Irish Lions

Lions duo a concern for Wales

Planet Rugby (Free subscription) | 11/29/2009

Lions duo Mike Phillips and Matthew Rees look likely to be major Wales injury concerns for their Six Nations opener against England.

Irish and S.Africa set for bitter battle of supremacy

France24 (Free subscription) | 11/28/2009

Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland take on world and Tri-Nations champions South Africa here on Saturday in what is essentially a mini World Cup final two years away from the real thing in New Zealand. However, if there needed to be any added spice to the fixture is that it will be the first time that the Springboks face a national side that includes several of the British and Irish Lions...

Bowe: Irish Lions can get our own back

The Independent (Free subscription) | 11/28/2009

Tommy Bowe insists Ireland's Lions contingent are desperate to avenge the agonising Test series defeat by South Africa.

• Bowe hopes to settle a score - ireland.com

Springbok Steyn wants Irish flourish end

Sydney Morning Herald (Free subscription) | 11/26/2009

The South Africa outside-half made his international breakthrough in 2009 and set a number of records along the way as he helped his country to victory against the British and Irish Lions and a Tri-Nations title, while also achieving club success in the Super 14.

'Irish will be tough', says Bok coach

IOL (Free subscription) | 11/24/2009

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says Ireland will be tougher to beat at Croke Park than the British and Irish Lions were in South Africa.

Steyn wants to finish with Irish flourish

IOL (Free subscription) | 11/25/2009

By Ciaran O RaghallaighDublin - Morne Steyn is ready to wrap up a dream year with a win against Ireland at Croke Park here on Saturday.The South Africa outside-half made his international breakthrough in 2009 and set a number of records along the way as he helped his country to victory against the touring British and Irish Lions and a Tri-Nations title, while also achieving club success...

Du Preez: ‘I almost quit’

Keo.co.za (Free subscription) | yesterday

Fourie du Preez has decided to stay with the Springboks after admitting he had thoughts of retirement earlier this year. Du Preez has enjoyed a successful season with the Boks and Bulls this season, which has seen him win Tri-Nations, British and Irish Lions, Super 14 and Currie Cup titles in 2009. Many believe he should [...]

It's 25 years to the day since pride of South proved too much for Wallabies

Scotsman.com (Free subscription) | yesterday

... would go on to inspire Australia to World Cup glory in 1991, great jousts with the British and Irish Lions in 1989 and, generally, in lifting Wallaby rugby to new heights. But this penultimate match of the tour did not go to plan. It was muddy, cloying and tight. Gray motivated his side by showing the video of the 1983 defeat to the All Blacks – which had also been used by Jim Telfer...

Ireland forward Jamie Heaslip accused by South Africa of eye-gouging

The Telegraph (Free subscription) | yesterday

... were incensed at an eye-gouge offence by Schalk Burger on Luke Fitzgerald during the British and Irish Lions tour. Burger was controversially only banned for eight weeks which led to the International Rugby Board to insist on heavier and more consistent worldwide sanctions for gouging, while Heaslip was one of the Lions players who was outspoken about the incident. Meanwhile,...

Ospreys set to lose Shane

Magners League (Free subscription) | yesterday

... the Magners League crown they won in 2007.Scott Johnson's men are already without 2009 British & Irish Lions stars Lee Byrne and Adam Jones, as well as the likes of Jamie Nutbrown and Gavin Henson.

Gatland still has eyes for Henson

Planet Rugby (Free subscription) | yesterday

Wales boost: Gavin HensonTeamsWales Head Coach Warren Gatland has admitted it would be 'fantastic' to see centre Gavin Henson re-emerge into his starting Test XV.The injured Ospreys back, who is currently on extended unpaid leave from the Liberty Stadium outfit, is reportedly keen to regain full fitness. And with speculation rife that the 27-year-old British & Irish Lion may quit the...

Smit May Hang Up His Boots

All Africa (Free subscription) | yesterday

... after the 2007 World Cup was to guide the Boks to victory in the series against the British and Irish Lions. After that he said he would take it season by season, and although he has said he would like to still be around for the next World Cup in 2011, he also said he would assess where he was at the end of this season.Up until the end of the Tri-Nations, there were signs that Smit...

Leinster duo just miss out

Magners League (Free subscription) | yesterday

Both Heaslip and O'Driscoll have been in magnificent form for Leinster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions in 2009.But the star pair were pipped to the Game's most prestigious individual award by New Zealand openside Riche McCaw.The All Black skipper became the first player to claim the award on two occasions as following his first success three years ago.McCaw takes over from Ospreys...

Double accusations of eye-gouging

Planet Rugby (Free subscription) | yesterday

... of emotional reaction to the allegations after Bok flank Schalk Burger was accused of eye-gouging Irish wing Luke Fitzgerald during the British & Irish Lions tour. Burger was found guilty on a lesser charge. It is an unusual step for the Springboks to lay such a complaint after steadfastly refused to complain to match officials this season.

The true IRB player of the year

IOL (Free subscription) | yesterday

... players can only dream about.Du Preez won the Vodacom Super 14 with the Bulls, the British and Irish Lions and the Tri-Nations with the Boks, then the Absa Currie Cup with the Blue Bulls. O'Driscoll won the Six Nations with