A FEW EYEBROWS were raised when Leinster named their team to take on the Dragons last week. They needn’t have been.

Joey Carbery at fullback and Zane Kirchner at centre were two selections which stood out and suggested that Leo Cullen’s side may not be at their free-flowing best at Rodney Parade.

Yet the Blues produced one of their most devastating attacking performances of the season in a 55-24 demolition job on the road, quite a statement from a side that contained a number of new combinations and one that was shorn of its international stars.

The versatility of Leinster’s backline is slowly reinforcing the province’s arsenal for all sorts of eventualities, and strengthening their hand to win back the Pro12 title.

There was a time when Isa Nacewa was the primary Mr Polyfilla at the RDS but young guns Rory O’Loughlin, Adam Byrne and Carbery, and the more experienced pair of Zane Kirchner and Fergus McFadden, give Cullen a delightful array of options out back.

The chopping and changing is working a treat as Leinster’s league-leading attack is operating in a different realm of destruction to last season.

Leinster backs coach Girvan Dempsey. Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

In their last seven games (five in the Pro12 and two in the Champions Cup), dating back to a 22-7 New Year’s Eve defeat of Ulster, Leinster have amassed 326 points and 44 tries.

That’s an average of almost 50 points and six tries per game in an incredible spell that has seen Cullen’s charges return to the top of the Pro12 table and secure a home quarter-final in the Champions Cup.

They seem to be streets ahead of their last Pro12 campaign, when they eventually went down to Connacht in the decider, their total of 69 tries in 16 games this season is 18 more than they managed in 22 regular-season games in 2015/16.

They have been conceding four points more on average per game (17) but the way they’ve been attacking, averaging 10 points more per outing, backs coach Girvan Dempsey can’t help but smile, especially on the back of a five-game Pro12 winning streak since their defeat to Munster on St Stephen’s Day.

“The guys are going really well, they’ve worked so hard,” says Dempsey.

“This was a block that we targeted, one we realised that we had to do well in if we wanted to be competitive and try and get in that top two, and compete with Munster and the Ospreys, and obviously the Scarlets coming up behind.

“We’re fortunate that we’ve got some very smart footballers that can adapt and change and move around.

“The way we train, we try and put pressure on them and try and make them adapt and develop in different areas.

“Looking at last week’s selection, what we were looking at was the players we had available.

“We’ve had a number of injuries but also what was best in terms of the dynamic of that backline, we felt that was the best backline that we could put out against Dragons.”

Ireland fly-half Carbery impressed at fullback in what was just his second start following his return from an ankle injury.

MUNSTER HAVE RUNG the changes for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro12 clash away to Cardiff Blues with five alterations for the game at Cardiff Arms Park (17.15pm, Sky Sports 2).

Andrew Conway and Rory Scannell return to the Munster starting XV.

In the pack Darren O’Shea comes in to partner captain Billy Holland and Robin Copeland has recovered from a thumb injury to be named at number 8.

Ian Keatley starts at outhalf with Rory Scannell and Andrew Conway also returning to the starting side.

Francis Saili, Dan Goggin and Conor Oliver all drop to the bench while Tyler Bleyendaal was unavailable for selection due to managing player load and illness means Dave Foley misses the weekend game.

Academy player Fineen Wycherley is named on the bench for the second consecutive week and is in line to win his first senior cap.

Fineen Wycherley at Munster training this week Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Munster (v Cardiff Blues):

15. Andrew Conway
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Jaco Taute
12. Rory Scannell
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Ian Keatley
9. Duncan Williams

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Rhys Marshall
3. Stephen Archer
4. Darren O’Shea
5. Billy Holland (captain)
6. Dave O’Callaghan
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Robin Copeland

Replacements:

16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Peter McCabe
18. Brian Scott
19. Fineen Wycherley
20. Conor Oliver
21. Abrie Griesel
22. Dan Goggin
23. Francis Saili

Subscribe to The42 Rugby Show podcast here:

YOU HAD TO feel for Peter O’Mahony as he dutifully sat down to face the Monday media in Carton House.

It must surely have been an immensely frustrating Six Nations campaign for the Munster captain. After returning from his lengthy injury absence to help Munster’s winning streak, a hamstring issue kept him out of the opening two rounds of the Championship until Josh van der Flier’s injury provided an opening onto the matchday squad.

But Joe Schmidt’s starting back rowers have been immovable throughout and so the Corkman has just 29 Six Nations minutes to his name this year as the finish line approaches with England’s name already etched on the trophy.

Even the matter of sitting down to face the press doesn’t go smoothly as team manager Paul Dean arrives to ask O’Mahony to scooch over, so that he can take his regular seat for the weekly injury update reading.

O’Mahony is never a man to make a fuss unduly and he tends to offer even-keeled responses whether he’s analysing victory or defeat. So when his opinion is sought on wider issues such as a perceived lack of progress or the absence of a cutting edge in the 22, O’Mahony exhales before bringing the issue back to the fine margins that have brought Ireland two losses in their four outings this year.

“We really are close, we know we are and we believe,” says the back row with a hand planted on the table.

“It’s not like we’ve thrown everything out and done something different. It’s the same squad, we’ve just got to finish off the small things and we can beat any team in the world on our day.”

“It’s little things, smallest of margins at this level, foot placement here or there…

“It’s not an effort issue, we need to be more accurate. It’s nearly there, the smallest of margins, we know we’re a good enough team to complete and finish off those drills we’re asked to. We know if we do that, there aren’t many teams that can compete with us.”

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

With any luck, O’Mahony will be tasked with driving those standards from the start this weekend. He has had to tailor his game slightly to make an impact as a replacement instead of gradually influencing the tide from the start. Despite being a fierce competitor, he insists that he has been happy fulfilling any role for the team.

“It’s the same as everyone, same as the lads who started the last day. Same as the lads who weren’t involved in the 23. Everyone’s here this week to put in a performance in training and prepare whoever’s starting as best we can to win at the weekend.”

Standing between Ireland a sweet win to bounce back from the disappointment of Friday night in Cardiff is the most difficult opponent this tournament can provide. And, on form, the best in the world. But ramping up intensity for England matches has never been an issue and that won’t start when this Ireland side have a point to prove.

“There is a huge amount to play for from our point of view, rankings, pride and wanting to leave the jersey in a good place after the Six Nations.

“Every time we come together, we want to build and improve and that’s no different. We have learned a huge amount already, we have a big game at the weekend and we want to build and add to that we’ve done already and take away learnings and leave it on a positive.

“There’s a huge amount of stake but there is a huge amount for us to go after as well.”

‘Stinger’ won’t keep Murray from facing England, but it’s a leg fracture for Tommy BoweSchmidt’s attention turns to halting England’s Grand Slam bid after Cardiff defeat

IT’S NOT QUITE the game fans would have hoped for before last Friday, but Ireland take on England at the Aviva on Saturday with a chance to bring their 18-match winning streak to an end. And, thanks to our friends at Guinness, we have two pairs of tickets to give away.

However, to be in with a chance of winning, you’ll need to take our three quizzes over the next 12 hours, with each one focusing on a different decade up to the present day.

Each time you score 10/10 in a quiz, you’ll be given a clue to the identity of an Irish player.

Once you identify the player, tweet his name, alongside the hashtag #fearofgod, to @The42_ie account up until 2pm on Friday 17 March.

Readers without a Twitter account can email [email protected] during the same time period. Both winners will be drawn at random from all correct entries.

Good luck!

JACOB STOCKDALE HAS been added to Andy Farrell’s 36-man Ireland squad ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash against Scotland.

The Ulster man missed the opening three rounds through injury and replaces the injured Munster player Shane Daly.

Josh van der Flier will go through the return to play protocols during Ireland camp this week, while there were no injury concerns from the other 12 players that were in Pro14 action over the weekend.

Click Here: Lionel Messi Jersey SaleIreland squad 

Backs
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 30 caps
Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps
Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 12 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 1 cap
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 24 caps
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 91 caps
Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 14 caps
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 8 caps
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 50 caps
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 9 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 27 caps
James Lowe (Leinster) 5 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 4 caps
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 88 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 33 caps
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 97 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 33 caps

Forwards
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 1 cap
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 20 caps
Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 18 caps
Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 8 caps
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 18 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 47 caps
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 107 caps
Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 5 caps
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 61 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 19 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 9 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 41 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) uncapped
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
Rhys Ruddock (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 27 caps
CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon) 49 caps
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 30 caps

Originally published at 10.01

RASSIE ERASMUS SAYS Munster will miss lock Donnacha Ryan next season, with the 33-year-old Ireland international set to join Racing 92 this summer.

Click Here: london gaa jerseys

The Tipperary native is coming to the end of a central IRFU contract and with the union not offering him an extension of that deal, Ryan would have had to agree to a provincial Munster contract in order to remain on Irish soil.

Ryan is set for a move to Top 14 side Racing. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

While the Top 14 club have still not officially confirmed Ryan’s signature, Erasmus and Munster are resigned to losing the second row.

“I’m disappointed for us but I think we have to be happy for Donnacha if that’s what he wants to do,” said Erasmus this afternoon in Limerick.

“He’s served Munster well and I guess at his age he’s got one big contract left in him. We made the best offer we could, which was for two years. He didn’t get a national contract again so it was tough for us to afford him and when the likes of Racing and those guys make you offers it’s really big money which we can’t compete with.

“So it’s really sad on one hand and we’re really going to miss him but we’re happy for him.”

It would be natural for Munster to be frustrated at the IRFU’s decision not to offer Ryan a new central contract – given that he is in the form of his life and featured prominently in this year’s Six Nations – but Erasmus was not willing to share any such feeling in public.

The South African director of rugby said Munster must understand the IRFU’s position.

“No, I’m definitely not annoyed,” said Erasmus. “I fully understand that you only have so much money if you’re the IRFU and you have to fit players into that budget and if Joe Schmidt and David Nucifora decide those are the best players, they are the guys that stand over the results for the national team when they’re playing.

“So if they believe other players are better than that then we must respect them signing those players, because at the end of the day they have to carry the results. You can’t beg for a national contract.”

Meanwhile, Erasmus confirmed that he has spoken to the South African Rugby Union after fresh reports that he may be set for a return home this summer.

However, the Munster boss insisted that he is contracted to the province for another two seasons and brushed off the links.

“I worked and lived in South Africa as a coach for 16 years and I speak to them weekly, on a formal and informal basis, but at this stage I have a full contract which is three years and it’s just speculation.”

“I’m big friends with the current coaches and management team. There’s been formal and informal chats the past few months. Some have been requests, some have been pure chats.

“I’ve got a contract with the IRFU and nothing’s changing.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Solo Wrestling reports and WWE Spain confirms that WWE Spanish commentator, Hector del Mar, has passed away. He was 76 years old.
Del Mar began working as a commentator for WWE events that were held in Spain in the early 1990s. In 2006, he joined WWE as a Spanish commentator.

Se ha apagado la inolvidable voz de Héctor del Mar… #DEP pic.twitter.com/Y20bEUQIKL
— WWE España (@WWE_es) April 8, 2019

Click Here: qld maroons shirt

Show: Interactive Wrestling Radio
Guest: Bully Ray
Date: 04/02/19
Your Host: James Walsh
NOTE: If you enjoy the content we provide, SUBSCRIBE to our channel to let us know! And, if you like this video, LIKE the video!
Do you know who he is? He’s a WWE Hall of Famer. He’s a former Impact Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion. And, he’s headed back to the biggest stage in his home town, Madison Square Garden! He’s Bully Ray. And, this is the ROH conference call with the former Bubba Ray Dudley.

Click Here to Check Out the Wrestling Epicenter!

 
On the heel/face dynamic in the modern era:
“I think it is very important to have the heel / face dynamic in wrestling. It is one of the main foundations of the pro wrestling industry. It has worked from day one. I think it can continue going forward. I don’t like my wrestling to be gray. I like my athletes, my performers, my wrestlers to have a clear cut emotion and emotional investment. I want to love somebody or hate somebody. I don’t believe there is anybody in the wrestling business in the entire world who is better at being hated than me.”
On why New York fans are different from all other:
“New York City is the capitol of the world in my opinon. Obviously, Madison Square Garden is the arena of arenas. That is why they call it the Mecca! And, the New York City fan base, when it comes to professional wrestling, has always been extremely loyal and passionate. When you talk about the best wrestling fans in the world, New York fans are right up there with Philadelphia fans and Chicago fans. You know, when you perform in front of a New York crowd, that you had better bring your A game because they are not afraid to show you how they feel.”
On working MSG as a singles competitor:
“To my knowledge, this is my first time wrestling at Madison Square Garden as a singles wrestler and this is definitively the first time Bully Ray has ever wrestled at Madison Square Garden. As far as Bully Ray competing at Madison Square Garden, it is a bucket list thing that I only added to the bucket list recently when I saw there was going to be an event at Madison Square Garden. With all of the great Ring of Honor talent and with all of the great New Japan talent, I wasn’t guaronteed a spot on the card. So, I did what I had to do story telling wise, character wise, wrestling wise, performing wise to earn myself a spot. I’m proud of myself to be able to do that. It is a big deal to me because I created the Bully Ray character. Nobody created it for me. I’m the one that moved the Bully Ray character forward. I’m talking about when I originally created it in TNA. This was my creation. When you have your own original creation in the wrestling business and when you can bring your own creation to a show like the G1 Supercard and when you can bring your own creation to an arena like Madison Square Garden, it is a really good sense of accomplishment.”
On not growing complacent:
“I have entirely too much fun in the professional wrestling business to ever grow complacent. There are so many stories left to be told and I love coming up with these new stories. I also love coming up with these stories that have been told a hundred times over but I get to tell them in a new way. Especially these days where heels are afraid to get heat. I basically have no fear in the wrestling business. So, I can do things that no one else is doing right now. That alone allows me to never become complacent.”
On ROH being the new era ECW:
“I think one of the most fun things for me is Ring of Honor, for me, is basically full circle of my career. Ring of Honor IS ECW. RIng of Honor was created because ECW went out of business. The work ethic, the passion, the drive in Ring of Honor is something I can understand and relate to because that is what we did in ECW. So, I feel that my career has come full circle and I am in a company that I belong in.”
On people being skeptical when he joined ROH:
“A lot of people were like, “Oh no, this isn’t going to work out” and they gave a variety of reasons why it wasn’t going to work out. It is for those exact reasons that it has worked out. Because Ring of Honor doesn’t have a guy like me. In any wrestling company, you need a variety. You can’t just have wrestling match after wrestling match after wrestling match. You need some story telling. After all, this is the story telling business. I would never want to take away from what Ring of Honor is doing because those guys do what they do entirely too damn well. I just want to add another aspect to Ring of Honor that other guys might not be as qualified to do.”
On advice for the talent making their MSG debut:
“I’ve given two pieces of advice. Number one is when you go through that curtain, take a moment to smell the roses. Take it all in! Stand there, look out into the crowd, realize that you are performing in Madison Square Garden, and realize that you belong there. And, give yourself a mental pat on the back. Because if you’re on that card and you’re standing in that arena, you’ve earned it! So, take time to give yourself some credit for your accomplishments. I think, sometimes, in the wrestling business, things get a little too negative at times and we don’t take the time to tell one another how proud we are of each other. But, we can take the time to appreciate our own moments. So, for everybody who hasn’t performed there before – From Okada and Tanahashi to the Cheeseburgers of the world. Take time to smell the roses! The second thing I told them is to be prepared for an uncontrollable shot of adrenaline. That adrenaline rush is so intense that it will overcome you and you will black out for a second. It is very easy for that adrenaline rush to take over your mind so much that you don’t even remember what happens. It is a pretty crappy feeling to not remember what happens especially if you’re performing in Madison Square Garden!”
On comparing G1 Supercard to ECW’s debut PPV Barely Legal:
“I believe the energy is the same. Obviously, the guys and the gals have changed a lot in how they conduct themselves in a locker room, or as professionals, or as personally. I think it is more controlled passion, controlled energy. I think everyone is chomping at the bit to go out there. In ECW, we were like caged animals who couldn’t wait to get out there and show the world who we were. Everyone already knows who ROH and New Japan are. Now it is just time to go into the Garden and steal the weekend. ECW being on pay per view was such a big deal because these rebels, these rogues, these guys and gals that were kicked to the curb were finally able, as Paul (Heyman) said, to get to the dance. Pay per view for ECW was the dance and Madison Square Garden for the Ring of Honor locker room and in the New Japan locker room is the dance.”
On any surprises at G1 Supercard:
“I will leave you with this and this is really open ended. Just because Juice Robinson accepted the open challenge doesn’t mean that other guys can’t still also answer the open challenge!”Click Here: Olympique de Marseille soccer tracksuit

Donovan Dijak tweeted the following and deleted his Twitter

Click Here: Cheap Melbourne Storm Jersey