January 2015. Nigel Carolan is sitting in the Bective Rangers clubhouse at Donnybrook Stadium explaining his coaching philosophy before the upcoming Six Nations campaign that will be his first in charge and it is a recipe few supporters would refuse.

 

The IRFU’s annual report was presented yesterday at the Aviva Stadium.

A late try salvaged a draw for Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road, but the Ulster Bank League challengers still lost ground to table toppers Clontarf.

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

Cork Constitution will have the support of the nation — well almost — when they take on Lansdowne in today’s Ulster Bank League battle at Temple Hill, the outcome of which will surely shape the destination of the title.

Results, scores and scorers from today's Ulster Bank League ties

The delight within the Cork Constitution camp was significant after Johnny Holland felled Ulster Bank leaders Lansdowne for the first time in this season’s campaign at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Clontarf celebrated after an Ulster League bonus point victory over Blackrock College on Friday pushed up their points tally to 50 and helped them stretch their advantage over St Mary’s College and Young Munster, but there’s a massive title battle ahead.

Shannon have started the new Ulster Bank League season with a marginal win over Dolphin today.

LIMERICK completed a double escape on Saturday as the home side’s prevailed in Saturday’s Ulster Bank League relegation/promotion play-offs.

Results from today's promotion/relegation play-offs

DOLPHIN’S victory over Blackrock College in the Ulster Bank League at Stradbrook on Saturday has pushed them back into a stronger position as the battle for top four places intensifies.

IT was as coach Brian Walsh predicted – difficult – but Cork Constitution were resilient enough to secure the 26-20 victory over Shannon that was required to keep them on top of Division 1A of the All Ireland League.

The teams for this weekend's All-Ireland League fixtures have been announced.

The teams for this weekend's round of AIL rugby fixtures have been announced today.

The teams for this weekend's round of All-Ireland League rugby matches have been announced.

NEW Ireland Under-20 boss Mike Ruddock admits that development of young talent and the creation of a winning culture are his key objectives in the new role.

Former Wales coach Mike Ruddock has been named as the new coach of the Ireland under-20 team, replacing Allen Clarke, the previous coach and current High Performance Manager.

CONTROVERSIAL Irish rugby star Trevor Brennan has revealed he would like to get back on the playing field when his five-year ban from the sport is lifted next year.

Leaders Cork Constitution have been able to select Munster's Billy Holland in their back row for Saturday's AIB League clash with Dolphin.

Leaders Cork Constitution plan to utilise Munster's Jeremy Manning at out-half with David Lyons slipping back to full-back for the first-versue-second tussle with St Mary's College in Division 1A of the AIB League at Templeville Raod on Saturday.

Ireland U-20 44 Scotland U-20 15

HAVING made their home in Athlone’s Dubarry Park, Ireland will be expected to step up to the mark and beat Scotland to clinch the Six Nations U20 title this evening (7.35pm).

THE Ireland U20 team will bid to claim the Six Nations title with victory over Scotland at Dubarry Park tomorrow night (7.35pm).

Ireland U-20 24 Wales U-20 17

IRISH U20 coach Allen Clarke is preparing himself for a difficult but exciting night at the office in Dubarry Park, Athlone, tonight (7.30) when Wales come in search of glory.

IRISH U20 coach Allen Clarke has shuffled his deck for tomorrow night’s Six Nations clash with Wales at Dubarry Park, (7.35pm, RTÉ Two).

RUGBY: AIB LEAGUE: RESULTS:

IRISH U-20 coach Allen Clarke has kept faith with the sides which started against Italy and France for tomorrow night’s clash with England at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester (7.45pm).

The Ireland U20s will travel to Gloucester this weekend to take on their English counterparts in the mid-tournament clash in this year's Under 20 RBS Six Nations.

Cork Constitution will take a wait-and-see approach to whether they can use Duncan Williams this weekend.

IRELAND U-20 face a first real test of their Grand Slam credentials when they travel to face their French counterparts at Stade de la Chevaliere in Mazame tonight (RTÉ Two, 7.30pm).

IRISH U20 coach Allen Clarke has retained the side which defeated Italy 39-0 in Athlone last week for tomorrow night’s French assignment at the Stade de la Chevaliere in Mazament (RTE 2, 7.30pm).

IRELAND could hardly have asked for a better start to their U20 Six Nations campaign as they brushed Italy aside with ease at Dubarry Park in Athlone last night.

IRELAND U20 will be hoping the grizzled edge acquired from having the majority of their pack from last season around as they prepare for a physical encounter with Italy tonight at Dubarry Park (7.30pm).

RHYS RUDDOCK, son of former Welsh coach Mike, will captain Ireland in their opening game of the U20 Six Nations Championship against Italy at Dubarry Park tomorrow night (7.30pm).

There are seven players returning from last year for the Ireland Under 20s in their Six Nations Championship opener against Italy in Dubarry Park on Friday night (K.O. 7.35pm).

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION 1A RESULTS:

AIB LEAGUE RESULTS

DIVISION 1A:

ON a weekend when two AIB Cup ties have been called off, the losing finalists of two seasons ago, Blackrock, have a golden opportunity to push forward towards another AIB cup decider when they take on Garryowen in today’s quarter-final at Stradbrook (2.30).