Front Five - 29.08.16

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

Well done to all who helped beat the target for
the "Shave or Dye" fund from Leinster coaching staff
of course there is still plenty of time to contribute

Later today on HarpinOnRugby...
our Leinster v Bath writeup is titled "Alternatives"

Makes a mockery of citing. If nothing comes of this it's a farce.

Brian O'Driscoll blasts 'sham' decision to clear All Black of eye-gouging offence on ex-Leinster lock Kane Douglas

Irish Independent

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"Anything that keeps and inspires some home-grown US players can only be good for the development of that sport."

World Rugby would back Pro12 expansion to North America

BBC Rugby

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Clubs in England and the Pro12 have no say in the organisation of a Lions tour and they want that to change.

Mark McCafferty urges Premiership Rugby and Lions chiefs to discuss dates

Paul Rees - The Guardian

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"People wondered why he was taken off after 60 minutes that night against Leinster when he was going so well, but it was a case of managing him."

Johnny Holland May Be Forced To Retire Due To Hamstring Injury

Alan Drumm - Pundit Arena

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Also on the (Cork Con) roster is Division 1A player of the year Conor Kindregan, and most notably former Ireland and Connacht fullback Gavin Duffy.

Ontario Blues set to play Cork Constitution

Americas Rugby News

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Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby

Leinster Rugby Staff to 'Shave or Dye' for McQuilkin Family

from Leinster Rugby

The Leinster Rugby coaching and back room team will host a 'shave or dye' event this Tuesday and have put together a charity page to help raise funds for their departing colleague Kurt McQuilkin and the wider McQuilkin family.

To make a donation please go to: http://bit.ly/2bOBz5k  

It was announced only two weeks ago that the Leinster Rugby defence coach, Kurt McQuilkin, would be leaving Leinster to return home to New Zealand for personal reasons.

Kurt is a former Leinster player and captain and was also defence coach under Michael Cheika as part of the backroom team that brought a first ever Heineken Cup to the province in 2009.

The former Lansdowne clubman, who played 32 times for Leinster and was capped five times by Ireland in the mid-1990s, re-joined Leinster in time for the start of last season and took over the defensive duties for the club.

Under his stewardship Leinster conceded the least amount of tries in the Guinness PRO12 as they reached the Final in BT Murrayfield.

Commenting on the news at the time Leinster Head Coach Cullen said, "This is very sad news for Kurt and his family and our priority is supporting Kurt in his decision as best we can.

"He will head back home with our very best wishes in very trying circumstances and with the thanks of everyone at Leinster Rugby for his stellar contribution over the last 12 months.

"Right now our focus is on Kurt and ensuring that his move back home is as seamless as possible."

That focus to help out their friend and colleague, has led to this.

A fundraising campaign set up by the Leinster Rugby back room team that will see them 'shave or dye' their hair in aid of the McQuilkin family this Tuesday the 30th August 2016 in Leinster Rugby HQ.

All proceeds from this campaign will be donated to the McQuilkin family to help them at this most difficult of times.

Finally Leinster Rugby would like to acknowledge the support of our two charity partners Aware and DEBRA Ireland with this campaign.

To make a donation please go to: http://bit.ly/2bOBz5k

And make sure to check out the Leinster Rugby social media platforms on Tuesday for the shave or dye updates! 

Front Five - 27.08.16

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

I regret being unable to attend the 
www.rugbygenerationx.ie
conference today, many thanks again 
to the organizers for the invite

"...the pre-determined course of action to introduce ten players, and another four within five minutes of the restart, reduced this to something more akin to a fitness exercise."

Bath too strong for Blues

Des Berry - Irish Independent

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The New Zealander - who kept Ulster fans waiting over a year to make his home debut - showed why it was well worth the wait

Piutua impresses as Northampton defeated at Kingspan

Richard Mulligan - Belfast Newsletter

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Jean Kleyn marked his Munster debut and 23rd birthday was a storming first half

Seven-try Munster convince against Worcester

John Fallon - Irish Times

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"We saw from the likes of Ultan like year and Finlay that if you play for Connacht week in and week out that you might not be too far away from the Irish jersey"

John Muldoon Cites 2014 Victory As Key Moment In PRO12 Title Win

Conor O'Leary - Balls.ie

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Whenever Cooper has appeared against New Zealand, however, this Jekyll-and-Hyde-like dichotomy is magnified for several reasons.

A Tale Of Two Quade Coopers

Paul Wassell - Pundit Arena

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Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby