Huge game for both teams - but Munster have a safety net and Ulster don t
Munster host Ulster tonight in the Rainbow Cup. By Garry Doyle Friday 7 May 2021, 6:20 AM May 7th 2021, 6:20 AM 9,163 Views 13 Comments
Iain Henderson reflects on Ulster s loss.
Image: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
Image: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
IT WAS THE most sobering weekend Ireland has known since Leo Varadkar announced last March that he was going to close the pubs. Hearing the off licenses were staying open hardly improved the national mood.
That’s the kind of scenario Ireland’s provinces are in now. The party they want to attend has a limited number of invites; so instead of walking along Europe’s red carpet, they’re here, playing in the Rainbow Cup, rugby’s equivalent of another night in, watching Netflix, with a remote control in one hand, glass
Garry Doyle at Thomond Park
A FEISTY AFFAIR, one that included an old school scrap in the early stages and a red card for Will Addison just before half-time, ended with a bonus-point victory for Munster and a third defeat on the spin for Ulster.
Given the brevity of this Rainbow Cup tournament, their chances of reaching the final are already gone. As for Munster, with two wins from two chalked up on the board, a date on the deciding day is theirs to throw away.
They were good here, particularly Shane Daly, their young winger – although the gold stars were freely handed out. Gavin Coombes had a fine game, so too Dan Goggin, their centre returning from injury. Conor Murray, boosted by yesterday’s news that he was going on a third Lions tour, scored an opportunist try; Mike Haley added a superb score just before half-time. Rory Scannell also crossed for two tries, JJ Hanrahan and Andrew Conway for one apiece.
Tight calls could be cruel to Irish contingent as Gatland finalises his Lions squad
The 36-man squad will be revealed at lunchtime on Thursday. By Ciarán Kennedy Thursday 6 May 2021, 8:50 AM 4 hours ago 19,523 Views 36 Comments
James Ryan and Iain Henderson are both hoping to be included in Warren Gatland s Lions squad.
Image: Gary Carr/INPHO
James Ryan and Iain Henderson are both hoping to be included in Warren Gatland s Lions squad.
Image: Gary Carr/INPHO
Updated 3 hours ago
COME ONE O’CLOCK today we’ll know the make-up of Warren Gatland’s 36-man squad for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, but for now, we’re still in guesswork territory.
); I just hope that the players who have high hopes of making the team make it onto the tour
Jared Payne is hopeful some of his Ulster players will follow in his footsteps and tour with the Lions. By Adam McKendry Wednesday 5 May 2021, 9:18 AM 6 hours ago 6,395 Views 8 Comments
Image: James Crombie/INPHO
Image: James Crombie/INPHO
AS A FORMER British and Irish Lion himself, Ulster assistant coach Jared Payne hopes that the province’s current crop of hopefuls will be receiving good news tomorrow when this year’s squad is announced.
Warren Gatland is set to name his 38-man squad for the tour to South Africa tomorrow and there are several Ulster players who would be considered as being in the mix to get the call.