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Stephen Ferris training with Ulster at Ravenhill on Thursday. The Ireland flanker will start on the bench against Scarlets on Friday. Photograph: Matt Mackey Inpho/Presseye Stephen Ferris set to make first start in 16 months
  • Pro12
  • March 13, 2014, 13:25

Ireland flanker named on the bench for Pro12 clash with Scarlets at Ravenhill

Ian Madigan (right) replaces Paddy Jackson on the Ireland bench for the Six Nations finale against France in Paris. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Peter O’Mahony returns in anticipation of physical French challenge

Ian Madigan replaces Paddy Jackson in matchday squad ahead of Six Nations decider in Paris

Manu Tuilagi has been named on England’s bench for the Six Nations match away to Italy on Saturday. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images England name Manu Tuilagi on bench for Italy game

Coach Stuart Lancaster names unchanged starting XV for trip to Rome

France’s Louis Picamoles applauds referee Alain Rolland after the Irish referee showed him a yellow card in the game against Wales in Cardiff. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images France make four changes for clash with Ireland

Gael Fickou and Remy Tales to make first Six Nations starts in Paris

Assistant Ireland coach Fergal Campion and Jenny Murphy during a kicking practice. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Three Irish changes for visit to Pau

Jenny Murphy, Larissa Muldoon and Ailis Egan returned to starting XV by Philip Doyle

Maxime Medard in action against England. The France winger accepts that critics of his side’s play this eaosn have a valid point. Photograph: Martin BureauAFP/Getty Images Maxime Médard impressed by Brian O’Driscoll at an early age

France winger first spotted the Irish centre playing in 1998

Rob Kearney: “You need to be on top of your game, not just for 40 minutes but for a full 80.” Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Rob Kearney looks to big Irish performance

Ireland are trying to bridge a 14-year gap when they travel to Paris on Saturday

Donal Lenihan is beaten in the lineout during Ireland’s 22-9 defeat to France in the Parc des Princes in 1982. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho A French test that has proven difficult to pass

Grand Slam denying defeat in 1982 epitomises Ireland’s problems in Paris

Ireland prop Mike Ross carries fellow frontrower Cian Healy during training at Carton House. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Mike Ross believes Irish scrum has an edge

Tighthead praises contribution of young frontrowers Marty Moore and Jack McGrath

Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones . Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images Jones at a loss to explain poor Welsh form

Lock unsure as to whether Lions fatigue is an issue for defending Six Nations champions

Ireland scrumhalf Larissa Muldoon, seen here scoring a try against England at Twickenham, returns to the starting side to play France in Pau on Friday. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Ireland women make three changes for French clash

Coach Philip Doyle expecting physical encounter against side chasing Grand Slam

Maxime Machenaud of France: “We’ve been able to show that you can win top-level matches without a set piece and without having clean ball,” he said. “Now we want to show a different face.” Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images Maxime Machenaud looking forward to keeping tabs on Ireland’s Sexton

France scrumhalf eager to test himself on the international stage against his Racing Metro team-mate

“We have to be very, very disciplined in how we approach this,” says Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Hoopla over as Ireland get ready for Paris

Les Kiss says side's minds are on winning and not any farewells

Leicester’s Manu Tuilagi has been recalled to the matchday 23 for England’s Six Nations finale against Italy in Rome. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images. England plan to use Manu Tuilagi as ‘wrecking ball’ against Italy
  • Rugby
  • Robert Kitson
  • March 12, 2014, 01:00

Wales fear Gethin Jenkins has become a ‘marked man’ in Test rugby

Ireland’s Niamh Briggs: winner of the February award. Niamh Briggs takes The Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sportswoman Award for February

Having missed opening game against Scotland, the prolific fullback has been her usual self

Fullback Rory Clarke’s two tries help Belvedere secure Junior Cup final place
  • Rugby
  • March 12, 2014, 01:00

St Michael’s valiant campaign ends in semi-final defeat at Donnybrook

Mark Sugrue, who figured on the Cork under-21 side defeated by Galway in last year’s All-Ireland final, will face Kerry in Tralee tonight in the Munster quarter-final. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Kerry Under-21s out to stop Cork run

Seán Cronin: “At home the French are a different animal. But at the end of the day you’re on the field and it’s 30 lads.” Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Seán Cronin’s added impact only what Joe Schmidt demands

Coach hammers home message that bench players are there to finish the job off, or make the difference if the game is close

dhfdt
Second Captains Irish confidence, French doggedness, talent myth, Sexton's Parisian point
 
Fantasy Rugby Still points to be gained in final weekend of action
 

Rabo Pro 12

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Leinster 16 12 1 3 387 269 9 59
Munster 16 13 0 3 397 238 6 58
Ulster 15 11 0 4 306 197 6 50
Ospreys 16 9 1 6 411 289 8 46
Glasgow 14 10 0 4 252 220 3 43
Scarlets 15 7 1 7 283 293 6 36
Dragons 15 6 0 9 260 307 4 28
Edinburgh 14 6 0 8 261 314 4 28
Connacht 16 5 0 11 247 312 7 27
Cardiff 16 4 1 11 305 404 6 24
Treviso 15 3 1 11 256 385 6 20
Zebre 16 3 1 12 246 386 4 18

Heineken Cup 2014

Pool One

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Leinster 6 5 0 1 152 67 2 22
Northampton 6 4 0 2 107 104 1 17
Castres 6 2 0 4 78 104 1 9
Ospreys 6 1 0 5 75 138 1 5

Pool Two

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Toulon 6 5 0 1 170 104 4 24
Cardiff 6 3 0 3 119 148 2 14
Exeter 6 2 0 4 118 123 4 12
Glasgow 6 2 0 4 98 130 3 11

Pool Three

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Toulouse 6 5 0 1 143 63 3 23
Saracens 6 4 0 2 217 74 4 20
Connacht 6 3 0 3 101 147 1 13
Zebre 6 0 0 6 33 210 0 0

Pool Four

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Clermont 6 5 0 1 139 69 4 24
Harlequins 6 3 0 3 126 103 4 16
Scarlets 6 2 1 3 122 150 1 11
Racing Metro 6 1 1 4 66 131 1 7

Pool Five

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Ulster 6 6 0 0 179 62 2 26
Leicester 6 4 0 2 159 112 5 21
Montpellier 6 2 0 4 121 124 3 11
Treviso 6 0 0 6 41 202 0 0

Pool Six

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Munster 6 5 0 1 161 77 3 23
Gloucester 6 3 0 3 113 114 2 14
Edinburgh 6 3 0 3 104 141 0 12
Perpignan 6 1 0 5 112 158 3 7

Our Writers

Risteard Cooper Risteard Cooper -

Brian O’Driscoll plays well in the West End too

Lynne Cantwell Lynne Cantwell - Rugby Analyst

Return to Pau looks to be on the right track

Alan Quinlan Alan Quinlan -

An angry team written off is dangerous but I still expect Ireland to beat France

Roddy L'Estrange Roddy L'Estrange -

Vinny gets judge onside with a timely tip

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