Munster have confirmed the signing of tighthead prop Michael Ala’alatoa from Clermont Auvergne on a seven-month deal. The 34-year-old, who has 24 international caps and has played at two World Cups, is currently on international duty with Manu Samoa. His contract at Thomond Park will begin on December 1. Ala’alatoa previously played with Leinster, making 62 appearances and scoring six tries between 2021 and 2024.
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Mack Hansen scored a superb first-half hat-trick to help lift Ireland to a comprehensive win over Australia in an entertaining Test at Aviva Stadium. Starting an Ireland game at full-back for the first time, Canberra-born Hansen starred in a slick Irish attack on his return from a foot injury with three tries inside the opening 30 minutes. The Wallabies – coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt – stayed in touch at half-time thanks to Len Ikitau and Fraser McReight tries.
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Richard Wigglesworth, Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, John Fogarty and John Dalziel have all been confirmed as part of Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions coaching team for the tour of Australia this summer. England senior assistant coach Wigglesworth is a surprise selection formerly solely in charge of England’s attack he now also works with a focus on kicking strategy.
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Ireland spoiled Joe Schmidt’s return to Dublin to end their Autumn Nations Series campaign on a high as Andy Farrell signed off for his British & Irish Lions sabbatical by scoring a psychological blow against Australia ahead of next summer’s three-Test series Down Under. It was an uplifting end to this four-game set at Aviva Stadium that had begun with a below-par defeat to New Zealand and gradually improved through victories over Argentina and Fiji.
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England stormed into the World Cup semi-finals as two tries from Jonny May underpinned a record-equalling 40-16 victory over Australia at Oita Stadium. They will face either New Zealand or Ireland in the semi-finals.
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