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Smiles of success all round as Schmidt savours win
THE giant smile that lit up the face of Joe Schmidt told its own story – this was a very special victory to savour.
Tony Ward: Schmidt leaves O'Connor with a hard act to follow
What we witnessed at the RDS on Saturday was as good as it gets. Strip away all the commercial paraphernalia and what you're left with is two Irish provinces giving it their all, at times over and above the call of duty.
Fitting farewell
When it all ended, it was natural that they didn't want it to end. You sensed Leinster may have preferred to stay glued together in the intimacy of that winning dressing-room forever.
Brian O'Driscoll back but Sean O'Brien misses Pro12 finale
Brian O'Driscoll returns to Leinster's starting XV for tomorrow's Rabodirect Pro12 final clash with Ulster at the RDS but Sean O'Brien misses out.
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.
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.
Best: We want to emulate what Leinster have done
AS always, there is precious little flannelling when Rory Best is facing you.
Bowe confident 'underdogs' Ulster can lower blue flag
ULSTER'S Tommy Bowe has been down this path before – and emerged as a winner.
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.
Schmidt counts cost of bruising success
JOE SCHMIDT'S less-than-euphoric post-match demeanour on Saturday night belied the fact that his side had qualified for another final but perfectly captured the many emotions he must have been experiencing.
Conway's hat-trick seals home comforts
Leinster secured a home quarter-final against Scottish side Glasgow next weekend after a stunning hat-trick from Andrew Conway guaranteed that there would be no late drama as the race for the play-offs ended in a gentle gambol.
Trimble brace guides Ulster to top spot
Ulster finished as top dogs in the Pro12 League and booked a semi-final against the Scarlets next Friday evening at Ravenhill following a comfortable win against Cardiff.
No happy ending for Elwood as Warriors spoil leaving party
There was no dream finish to Eric Elwood's Connacht career as Glasgow Warriors spoiled the party ahead of next weekend's Pro12 semi-final against Leinster.
Botha's try spares Munster blushes
Munster avoided the ignominy of being the first ever side to lose to Zebre as they wrapped up their Pro12 campaign in Parma.
Flawless Sexton nails his comeback
Brian O'Driscoll won the man-of-the-match award yesterday as Leinster put Zebre to the sword, but it was the performance of fit-again Jonathan Sexton which dominated post-match discussion.
Irresistible Ulster turn on style
CREDIT Connacht with a performance full of ambition and spirit, credit Ulster with having the nous and the skill to absorb the pressure that was applied and rise above it to score a superb win.
Faletau comes to rescue for Dragons as Munster fail to complete fightback
Munster warmed up for their Heineken Cup showdown with a heartbreaking defeat at Rodney Parade.
High-flying Bowe takes Ulster back to summit
Ulster roared back to take control of the top of the table with a bonus-point destruction of the Dragons at Ravenhill.
Henshaw settles issue for gritty Westerners
Connacht's hopes of earning a respectable finishing position received a boost with a deserved victory over Edinburgh at Murrayfield.
Lions call would be a dream come true – Bowe
The prospect of playing in a Lions Test team is not just the ultimate ambition for any professional rugby player from these parts, it may very well have magical curative powers.
Madigan to steer ship for Thomond mission
IAN MADIGAN will be charged with turning over Munster in their Thomond Park citadel tomorrow night.
Elwood demands Connacht troops keep fighting until the bitter end
PAT LAM will get his first taste of the Pro12 in the vast expanses of Murrayfield tonight as Connacht look to close out a promising season as high up the table as they can.
Strauss has Munster in sights after return from double injury
Richardt Strauss spent much of the early part of this season using Google to help him learn the words to 'Amhrán na bhFiann.'
Grandstand finish at RDS as Ulster win bragging rights in hard fought derby
ULSTER got their RaboDirect PRO12 challenge back on the rails with a hard-earned derby victory over Leinster at the RDS.
D'Arcy hungry to fight on
WHEREVER Gordon D'Arcy looks he sees a changing world, but he himself is determined to keep going.
O'Connell has faith in Penney blueprint
Paul O'Connell's impeccable record of achievement was manifest in the most meaningful way this week when his team-mates all spoke gushingly about the influence he has been having on the team since his return.
Pienaar, Henderson and Henry back for Ulster's clash with Leinster
Ulster's South African scrum-half, Ruan Pienaar, and backrow forwards Iain Henderson, Chris Henry and Roger Wilson have recovered from injury and available to face Leinster at the RDS on Saturday evening (Kick Off 18.15).
Madigan getting better and better – Schmidt
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt was reported to be deeply disappointed when Johnny Sexton decided to leave Leinster for Racing Metro a few months back. Who wouldn't be?
O'Connell the inspiration for Munster
PAUL O'CONNELL'S fingerprints were all over Munster's much-improved performance against Connacht in Cork on Saturday night.
Rob Penney: Return of Paul O’Connell a major lift
It is great to be back in competitive action again this weekend, and the challenge now is to make sure we are playing every weekend from now until May 25.
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Pearce to leave England U21 post
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Post Brumbies Presser
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Coyle - I've had nothing but success
New Wigan manager Owen Coyle claims he's had nothing but success at previous clubs, but it's what he does at Wigan that he will be judged on.
Memories of 2003 World Games in Dublin
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Whelan - we won't lose money
Despite relegation, Wigan owner Dave Whelan insisted there will be no change to the prudent philosophy that has characterised his decade at the helm.
Williams joins up with Lions
Shane Williams joined up with his new Lions team mates as they trained for their final warm up match against The Brumbies.
Rose wins US Open
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