Gerry Thornley: URC win can save Leinster’s frustrating season
Leinster last claimed silverware in 2021
The Counter Ruck
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Gerry Thornley: Talk of a breakaway rugby competition odd at such a perilous time for the sport
Many believe the all-singing, all-dancing R360 has a chance but it comes at a time when rugby faces severe headwinds
Gerry Thornley: Take criticism of Lions squad make-up from likes of Willie John McBride with a hefty pinch of salt
Oxygen shouldn’t be given to comments on the number of southern hemisphere-born players
Gerry Thornley: IRFU decision on Sevens reflects the cold, hard business of sport
Cutting the men’s programme is not necessarily a huge saving, although it could be around the €400,000 mark
Gerry Thornley: Lions selections cap bittersweet week for Leinster after Northampton defeat
Fans left wondering how team with a dozen Lions players could lose at home in Champions Cup semi-final
Gerry Thornley: Josh van der Flier’s contest with Henry Pollock an intriguing Lions sub-plot
At 32 this is set to be Van der Flier’s last chance to make tour but 20-year-old Pollock could have a say in that
Gerry Thornley: Remembering my uncle Johnny Hughes - the man I have most admired in my life
The former Clontarf outhalf retired from playing early but never lost his love of the game
Gerry Thornley: The biggest benefit of Jordie Barrett’s signing for Leinster may be yet to come
Leinster’s move for Reiko Ioane was no doubt influenced by the experience of his fellow All Black
Gerry Thornley: Andy Farrell’s choice of Lions coaches shows he will do things his own way
It is time to shed any inferiority complex, Ireland deserve to go into tour as top dogs
Gerry Thornley: French accusations against Ireland not in keeping with the spirit of the Six Nations
Antoine Dupont’s injury in Dublin prompted a nasty reaction from the French camp
Gerry Thornley: Rugby must put an end to forward-laden benches
For this weekend’s Six Nations fixtures, there will be 35 replacement forwards to just 13 backs
Gerry Thornley: Garry Ringrose’s punishment highlights a problem in the disciplinary process
France are entitled to complain about inconsistencies, but Romain Ntamack got off lightly
Gerry Thornley: Wales match to be a special day for the Prendergast family
As Sam makes great start to the Six Nations, Cian has been included in Ireland’s matchday squad
Gerry Thornley: Italy v Wales may be more important than Warren Gatland wishes to admit
A loss in Rome would drop Wales to 12th in the World Rugby rankings
Gerry Thornley: Six Nations presents a chance for Maro Itoje to vie for Lions captaincy
In the absence of a clear pick for this summer’s Lions tour, Maro Itoje might put it up to Caelan Doris
Gerry Thornley: Is a slimmed down Champions Cup the answer to the competition’s woes?
A revamped 18-team tournament has been proposed by France’s LNR
Gerry Thornley: The IRFU’s desire to ‘respect our game’ seems somewhat selective
Funny how unlike Connacht and Mack Hansen, no such fine was imposed on Leinster after Sexton’s three-week ban
Gerry Thornley: This season could see an outhalf bolter make a play for Lions starting shirt
Andy Farrell’s potential choices at outhalf for the Lions tour to Australia look wide open at this stage.
Pat Lam on having the craic with Anthony Foley and bringing Bundee Aki to Ireland
The former Connacht and now Bristol coach talks to The Counter Ruck podcast ahead of the Champions Cup clash with Leinster
Gerry Thornley: Will this be the last we see of O’Mahony, Murray etc in green shirts?
All three centurions are out of contract at the end of this season
Gerry Thornley: Scotland growing in confidence but Schmidt’s Wallabies are on a roll
Australia have taken wins over England and Wales so far in the Autumn Nations Series
Gerry Thornley: France-New Zealand could be the best match of the Autumn Nations Series
There’s something about a November clash in Paris and all the more so on a Saturday night
Gerry Thornley: Set-piece will be crucial if Ireland are to beat All Blacks
With Tadhg Furlong out, recalling Iain Henderson to the bench adds some horsepower
Gerry Thornley: All Blacks starting Beauden Barrett at outhalf brings intrigue
Irish eyes will be trailed firmly on the events at Twickenham
Gerry Thornley: Fans voting with their feet as Leinster stay on the front foot
The comfort of the Aviva Stadium and strong early-season selections have piqued the interest of supporters
Gerry Thornley: Anthony Foley’s spirit lives on eight years after his untimely death
The larger-than-life number eight was at the core of the Irish rugby renaissance
Painting RG Snyman into the role of villain is plain daft
Rarely can the presence of one player have prompted so much intrigue in the rich history of Leinster v Munster battles
Some Australians greet Joe Schmidt’s box-kicking approach like an invasive species
Former Wallaby international Matt Toomua wasn’t happy with the amount of kicking from scrumhalf in victory over Wales
Ireland’s last encounter against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld descended into violence
Pretoria ground’s status as a graveyard for Ireland’s ambitions has remained largely intact since that infamous 1998 game
Gerry Thornley: Once again the Champions Cup final rescues the tournament
Teams such as the Bulls fielding weakened sides has harmed competitive balance while the jury is still out on South Africa’s participation
Gerry Thornley: Giving the Aviva Stadium to Uefa for five weeks is patently ridiculous
As rugby competes with concert season - not to mind the Europa League final - the sport is battling to hold onto its own venues
Gerry Thornley: Fans in Croke Park next weekend will be there for the rugby, nothing else
Sold out Croke Park unlikely to field company clients and day-trippers to the same extent as Six Nations clashes at the Aviva
Gerry Thornley: Munster’s coffers would benefit from a rare home knockout tie
Province hasn’t hosted a playoff game in Thomond Park in either the URC or Champions Cup since the European tie two seasons ago against Exeter
Gerry Thornley: Champions Cup quarter-finals tend to produce best rugby and drama
Leinster-La Rochelle looking like most competitive game, with home teams heavy favourites
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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