Search Results for 'Joe Schmidt'

Connacht's heavy hitters are expected to return this week for a pivotal Pro14 fixture against Ospreys in Wales.

Connacht’s heavy hitters are expected to return this week for a pivotal Pro14 fixture against Ospreys in Wales.

Often maligned, rather unfairly, as a dog track overlooking a cemetery, the Galway Sportsground can now be the province’s “shining light”. Hardened fans love it just as it is, and former captain John Muldoon refused to contemplate moving big games elsewhere, but in many ways it is past its sell-by date, particularly since the game went professional.

I hope none of you were put out in any major way by the recent storm Ali. I think the ferocity of that storm left many of us quite surprised. We had been warned it would be major, but not very, very major, so that when the sustained high winds began it left a lot of us nonplussed. Then we had Storm Bronagh which never came, was talked about but seems to have passed us by. So we don’t know what the weather for the future is likely to be.

On-field rugby action for the season commences with a hugely attractive match between Connacht and Wasps at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday afternoon.

Well, Ireland won last Saturday in Melbourne so it’s full steam ahead for Sydney next week, now it really is a competition. Australia won one match and Ireland won another match and now, next Saturday, will be the decider.

Dear readers, we have such a glut of high news this last week. First up, of course, is the visit of the Pope to Ireland at the end of August. I never thought I would be excited about it but hearing about the details of the itinerary I can just imagine the wonderful furore that will be created when he arrives amongst us.

Isn’t this May/June weather just glorious? Heavy, verdant growth everywhere, birds working overtime thrilling and singing to all and sundry as they wheel around the sky, young children out playing with their bicycles, balls and all the outdoor pursuits they can.

Ireland rugby star Johnny Sexton has joined Lexus Ireland as an ambassador until 2019. Ahead of a busy summer period of international fixtures and this Autumn’s highly-anticipated Rugby World Cup, Johnny took time out of his training schedule and was this week presented with a Lexus RX450h.

Connacht Rugby's squad for next season continues to take shape with the recruitment of two Irish-qualified forwards this week.