Latest news with #URC
The 42
an hour ago
- Sport
- The 42
WATCH: Baird and Conan impress Bernard Jackman as Leinster beat Bulls
BERNARD JACKMAN WAS full of praise for Leinster's Ryan Baird and Jack Conan following their impressive performances vs the Bulls in the URC final. Advertisement Get the entire podcast episode below to hear the lads' views on the encounter, as well as discussions surrounding the Premiership final and the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour. For two subscriber exclusive rugby pods every week, subscribe to The 42 for just €1 for your first month:
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Johnny Sexton: 'I loved being back in an environment where I was comfortable'
Johnny Sexton has vowed to enjoy the moment as he takes his first steps into full-time coaching at the highest level with the British & Irish Lions. The former Ireland fly-half, Test centurion and captain, who left rugby following his retirement at the end of the 2023 World Cup, returned to the Irish camp at head coach Andy Farrell's invitation on a part-time basis last November and returned in a similar capacity for this season's Six Nations campaign. The IRFU announced Sexton would become a full-time coach with the national team next season but Farrell appointed the 39-year-old to his Lions staff for this summer's tour to Australia and the legendary number 10 has quit his job in business after a year to return to rugby. 'That's why I decided to go into it, because I loved it,' Sexton said on Monday as the Lions trained at University College Dublin ahead of this Friday's pre-tour, non-Test international against Argentina at Aviva Stadium. 'Last November, Andy asked me to come in and help out. He thought the kickers and young 10s needed a little bit of help, so I did as much as I could with my work. 'He then asked me to come in for the Six Nations, and it was maybe a little bit more, but not much. I loved it, I loved being back in an environment where I was comfortable. GIVING BACK: Assistant coach Johnny Sexton and Marcus Smith. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan 'I've spent a lot of time in rugby and felt I had a bit to give back to those number 10s, and the leadership group, trying to help them out. 'It was really enjoyable and then obviously got the phone call from Faz to do both roles and it would obviously have to be full-time and I jumped at it. 'It's something I kind of always wanted to get into deep down and the reason I didn't was I didn't really want to coach lads I'd played with so that break was good for me, albeit that it was only for a full year. 'And the other reason was because I'm not the guy who wants to go and travel, go to France, go to New Zealand, a bit like (Ronan) O'Gara has done. I don't want to do that. I want to be in Ireland but I've got to concentrate on the here and now. 'That's ultimately how I made the decision, I've got to make myself happy here and now, and not worry about the future. If it's only for two years, it's only for two years. We'll see what happens, just enjoy the moment and try to make the most of it.' Sexton has already made good on his commitment and reported a positive start to life with the Lions as Farrell's assistant coach, having toured as a player on the 2013 and 2017 tours, when he played in all six Tests across the two series with Australia and then New Zealand. The Lions flew into Dublin on Sunday with a 24-strong player group following a training camp in Portugal with Farrell's squad boosted by the addition of 15 players who were involved in the Premiership Rugby and URC finals on Saturday for newly crowned English champions Bath, runners-up Leicester Tigers and a 12-man contingent from URC title winners Leinster. 'It's been amazing,' Sexton said. 'No matter what role, you come into a Lions set-up, it's a huge privilege and an honour to be here. 'It's no different being an assistant kicking coach, and helping out the lads gives me a huge amount of pride to come in and put the - not a jersey - but a badge on your chest. It's been great to be a part of. A great group so far. 'Obviously we have the Leinster and Bath boys joining today which will be good because they'll be in good form with their wins. 'We've had a tough week in Portugal which has been good for the group. We're good to go now for the group on Friday.' Toulouse and Scotland playmaker Blair Kinghorn is the only player yet to join the squad as he remains in France as his club begins its Top 14 play-off campaign this weekend, while training players Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjur were set to return to England after Monday's training session. Meanwhile, Ireland's Performance Coach Gary Keegan is the latest to be added to Andy Farrell's Lions coaching staff.
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan and Tadhg Furlong join Lions camp but prop is in a race against time
Leinster's URC ccelebrations on Monday will continue without their 12 Lions representatives as they make the short skip across the UCD campus from their HQ to link up with Andy Farrell's squad this afternoon.
Irish Post
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Post
Leinster thrash the Bulls to secure URC title
LEINSTER won their first United Rugby Championship (URC) title in four years with a 32–7 win against the Bulls in Saturday's final at Croke Park. Despite the Irish rain making an appearance, a record crowd of 46,127 came out to see Leinster dominate the South African opposition. The match saw Leinster take an early lead, scoring three tries within the first 22 minutes. Captain Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett, and flanker Josh van der Flier were the try-scorers, showcasing the team's forward dominance. By halftime, Leinster had a 22–0 lead, leaving the Bulls with little opportunity to mount a serious comeback. Scrum-half Fintan Gunne, the only uncapped player in the match-day squad, added a late try to seal the victory and cap a superb team performance. Also despite missing several star players, including Tadhg Furlong, Hugo Keenan, and Jamison Gibson-Park, Leinster fielded a team rich in international experience. Nine of their starters are heading to Australia with Ireland's summer touring squad, and another eight are set for upcoming tests against Georgia and Portugal. Speaking after the match, Bulls head coach Jake White acknowledged the disparity in squad strength, saying, 'It was like Ireland versus the Bulls.' He noted that while Leinster could bring on players like RG Snyman, the Bulls finished the match with eight non-internationals. Although Gibson-Park was withdrawn pre-match due to a minor leg issue and James Ryan limped off early in the second half, head coach Leo Cullen reassured fans, stating, 'It's nothing serious. Both should be fine for the Lions.' With the Lions and Ireland tours set to begin within a week, Leinster's internationals now shift focus to the summer stage. Cullen expressed pride in their progress: 'A big part of our mission is developing players, and we're proud of how many are stepping up to the next level.' This victory not only ends Leinster's recent title drought but also reaffirms their position among Europe's most elite rugby clubs. See More: Bulls, Croke Park, Leinster, Leo Cullen, Rugby, URC
Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Leinster contingent reports for duty with British and Irish Lions
Leinster's URC title-winning British and Irish Lions contingent has put their weekend's celebrations to bed and joined up with Andy Farrell's touring party at their Dublin base ahead of Friday's first game against Argentina in the Aviva Stadium. All told, there are a dozen boys in blue switching to red. That includes Tadhg Furlong who hasn't played since early May due to a calf strain. There had been fears that the prop might miss the trip to Australia altogether. Read More Dan Sheehan: Leinster dozen avoid being 'laughing stock' of Lions camp by winning URC title Also in camp are Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan who, like Furlong, watched Saturday's defeat of the Bulls from the Croke Park stands, and James Ryan who was replaced early in that second-half. The squad has also been boosted by the arrival of those players who played in the Premiership final between Bath and Leicester Tigers in London two days ago , including out-half Finn Russell and Ollie Chessum. The only player named in the squad last month yet to report for duty is Scotland's Blair Kinghorn who is still engaged in the Top 14 playoffs with Toulouse. Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour will train with the Lions on Monday before returning to their clubs. Players joining the Lions squad on Monday Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England), Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839, Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818, Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England), Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) and Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835.
