Person: Napolioni Nalaga

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

columnists

With World Cup selection nearing, it’s time for heroes to step up at Ravenhill

Having backed Toulon and Clermont to produce a decent spectacle in the European Champions Cup final, I’m glad to say we weren’t disappointed.

rugby

Toulon are hard to love but easy to envy

Maybe there will have to be a law against Toulon, one denouncing them as bad for business because they are too good for everyone else.

rugby

French advancing on HQ

The French will take Twickenham by storm next month for the first time since they subjected the All Blacks to the most riotous half-hour in World Cup history.

rugby

Clermont progress to final in tough game against Saracens

rugby

BERNARD JACKMAN: Rethinking our provincial approach

rugby

Mild Munster overthrown by Clermont

Sexton kicks 16 points as Racing race to top of Pool 5

Jonathan Sexton kicked 16 points as Racing Metro defeated Benetton Treviso 26-10 at Stadio Comunale di Mongio.

Mon, 27 Oct, 2014

Bench could decide dogfight at Thomond

Four quarter-finals, each with fascinating sub-plots. Our rugby analyst looks for the tell-tales indicators.

Sat, 05 Apr, 2014

Sexton kicks well as Racing pip Clermont

Racing Metro 13 Clermont Auvergne 9

Sun, 13 Oct, 2013

Wilkinson inspires Toulon to glory

ASM Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16

Mon, 20 May, 2013

Munster should hand captaincy to O’Mahony

After 15 minutes of Saturday’s gripping Heineken Cup semi-final, I feared for Munster.

Wed, 01 May, 2013

Heartbreak as Munster say goodbye to Heineken Cup dream

Clermont 16 Munster 10

Sat, 27 Apr, 2013

Munster travel to France as massive underdogs

Munster's Heineken Cup adventure has taken them to the south of France today for a semi-final shoot-out with Clermont Auvergne today.

Sat, 27 Apr, 2013

This is only the beginning for Reds’ next generation

Heineken Cup semi-final

Sat, 27 Apr, 2013

BERNARD JACKMAN: Early grip vital for Red machine in Michelin country

Munster are a team who have often faced — and overcome — huge hurdles in the Heineken Cup. Tomorrow, in the south of France, they face another of those seemingly impossible challenges.

Fri, 26 Apr, 2013

Out-half dilemma vexing Clermont coach Cotter

Clermont Auvergne may be the envy of most clubs in Europe with the wealth of talent at their disposal but while that depth is apparent at out-half, filling the 10 shirt on Saturday is their biggest concern at the moment.

Thu, 25 Apr, 2013

There are many frightening reasons to love Clermont

We’ve been spoilt over the years with the frequency of Munster and Leinster being paired with Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne in either the pool or knockout stages of the Heineken Cup. At its best, French club rugby is irresistible and in those two outstanding sides, we have been exposed to the very best it has to offer.

Thu, 25 Apr, 2013

Munster won’t roll over, says wary Cotter

Clermont Auvergne 36 Montpellier 14

Mon, 08 Apr, 2013

Clermont run riot against Exeter

Clermont Auvergne 46 Exeter 3

Sat, 12 Jan, 2013

Clermont put down marker with victory over champions Leinster

Leinster 21 Clermont Auvergne 28

Sat, 15 Dec, 2012

Welsh rugby heading into a deep valley

On a weekend when defeat for all four Irish sides in Europe was not beyond the bounds of possibility, a return of three from four with a losing bonus point procured from the only defeat was exceptional considering the quality of opposition faced.

Wed, 12 Dec, 2012

Losing bonus point for Leinster in titanic Clermont clash

Clermont Auvergne 15 Leinster 12

Sun, 09 Dec, 2012

Which French will turn up?

French approach

Sat, 08 Dec, 2012

Fiji no match for dominant South Africa

South Africa 49 Fiji 3

Sat, 17 Sep, 2011

Leinster can still hit another level

IT IS a measure of the Irish impact on the Heineken Cup that Leinster’s appearance in the decider in Cardiff on Saturday marks the seventh by an Irish side in the competition’s 16-year history.

Wed, 18 May, 2011

McFadden winging it for Ireland

Fergus McFadden continues to reap the rewards of a positional change that today propelled him into the Ireland team.

Tue, 01 Feb, 2011

Leinster close in on quarter-finals

Leinster 24 Clermont Auvergne 8

Sat, 18 Dec, 2010

France overcome Fiji in Nantes

David Marty and Maxime Medard scored tries as France eased to a 34-12 win over Fiji in rain-swept Nantes this evening.

Sat, 13 Nov, 2010

There may be trouble ahead

IF THE recent Six Nations defeat to Scotland has taught us anything, it’s that despite all the heroics and accumulation of trophies last season, Irish rugby has no divine right to silverware.

Fri, 09 Apr, 2010

Leinster have history on their side

THERE isn’t much in the way of history between Leinster and Clermont Auvergne, but what little there is will always remain a source of some satisfaction for the Irish province.

Fri, 09 Apr, 2010

Humbling defeat for Ospreys

Clermont Auvergne 27 Ospreys 7

Sat, 16 Jan, 2010

Ireland must not get bogged down against weakened Fijians

IT’S when you examine the clubs of the Fijian players in this evening’s Guinness Series international against Ireland at the RDS that you appreciate how short they are of the quality needed for success at the highest level.

Sat, 21 Nov, 2009

Blue sky thinking from Kidney

A STUDY of the clubs providing Fijian players for this evening’s Guinness Series international against Ireland is an interesting indicator of the challenge Declan Kidney’s side can expect.

Sat, 21 Nov, 2009

Robinson era off to solid start

Scotland 23 Fiji 10

Sat, 14 Nov, 2009

Sale dash Clermont qualification hopes

Sale Sharks 26 Clermont Auvergne 17

Sat, 24 Jan, 2009

Dowling keen to atone for French failure

IAN DOWLING says today’s rematch with ASM Clermont Auvergne in Thomond Park represents a mission of atonement, following defeat to the Frenchmen last weekend.

Sat, 13 Dec, 2008

Tillous-Borde and Chabal to start for France

Sebastien Tillous-Borde and Sebastien Chabal have been drafted into France’s starting XV for Saturday’s Test against Australia in Paris.

Tue, 18 Nov, 2008