The News Review:
- Tony Ward: Grand Slam win is a legacy Ireland cannot squander
- Win! Win! Win!
- Cuddy warning to spreys stars
- Six Nations boosts Lions SA tour hopes ‘” Gerald Davies
- Powell doubtful for Blues’ Euro tie
- Win tickets to the Heineken Cup quarter-finals
Tony Ward: Grand Slam win is a legacy Ireland cannot squander
Belfast Telegraph
Declan Kidney got it in one when he highlighted honesty hard work and trust. They are inter-related and embodied in the very being of this man. Despite two outstanding Heineken Cup successes with Munster and an Ireland under-19 World Cup (which Brian |’Driscoll Paddy Wallace and Donncha ’Callaghan shared) guiding Ireland to this Grand Slam is without doubt his greatest achievement to date. It will be hard to top but have little doubt he will. Many superlatives are flowing his team’s way and by extension so many more being deflected on him. He is clearly uncomfortable in that light and in a way it reveals to me why the proud Cork man is so special. Again I return to that trait called humility.
Win! Win! Win!
guardian.co.uk
The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Travel to the event beyond the cost of £100 insurance personal expenses and any other costs not specifically associated with the prize are the responsibility of the winner. The winners will be notified by phone by 8 April 2009 and given details on how to collect the tickets.
Cuddy warning to spreys stars
Walesnline
The spreys’ big names return from international duty today to prepare for Saturday’s EDF Energy Cup semi-final against Gloucester at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena. The spreys will then head to Ulster to step up their Magners League title tilt before the big one – the Heineken Cup quarter-final in Munster on April 12. So it’s a huge three weeks for Wales’ self-styled super region – and the spreys players have been told in no uncertain terms what is expected of them. “As we continue to grow as an organisation year on year on and off the field it is inevitable that expectations will also grow” said spreys managing director Cuddy. “If we are to match those expectations then we need to stand up and be counted over the next month. “Everybody here is desperate to bring further success to the region and to reward those fans for their backing.
Six Nations boosts Lions SA tour hopes ‘” Gerald Davies
Walesnline
“And many of them have put their hands up and made a case for selection. ”While Six Nations form would appear to be the main criteria for selection Davies revealed there was still opportunities for fringe figures – James Hook and Danny Cipriani are players who spring to mind – to make the 35 or 36 names due to be unveiled by Lions coach Ian McGeechan at a Heathrow press conference on April 21. Hook has two massive opportunities to bolster his case: Saturday’s EDF Energy Cup semi-final with Gloucester in Coventry and next month’s Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown with holders Munster in Limerick. The half-back spots are expected to be hotly debated by the Lions management with nobody having nailed down a Test spot. The Lions seemed to have a glut of scrum-half riches pre-Six Nations but the No 9s failed to stamp their authority on the tournament while injuries deprived Gareth Cooper and Dwayne Peel of opportunities to impress. McGeechan and his inner-sanctum will review the championship when they discuss candidates. They also intend consulting their scouting advisers in Wales England Ireland and Scotland as they attempt to formulate the Lions’ battle plans for the three-Test series with South Africa.
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Powell doubtful for Blues’ Euro tie
Walesnline
Maama Molitika and Martyn Williams are expected to make up the rest of the back row. The spreys are also sweating on the European fitness of star full-back Lee Byrne who suffered a foot injury in the 17-15 defeat to Ireland. Byrne could be out for up to four weeks with a tendon injury in his left foot so must be considered a major doubt for the Heineken Cup quarter-final in Munster on April 12. “I’ll have the scan and hopefully it is not going to be that bad” he said. “We have got the Heineken Cup game in Munster coming up and it would be nice to go over there and get some revenge.
Win tickets to the Heineken Cup quarter-finals
Times nline
The action kicks off on Saturday at the Millennium Stadium whenthe Cardiff Blues take on the might of Toulouse followed by an all-EnglishPremiership clash between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby. Then on Sunday Munster continue the defence of their title against the sreyswhile Harlequins will be looking to clinch their first ever semi-final placewhen taking on Leinster. The competition will be fierce as each team vies toreach the final at Murrayfield Stadium on May 23. We have four pairs of tickets to each of the quarter-finals.