8 impressive trys secured a comprehensive victory for the England Lionhearts over Ireland Wolfhounds on Saturday evening at Young Munster Rugby Club in Rugby Leagues 4 Nations competition.

The Wolfhounds started brightly and almost went in for the first score of the afternoon on 6 minutes. In a movement that started with great control from Rob Stapleton, Brian Flanagan found himself with plenty of room and was almost over for the try but he knocked on short of the line and the opportunity was lost.

It didn’t take long for the Lionhearts to respond from the early pressure from the Irish and they themselves created a great try scoring chance in a move that started with some great ball through the hands from Dan Gregory to Barry Walker who rather impressively passed it out wide for Jimmy Baldwin who was forced out into touch by the Irish defence.

The pressure kept coming from the visitors and were awarded for their patience 2 minutes later, once again Dan Gregory was proving decisive running most of the pitch on his own before offloading to Alex Rigby securing the first try of the evening which was converted by Gregory.

The English were then piling on the pressure and credit to the Irish they were making all the big hits they needed to keep the Lionhearts at bay, The Irish were also forcing some errors and were creating some good chances themselves, but it was the final touch that was letting them down, and it seemed every time there was a scoring chance the ball was knocked on.

20 minutes into the game the Lionhearts had registered their second try of the day, Ireland’s defence let up on the halfway line and Barry Walker ran almost un opposed for the line, a great try which was converted again by Gregory.

From there the English really switched it on and their experience proved. Only 2 minutes later The Lionhearts had yet another try, Rob Masson went over after a fine dummy pass from Jimmy Baldwin, this time Gregory did not convert.

Just on the approach to half time Ireland were in with a shout of securing their first try, Wayne Kelly almost went over after some great movements from the Irish but he was forced out into touch and another fine Irish opportunity was gone.

Right before the break England registered another try, Ollie O’Mara ran a good 10 yards before finally offloading to Jack Claydon who went over for the try, Gregory once again converted. Irelands Wolfhounds were showing complacency at times and the inexperience was showing, an inspiring half time talk from the new coach was needed as England went into the break leading 22-0

The Wolfhounds came out in the second half showing more signs of determination to score and were almost straight away in for a try, Stuart Lee and Richie Jones doing very well to get the Irish into a good position. However the English turned over that Irish chance and right from the counter attack ran in another try. Barry Walker running totally un opposed and another fine try from the well experienced English.

The best move of the evening came right after that from the Irish. Some great phases and ball through the hands but once again that in experience was showing as they couldn’t finish their chances, the English turned the ball over and Alex Rigby ran in for what looked like a definite try but the referee Neil Aspey ruled that the ball had been lost forward and Wayne Kelly was straight in to gather the ball and The Wolfhounds were straight back on the counter attack. Wayne did very well to get  out of the danger zone and managed to get the ball away to Brian Flannagan who ran in a fantastic try, great effort which was converted by Stuart Lee and it was good to see Ireland finally had points on the board.

A heroic comeback looked on moments later, Flannagan from the half way line offloaded to Andy Todd who ran straight over for the try. Another fine movement and attack from the Irish and it was again converted by Lee.

Perhaps from there The Wolfhounds got too over confident after scoring two trys in quick succession, they let their defence slip midway through the second half and England were in for yet another try, Dan Gregory was having a fantastic game and he was awarded for that with a try of his own which he then converted.

The Lionhearts scored two more trys late on to kill off the game, if it wasn’t already dead beforehand. The first of which coming from Andy Gray, no not the sky sports reporter, but the try was not converted by Gregory. The second and last try came from Dan Stubbs after a great few phases of play converted by Gregory and thats where the game came to an end.

A very brave performance from the Irish considering some of the in experience in the team and also the new coach but the English experience really proved and deserved every try they got. The Final score 44-12.

Tommy Bowe will help the Ospreys kick-off the defence of their Magners League title with a trip to familiar territory when the Welsh region open the tournament's 10th anniversary campaign against Ulster at Ravenhill on the weekend of 4 September.

Bowe was one of the Ospreys’ two try scorers in their 17-12 Grand Final victory over Leinster in Dublin in May and also grabbed a vital bonus-point try at his old stamping ground as the Ospreys beat Ulster 38-27 in April to stay on course for the Play-Offs.

The Swansea-based side will host Italian champions Benetton Treviso at the Liberty Stadium in their opening home fixture in Round 2, while they face Heineken Cup rivals Munster at Thomond Park on the weekend of 17 September.

Also heading to Ireland in Round 1 will be the other Italian newcomers Aironi Rugby, who will play the first competitive match in their history against Munster in either Cork or Limerick. That game will mean a quick-fire return to Munster for New Zealand No8 Nick Williams, who was one of the big summer signings for the new Italian franchise.

While Aironi, who have recruited a host of Italian internationals, head away for their first Magners League outing, Benetton Treviso will entertain the Scarlets at Stadio di Monigo.

Meanwhile, reigning Amlin Challenge Cup champions Cardiff Blues will be seeking revenge for their home defeat last season when they host Edinburgh in their opening game at the Cardiff City Stadium. The two teams also meet at the same venue in the first round of the Heineken Cup a month later.

The introduction of the two new Italian franchises will take the number of teams in the Magners League back up to 12 for the first time since the 2003/04 season, when Welsh rugby moved to a regional system.

Grand Final runners-up Leinster travel to another of the Play-Off sides last season, Glasgow Warriors, on the opening weekend, but then host Cardiff Blues at the RDS in Round 2.

The increase in numbers means there will be four extra rounds of matches in the league phase of the tournament. In order to accommodate this some games are scheduled to be played during the International windows in November and while the RBS 6 Nations championship is being played.

The 22 round league season kicks-off on the first weekend in September 2010 and runs through until the weekend of 6 May 2011. All games in Round 22 will kick-off simultaneously to ensure that no teams have an advantage when vying for Play-Off places or European qualification.

The top four teams in the regular season will once again progress to the Play-Off semi finals, which will be held on the weekend of 13 May. The Magners League Grand Final will be played on the weekend of 27 May, 2011.

At this stage the fixtures are weekend only dates. Specific dates, kick-off times and, in some cases, venues, will be released after consultation with the individual teams and the Magners League broadcast partners.

Toulouse will open their Heineken Cup title defence with a home “Clash of the Champions” against former double winners London Wasps in the final Round 1 match on Sunday, 10 October.

2006 and 2008 Champions, Munster will travel to London Irish on Saturday October 9th in pool 3. This years final will once again return to the Millenium Stadium in Cardif, where Munster won those two crowns under now Ireland Head Coach, Declan Kidney.

The opening exchanges of the 16^thseason of European club rugby’s elite tournament will be between another former champion club – 2000 winners Northampton Saints – and Castres Olympique.

Toulouse won a record fourth Heineken Cup crown in the all-French final at Stade de France in May with 2006 and 2010 finalists Biarritz Olympique who start their challenge on the road at 1998 winners Bath Rugby.

The opening weekend sees English Premiership champions Leicester Tigers travelling to Italian champions Benetton Treviso while French champions ASM Clermont Auvergne are home to Saracens with the Ospreys travelling to tournament newcomers Toulon.

Fellow Heineken Cup debutants Racing-Metro 92 and Aironi Rugby both face away Irish tests, at 2009 champions Leinster and Ulster Rugby respectively, with reigning Amlin Challenge Cup champions Cardiff Blues home to Edinburgh.

Heineken Cup Opening Weekend

FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER, 2010

Pool 1 Northampton Saints v Castres Olympique             20.00  Sky Sports

Pool 4 Ulster Rugby v Aironi Rugby                                 19.30

Pool 6 Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons       19.30

SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER, 2010

Pool 1 Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh                                         17.45  S4C*

Pool 2 Leinster v Racing-Metro 92                                       13.30  Sky Sports

Pool 2 ASM Clermont Auvergne v Saracens                        16.30  FR2

Pool 3 Toulon v Ospreys                                                     14.30  Canal+

Pool 3 London Irish v Munster                                             17.45  Sky Sports

Pool 5 Benetton Treviso v Leicester Tigers                        14.30  Sky Italia

Pool 5 Scarlets v Perpignan                                               15.30  Sky Sports

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER, 2010

Pool 4 Bath Rugby v Biarritz Olympique                          13.00  Sky Sports

Pool 6 Toulouse v London Wasps                                                16.00  FR2

The All Blacks have called on referees to get fitter or they will struggle to keep up with the increasing pace of Test rugby. Assistant coach Wayne Smith said his side, in particular, were taking rugby in a new direction where the ball was in play longer through keeping it in hand and not kicking for touch.

The number of set pieces has reduced considerably. The lung-busting style has caught some officials out this year and Smith said there was only one solution. “Just like the players – get fitter,” he said.

While reluctant to single out Alan Lewis, who controlled last Saturday’s Tri Nations test against South Africa in Auckland, it was obvious that the former Ireland cricket international was behind the play at times and some of his decisions reflected it.

Lewis, 46, makes way for former Irish rugby international Alain Rolland, 43, for the second Tri Nations test against the Springboks on Saturday. Smith said Rolland would need to be physically primed.

“The ball in play is around 40 minutes in the Test matches this year because of the way we’re playing,” he said. “If you talk to our tight forwards, they’ll talk about how the game has changed, markedly, because of the amount of running they have to do. “Referees are going to need to make sure they’re up there fitness-wise.”

Last year, Smith advocated two referees on the field to divide up elements of the game while head coach Graham Henry last week recommended having a replacement whistler sideline, to be employed on an interchange basis. Smith was relieved rugby’s speed had increased for the sake of its spectacle after the dour, kick-based tests that marred 2009.

“I think the game is going in the direction people want it to go in. There can’t be too many complaints around from people watching the game at the moment,” he said. “We just have to make sure that the fitness levels of everyone goes up so we can continue playing it.”

Thousands of People Will Pass Thru These Doors On July 31st Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @Sportspeak.eu

An Taoseach, Brian Cowen officially opened the new Aviva Stadium at Lansdowne Road, earlier today. The stadium which will be the new home of Ireland’s international rugby and soccer teams is a joint venture by the IRFU and the FAI. Funding of €191 million was provided by the government for the project which came in slightly under the budgeted figure of €410 million.
Speaking at the official opening An Taoiseach said he believed that the new stadium was a tribute to all involved in the project given the fact that not alone had it come within the budgeted figure but that it had also been delivered on time in no less than three years. He especially thanked the board of the stadium company, which he said epitomised the partnership between the FAI and the IRFU in delivering an iconic stadium which he believed everyone in Ireland could and would justifiably be proud.

A Sneak Peak Inside What Used To Be Called Lansdowne Road. Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @ Sportspeak.eu

Planning permission for the new stadium was received in 2007 with work on the site beginning two months later in May with the demolition of the old Lansdowne Road Stadium. From the start of demolition, through to the handing over of the stadium to the FAI and the IRFU, the project took slightly less than three years to complete.
The first fixtures in the new stadium will see an under 20’s Connacht/Munster rugby selection take on an under 20’s Leinster/Ulster selection on the 31st July, followed by an Airtricity League team playing Manchester United on 4th August. The first international will see Ireland’s soccer team playing former world champions Argentina on August 11th. The first rugby international will be Ireland facing current world champions South Africa on November 6th.

Irish Football Legends Ray Houghton and Keith Wood Discuss The Beauty of The Aviva. Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @Sportspeak.eu

Speaking at the opening Mr Cowen said the new stadium would be of major economic benefit not alone to the city of Dublin but to the country as whole. “Sports tourism has become a major source of revenue worldwide. The IRFU and FAI have estimated that a minimum of five soccer and rugby internationals a year could be worth upwards of €250 million to the economy. When you factor in international events such as the Europa League Final in 2011 and the Heineken Cup Final in the not too distant future, the potential is huge”
Mr Philip Browne said “It only seems like yesterday that the IRFU and the FAI announced the formation of the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company. That was in September 2004 when all we had was a vision to create a world class sporting infrastructure that would do justice to our two most recognised international teams, which would also act as the financial engine to generate funding for the development of soccer and rugby in this country” he went on to thank all of those involved in the project. Over the course of the three years over 6,000 people had been involved with up to 1,300 people on the site at the busiest of times.

John Delaney, CEO of FAI and Phill Browne of IRFU. Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @Sportspeak.eu

John Delaney, CEO of the FAI said “The opening of the Aviva Stadium and our new home marks a new chapter in the story of Irish football. It could not have been achieved without the unity, purpose and determination shown by the IRFU and the Government, our partners in this project.

Sportspeak reporter Daniel “Pitchside” Pitcher was at the opening of the stadium and the press conference. Click the links below to hear some of the conference.

Keith Wood, Ray Houghton,Packie Bonner and Reggie Corrigan

Phill Browne and John Delaney

Doug Howlett, Keith Earls and Jerry Flannery are all included in the Munster squad from which the team to play Leinster in the Magners League semi final in the RDS on Saturday will be selected.

Doug Howlett Has Been Missing Since The Heineken Cup Game With Northampton

Also included in the 27 strong squad is Mick O’Driscoll who missed the game in Cardiff with an ankle injury. Earls and Flannery both played in the gamein San Sebastian but Howlett has been out of action since the quarter final win over Northampton Saints.

Munster Squad: S Deasy, D Barnes, D Hurley, D Howlett, T Gleeson, K Earls, L Mafi, J de Villiers, P Warwick, R O’Gara, P Stringer, T O’Leary, M Horan, D Ryan, J Hayes, T Buckley, J Flannery, D Varley, D Fogarty, D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, B Holland, A Quinlan, D Wallace, N Ronan, N Williams,J Coughlan.

For fans of Cardiff Blues, Edinburgh and Munster, this weekend wil be as tense as they come as the three sides chase the final Play-Off place.

With the introduction this season of a clause requiring games affecting qualification for a Magners League Play-Off place to kick-off at the same time, the two fixtures involving the three teams still vying for that fourth spot, will be played simultaneously and will wrap up the final weekend of the League stage of the competition.

Two of those teams face each other, Cardiff Blues v Munster, in what could be a winner takes all scenario, although Blues will have to look over their shoulder to make sure the result does not allow Edinburgh to sneak in under the radar. Edinburgh themselves need a bonus point win at the RDS, and hope that other results go their way, to stand any chance of securing the fourth place, whilst one match point will give Leinster the luxury of a home semi-final tie.

The round opens on Friday night with two of the top four teams in action in Wales – second placed Ospreys hosting Newport Gwent Dragons, whilst Glasgow Warriors, currently lying third in the table, visiting Scarlets. With just one match point separating them, any slip up by either team could give the other the opportunity of claiming home advantage in the Magners League semi-finals. Also on Friday night Ulster face Connacht at Ravenhill, and only an unprecedented scoreline would give Connacht any mathematical chance of overtaking Ulster in the table.

This round brings to a conclusion the League stage of this year’s competition, and the top four teams will go forward to the inaugural Magners League Play-Off semi finals on 14/15 May.

Biarritz 18-7 Munster

Biarritz (3) 18

Pens: Yachvili 6

Munster (7) 7

Try: Earls Con: O’Gara

Biarritz set up an all-French Heineken Cup final against Toulouse after Dimitri Yachvili’s six penalties saw off Munster in San Sebastian.

Munster started brightly and Keith Earls’ try helped the Irish side take a 7-0 lead by the 28th minute. However, Yachvili’s penalties on either side of half-time cut Munster’s lead to only a point. Biarritz’s pack dominated the remainder of the contest as scrum-half Yachvili kicked four more penalties. Biarritz, minus captain Damien Traille but with number eight Imanol Harinordoquy lining out wearing a protective mask after breaking his nose like weekend, made a nervous start as their scrum creaked under some early Munster pressure.

A day after Leinster’s defeat by Toulouse, Munster were without their injured talisman Paul O’Connell, with Mick O’Driscoll partnering Donncha O’Callaghan at lock. Big hits were a feature of the opening exchanges as both defences snuffed out any threats. The first serious attack didn’t come until the 19th minute when Jerry Flannery strode unchallenged deep into the Biarritz ’22 but with the line seemingly gaping, O’Gara was unable to hold the hooker’s pass. But Munster were ahead nine minutes later as Jean de Villers’ steal and O’Callaghan’s burst set up Earls to score, with O’Gara adding the extras.

Biarritz went close to responding almost immediately but Benoit August was shoved into touch by a combination of Mick O’Driscoll and Denis Hurley. However, Biarritz did get points on the board before the break as Yachvili slotted a routine penalty. Flannery’s trip on Karmichael Hunt gifted three more points to Biarritz four minutes into the second half as the Munster scrum began to struggle. O’Gara was short with a penalty attempt from halfway on 56 minutes but Biarritz were producing all the attacking play.

Munster coach Tony McGahan tried to arrest the problems in the scrum by introducing Tony Buckley for John Hayes but the Irish province needed Tomas O’Leary to produce desperate defending to prevent an Iain Balshaw try. Biarritz were ahead on 65 minutes as Yachvili kicked three more points after Paul Warwick’s ill-advised attempt to run from his own ’22. The French team’s lead became five points on 72 minutes after Yachvili punished yet another Munster indiscretion near their own posts. Yachvili put more than a converted try between the teams three minutes from time and for good measure, added another three points in the closing seconds to complete an impeccable day with the boot.

Biarritz: Balshaw, Ngwenya, Mignardi, Erinle, Gobelet, Hunt, Yachvili; Coetzee, August, Johnstone, Thion (capt), Hall, Lund, Lauret, Harinordoquy.

Replacements: Peyrelongue for Erinle 47, Bidabe for Gobelet 77, Barcella for Coetzee 59, Terrain for August 78, Carizza for Hall 67, Faure for Harinordoquy 66.

Not Used: Hughes, Courrent.

Munster: Warwick, Mafi, Earls, De Villiers, Hurley, O’Gara (capt), O’Leary; Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O’Callaghan, O’Driscoll, Quinlan, Wallace, Coughlan

Replacements: Deasy for D Hurley 76, Stringer for O’Leary 75, Brugnaut for Horan 72, Varley for Flannery 78, Buckley for Hayes 57, Ronan for Quinlan 75, Williams for Coughlan 63.

Not Used: Gleeson.

Referee: Dave Pearson (England)

The IRFU have announced the death of former Irish international Mick English.

‘Mick the Kick’ as he was known, won 16 caps for Ireland between 1958 and 1963.

Educated at Rockwell College and a member of Bohemian RFC, he won Munster Senior Cups in 1958, 1959 and 1962.

He then moved to Dublin and like many a Munsterman joined Lansdowne FC where he won a Leinster Senior Cup in 1965. He later became Club President in 1989/90.

His Munster career saw him play against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. He was also selected in the British & Irish Lions in 1959 but injury saw his tour cut short.

He made his debut for Ireland against Wales at Lansdowne Road on March 15, 1958, taking over at out-half from Jack Kyle. He was capped against France at the Stade Colombes a few weeks later.

The following season saw Mick capped against England, Scotland and France when he also notched up his first international points with a drop goal to help Ireland win by 9-5.

His nine international points consisted of three drop goals and interestingly Ireland did not lose in the three games in which he scored – the aforementioned game against France, a 3-3 draw against Wales in 1962 and and 14-6 win over the Welsh in Cardiff in 1963.

He made his last appearance for Ireland in December 1963 against New Zealand.

Noted for his sense of humour, Mick is famous in rugby circles for his description of what happened in a game against England when he went to tackle his opposite number Phil Horrocks-Taylor: “Horrocks went one way, Taylor went the other and I was left holding the bloody hyphen!”

Mick will be sadly missed by his family and friends and by the wider rugby community.

Removal on Thursday evening from Carnegie’s Funeral Home, The Crescent, Monkstown to St. John the Baptist Church, Blackrock arriving at 5pm. Funeral on Friday after 11am mass.

May he rest in peace.

Munster have been delt a major blow with the news that inspirational team captain Paul O’Connell will be ruled out of this weekend’s massive clash with Biarritz in the semi finals of the Heineken Cup. Ronan O Gara is expected to take the captains role.

The Munster skipper has not recovered from a groin injury that he picked up against Scotland in the final game of the RSB Six Nations six weeks ago.

In O’Connell’s absence, Mick O’Driscoll is likely to partner Donacha O’Callaghan in the second row.

There is positive news for Munster elsewhere though as the quartet of Ian Dowling, Keith Earls, Doug Howlett and Nick Williams have been included in the squad despite all carrying knocks.

Biarritz have injury concerns of their own with Damien Traille already ruled out and doubts surrounding the fitness of Imanol Harinordoquy.

Munster squad to play Biarritz in the Heineken Cup semi-final: Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Julien Brugnaut, John Hayes, Damien Varley, Jerry Flannery, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland, Donncha O’Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Niall Ronan, Tomas O’Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Paul Warwick, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Tom Gleeson, Doug Howlett, Denis Hurley, Ian Dowling, Keith Earls, Scott Deasy.