Challenge Cup victory for Leinster, there was good news on the qualification front for Connacht and Perpignan who both secured places in the 2013/14 Heineken Cup.
Editor
18 May
The news today that Ronan O'Gara's long and distinguished playing time is over brings to a close what was, by any standards, a remarkable career.
Editor
18 May
Isa Nacewa, who is retiring from professional rugby at the end of the season, was thrilled to receive the Amlin Challenge Cup alongside Jonathan Sexton following Leinster's 34-13 final victory over Stade Francais on Friday.
18 May
Flanker Sean O'Brien is confident he will be fit for next week's RaboDirect PRO12 decider despite picking up a knee injury during the province's 34-13 Amlin Challenge Cup final victory over Stade Francais.
18 May
Prop Mike Ross reflected on Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup final success at the RDS, saying: "There's less hype about it but it's a good competition to win. Many teams have won this and kicked on the next year. Hopefully with the few lads, like Jack McGrath who made his first appearance in a major final, the experience will stand them in good stead for next year."
18 May
Speaking in the aftermath of Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup final win over Stade Francais, flanker Shane Jennings said: "There was obviously disappointment losing the three league finals. It's a huge focus for us (next week's PRO12 final). We know Ulster are a very good side, they are favourites and they're fresh and we're in for a huge game."
18 May
Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt, Jamie Heaslip, who captained the province on the night, and young prop Jack McGrath give their reaction following the 34-13 Amlin Challenge Cup final victory over Stade Francais at the RDS.
18 May
It is down to the wire now for the five contenders who have been shortlisted for the ultimate individual accolade in northern Hemisphere rugby - ERC European Player of the Year for 2013.
Editor
17 May
Joe Schmidt added a third European trophy to his coaching cabinet as Leinster defeated Stade Francais 34-13 to lift the Amlin Challenge Cup at the RDS.
Editor
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