FOUR years ago, the Irish rugby team failed to make it past the group stages of the Rugby World Cup for the first time after telling everyone and anyone that they had what it took to win the tournament.

IN these parts, the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 is not remembered in the fondest of terms. A ‘blackwash’ by the home side, recriminations in the touring party and ‘that’ spear tackle are the abiding recollections of a miserable Test series on the fields of Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

IRELAND backs coach Alan Gaffney yesterday emerged as a shock candidate for the vacant coach’s job at Australian giants the Brumbies.

WITH a year to go to Rugby World Cup 2011, tournament organisers in New Zealand says preparations are well on track, despite last week’s earthquake near Christchurch.

International Rugby Board officials are confident that preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand are on track despite the financial uncertainties arising from the current global economic crisis.

THE MATCH schedule for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand has been announced.

The decision on which venues will host World Cup quarter-final matches in 2011 is expected to be announced in early September.