Warren Gatland’s return was spoiled by Ireland as the world’s number one side humbled Wales in the opening Six Nations match in Cardiff. Ireland’s storming start saw tries from Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe – and 12 points from Johnny Sexton – establish a 27-3 half-time lead that Wales would never manage to surmount.
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Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland’s 2023 Six Nations opener vs Wales in Cardiff, in a major blow for Andy Farrell’s side. Furlong, who has only played 36 minutes of rugby since the autumn internationals, has failed to recover from a calf injury, leaving Connacht’s Finlay Bealham to start at tighthead prop.
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Munster’s Joey Carbery has been left out of Andy Farrell’s 6 Nations squad in favour of Ross Byrne and Jack Crowley. Carbery has been blighted by injury through-out his career while his teammate Crowley is seen as a successor to Sexton in the 10 jersey.
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Andy Farrell has signed a two-year contract extension to stay as Ireland head coach until 2025. Irish chiefs have moved to tie down Farrell beyond the 2023 World Cup, with the former dual-code international’s stock having shot up after the summer’s historic Test series win in New Zealand.
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Seven players from Australian rugby league side Manly Sea Eagles will not play this week after refusing to wear the club’s one-off Pride jersey due to “cultural and religious” beliefs, the club’s coach revealed Tuesday. The Sydney-based Sea Eagles will don the rainbow-themed uniforms for a crucial match against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, a move unveiled earlier this week to promote inclusivity and respect.
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