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• Provinces must pay more of Ireland contracts costs

  15-04-2025 21:27 via bbc.com
  
  The four provinces will have to contribute 40% to Ireland's national player contracts from August 2026 - as opposed to 30% - the IRFU announces.
  
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• How professional players train: secrets of physical preparation

  06-05-2025 15:25 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Professional physical training of athletes plays a key role in their success, whether on sports fields or in intellectual competitions. The correct combination of training, recovery, and psychophysical preparation determines not only endurance and strength but also the ability to maintain concentration during long tournament sessions. Understanding the importance of these aspects is critical for […]
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• The Breakdown | Andy Farrell faces Owen question as selection debates pile up for Lions squad

  06-05-2025 11:37 via theguardian.com
  
  Head coach must decide if his son commands a place, the back-row blend and whether a left-field pick is required As Andy Farrell prepares to name his British & Irish Lions touring squad it is worth reflecting on the events of 12 years ago. Then as now, the destination was Australia and Farrell was an important cog in Warren Gatland’s management team. It was also the last time the Lions actually won a series, the solitary occasion they have ticked that illustrious box this century.And d
  
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• James O’Connor in frame to make shock Wallabies return for Lions series

  06-05-2025 08:45 via theguardian.com
  
  Crusaders fly-half last played an international Test in 2022‘He would bring experience back into the group,’ says Joe Schmidt Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has cleared the path for a shock international return for pivot James O’Connor as he looks for more experience in the upcoming series against the British & Irish Lions.The former Reds fly-half last played for the Wallabies in 2022, and moved to the Crusaders in New Zealand ahead of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific sea
  
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• Maro Itoje’s chance of Lions captaincy grows with Caelan Doris set for surgery

  05-05-2025 21:04 via theguardian.com
  
  Injury to Ireland No 8 looks ‘serious’, says Leinster coachAndy Farrell due to name tour squad on ThursdayMaro Itoje’s chances of being named British & Irish Lions captain this week have been strengthened after Caelan Doris – one of his closest rivals for the role – emerged as an injury doubt for the tour of Australia.Doris, the Ireland captain, will undergo shoulder surgery this week but, after a worrying assessment by the Leinster coach, Jacques Nienaber, he i
  
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• Charlie Elliott: The 17 backs I would select for the British and Irish Lions

  05-05-2025 19:48 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By Charlie Elliott The British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer is set to be announced on Thursday.  Andy Farrell and his coaching staff have some huge decisions to make, as the wealth of talent at their disposal is very evenly matched and is a very high quality.  Backs will be the ones who […]
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• Charlie Elliott: The 21 forwards I would select for the British and Irish Lions squad

  05-05-2025 19:05 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By Charlie Elliott The British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer is set to be announced on Thursday.  Andy Farrell and his coaching staff have some huge decisions to make, as the wealth of talent at their disposal is very evenly matched and is a very high quality.  There are so many players whom you could […]
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• Doris needs shoulder operation & is doubt for Lions

  05-05-2025 16:06 via bbc.com
  
  Ireland captain Caelan Doris' availability for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia is in doubt as Leinster confirm he will have a "procedure" on a shoulder injury.
  
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• Iconic rugby referee Nigel Owens drops huge hint over returning next season

  05-05-2025 14:44 via express.co.uk
  Nigel Owens returned to referee Lampeter Town RFC v London Welsh over the weekend in a 150th anniversary game, and the Welshman has hinted at a permanent comeback
  
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• Social Media Moments of the Week: Henry Pollock divides opinion with try celebration 

  05-05-2025 13:15 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By Charlie Elliott As the weekend of rugby draws to a close, the discourse around the sport continues to bubble away.  The Champions and Challenge Cups saw some great rugby being played and some very surprising results, no more so than Northampton Saints beating Leinster 37-24 in Dublin, thanks to some standout performances from British and […]
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• Champions Cup Team of the Week: Northampton Saints’ Lions hopefuls help deliver historic upset

  05-05-2025 12:31 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By Charlie Elliott The Champions Cup played host to two of the best semi-finals we have seen in the competition, as the two favourites were knocked out by unfancied opposition.  Northampton Saints winning away in Dublin against Leinster was by far the biggest shock, with Phil Dowson’s side putting their poor Premiership form aside to produce a mammoth performance […]
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• Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad

  05-05-2025 07:35 via bbc.com
  
  Unforeseen picks are part of the intrigue and tradition of the British and Irish Lions squad selection - so who might make a late run in 2025?
  
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• 'Advanced talks' over Magic Weekend's Newcastle return

  04-05-2025 21:20 via bbc.com
  
  RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones is "quietly confident" the Magic Weekend will return to Newcastle next season.
  
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• Wakefield end Magic Weekend by beating Cas

  04-05-2025 20:39 via bbc.com
  
  Wakefield Trinity put in a classy performance to beat Castleford Tigers in the final 2025 Magic Weekend fixture at St James' Park.
  
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• Bordeaux set up Champions Cup final with Northampton after beating Toulouse

  04-05-2025 20:05 via theguardian.com
  
  Louis Bielle-Biarrey stars with two tries in 35-18 winOwen Farrell hurt in Racing 92’s Challenge Cup defeatLouis Bielle-Biarrey’s stunning first try of two highlighted Bordeaux Bègles’ 35-18 win over Top 14 rivals Toulouse as they set up a Champions Cup final meeting with Northampton. Saints stunned Leinster in Saturday’s first semi-final.Bordeaux had raced into a 10-0 lead with a try from Pete Samu and a Matthieu Jalibert penalty, but Toulouse edged 11-10 up with
  
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• Wigan hold on for Magic win against Warrington

  04-05-2025 18:48 via bbc.com
  
  Wigan Warriors return to second in Super League as they hold on to beat Warrington Wolves in a Magic Weekend thriller at St James' Park.
  
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• Bordeaux down holders Toulouse to set up Northampton final

  04-05-2025 18:13 via bbc.com
  Bordeaux-Begles set up an Investec Champions Cup final against Northampton as they derail holders Toulouse in a pulsating match between France's top two sides.
  
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• Northampton give Andy Farrell much to ponder before Lions unveiling

  04-05-2025 18:01 via theguardian.com
  
  British & Irish Lions head coach must ask himself if he can afford to leave Henry Pollock out of the squad on ThursdayOne of the all-time great club knockout results could yet have big implications in the coming days. Northampton will now feel they have a genuine chance of lifting the Champions Cup for the first time in quarter of a century while Andy Farrell suddenly has much to ponder before Thursday’s British & Irish Lions squad announcement in London.Just as the Saints fully de
  
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• Owen Farrell withdrawn from Lions audition after 19 minutes as dad given headache

  04-05-2025 17:38 via express.co.uk
  Andy Farrell did not get to see his son in action for long
  
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• Wellens 'under pressure' after Saints lose again

  04-05-2025 16:56 via bbc.com
  St Helens boss Paul Wellens admits he is under pressure following Saturday's Magic Weekend loss to Leeds Rhinos which continued his side's poor run of form.
  
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• Leaders Hull KR stun Salford with 54-point haul

  04-05-2025 16:47 via bbc.com
  Watch highlights as Super League leaders Hull KR canter to a bumper Magic Weekend win over beleaguered Salford Red Devils.
  
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• Leigh beat Catalans in Magic Weekend classic

  04-05-2025 16:44 via bbc.com
  Watch highlights as Leigh Leopards beat Catalans Dragons in a Magic Weekend classic to move second in Super League.
  
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• Huddersfield beat 12-man Hull for first win

  04-05-2025 16:11 via bbc.com
  Huddersfield Giants claim their first Super League win of the season as they edge 12-man Hull in a bad-tempered Magic Weekend match.
  
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• Farrell injured as Lyon beat Racing to set up Bath final

  04-05-2025 16:02 via bbc.com
  Owen Farrell's final audition for British and Irish Lions selection ends early as England's record point-scorer suffers a head injury in Racing 92's 29-15 Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Lyon.
  
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• Lawrence Dallaglio at risk of going bankrupt with £3m family home up for sale

  04-05-2025 12:10 via express.co.uk
  The 2003 World Cup winner is going through a bitter and potentially damaging divorce.
  
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• Ian McGeechan tells Andy Farrell the one policy he must enforce when picking Lions squad

  04-05-2025 09:45 via express.co.uk
  Andy Farrell will name his Lions squad on Thursday
  
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• Saints stun Leinster and sweep into final

  04-05-2025 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By ADAM HATHAWAY in Dublin NORTHAMPTON captain Fraser Dingwall hailed the spirit of his side as they pulled off one of the biggest European shocks by derailing Leinster 37-24 in Dublin yesterday. Written off by the bookies, Saints produced an astonishing five-try display to knock out the tournament favourites and march towards the Champions Cup […]
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• Northampton Saints stun Leinster in Champions Cup semi and sweep into final

  04-05-2025 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By Adam Hathaway in Dublin Northampton captain Fraser Dingwall hailed the spirit of his side as they pulled off one of the biggest European shocks by derailing Leinster 37-24 in Dublin yesterday. Written off by the bookies, Saints produced an astonishing five-try display to knock out the tournament favourites and march towards the Champions Cup […]
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• You’re right, Jeff, crowd capacity is not a critical factor

  04-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  JEFF Probyn says promotion to the Premiership should not depend on ground capacity. He is right. If English football adopted the same principle, Bournemouth would never have reached the top league. Yet that modest south coast club, with its tiny crowd capacity compared to Manchester United and others, has been like a breath of fresh […]
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• Why did such a good side break up so quickly?

  04-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  FOR the best part of two decades, Exeter Chiefs have been a textbook success story, poster boys for the professional club game, so frankly it’s been a little disturbing watching them implode this season and the knee-jerk rancour following their humiliating defeat at Gloucester last week. Ali Hepher and Rob Hunter were unceremoniously thrown under […]
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