Declan Kidney “not offered new contract”

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 in Ireland

The Irish Rugby Football Union today announced that it will not be offering a new contract to Declan Kidney after his current agreement ends, on June 30 next, with Declan’s role as Ireland senior men’s head coach ceasing today.

The decision was made following an in-depth review process carried out by the IRFU’s National Team Review Group (NTRG).

The IRFU have thanked Kidney for the unquestionable commitment, passion, professionalism and success he has delivered to Irish rugby to date.

The IRFU, through the NTRG, says it will continue the process of identifying suitable candidates for the Ireland coaching role.

The tour of North America, where Ireland will play the USA (Houston, June 8) and Canada (Toronto, June 15) will now be led by interim head coach Les Kiss who will be assisted by Gert Smal and Anthony Foley.

Philip Browne, IRFU CEO, said: "We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby. His contribution and involvement across the spectrum of Irish rugby delivered under-age, provincial, Grand Slam and Triple Crown success, and epitomises his passion, belief and commitment to the game.

"With a host of new and emerging talent at every level, and despite the clear challenges ahead, we are confident of securing another world class coach to work with this talented and ambitious group of players."

Fitzgerald agrees new Leinster deal

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 in Leinster

Leinster Rugby have announced that Luke Fitzgerald has agreed a new two-year deal with the province.

Fitzgerald, 25, has played 108 times for the province to date (scoring 26 tries) and was a key member of Leinster’s Magners League (2007/08) and three Heineken Cup successes (in 2009, 2011 and 2012).

He made his debut for Leinster at the age of 19 and the versatile former Blackrock College back featured in Ireland’s recent Six Nations campaign and was selected for the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. To date he has made 26 international appearances.

Commenting on the news of his contract extension Luke Fitzgerald said: “I’m delighted to commit my future here. It is hugely frustrating to miss the run-in to the campaign but I’m looking forward to beginning my rehab over the coming weeks and getting back in a blue shirt next season.”

Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt added: “We are delighted that a player of Luke’s ability has committed his future to the province. At just 25, his best years are ahead of him and hopefully he’ll be back better than ever early next season.”

Pienaar, Henderson, Henry and Wilson named in Ulster squad to face Leinster

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 in Ulster

Ulster scrum-half, Ruan Pienaar, and backrow forwards Iain Henderson, Chris Henry and Roger Wilson have recovered from injury and are included in the extended Ulster squad to face Leinster at the RDS on Saturday evening (Kick Off 18.15).

Ulster Head Coach, Mark Anscombe, can also call upon Ireland internationals Rory Best and Craig Gilroy who return to the Provincial set-up following the RBS 6 Nations.

The game will see Ulster take on the new leaders of the RaboDirect PRO12.

Ulster are third in the table, level on points with second placed Glasgow and a point behind top-side, Leinster.

Extended Ulster squad to face Leinster in the RaboDirect PRO12, Saturday 30th March, RDS, 18.15;

Forwards (15)

Neil McComb, Callum Black, Rory Best, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller, Nick Williams, Rob Herring, Kyle McCall, Ricky Lutton, Tom Court, Iain Henderson, Roger Wilson;

Backs (10)

Ruan Pienaar, Jared Payne, Craig Gilroy, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson, Michael Heaney, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble.

Michael Allen signs two-year deal with Ulster Rugby

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 in Ulster

Ulster back, Michael Allen, has signed his first senior contract with the Province. The two-year deal will keep him at Ravenhill until at least the summer of 2015.

Allen, who is 22, joined the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy in 2009 and made his senior debut against Leinster in 2011 at the RDS. He was awarded a one-year development contract last summer.

This season he has made 13 appearances for Ulster, scoring two tries.

Commenting on his new deal, Allen said:

“Signing a senior contract with Ulster has been an ambition of mine ever since I joined the Academy, so I am delighted to have fulfilled that goal.

“I have enjoyed being part of the set-up and playing so many games this season. Ulster is my home Province, it’s where I grew up and it’s where my friends and family live, so it means a great deal to wear the shirt.

“I look forward to helping Ulster be successful over the next two years.”

Leinster Squad Update

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Leinster

The Leinster squad have stepped up their preparations for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Ulster in the RDS (KO: 6.15pm) with their first on-field training session of the week on Monday afternoon.

Unfortunately Jordi Murphy has been ruled out of this weekend’s fixture with a hand injury that may see him miss the next 4 or 5 weeks but apart from bumps and bruises there were no other casualties from what was a highly combative top of the table clash at the RDS last Saturday.

David Kearney received on field attention for a dislocated finger but the Cooley Peninsula outside back finished the game and is expected to be joined in the panel this week by his elder brother Rob and several other Ireland internationals whose return to provincial action were managed last week.

Amongst the possible returnees for Saturday’s interprovincial derby are Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Mike Ross while the province is hopeful that Fergus McFadden (rib) will also be available for selection. Naas man Heaslip’s next appearance will be his 160th for the province.

Gordon D’Arcy and Quinn Roux both successfully came through their respective comebacks after injury on Saturday. Second row Tom Denton is also available for selection.

The team will be named at midday on Friday.

Munster Match Day Squad (v Connacht)

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Munster

Paul O’Connell is back in the starting XV for the first time since October and all credit to the Munster Medical and S&C staff for having him back weeks ahead of schedule.

Rob Penney has made just three changes from the side that drew with Ospreys, all those up front and more specifically in the back five.

Not surprisingly O’Connell’s return forces Billy Holland to the bench and just as unsurprisingly Donncha O’Callaghan gets to partner him while in the backrow Sean Dougall returns to the starting line-up for the first time since the January 9th League encounter with Edinburgh.

The backline remains the same as does the front row while Niall Ronan is included in the match day squad for the first time since November.

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey, D Hurley; R O’Gara, C Sheridan; D Kilcoyne,D Varley, S Archer; Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell; T O’Donnell, S Dougall, J Coughlan. Replacements: M Sherry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, B Holland, N Ronan, D Williams, I Keatley, I Dineen.