Kidney hails his players' punchDeclan Kidney, coach of the champions, could afford an ironic smile as he reconsidered his initial objections to the inaugural…Sat Oct 24 1998 - 01:00
Munster in control with early blitzMunster had a big one in them all right, and the sense of anti-climax amongst most of the record interpro crowd of 7,000 was …Sat Oct 24 1998 - 01:00
Crunch time as title race reaches climaxAs climaxes go, the ol' interpros have probably never had it so goodFri Oct 23 1998 - 01:00
Miller straining at leashSo much hinges on this one and yet (mobiles at the ready) so much in turn hinges on what happens 110 miles or so southFri Oct 23 1998 - 01:00
Munster wait on HorganInjuries permitting, Munster will field an unchanged side for the first time since mid-August when they face Leinster in tomorrow…Thu Oct 22 1998 - 01:00
Structures yielding fruit on the fieldAfter that week, the last seven days saw what passes for sanity restored in the modern madcap world of rugbyTue Oct 20 1998 - 01:00
Munster get what they deserve after a sluggish showInstead of looking at this in one of two ways - a point dropped or a point gained - Munster viewed Saturday's events at the Gnoll…Mon Oct 19 1998 - 01:00
Connacht's chance to add to the legendConnacht, as they are entitled to do after three initial wins, are starting to dream again, although if they beat their fellow…Sat Oct 17 1998 - 01:00
O'Shea in line to be exceptionThe Irish management will select a squad of no more than 28, to be announced on Monday, after viewing the Ulster and Connacht…Sat Oct 17 1998 - 01:00
Munster to shed travel aversionFor Munster, a trip to the grassy Gnoll in Neath today affords the chance to exorcise some theories about their away-day demons…Sat Oct 17 1998 - 01:00
Leinster seeking French revolutionEstablishing a winning position and being competitive against French champions Stade Francais in Donnybrook was one thing - but…Sat Oct 17 1998 - 01:00
Over-confidence may undo ToulouseAfter three trying weeks on the road, Ulster return home to the prospect of the biggest crowd of the season at Ravenhill buoyed…Fri Oct 16 1998 - 01:00
Ellison back for MunsterHis absence was initially a source of mourning, and although Munster have begun to equip themselves admirably without their midfield…Thu Oct 15 1998 - 01:00
Contracts row will not affect selectionAlthough another annual row is brewing regarding the IRFU's contracts with English-based Irish players, it is unlikely to affect…Thu Oct 15 1998 - 01:00
Clarke and Corrigan earn baptism of fireCiaran Clarke and Reggie Corrigan will both be pitched into the lion's den that is the Stade Jean Bouin this Saturday for Leinster…Wed Oct 14 1998 - 01:00
Miller opts for TerenureTerenure College have captured Irish and Lions number eight Eric Miller, following his decision to take up a two-year Irish international…Tue Oct 13 1998 - 01:00
IRFU adopts passing gameAnd so that was the week that was. Extraordinary, funny, frustrating and depressingTue Oct 13 1998 - 01:00
Third Irish drug case unearthed during `clear the air' briefingAs damage limitation exercises go, yesterday's high noon offering from the IRFU had only limited successSat Oct 10 1998 - 01:00
Brennan shows the way as Leinster stand firmThe Donnybrook experience, live and dangerous every second Friday, with Leinster last night giving their most enhanced performance…Sat Oct 10 1998 - 01:00
Cotton backs LenihanFran Cotton, who managed the Lions party which won the Test series in South Africa two summers ago, has given a ringing endorsement…Fri Oct 09 1998 - 01:00
Leinster run into Bordeaux in the last chance saloonThe visit of French champions Stade Francais a fortnight ago may have carried more lustre but the visit of the less celebrated…Fri Oct 09 1998 - 01:00
IRFU to focus on second caseTwo Irish players, not one, tested positive for prohibited substances last season in drugs tests carried out by the UK Sports…Fri Oct 09 1998 - 01:00
IRFU prepare way for `medical grounds' defenceIRFU officials are optimistic that the Irish international player who tested positive for banned substances after a Five Nations…Thu Oct 08 1998 - 01:00
McGowan omittedAlan Mcgowan, the fourth highest scorer in the history of the European Cup with 187 points, has been dropped by Leinster for …Thu Oct 08 1998 - 01:00
Miller back in IrelandEric Miller will mark his return to domestic Irish rugby when he lines out for Ulster tomorrow week in the final round of the…Thu Oct 08 1998 - 01:00
Home help aids ConnachtIt may not be the most salubrious of surroundings, it may not even be the most atmospheric and it certainly isn't state of the…Wed Oct 07 1998 - 01:00
New revelation fuels drug claimsThe disclosure that an Irish international rugby player tested positive for a banned substance last season is certain to fuel…Wed Oct 07 1998 - 01:00
Irish rugby player in drug test claimIt is believed that an Irish international rugby player tested positive for a banned substance last seasonWed Oct 07 1998 - 01:00
Francis short on facts, game short on testingThe OLD joke goes that when Bob Hope sliced his first tee-shot way off the fairway, Lee Trevino turned to him and said: "are …Tue Oct 06 1998 - 01:00
Connacht fully rewarded this timeThere's a pattern here and it's becoming remarkably repetitiveMon Oct 05 1998 - 01:00
Rugby rejects drug accusationsA mixture of indignation, surprise and anger within Irish rugby cricles has greeted the claim by former Irish international Neil…Mon Oct 05 1998 - 01:00
Munster primed to show their worthCrunch time in Cork? What ever way you look at today's Munster-Ulster clash, it's certain to leave one in the top half and the…Sat Oct 03 1998 - 01:00
Miller's crossing loomsThe likelihood of Eric Miller returning to play his provincial and club rugby in Ireland has increased significantlySat Oct 03 1998 - 01:00
Leinster pack can shunt Connacht aside againThis being the meat of the season, then the next week will go some way toward deciding which provinces will still have more to…Sat Oct 03 1998 - 01:00
Simon hearing put backThe European Rugby Cup's (ERC) disciplinary hearing on allegations of foul play against the Stade Francais captain and loose-…Wed Sept 30 1998 - 01:00
Clontarf to kick-off cupThe holders Clontarf will begin their defence of the Smithwick's Old Belvedere rugby Floodlit Cup at Anglesea Road next Tuesday…Wed Sept 30 1998 - 01:00
Miller on the open marketThe flag will finally be raised on the Eric Miller steeplechase at some time tomorrow when the player's agent emerges from a …Tue Sept 29 1998 - 01:00
Provinces showing signs of progressHow about this for some optimistic crystal ball-gazing? Leinster and Munster to reach the knockout stages of the European Cup…Tue Sept 29 1998 - 01:00
Munster finally take the gloves off for braceThis was still far from a heavyweight Munster performance but, in the event, a middleweight effort was still good enoughMon Sept 28 1998 - 01:00
McCall and Ward will be missedThe bookies are making this afternoon's Toulouse-Ulster tie a 40-point match, which, given the home side's record 108-13 win …Sat Sept 26 1998 - 01:00
Leinster tire as French call the tune in staccato affairIn the end it followed a dog-eared scriptSat Sept 26 1998 - 01:00
Munster to prevail with home advantageIf it's Musgrave Park at 2.30 on a Saturday, it must be pressure time for Munster againSat Sept 26 1998 - 01:00
Sufficient firepower even without ElwoodConnacht return to the competition which made their name last season in Newport today and, realistically, if they are to emulate…Sat Sept 26 1998 - 01:00
Ward out of Toulouse tripUlster will be without their most influential player, Andy Ward, for their daunting away European Cup assignment against inaugural…Wed Sept 23 1998 - 01:00
Gatland pleased with reunionThey came in droves to the Irish squad session in Greystones yesterday - the players that isWed Sept 23 1998 - 01:00
RTE deals please armchair fansRTE have confirmed that they have secured rights for this season's European Cup and next year's World Cup finalsTue Sept 22 1998 - 01:00
Leinster facing busy scheduleThe Irish trio began their European Cup campaigns in unbeaten mode, which is at least more than the poor Welsh, Scots or Italians…Tue Sept 22 1998 - 01:00
Munster win match but no admirersAnother Munster win but another one which belonged in the watching-paint-dry categoryMon Sept 21 1998 - 01:00
All square after roller-coaster rideWho needs the English when you can have this? Ravenhill's European Cup opener was a right roller-coaster of a ride, often loose…Sat Sept 19 1998 - 01:00
This is a winnable match for MunsterPlaced in the group of death two years ago, and what Mick Galwey called "a group worse than death" last season when initial away…Sat Sept 19 1998 - 01:00
