Ireland’s rugby team is set to face off against the American rugby team The Eagles this June in Houston, TX. This will be the third time the two teams have met.

Joe Schmidt has asked interim Ireland coach Les Kiss to stay on board as part of the national team’s new management set-up after they work together on the American and Canadian tour this summer.

Last Saturday, in a lively encounter, Lansdowne managed a result after New York seemed to grab control in the second half of the match. Despite four furious drives by the home side in the first 25 minutes, the Lansdowne defense, led by Man of the Match Scott Crafton, Joe Giordano and Sennin Flanagan held tightly and refused to buckle. The visitors struck first in minute nine. Pat Devery intercepted a New York pass and offloaded to Joe Giordano. Joe launched a lovely Garryowen which was deftly collected by John Giordano, who touched down under the posts. Sennin Flanagan converted.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has signed a new one-year contract with former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll to play for Leinster.

Ireland’s October 4th rugby World Cup qualifying match up against Italy will be played at Olympic Stadium in London while the 3 other Pool D games will be played at Millenium and Wembley. The Irish will play their first Pool D game at Millenium against a representative from the Americas, second at Wembley facing an opponent from Europe, third at Olympic against Italy, then back to Millenium for the last qualifier against France.  

Leinster destroyed Biarritz with a five star and five try performance on their way to a 44-16 Amlin Cup semifinal win at the RDS last Saturday.

Schmidt will join the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) on 1st July on a contract that will see him lead Ireland until after the 2016 RBS Six Nations.

The Irish Rugby Football Union are poised to announce that Joe Schmidt will succeed Declan Kidney as head coach. From New Zealand, Schmidt is currently calling the shots for Leinster and doing it well as his team captured a Heineken Cup in 2011 and 2012. 

Fit again Tommy Bowe is unconvinced he is a contender for the Lions tour to Australia this summer despite his return to action with Ulster after knee surgery.

Last weekend, Wilkes Barre fought past visiting Lansdowne in a competitive battle. Early in the match, Lansdowne demonstrated some good control. The pack carried the ball with passion, and Mark Giordano's kicking was quite intelligent. Tom Murray, John McGuinness and James Powell all carried well early on.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially marked the arrival in Ireland of the Rugby League World Cup Trophy, the oldest trophy in world rugby.

Last weekend home team Lansdowne beat an undermanned, but valiant Rockaway Fishead side by 50-38. The Irishmen were led by Blake Mannion's 3 first half tries as he maintained his torrid scoring pace. The 2nd half saw Rockaway roar back as the men from the peninsula scored five unanswered tries to make the numbers interesting.

Last Saturday Lansdowne traveled to Manhattanville College for the spring opener. The game was played in 3 halves (thirds) so as to give all players as much playing time as possible.

After a five-year reign the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have announced their decision to not renew head coach Declan Kidney’s contract.

Declan Kidney was all but thrown to the lions in a rugby coliseum as Ireland suffered their first ever Six Nations defeat to Italy, 22-15, and effectively condemned the coach to the dole queue in the process.