Person: Van der Merwe

Quick Keith Earls hat-trick puts Munster on the way

A Keith Earls hat-trick inside seven minutes during a six-try opening half helped Munster wrap up maximum points against a weak Edinburgh outfit in Cork last night.

Sat, 01 Dec, 2018

Connacht record losing bonus point in loss at Edinburgh

A penalty by Jack Carty five minutes from full-time offered them a glimmer of hope, but ultimately proved sufficient only for a losing bonus point.

Fri, 14 Sep, 2018

Connacht's Friend must instil a killer instinct for side to progress

Connacht 26 Glasgow Warriors 27

Mon, 03 Sep, 2018

Beirne targets Ireland call-up for Australian tour

Tadhg Beirne hopes back-to-back titles with the Scarlets can help him cement his place in the Ireland squad to tour Australia this summer.

Fri, 18 May, 2018

Glasgow ease past Connacht

Glasgow secured a home semi-final ahead of the Guinness PRO14 play-offs with a routine 35-22 win over Connacht.

Sat, 14 Apr, 2018

Jacob Stockdale’s key role gives Ulster play-off lifeline

Ulster kept their play-off hopes alive after edging past Edinburgh in a breathless encounter at BT Murrayfield.

Sat, 07 Apr, 2018

Munster frustrated by Murrayfield by deserving Edinburgh

EDINBURGH 12 - MUNSTER 6: Munster’s hopes of putting pressure on Glasgow in conference A of the Pro14 were dashed last night at a bitterly cold BT Murrayfield where Edinburgh maintained their recent winning form with a deserved victory that owed everything to their adventurous spirit.

Sat, 17 Mar, 2018

Van der Merwe’s tries cost Munster in scrappy loss

Duhan van der Merwe crossed twice as Edinburgh saw off Munster on their return to Murrayfield.

Fri, 16 Mar, 2018

Lealifano salvages late draw for Ulster

Dragons 32 Ulster 32: Australian international Christian Lealifano salvaged a 32-32 draw for Ulster with a last minute try against the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Sat, 02 Dec, 2017

Stade Francais battle back and finally get their reward

Gloucester 17 Stade Francais 25: Gloucester let an early 10-point lead slip to go down to Stade Francais at BT Murrayfield as they failed to impose themselves in the European Challenge Cup final.

Sat, 13 May, 2017

Ruan Pienaar waves goodbye to Ulster

Ulster 17 Leinster 13: Thankfully it wasn’t all about the game itself on a bright summer’s day at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday. At least two stand-out moments came from the two Ulster players who were bidding farewell to a venue they had graced on numerous occasions.

Mon, 08 May, 2017

Connacht farewell to Pat Lam falls flat in Galway

Connacht 8 Scarlets 30: A defence of their unforgettable PRO12 title win that began with two heavy home defeats, fizzled out with another drubbing at the Sportsground for Connacht.

Mon, 01 May, 2017

Scarlets ease past Connacht to seal PRO12 play-offs spot

Scarlets sauntered into the Guinness PRO12 play-offs with a 30-8 bonus point victory over error-strewn Connacht at the Sportsground.

Sat, 29 Apr, 2017

Peceli Yato celebrates with try scorer Damien Penaud 2/4/2017

Damien Penaud puts icing on cake for powerful Clermont against Toulon

Clermont Auvergne 29 Toulon 9

Mon, 03 Apr, 2017

Leinster earn bonus point in dominant win

Leinster 45 - Scarlets 9: After a first-half arm wrestle, once Leinster found their route to the Scarlets try-line they returned time and again to exploit the gap — four tries in 12 minutes wrapped up this PRO12 clash. Ross Byrne’s crossfield kicks to his wingers in space was the magic bullet for Leinster, and three of their tries in that stunning spell came via that route.

Mon, 06 Mar, 2017

Les Kiss rues slackness as Ulster make their exit

Exeter 31 Ulster 19: Ulster boss Les Kiss cut a frustrated figure as his side’s hopes of reaching the European Champions Cup quarter-finals ended in England’s West Country last night.

Mon, 16 Jan, 2017

Ulster pay the penalty for high tackle

A controversial penalty try helped Scarlets to a narrow 16-13 Guinness PRO12 victory over Ulster at a rain-drenched Parc y Scarlets.

Sat, 07 Jan, 2017

Ireland v Canada - Autumn International - Aviva Stadium

Joe Schmidt spoilt for choice ahead of All Blacks revenge mission

Ireland 52 Canada 21: Job done for Ireland’s wannabes against a feisty Canada side and plenty of positives for Joe Schmidt to bank for future campaigns, but the head coach is already bracing for a very different challenge in next Saturday’s rematch with the All Blacks.

Mon, 14 Nov, 2016

Ireland rack up eight tries against Canada ahead of All Blacks rematch

Ireland's second-string saw off Canada 52-21 but most likely failed to sway boss Joe Schmidt's selection for the New Zealand rematch next weekend.

Sat, 12 Nov, 2016

Nothing but perfection will do for Joe Schmidt

New week. New team. This evening’s Guinness Series opener against Canada at Aviva Stadium may have all the hallmarks of the calm following a storm given the history that was made in Chicago seven days ago, but then again this is an Ireland squad coached by Joe Schmidt.

Sat, 12 Nov, 2016

Andy Farrell: All Blacks bitten but far from shy

The All Blacks may be once bitten, but that certainly won’t make them twice shy, according to Andy Farrell.

Sat, 12 Nov, 2016

Tigers inspired by Burns’ ‘stardust’

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill praised Freddie Burns’ “stardust” qualities after the fly-half inspired Tigers’ 27-17 European Champions Cup victory over Racing 92 at Welford Road.

Mon, 24 Oct, 2016

Anthony Foley's loss stuns UIster boss Les Kiss

Ulster coach Les Kiss paid an emotional tribute to Anthony Foley last night.

Mon, 17 Oct, 2016

Ulster struggle to see off weakened Scarlets

Ulster struggled to defeat a weakened Scarlets side at the Kingspan Stadium last night.

Sat, 17 Sep, 2016

A new Munster chapter set to be written

Munster’s brave new world begins in Llanelli this afternoon with a difficult opening Guinness PRO12 assignment against Scarlets. The question being asked by the province’s followers is whether the new Rassie Erasmus regime will take a tentative first step or determined stride forward after the disappointments of past seasons.

Sat, 03 Sep, 2016

Sparkling Bordeaux debut for Ian Madigan

Bordeaux-Begles 15, Racing 92 9: Ian Madigan said he has settled in well in Bordeaux after leaving Leinster and is delighted to have made a winning start to his Top 14 career. The 27-year old was the star of the show as Bordeaux-Begles made an opening night win over holders, with Madigan outscoring Dan Carter five penalties to three.

Mon, 22 Aug, 2016

Ulster head for lions’ den

Ospreys 26 Ulster 46: Ulster secured their place in the Guinness Pro12 play-offs after an entertaining 10-try match at the Liberty Stadium as Ospreys failed to qualify for next season’s European Champions Cup.

Mon, 09 May, 2016

Ospreys miss out on Europe but Ulster are headed for the play-offs

A 46-26 defeat saw Ospreys fail to qualify for the European Champions Cup next season, while victorious Ulster secured their place in the Guinness Pro12 play-offs in an entertaining 10-try match at the Liberty Stadium.

Sat, 07 May, 2016

Craig Gilroy returns as Ulster field strongest squad

The return of top try scorer Craig Gilroy is the only change for Ulster in this afternoon’s win or bust Guinness PRO12 Super Saturday shoot-out with the Champions Cup-chasing Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

Sat, 07 May, 2016