Michael Sadlier

1 week ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Michael Sadlier

The British and Irish Lions are back this summer and it all kicks-off at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Friday with a fixture against Argentina before the best of the four nations head off to Australia the following week. The Lions will play nine games Down Under, including the all-important three Test Series, starting on June 28 in Perth when they face the Western Force and finishing up in Sydney for the final Test against the Wallabies on August 2.

2 weeks ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Michael Sadlier

The schedule has been ramping up over the last few weeks what with training, which included a rain sodden session at Ravenhill, a match at home ground Gibson Park and the sponsored kit launch. All this and more has been on the agenda for the Mixed Ability rugby side Malone Tornadoes ahead of next weekend’s departure to Pamplona in northern Spain where they will be participating at their second World Cup (officially the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament).

2 weeks ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Michael Sadlier

Understandably, the summer’s focus rugby-wise is mostly on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, but there is a two-match trip for Ireland next month with outings against Georgia and Portugal on July 5 and 12 respectively. With so many Irish players — and coaches — due to be away on Lions duty, the Irish mini-tour’s head coach Paul O’Connell has opted for a 32-man travelling party made up of 11 uncapped players with the only Ulsterman in that category being Nathan Doak.

3 weeks ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Michael Sadlier

Former Ulster ace reveals why he wants one last hurrah against the British and Irish LionsUlster's Sam Carter tries to block Leinster's Jamison Gibson-Park's kick during 2022 URC clashA reasonable enough starting point is the weather in Western Australia and as Sam Carter is keen to point out it’s not quite what it was as Perth moves towards winter, though this does come with its own punchline.

3 weeks ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Ruaidhri O'Connor |Cian Tracey |Will Slattery |Michael Sadlier

1 – With so many players and coaches away with the Lions, what value do you place on Ireland’s summer tour of Georgia and Portugal? Rúaidhrí O’Connor: The decision to leave Paul O’Connell in sole charge with a support team drawn from the provinces diminishes the prestige, but this is a crucial window to freshen up a team that have lost momentum in the past year. As the Lions perform in Australia, the depth of Irish rugby will be tested and hopefully a handful of players can step up.