SIX NATIONS rugby is into its third weekend with a host of tasty matches coming up. Radical new regulations were introduced by World Rugby for the Six Nations 2022 edition. SportsfileFive-metre scrums have been replaced by drop-kicks from the try-line in the event of the ball being held up[/caption] AFP50:22 kicks are also in force for this year’s Six Nations[/caption] The rules, which include a 50:22 kick and no five-metre scrums after the ball is held up over the try-line, were implemented worldwide last year. It greatly affects the way in which the game is played, especially the 50:22 kick ..read more

IRELAND are back in Six Nations action today and they’re the favourites to win the whole tournament. They’re up against Wales today, but why does their rugby team typically sing Ireland’s Call as national anthem rather than the traditional Soldier’s Song? The Irish rugby team stands for Ireland’s CallSportsfile - SubscriptionWhy do the Ireland rugby team sing Ireland’s Call instead of The Soldier’s Song? The reason is unity – Ireland’s Call was penned 1995 as an anthem that would bring together every corner of the country and wouldn’t have political undertones. Amhrán na bhFiann (The Sold ..read more

AS THE years go by Johnny Sexton continues to defy Father Time largely thanks to the support of his children and childhood sweetheart Laura Priestley. Here, SunSport takes a closer look at those closest to him who continue to drive him on even at the age of 37 as he enters the final year of his glorious career. @sexton_johnny10Being welcomed home by his three kids at Dublin Airport after Ireland’s historic series win in New Zealand[/caption] They still cheer on their dad when they can’t attend gamessexton_johnny10Johnny captioned this staycation pic as being of ‘the three bosses’ in the family ..read more

JACQUI HURLEY has been named as the new host of The Sunday Game for 2023. The Cork woman replaces Des Cahill as the presenter of the weekly GAA highlights show, after he departed following 15 years at the helm. Jacqui Hurley is the new host of The Sunday GameA festive snap she shared with husband Shane and their two kids Luke and LilyOff to surf some waves on a staycationHerself and Shane in the sunnier climes offered by Cyprus…aaaannnnddd back to good ole IrelandA great snap of her reading her book ‘Girls Play Too’ to LilyA lovely back to school pic from September which four-year-old Lily can ..read more

JOHANN VAN GRAAN believes Munster now know they have what it takes to win after Toulouse. But he admitted it is going to be hard to pick everyone up after such a heartbreaking defeat on Saturday. Munster captain Peter O’MahonySportsfile Munster exited the Champions Cup in dramatic fashion as they lost to defending champions Toulouse in a   kicks contest following a 24-24 draw after 80 minutes plus extra-time. So Munster’s knockout troubles continue — no trophies since 2011 and only three URC finals since. They have lost  five European semi-finals since then as Munster have come up sh ..read more

STADE TOULOUSE will play at the Aviva Stadium for the second time in seven days. Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final against last year’s winners will take place at Lansdowne Road on Saturday with a 3pm kick-off. The Aviva Stadium will host Leinster v ToulouseSportsfile Leo Cullen’s side will hope to succeed where Munster failed and keep alive their bid of matching the French club’s record five European titles. The other semi-final will see Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle travel to Lens to take on his old club Racing 92 on Sunday which will also start at 3pm Irish time. Both matches will be shown li ..read more

THERE is no good way to lose to Toulouse – but Munster did it in the most agonising way as they lost this Champions Cup quarter final on penalty kicks.  They gave as good as they got for the 80 minutes of normal time when it finished 24-24, and had drop goal chances to win it in the 20 minutes of extra time.  Joey Carbery takes a kick Heineken Champions Cup Quarter-Final, Aviva Stadium,Johann van Graan in tears after Munster are knocked out by ToulouseSportsfile But it came out down to kicks. Toulouse were accurate with all four that were required of them while Munster missed three o ..read more

ROSS MOLONY has found that Ireland cap elusive but is a lock for Leinster’s Champions Cup team. The 27-year-old has started all five of Leinster’s European games this season and hopes to continue that run when they meet Leicester in tomorrow’s quarter-final. Ross Molony during a Leinster Rugby squad training session.Sportsfile Molony has started more games this season — 15 — than any other year since his 2014 breakthrough. And he looks at his elevation to the Ireland squad for last summer’s clashes with Japan and the USA as what kicked him on. Molony said: “I got that exposure in the summer, a ..read more

DAMIAN DE ALLENDE admitted that it is only as he is leaving that he is getting to experience why he joined Munster. The South African centre revealed earlier this year that he will leave Limerick when his contract expires in June. Damian De Allende is set to leave Munster in the summerMunster’s Simon Zebo and Damian de Allende BETTING OFFERS: FREE BETS AND BEST NEW CUSTOMER DEALS His destination is currently unknown but Munster fans will be sorry to see him go having regularly witnessed the talent that led to his capture. He joined the Thomond Park outfit in early 2020, with the deal c ..read more

ROBBIE HENSHAW has spent much of the season waiting for it to start — now he is eyeing a big finish. The Leinster centre is this week getting ready for the big Champions Cup quarter-final with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. Robbie Henshaw during a Leinster Rugby squad training session at UCDRobbie Henshaw is ready for Leinster’s trophy push after being out injured for large parts of the season Yet it will just be his seventh game in blue this season to go with his two starts with Ireland after an injury-interrupted year. The 28-year-old admitted that it has been frustrating but knows the ..read more