http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/title-is-all-that-matters-for-schmidt-in-final-fling-29295251.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/title-is-all-that-matters-for-schmidt-in-final-fling-29295251.html JOE SCHMIDT has guided Leinster to victory an astonishing 76 times in the competitive arena since taking over as head coach three years ago. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-to-edge-derby-battle-of-high-emotions-29295249.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-to-edge-derby-battle-of-high-emotions-29295249.html 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. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/humphreys-desperate-for-ulster-to-finally-start-bridging-the-gap-to-rivals-with-silverware-29295247.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/humphreys-desperate-for-ulster-to-finally-start-bridging-the-gap-to-rivals-with-silverware-29295247.html If most accomplishments are predicated upon a series of disappointments, then Ulster Rugby have had their fair share of the latter. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rachel-wyse-munster-reject-ulster-star-now-williams-could-spoil-leinsters-farewell-party-29295236.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rachel-wyse-munster-reject-ulster-star-now-williams-could-spoil-leinsters-farewell-party-29295236.html 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. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/george-hook-anscombe-has-stage-to-prove-his-worth-29295238.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/george-hook-anscombe-has-stage-to-prove-his-worth-29295238.html 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. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/schmidt-gets-perfect-sendoff-as-leinster-claim-rabo-title-in-thriller-29296635.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/schmidt-gets-perfect-sendoff-as-leinster-claim-rabo-title-in-thriller-29296635.html Leinster put past disappointments behind them to scoop an elusive RaboDirect PRO12 title in head coach Joe Schmidt's last game in charge. Sport Sat, 25 May 2013 19:08:49 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/underdogs-northampton-wont-lie-down-in-first-final-29295239.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/underdogs-northampton-wont-lie-down-in-first-final-29295239.html 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. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/english-showboating-a-joke-29295245.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/english-showboating-a-joke-29295245.html 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. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/golf-ceol-agus-craic-at-lahinch-outing-29295241.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/golf-ceol-agus-craic-at-lahinch-outing-29295241.html 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. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/tony-ward-leinster-can-find-little-bit-extra-to-end-celtic-agony-29295243.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/tony-ward-leinster-can-find-little-bit-extra-to-end-celtic-agony-29295243.html 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. Rugby Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/brian-odriscoll-returns-but-sean-obrien-misses-pro12-finale-29293461.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/brian-odriscoll-returns-but-sean-obrien-misses-pro12-finale-29293461.html 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. Rabodirect PRO 12 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:31:52 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/paul-oconnell-im-just-happy-to-be-on-the-plane-29293143.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/paul-oconnell-im-just-happy-to-be-on-the-plane-29293143.html 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. Sport Fri, 24 May 2013 08:38:16 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/loss-of-sexton-is-a-wakeup-call-to-keep-eye-on-the-ball-29292641.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/loss-of-sexton-is-a-wakeup-call-to-keep-eye-on-the-ball-29292641.html JONATHAN SEXTON'S imminent departure to Paris to play with Racing Metro is proof that some nightmares do come true. Rugby Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/irfu-must-adapt-and-evolve-to-keep-our-best-players-here-29292635.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/irfu-must-adapt-and-evolve-to-keep-our-best-players-here-29292635.html 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. Rugby Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/obrien-caught-in-injury-dilemma-as-clock-ticks-down-on-ulster-collision-29292644.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/obrien-caught-in-injury-dilemma-as-clock-ticks-down-on-ulster-collision-29292644.html 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. Rugby Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/madigan-has-that-special-awareness-odriscoll-29292638.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/madigan-has-that-special-awareness-odriscoll-29292638.html BRIAN O'DRISCOLL has been generous in his praise of Ian Madigan, his likely centre partner in tomorrow evening's Pro12 final against Ulster. Rugby Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/jones-admits-going-up-against-ogara-would-be-weird-29292636.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/jones-admits-going-up-against-ogara-would-be-weird-29292636.html 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,. Rugby Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/gajan-receives-suspended-sixmonth-ban-29292642.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/gajan-receives-suspended-sixmonth-ban-29292642.html 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. Rugby Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/lions-tour/i-dont-care-if-aussies-target-me-insists-healy-29289903.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/lions-tour/i-dont-care-if-aussies-target-me-insists-healy-29289903.html 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. Lions Tour Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/best-we-want-to-emulate-what-leinster-have-done-29289911.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/best-we-want-to-emulate-what-leinster-have-done-29289911.html AS always, there is precious little flannelling when Rory Best is facing you. Rabodirect PRO 12 Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/healy-determined-to-live-in-moment-29289910.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/healy-determined-to-live-in-moment-29289910.html Cian Healy may not choose to reside in the past but it is impossible for the past not to inhabit him. Rabodirect PRO 12 Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/bowe-confident-underdogs-ulster-can-lower-blue-flag-29289907.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/bowe-confident-underdogs-ulster-can-lower-blue-flag-29289907.html ULSTER'S Tommy Bowe has been down this path before – and emerged as a winner. Rabodirect PRO 12 Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/jonny-turns-heads-in-ucd-practice-sessions-29289905.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/jonny-turns-heads-in-ucd-practice-sessions-29289905.html 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. Rugby Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/former-england-centre-dan-hipkiss-forced-to-retire-29288683.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/former-england-centre-dan-hipkiss-forced-to-retire-29288683.html FORMER England centre Dan Hipkiss has been forced to retire because of a shoulder injury, his club Bath said today. Rugby Wed, 22 May 2013 15:34:14 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rowntree-expects-oconnell-to-help-warburton-29287337.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rowntree-expects-oconnell-to-help-warburton-29287337.html 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. Rugby Wed, 22 May 2013 11:16:49 +0100