Front Five - 13.06.22

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

So now season is over for Leinster

It will be La Rochelle or Racing plus Gloucester or Sale for us next year in Hcup. pic.twitter.com/lSy0oSsftl

— Tom Coleman (@LeinsterRoyalty) June 13, 2022

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"It's great for the competition, when you think people thought they shouldn't be in it."

URC semi-final results 'great for the competition' - RTÉ Rugby panel react

RTÉ.ie

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Veteran halfback TJ Perenara has missed out alongside fellow 2019 World Cup number nine Brad Weber with Fakatava, Aaron Smith and Finlay Christie making up the three halfback spots.

Six new names in All Blacks squad for Ireland series

NZ Herald

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James Topping’s side rounded off a successful weekend with a 27-0 win over a youthful England side in the Croatian capital.

Ireland win opening leg of Rugby Europe Trophy series in Zagreb

The42.ie

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Bordeaux should not have been here. At the end of January, they had a 10-point lead at the top of the table.

Second-half Bordeaux onslaught enough to undo Racing

James Harrington - Irish Examiner

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The brilliant fly-half turned out 29 times for his national side, 8 times for the British and Irish Lions, and an incredible 20 times for the Barbarians.

Legendary Wales and British and Irish Lions captain has died

Jack Tunney - RugbyDump

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Front Five - 12.06.22

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

Missed #STOvULS live unfortunately, just saw back the final 10m incl clock in red, can't understand how that conversion wasn't at least looked at? And by "looked at" I mean with replays available to everyone before final decision made? Genuinely gutted for Ulster.

— Harpin' On Rugby (@HarpinOnRugby) June 11, 2022

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The northern province had led through first-half tries from Robert Baloucoune and Stewart Moore but didn't score after the turn

Ulster suffer URC semi-final heartbreak in Cape Town as Stormers strike deep into extra-time to seal final place

Jonathan Bradley - Belfast Telegraph

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"There's so much work that goes into getting the team to knockout games and to fall short here, particularly at home in the RDS at this time of year, is disappointing."

'It's a hard lesson' - Leo Cullen laments Leinster off-day as they finish without a trophy for first time since 2017

Ruaidhri O'Connor - Irish Independent

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Toulouse beat their Maritime rivals for a seventh straight time, a run which includes last season’s Top 14 and European finals.

Toulouse beat Euro champions La Rochelle to reach top 14 final four

Rugby365.com (via AFP)

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The Blues had a 20-7 lead at half-time but were held scoreless after the break

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/blues-vs-brumbies/102648

SkySports.com

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Tigers booked a Twickenham appointment with Saracens next Saturday.

George Ford inspires Leicester to win over Northampton to seal place in final

The42.ie

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Front Five - 11.06.22

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

The number of messages of congratulation I’ve had both publicly and privately from Leinster fans makes it really tough to dislike you lot even in your usual pantomime villain role. Class bunch. Says a lot about you that this means as much as it does for us.

— A-P (@rugby_ap) June 11, 2022

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"Guys like Dan Leavy, Devin Toner, Sean Cronin are leaving, legends of the club, and that’s what hurts the most. We couldn’t set something up for them next week.”

'We weren't accurate enough to win a semi-final' - James Ryan laments Leinster's display after surprise loss

Ruaidhri O'Connor - Irish Independent

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"One thing the Bulls have done significantly well since I’ve been here is that they play their best rugby at the back end of a competition"

Jake: Leinster taught Bulls how to beat them

SARugbyMag.co.za

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"You don’t have to be extravagant, you just have to do your job and  people select you for doing your job, not being extravagant or a showboat ."

Ulster’s Duane Vermeulen excited to be back in Cape Town and relishing battle with Stormers prodigy Evan Roos

Jonathan Bradley - Belfast Telegraph

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Osborne is to retire on medical grounds due to a concussion sustained earlier in the season.

Munster announce more departures as injury forces Osborne and Wren to retire

Sinead Farrell - The42.ie

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 "When I made the decision to come out publicly, the thing that persuaded me was that if this just helps one kid who is 15 or 16, well, then it would be worth it."

Jack Dunne on inspiring the next generation and preparing for his emotional Leinster exit

Andrew Dempsey - Pundit Arena

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Front Five - 10.06.22

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

ICYMI click here for our

Leinster v Bulls preview

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In a further boost, Johnny Sexton is named on the bench after recovering from an ankle issue which kept him out of last Saturday’s quarter-final.

Furlong fit to start as Leinster make two changes for Bulls clash

Ciarán Kennedy - The42.ie

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“Listening to some of the sound bites coming from them this week, they’re coming with a plan – and we just need to impose our game on them”

Leinster out to prove they can mix it with the ‘big boys’

Ruaidhri O'Connor - Irish Independent

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“James (Hume) just backs himself. You can tell by the way he walks and runs, and his body language is always confident."

Ulster midfield can defy the South African heat and fire province into URC final, believes former winger Andrew Trimble

Michael Sadlier - Belfast Telegraph

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France’s head coach Fabien Galthie will be at the helm of the Barbarians, which will also feature a first call-up for Ollivon’s international teammate, Clermont wing Damien Penaud.

Barbarians reveal their skipper for England clash

Rugby365.com (via AFP)

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Ireland are yet to name their squad to travel to New Zealand but the second half of the season has certainly helped the cause of back-rower Alex Kendellen.

Six young players from U20s making the step up to senior rugby this summer

SixNationsRugby.com

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Front Five - 09.06.22

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

ICYMI click here for the latest episode of

The Harpin On Rugby Podcast

“150th Episode special incl Leinster URC Quiz”

featuring Tom Coleman, Mark Jackson & Rich Mifsud

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"He's really grabbed his chance, he wants to go to New Zealand in the summer, and he's playing outstanding stuff at the minute, his metres, his footwork, he's just electric and exciting to watch."

'He's definitely found his mojo' - Larmour the key man in Leinster's semi-final against Bulls

RTÉ Rugby

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The Wicklow-born Irishman, whose parents were Dutch, is often the subject of social media arguments about supposed South African roots, but there is no doubt he is as Irish as they come.

Josh van der Flier - the Bulls' biggest roadblock

Rugby365.com

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"Every team wants to beat Leinster and it will be a great challenge to compete against the best team in the competition."

Arendse: Bulls owe Leinster a good challenge

SARugbyMag.co.za

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Stade’s head coach Gonzalo Quesada will also have Gustard, the former Saracens, England and Harlequins coach who joins from Treviso on board in a defence role.

Stade Francais begin rebuild by adding coach Gustard and eight new players

The42.ie

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Irish Rugby uploaded the touching clip to Instagram on Tuesday, and it has amassed almost 200,000 views and 11,000 likes in less than 24 hours.

Injured rugby player in wheelchair pushed over the try line by team-mates in moment that's moved fans

Dylan James - Wales Online

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Front Five - 08.06.22

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

News24 reporting that the Boks will take a large squad on the end of year tour to Europe with the intention of having an SA ‘A’ side play some midweek fixtures.

— A-P (@rugby_ap) June 6, 2022

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"It was a positive that our season wasn’t over, we still have the opportunity to lift a trophy at the RDS in front of friends, family and supporters."

Caelan Doris: Leinster are improving against the more physical sides

Ruaidhri O'Connor - Irish Independent

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Leo Cullen's side will surely be pleased with the refereeing team, which is a repeat of the officials from last weekend's quarter-final hammering of Glasgow Warriors.

Neutral refereeing teams confirmed for URC semi-finals

RTE Rugby

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The 29-year-old posted an image of himself in a hospital bed, with the affected wrist in a protective cast, explaining to followers that his season “ends here.”

Carty ruled out of New Zealand tour after surgery on wrist

Gavan Casey - The42.ie

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There is a notable connection between LA and Austin – both teams are owned by Adam Gilchrist.

LA Giltinis seond team to be disqualified from MLR playoffs

Americas Rugby News

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...when songs were sung, it was inevitable that the Bayonne anthem of Peña Baiona would ring out.

Huge crowd celebrate Bayonne promotion to Top 14

Rugby World

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Front Five - 07.06.22

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

ICYMI click here for our

Leinster v Glasgow writeup

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"Every game is different but hopefully when we get to similar situations we can pick better options."

Contepomi says lessons learned but laments La Rochelle 'cynicism' in Champions Cup final loss

Michael Glennon - RTÉ Rugby

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Sexton and Lowe ...will be assessed by the province's medical staff before Leo Cullen names his team on Thursday.

Michael Lowry an Ireland doubt as Leinster hope to have Johnny Sexton back for Bulls clash

Ruaidhri O'Connor - Irish Independent

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"The half-backs are good, a strong kicking game and they’ve a strong back three in terms of their kick, chase, aerially and from breaking ball as well, the speed and pace that they have."

Familiar faces come to Dublin as Leinster prepare to tackle Jake White's Bulls

Ciarán Kennedy - The42.ie

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"It is never pleasant to have to make changes to our team, but we needed to act."

Danny Wilson sacked as Glasgow Warriors head coach

BBC Rugby

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...the handsome scoreline actually boosted Toulouse to fourth place in the Top 14, meaning they have a home quarter final against La Rochelle next Saturday

Joe Tekori ends career with 100% kicking record after nailing touchline conversion

Rugby Onslaught

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Front Five - 06.06.22

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

ICYMI click here for a selection of

online comments after Leinster v Glasgow

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Jake White's side have come a long way from the start of the season, when they began their URC journey with heavy defeats to Leinster and Connacht.

'He gave me a fair bit of advice' - Leo Cullen looking forward to locking horns with mentor Jake White

Neil Treacy - RTÉ Rugby

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Josh van der Flier and Michelle Claffey were the big winners on the night as they won their respective Bank of Ireland Players’ Player of the Year awards

2022 Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Awards Ball

Ryan Corry - LeinsterRugby.ie

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Anyone who says the squad he has left his successor is weaker than the one he inherited from his predecessor is either blind or stupid.

A sorry way to end but history will still be kind to Johann van Graan

Garry Doyle - The42.ie

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Northampton...ensured a trip to Welford Road to meet Leicester while Saracens and Harlequins...will as expected lock horns in north London. 

Premiership hits jackpot with two mouthwatering semi-finals

Gerard Meagher - The Guardian

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Clermont, seventh, and Lyon, winner of the European Challenge this season, will compete with the six teams qualified for the final phase in the next edition of the Champions Cup

Revenge clash - Toulouse and La Rochelle to meet in Top 14 playoffs

Rugby365.com

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Front Five - 05.06.22

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

Cracking day to be back at the RDS let's do this Leinster!#LEIvGLA#URC pic.twitter.com/aDfrLtCWVn

— Harpin' On Rugby (@HarpinOnRugby) June 4, 2022

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"At the end, you wondered if Leo Cullen’s first job entering the changing room post match was to ridicule those who didn’t get on the scoresheet."

Leinster put Glasgow to sword in a display that turns into pantomine

Brendan Fanning - Irish Independent

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the Bulls won a penalty and then a red-zone lineout and Smith dropped into the pocket to sink the Sharks with the game-winning drop goal.

Smith drop goal sinks Sharks in Loftus thriller

SARugbyMag.co.za

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...loose forward Dalton Papali'i is also in doubt after having his appendix removed.

New Zealand's Ethan Blackadder in doubt for series against Ireland

Frank Nickson - Talking Rugby Union

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Bath – where departing Munster coach, Johann van Graan, will end up, were condemned to a bottom-of-the-table finish as they suffered a 43-27 defeat to Worcester.

Northampton seal play-off spot with rout of Newcastle

The42.ie

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"For us to be in that fight away from home in a quarter-final… It was not through luck. We played some outstanding rugby."

Mike Blair proud of Edinburgh performance against Stormers in Cape Town but left to rue two key moments

Graham Bean - The Scotsman

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Front Five - 04.06.22

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

ICYMI click here for our

Leinster v Glasgow preview

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Seán Cronin is included among the subs and, if introduced, will move into eighth place on Leinster’s all-time appearances list.

Sexton drops out as Leinster make seven changes from Champions Cup final defeat

The42.ie

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Tackling and turning over Joey Carbery with 24 minutes on the clock and when a try seemed certain...kept the scores at 7-7 apiece, setting up the Ulster rout that would follow.

Ulster secure URC semi-final as five-star performance swats aside Munster in Ravenhill last-eight tie

Jonathan Bradley - Belfast Telegraph

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"We’ve got to own that as a group, we came here to win and we were a long way short tonight."

Van Graan: 'Utterly disappointing, not good enough'

Michael Glennon - RTÉ Sport

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Wasps...can overtake the Exiles with a win over Leicester this weekend but...the Tigers are looking to avoid Harlequins in the play-offs and keep hold of first place

Key storylines to follow as the regular season wraps up on Saturday

Stan Wilson - Planet Rugby

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“That was the first wake-up call where I was like right, I need to rein it in a bit. It was just ‘a bit’ at that stage. That’s where my life was at, man.”

Seizures, drugs and alcohol: JO’C opens up on the moment his teammates thought he died

Christy Doran - FoxSports.com.au

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Front Five - 03.06.22

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

ICYMI click here for our weekly list of

upcoming rugby on Irish TV

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"The one game that stands out in my mind is that Rainbow Cup game last year when we were over there and they beat us."

Good final performance no consolation for Jimmy O'Brien

Ruaidhri O'Connor - Irish Independent

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Munster have shown time and again they have the depth of talent and the attacking intent to dazzle and dominate.

Future can wait as van Graan and Munster hope to clear present dangers

Simon Lewis - Irish Examiner

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Moore’s selection is a little bit of a surprise given how well Rob Lyttle played when he replaced Lowry midway through that Sharks game

Mike Lowry ruled out for Ulster as province make just one change for URC quarter-final against Munster

Adam McKendry - Belfast Telegraph

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“The intention was that we were moving to a 14-team league so it was disappointing that Ealing didn’t pass the standards and come up”

Premiership: Relegation to be reintroduced in 2023/24 according to CEO

Colin Newboult - Planet Rugby

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"A big word of thanks also to the Cheetahs for their patience. I’m sure they can’t wait to face international opposition again..."

Cheetahs will join South African teams in Europe next season, EPCR confirms

Ciarán Kennedy - The42.ie

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Front Five - 02.06.22

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

ICYMI click here for this week's episode of

The Harpin On Rugby Podcast

3.45 : “Leinster Fan Panel harps on Marseille & Opp view - Glasgow” 

featuring Keego, Tom Coleman & Dave Arnott

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"Building on the great work of Hugh Hogan and most recently Denis Leamy, I can’t wait to get stuck in."

Sean O’Brien returns to Leinster to take up coaching role

Cian Tracey - Irish Independent

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"We can’t rely on the referee to give us the call on every single occasion, irrespective if you agree or disagree with him. I need to do my work a bit better there."

Leinster search for answers after another tough day at the scrum

Ciarán Kennedy - The42.ie

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All 21 points La Rochelle conceded in the...final came from the tee and it was perhaps no surprise given the number of times they have been pinged by referees in this season’s competition.

Defeated Leinster dominate tournament statistics

EPCRugby.com

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 "...whether Leinster won or lost wasn't important to us, we went out in the quarter-final - but in terms of the Munster contingent in La Rochelle it was unbelievably impressive"

Conor Murray unsurprised at Ronan O'Gara and Donnacha Ryan's coaching ascent

Michael Glennon - RTÉ Rugby

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Funnily enough, the pools are not evenly matched in terms of the quality of the teams taking part. Pool A will feature Ireland, France, England and South Africa

Ireland to take part in alternative to U20 World Championship

Eoin Harte - Pundit Arena

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