New Zealand lock Brad Thorn has been ruled out of tomorrow’s match with Ireland having failed to recover from a hamstring strain.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named his side to face Ireland in the 2010 Guinness Series at the Aviva Stadium.

HEADING back up the boreen towards the hut on the hills on my regular daily constitutional yesterday morning, it was heartening to see the long shadow being cast before me, almost the first occasion this year.

NOT FOR the first time, an Irish touring party has departed New Zealand without the rewards of test victory. That said, in the context of a two test series, none have done better.

IRISH skipper Brian O’Driscoll yesterday admitted his side can “do something special” in New Zealand.

Clive Woodward has admitted he “wasn’t himself” and got “fundamental things wrong” on last year’s British and Irish Lions tour.

OVER the past two weekends we have been treated to some outstanding contests as the giants from the northern and southern hemispheres clash in the Autumn internationals.

THE South African Springboks may have handed the Wallabies a blueprint on how to defeat the All Blacks and retain rugby’s Bledisloe Cup next weekend, Australian coach Eddie Jones said yesterday.