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The Irish Sun
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Terenure College RFC appoint New Zealand All Black legend as their new head coach
TERENURE College RFC have unveiled former All Black Carlos Spencer as their new head coach. The 49-year-old, who earned 44 caps for 1 Former New Zealand's ace Carlos Spencer has been appointed new Terenure coach The south Dublin side won the All-Ireland League title in 2023. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Division 1A outfit said: 'Carlos was the outstanding candidate following our recruitment process. "We believe this is an ambitious and exciting appointment for our club, the All-Ireland League and Irish rugby.' The former All-Black out-half said: 'Terenure [is] a club with a proud history, passionate supporters and a strong sense of community. I feel very lucky and honored to now be a part of that.' read more on rugby Best known for his time with the Auckland Blues, Spencer also lined out for English Premiership sides during his playing career. His coaching past includes assistant roles in Super Rugby with the Lions, Sharks, and Hurricanes. And most recently, he guided the Blues women's side to the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki title. Spencer earned 44 caps for the All Blacks between 1995 and 2004, scoring 383. Most read in Rugby Union He bagged 383 points, and often sharing a fierce selection rivalry with Andrew Mehrtens. He was part of the All Blacks squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup and became a global fan favourite for his attacking, fearless style. 'Dumbest game ever' - Former England star, 33, takes up violent new sport slammed by experts After leaving New Zealand, Spencer enjoyed successful stints in Europe with Northampton Saints and Gloucester Rugby .
RTÉ News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Terenure College RFC announce All Blacks legend Carlos Spencer as new coach
Terenure College RFC have announced legendary former New Zealand out-half Carlos Spencer as their new head coach. The Dublin club, who won the All-Ireland League in 2023, have appointed the 44-cap All Black on a three-year deal starting ahead of next season. "Carlos was the outstanding candidate following our recruitment process," said the club. "We believe this is an ambitious and exciting appointment for our club, the All-Ireland League and Irish rugby." Spencer (above) said: "Terenure [is] a club with a proud history, passionate supporters and a strong sense of community. "I feel very lucky and honored to now be a part of that". The 49-year-old played most of his career with the Blues, while he also had spells with Northampton and Gloucester in England. Spencer coached the Blues women's team to the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki title last month.
RTÉ News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Mack Hansen ruled out for remainder of URC season
Mack Hansen has been ruled out for the remainder of Connacht's season, a blow to the province as they attempt to force their way into the playoffs in the final two games. The Ireland winger will be sidelined for five weeks for an ankle injury, missing the final two United Rugby Championship games at home to Edinburgh and away to Zebre. However, he should recover in time to be eligible for selection for Andy Farrell's Lions squad, which will be unveiled on Thursday. While Hansen's absence is a blow, Connacht have been boosted by the return of Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade and Denis Buckley, all of whom missed the trip to South Africa, where the westerners lost to the Stormers and the Lions. Connacht currently lie 14th in the URC table, requiring a maximum 10 points from their final two games while needing other results to go their way. Meanwhile, Jack Carty has signed a one-year extension at the province, after a season where he fell out of favour with former head coach Pete Wilkins. The 32-year old international out-half appeared set for the exit this summer after a prolonged spell on the sidelines, with Josh Ioane preferred in the starting No. 10 slot. However, Wilkins' resignation last month has seen Carty return to prominence, with the Roscommon man impressing in the narrow defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town. Elsewhere, Andrew Smith has signed a one-year deal with Munster for the 2025-26 season. The former Ireland U20 international joined Munster on a short-term deal in March, scoring three tries in four appearances, the first coming in the memorable Champions Cup win over La Rochelle and then two in the quarter-final loss to Bordeaux Begles. Smith recently added an All-Ireland League winners medal late last month, featuring for Clontarf in their victory over Cork Constitution in the Aviva Stadium decider.
Irish Times
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Munster's most capped player Stephen Archer to retire this summer
Munster 's most capped player Stephen Archer announced on Wednesday that he will retire from professional rugby in the summer after a record-breaking career that has seen him make over 300 appearances for the province. He is the only player ever to have hit the 300-cap landmark and also earned two Ireland caps over an 18-year association with the province since the tighthead prop joined the Munster Academy in 2007 Announcing the news, Archer said: 'Growing up, my family were huge Munster supporters and I was lucky enough to be brought to lots of games when I was younger. 'When I made my first Munster appearance in 2009, it was a dream come through. To still be playing 16 years on as Munster's most-capped player is fairly surreal and something I'm very proud of. READ MORE 'After winning the first league in 2011, I didn't think it was going to be 12 years before we won it again in 2023. That made it more special in many ways, winning it again in Cape Town after all the near misses. 'Playing for Ireland was a huge honour and something I will always remember as a standout moment in my career. 'In all the Munster dressingrooms I've been a part of, there has always been a great bond between the players. I used to enjoy having the craic with the older players when I came in and now I'm the older player having the craic with the younger fellas. That's always been the way in Munster. 'The most enjoyable part has been sitting in the dressingroom after a big performance where everyone has given it their all and you're all together as a team. 'That team bond is what I will miss most. The Saturday is when it counts but it doesn't just happen on Saturday – it's the week's work and the team bond that you build with everyone rowing in the same direction. 'I've shared the dressingroom with special team-mates and we've had some of the world's best coaches – I have a lot to thank them for. 'I'd like to thank my parents and siblings for their support and encouragement over the years. 'I'd also like to thank the Munster supporters, I think the majority appreciate my effort and work ethic and I'm grateful to them for that. 'Most importantly, I'd like to give a massive thanks to my wife Kelly, she has sacrificed a lot to allow me concentrate on rugby for all these years and that is something I will always be grateful for.' The 37-year-old Cork man made his Munster debut almost 16 years ago against Edinburgh in October 2009 after coming up through the ranks at Cork Constitution, CBC and UCC. He was an All-Ireland League winner with Cork Con in 2010 and moved up to the Munster senior squad later that year, helping the province to the Celtic League title in 2011. He made the first of his 61 Champions Cup appearances against Castres at Thomond Park in January 2012 and won the British & Irish Cup with Munster A later that year. His first senior Ireland cap came as a replacement against Italy in the 2013 Six Nations in Rome. Archer became Munster's most-capped player of all time against Leinster in November 2023, eclipsing Donncha O'Callaghan's record of 268. This year's Champions Cup quarter-final against Bordeaux Bègles saw Archer become the first player to reach the 300-cap landmark, a record that may never be surpassed. Munster head of rugby operations and interim head coach Ian Costello said: 'Archie has made a massive contribution to the province since joining the Academy in 2007 and is a hugely popular member of the squad. 'To have enjoyed such longevity in the game and played so many games for Munster shows his quality as a player but also his dedication, perseverance and character as a person. 'We are delighted that he's going out on his own terms and to have reached the 300-cap landmark is an incredible achievement that may never be matched. 'He has had brilliant support from his family and I'm sure everyone at Cork Constitution, CBC and UCC are very proud of his achievements in the game. 'We'll miss Archie but wish him, his wife Kelly and all his family the very best for the future.'
RTÉ News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Record-breaking Munster prop Stephen Archer to retire
Munster stalwart Stephen Archer is to retire at the end of the season. The 37-year-old tighthead prop is the only Munster player to have made over 300 appearances for the club. Archer, capped twice by Ireland in 2013, joined the Munster academy in 2007 and made his professional debut two years later. The Cork Con man played a central role in Munster's URC title success in 2023 with a number of outstanding performances at the business end of the season, making 15 appearances over the campaign. Archer, who also won the Celtic League title in 2011, became Munster's most-capped player of all time against Leinster in November 2023, eclipsing Donncha O'Callaghan's record of 268. He said: "When I made my first Munster appearance in 2009, it was a dream come true. To still be playing 16 years on as Munster's most-capped player is fairly surreal and something I'm very proud of. "Playing for Ireland was a huge honour and something I will always remember as a standout moment in my career. "In all the Munster dressing rooms I've been a part of, there has always been a great bond between the players. "I used to enjoy having the craic with the older players when I came in and now I'm the older player having the craic with the younger fellas. That's always been the way in Munster. "That team bond is what I will miss most. "I've shared the dressing room with special team-mates and we've had some of the world's best coaches – I have a lot to thank them for. "I'd like to thank my parents and siblings for their support and encouragement over the years. "I'd also like to thank the Munster supporters, I think the majority appreciate my effort and work ethic and I'm grateful to them for that. "Most importantly, I'd like to give a massive thanks to my wife Kelly, she has sacrificed a lot to allow me concentrate on rugby for all these years and that is something I will always be grateful for." An All-Ireland League winner with Cork Con in 2010, Archer won his first senior Ireland cap as a replacement against Italy in the 2013 Six Nations in Rome, with his second against Australia in the Guinness Series later that year. Head of Rugby Operations and interim head coach Ian Costello said: "Archie has made a massive contribution to the province since joining the Academy in 2007 and is a hugely popular member of the squad. "To have enjoyed such longevity in the game and played so many games for Munster shows his quality as a player but also his dedication, perseverance and character as a person. "We are delighted that he's going out on his own terms and to have reached the 300-cap landmark is an incredible achievement that may never be matched. "He has had brilliant support from his family and I'm sure everyone at Cork Constitution, CBC and UCC are very proud of his achievements in the game. "We'll miss Archie but wish him, his wife Kelly and all his family the very best for the future." Munster are currently ninth in the URC table with two games, against Ulster and Benetton, left in the regular season.
