Author: SOMINSFASHIONBLOG

ENGLAND FLANKER JAMES Haskell will retire at the end of the season, his club Northampton Saints have announced. Haskell joined the Saints from Wasps last year but has endured an injury-plagued campaign, playing only four times and prompting a decision to call time on his career. The 34-year-old has 77 England caps and played at the last two Rugby World Cups, while he also featured in the Top 14 and Super Rugby at club level.…

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MICHAEL LOWRY HAS been named as a late starter for Ulster in tonight’s Pro14 semi-final clash with Glasgow Warriors in Scotstoun (kick-off 19.35, eir Sport). The 20-year-old is promoted from the bench due to the late withdrawal of Robert Baloucoune. The Enniskillen man’s absence brings a reshuffle in the back three with Jacob Stockdale bumped from fullback to his more familiar role on the wing, while Lowry takes up the 15 jersey and Louis Ludik…

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WORLD RUGBY HAS announced a new framework for refereeing decisions around dangerous high tackles and shoulder charges.  The framework, which comes into effect immediately at Test level, has been designed with the intention of ensuring more consistent and accurate refereeing decisions around whether high tackles should be punished with a penalty, yellow card or red card. Source: World Rugby/YouTube With concussion remaining the biggest issue facing the sport, World Rugby is hopeful the new measures can…

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IRELAND’S SEVENS STAR, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, has capped off a magical season by being named in the World Rugby Sevens dream team of the year. The Tipperary native has also landed the World Series top try-scorer award for the 2018/19 season, becoming the first player from outside of New Zealand and Australia to win the accolade. Murphy Crowe with her awards in France. Source: IRFU Murphy Crowe, who captained Ireland at this weekend’s tournament in…

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CANTERBURY CRUSADERS HAVE suffered a double blow ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby final against Argentina’s Jaguares, with Ryan Crotty and Scott Barrett both suffering injuries that will also end their Rugby Championship hopes. The Crusaders said veteran centre Crotty suffered a broken thumb in an intense semi-final against Wellington Hurricanes, while fellow All Black Barrett broke his index finger. They are set to be out for eight and six weeks respectively, meaning they will also…

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IAIN HENDERSON HAS been appointed to succeed Rory Best as Ulster’s new club captain for the 2019/20 season. The Ireland second row has captained his province on a number of occasions before, but takes over the role on a permanent basis following the retirement of long-serving Best.  Henderson takes over from Best as Ulster captain. Source: Gary Carr/INPHO Having come up through the Ulster academy, Henderson has won 105 senior appearances for the northern province…

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ENGLAND DENIED WALES top spot in the world rankings as Billy Vunipola led a fine forward effort in a 33-19 win at Twickenham on Sunday in their opening Rugby World Cup warm-up match. Wales, who kicked off on the back of a 14-match unbeaten streak, would have gone top of the standings following reigning world champions New Zealand’s shock 47-26 loss to Australia on Saturday, had they avoided defeat. But they seemed taken aback by…

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1. Ireland’s tribute to Anthony Foley in Chicago Source: INPHO/Billy Stickland Ireland produced a touching tribute to the late Munster legend Anthony Foley before their clash with the All Blacks in November. As the team faced New Zealand’s haka, they stood in a figure of eight — a nod to Foley’s number during his playing days. 2. Jamie Heaslip’s thoughtful gestures after their Pro12 semi-final The Leinster number 8 put time aside from his own…

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Source: The42.ie/YouTube This article is part of The42′s Class of 95 series, a week-long examination of professional rugby in Ireland. JOEY CARBERY WAS in New York last week to take a breather before his career roars back into gear over the next month. The 21-year-old ducked away with his girlfriend, Robyn, as his time out of the game after ankle surgery in December comes to an end. With the out-half now back in training, a…

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CAPTAIN SERGIO PARISSE has shaken off a neck injury to lead resurgent Italy into Saturday’s Six Nations clash against embattled Ireland in Rome. Parisse was one of several injury concerns for coach Conor O’Shea following last week’s 33-7 defeat to Wales at the Stadio Olimpico but was named in the starting XV Thursday. But after undergoing scans in midweek, the Stade Francais No 8 — inspirational for Italy in a thrilling first half last Sunday…

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