Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm that the province will take on the All Blacks XV on Saturday November 2nd at Thomond Park (5.30pm). Since the redevelopment of Thomond Park in 2008, Munster Rugby have hosted international opposition in the form of the All Blacks, Australia and the Māori All Blacks at the Limerick venue. More recently Munster Rugby have hosted sold-out clashes against South Africa A and the Crusaders in Cork’s SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in November 2022 and February 2024. Commenting on today’s announcement Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said: “We will be delighted to welco ..read more

Mercer, 26, joins England’s most-capped men’s player Ben Youngs on the list of names already confirmed to play for the BaaBaas in the showpiece event at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 22 June (kick-off: 5.15pm). The Barbarians – led by Kiwi coach Robbie Deans – will face off against the Flying Fijians with the Killik Cup on the line, with tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster, Ticketek or the RFU starting from £55 for Adults and £28 for Under-16s*. Tickets for the event also include entry to the Qatar Airways Cup showdown between South Africa and Wales, with the two i ..read more

New Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt has laid down his plans for his tenure as coach, focused on building the foundations for a successful side for years to come. It was almost one year ago that Eddie Jones first spoke to the media, taking shots at Peter V’landys and galvanising Rugby supporters by talking up the game. Don’t miss HSBC SVNS Perth in 2024: 26-28 January at HBF Park. Get your tickets now! For Schmidt, you get the sense he’ll let his actions do the talking, referring to his character as ‘pragmatic’ and ‘boring.’ What the Kiwi is, however, is hungry to get the Wallabies back on track ..read more

13 February 2024 10:58 Reading Time: 6 mins The British & Irish Lions Trust has today announced its five charity partnerships all of which have rugby at the heart of what they do and make a real impact on communities. • Dallaglio RugbyWorks • LooseHeadz • Matt Hampson Foundation • My Name’5 Doddie Foundation • Wooden Spoon The two-year partnerships will allow the charities to use The British & Irish Lions digital platforms and the Lions Charitable Trust branding for promotion. The Lions will also collaborate with the charities on fundraising and awareness events. In addition, merchan ..read more

Rassie Erasmus – the mastermind behind the Springboks’ back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles of 2019 and 2023 – has returned to the role of head coach for the next four years, following the departure of Jacques Nienaber to Leinster. Erasmus, who coached the team in 2019 and was Director of Rugby four years later, will lead a modified coaching team in the absence of Nienaber and attack coach Felix Jones, who has left to join England. Replacing them will be former Ireland hooker and Harlequins assistant coach Jerry Flannery, who will take charge of the team’s defence, and former All Black flyhalf ..read more

By Nathan Edwards 5 February 2024 14:25 Reading Time: 5 mins Figures from the rugby world and beyond have come together to pay tribute to Barry John following the British & Irish Lions star’s death aged 79. John, nicknamed “The King” due to his brilliance from fly-half during the 1971 Tour of New Zealand, was considered one of the game’s greatest-ever players. He was influential when the Lions beat the All Blacks 2-1 in a historic Tour and formed a legendary half-back partnership with fellow Welshman Sir Gareth Edwards. Obituary: Barry John Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, E ..read more

Hailed as one of the greatest players to have ever set foot on a rugby pitch, the Wales outside half earned legendary status when guiding the British & Irish Lions to a famous series victory against the mighty All Blacks in New Zealand in 1971 – the only one registered by the tourists to date. Kiwis are the hardest fans in the world to impress but they know a good rugby player when they see one and it was from this tour he was given the sobriquet of ‘the King’ after playing a key role in steering the Lions to victory. DFP – Leaderboard He scored 180 points in 16 games, including 30 of the ..read more

Jonathan Sexton dominated the number 10 jersey for a number of years, being at the helm for some of Irish Rugby’s greatest days, and his retirement post-Rugby World Cup has opened the door for a successor to emerge in this pivotal position. Ireland’s selected Six Nations squad includes three out-half contenders, Jack Crowley, Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley, while Leinster’s Sam Prendergast has also been brought into camp as a training panellist. Crowley, who turned 24 earlier this month, has the most international experience of the trio, boosting his Ireland caps tally to nine with three appea ..read more

Two of the Springboks’ biggest rivals both head to South Africa in 2024 for mouth-watering two-Test series, while a brand-new opponent will also make an appearance as the re-crowned World Champions come out of international hibernation from 6 July. Old foes New Zealand – presently ranked number three in the world – are back for Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town, while the burgeoning rivalry with Ireland, world number two, sparks the season to life in spectacular fashion in Pretoria and Durban. The Boks’ July Test schedule will conclude with a clash against emerging nation, Portugal. It will ..read more

The page has been turned on the disappointment of their Rugby World quarter-final exit, as the Ireland squad assembled on Monday ahead of the start of the Guinness Six Nations next week. For head coach Andy Farrell and his newly-appointed captain Peter O’Mahony, they have their sights very much on that first game against France at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome on Friday week. Ireland are the defending Six Nations champions, having won their fourth Grand Slam last season when they matched the clean sweeps of 1948, 2009, and 2018. It is a notoriously difficult Championship to win, and even hard ..read more