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Title is all that matters for Schmidt in final fling
JOE SCHMIDT has guided Leinster to victory an astonishing 76 times in the competitive arena since taking over as head coach three years ago.
Leinster to edge derby battle of high emotions
AN evening of extravagant entertainment is in the offing at the RDS when the Pro12's pre-eminent teams do battle for the league title.
Humphreys desperate for Ulster to finally start bridging the gap to rivals with silverware
If most accomplishments are predicated upon a series of disappointments, then Ulster Rugby have had their fair share of the latter.
Rachel Wyse: Munster reject, Ulster star, now Williams could spoil Leinster's farewell party
Success at the top level of professional sport requires absolute focus and attention to the smallest detail. Over the years, heroes of all codes have testified to the importance of winning smaller battles in order to claim victory in the war.
George Hook: Anscombe has stage to prove his worth
This evening in Dublin's RDS arena, we will find out just how good Mark Anscombe is. The New Zealander's first season in charge at Ulster boils down to 80 minutes of rugby against the three-time European champions.
Leinster can find little bit extra to end Celtic agony
For the third season running, Leinster pitch up to the final game of the season in search of an unprecedented double having annexed a European title the previous week.
Golf, ceol agus craic at Lahinch outing
ON Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, the Rugby Internationals Golfing Society (RIGS) Irish Section are hosting the Four Nations golf outing at Lahinch GC in Clare.
English showboating a joke
The only blight to last Saturday's highly entertaining Heineken Cup final was provided by Delon Armitage (right) and his arrogant wave in the act of scoring.
Underdogs Northampton won't lie down in first final
Premiership rugby has spent the last decade crying out for a big final derby in front of a full house at Twickenham, and now it has one – an intense East Midlands set-to that will redefine the relationship between two of England's grandest clubs and set the tone for a new era of local rivalry.
Paul O'Connell: I'm just happy to be on the plane
While bookmakers were busy installing Paul O'Connell as favourite to lead the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour, the Ireland lock was plagued by doubt over his selection for Australia.
O'Brien caught in injury dilemma as clock ticks down on Ulster collision
a VIRTUAL Sean O'Brien is up on a big screen boshing buses and side-stepping taxis, but down below the real deal admits he is losing his battle to face Ulster this weekend.
'Loss of Sexton is a wake-up call to keep eye on the ball'
JONATHAN SEXTON'S imminent departure to Paris to play with Racing Metro is proof that some nightmares do come true.
Madigan has that special awareness – O'Driscoll
BRIAN O'DRISCOLL has been generous in his praise of Ian Madigan, his likely centre partner in tomorrow evening's Pro12 final against Ulster.
IRFU must 'adapt and evolve' to keep our best players here
LEINSTER chief Mick Dawson has warned that Irish rugby must be proactive in safeguarding against the threat of losing any more of its top talent to money-laden French clubs.
jones admits going up against o'gara would be 'weird'
Felix Jones paid tribute to Ronan O'Gara and Doug Howlett, two players he says have made their mark on the history of Munster rugby in more ways than one, WRITES CIAN TRACEY.
gajan receives suspended six-month ban
FORMER Zebre head coach Christian Gajan has been handed a six-month ban from all rugby, suspended for two years, by an independent Pro12 disciplinary committee.
Healy determined to live in moment
Cian Healy may not choose to reside in the past but it is impossible for the past not to inhabit him.
Bowe confident 'underdogs' Ulster can lower blue flag
ULSTER'S Tommy Bowe has been down this path before – and emerged as a winner.
I don't care if Aussies target me, insists Healy
Cian Healy says he is ready for any Australian intimidation that may come his way on this summer's Lions tour after admitting that he is just thankful to be on the plane after a ban for stamping in the Six Nations almost scuppered his selection chances.
Best: We want to emulate what Leinster have done
AS always, there is precious little flannelling when Rory Best is facing you.
Jonny turns heads in UCD practice sessions
DOG WALKERS and college students may have done a double take when passing through a well-known shortcut from Donnybrook to UCD in recent days with the sight of Jonny Wilkinson, alone, practising his kicking.
'Count me out of World Cup', says O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll has backtracked on his desire to feature in an unprecedented fifth World Cup in 2015 by stressing that he will only extend his career by one more year.
O'Driscoll's firm deadline on retirement a smart move
Just as it may not have been much of a surprise that Brian O'Driscoll convinced himself that he wanted to play on, it should also not come as a shock that he will limit the swansong to the "one more year" called for in the chant beloved of his Leinster supporters.
Afoa losing fitness race for Ulster's final date
Ulster's World Cup winning tighthead prop John Afoa may have to settle for a place on the bench in Saturday's Pro12 final against Leinster at the RDS.
Rowntree expects O'Connell to help Warburton
British and Irish Lions forwards coach Graham Rowntree expects Sam Warburton to be galvanised by the presence of "proven warrior" Paul O'Connell on the tour to Australia.
Leinster refuse to give up hope of Bent revival
It seems like only yesterday that Michael Bent was having a shamrock stamped on his chest and a sliotar stuck in his hand in the most bizarre display of forced faux Irishness since Tom Cruise destroyed the Irish accent in 'Far and Away.'
Trimble aiming to ruin Schmidt farewell
Given that Andrew Trimble admits that there were moments he feared for his international career, ruining the incoming Ireland coach's emotional Leinster farewell this weekend may not seem like the perfect way to launch a comeback.
Tigers show no sentiment by dropping Murphy
The nearest Leicester come to sentimentality is allowing an old-stager to leave a Tuesday training session with each of his four limbs in full working order, so there was never much chance of Richard Cockerill wiping a tear from his eye as he consigned Geordan Murphy to the past tense ahead of Saturday's Premiership final with Northampton.
A 'massive influence' on Lions already
NERVOUSNESS is not a trait you associate with Paul O'Connell. This is a man you can easily picture walking in a straight line through a crowded street.
Gatland and Schmidt fail to agree on O'Brien fitness
Lions head coach Warren Gatland and his Leinster counterpart Joe Schmidt are on a collision course over Sean O'Brien's knee that could threaten his participation in the three-Test series against Australia next month.
'We all wear Nevin's name in our hearts'
Nick Williams weighs 260lb, a heaving, intimidating mass of contradictions.
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Gullit backs Mourinho return
Former Chelsea midfielder, Ruud Gullit, believes Jose Mourinho's possible return to Stamford Bridge would be a good move for the club.
Ras: Rogers edges bunch sprint to claim stage six
Rico Rogers wins sixth stage of the Ras into Carlow
Froch has a point to prove
Carl Froch will go toe-to-toe with conqueror Mikkel Kessler determined to overturn his 2010 defeat by the Dane and secure his legacy as one of Britain's all-time greats.
Vettori future in doubt
As one of the country's most consistent performers in recent years, the Black Caps would be loathe to draw a line under a Test career that started in 1997, but current skipper Brendon McCullum admits there are concerns.
Manchester City edge Chelsea in 4-3 thriller in St Louis
Manchester City fought back from 3-0 down to beat Chelsea 4-3 in an exhibition match in St Louis.
Highlights: Day five of The Rás
Twenty-two year- old Moreno De Pauw, riding for the Belgium National Team, has won Stage Five of The Rás. De Pauw completed the 150- kilometre stage from Glengarrif to Mitchelstown in 3 hours 36 minutes 25 seconds.
City in New York
Manchester City have launched a new club in the USA called New York City FC. They are in partnership with baseball giants the New York Yankees.
Billy Keane's views on The Rás passing through Kerry
Interview with Irish Independent Billy Keane ahead of Stage Five of The Rás
Hull derby set to be feisty affair
Super League Magic Weekend showcases the best of Rugby League over two days - and the Hull derby is set to be a match no-one should miss.
Froch, Kessler ready to go again
Both Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler cannot wait to get in to the ring again, for their super-middleweight unification bout on Saturday.
