Ruaidhri O'Connor

5 days 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.

5 days ago | independent.ie | Ruaidhri O'Connor |Cian Tracey |Will Slattery |Michael Sadlier

Rugby jury: Who should be captain, who should be rested and what actual value is there in Ireland’s summer tour? Paul O'Connell has plenty to ponder as he prepares to oversee Ireland's summer tour to Georgia and Portugal. Photo: SportsfileRúaidhrí O'Connor, Cian Tracey, Will Slattery and Michael SadlierToday at 03:301 – With so many players and coaches away with the Lions, what value do you place on Ireland’s summer tour of Georgia and Portugal?

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Ruaidhri O'Connor

Champions Cup final preview: Bordeaux’s devastating approach can confirm their status as European heavyweightsLouis Bielle-Biarrey of Bordeaux-Begles runs with the ball during the captain's run at Principality Stadium. Photo: Getty ImagesSince its inception in 1996, 13 clubs have won what is now called the Investec Champions Cup. By 5pm this evening, a new name could be inscribed on the base of the trophy.

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Ruaidhri O'Connor

David Nucifora cites financial issues as GB follow Ireland’s lead by scrapping full-time Sevens programmeThe British rugby unions have scrapped their full-time men's sevens programme. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)Sevens rugby has taken another hit after the Scottish, Welsh and English unions announced that they were scrapping the full-time men’s and women’s sevens programmes in July.

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Ruaidhri O'Connor

Latest | Croke Park set to host URC final if Leinster make it through knockouts stagesJames Lowe of Leinster runs onto the pitch before the Champions Cup Round of 16 match between Leinster and Harlequins at Croke Park last April. Photo: Brendan Moran/SportsfileLeinster look set to nominate Croke Park as the venue for the URC final if they can get themselves through the knockouts for the first time.