Ronan O'Gara

Munster noved four points clear at the top of their pool with a gutsy 24-23 Group 1 win over French champions Perpignan at Thonond Park on Friday. The French looked to have snatched the contest after South African replacement Philip Burger went over for a superb 70th-minute try. But visiting flanker Bertrand Guiry's late high tackle allowed Ronan O'Gara to kick a match-winning penalty and ensure that the quarter-finals loom once again for Munster, who hyave at least made that stage for the past 11 seasons. Flanker Yoann Vivalda and scrum-half Nicolas Durand both went over in the first half as the French took ... Read Full Story

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has said he too would have dropped Ronan O'Gara in favour of Jonathan Sexton for Saturday's game between Ireland and South Africa here at Croke Park. O'Gara, Ireland's 93 times capped outside-half, was a shock omission from Declan Kidney's starting XV, with the British and Irish Lions player dropped Thursday from an Ireland team against major opposition for the first time in six years. He was heavily criticised during this year's Lions tour of South Africa, where he conceded a penalty that cost the visitors the second Test and the series. O'Gara's defence has also been questioned and de ... Read Full Story

Tomas O’Leary “It’s brilliant news for me and all the lads in the Munster squad - we’ve got a good contingent in the Lions,” he told TV3 Sport. There was no advance warning. I was just in the gym in Cork, doing a bit of training. We turned on Sky, there was a bit of a crowd around. I heard the name, there was a bit of relief and I was delighted obviously.It’s the ultimate goal and amibition of rugby players from these parts to get selected and play for the Lions. It’s a bit of dream alright. It’s a big bonus to get ... Read Full Story

The British and Irish Lions maintained a 100 percent record on tour in South Africa with a 39-3 victory against severely depleted kwaZulu-Natal Sharks on Wednesday. Magnificent defending by a home team lacking nine regulars on Springbok duty restricted the winners to a 7-3 half-time advantage, but the touring team cut loose in the second half to romp home in their fourth tour match. Next up are Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday and one week later a three-Test series against world champions South Africa begins in this Indian Ocean city. The freezing weather that has enveloped much of South Africa was mercifully ... Read Full Story

Leinster upset the odds to beat defending champions Munster and win their all Ireland European Cup semi-final 25-6 at Croke Park here on Saturday, in front of a club world record crowd of 82,208. Talismanic Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll set the seal on Leinster's victory with a 70-metre interception try 20 minutes from time as his side reached their first European Cup final where they will now face the winners of Sunday's match between Cardiff and Leicester on May 23 in Edinburgh. Tries either side of half-time from Gordon D'Arcy and fellow Ireland international Luke Fitzgerald had put Leinster in a strong position before ... Read Full Story