Rugby’s leading nations have united to announce a blanket ban on playing international matches for recruits to the proposed breakaway R360 league. England, New Zealand, Ireland and France are among those who currently either favour or exclusively pick players from their domestic competitions. That meant signing up to the globe-trotting R360 itinerary was always set to put their players’ Test careers on hold.
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Munster have turned to New Zealand in their search for their next permanent head coach with Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan taking the reins as Graham Rowntree’s successor next season on a three-year contract. Current attack coach Mike Prendergast will step up to the role of senior coach under a new team management structure while interim head coach Ian Costello will become general manager.
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The Republic of Ireland failed to end a disappointing year on a high as they were held by New Zealand on a night when James McClean brought down the curtain on his international career. Adam Idah had given Stephen Kenny’s side the lead but Matthew Garbett hit back for the visitors before the hour mark.
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Ireland held off a ferocious All Blacks fightback to claim a sensational, unprecedented 2-1 series win in New Zealand. A week on from their first victory over the All Blacks on Kiwi soil, Ireland produced a near-faultless first half to open up a 19-point lead in Wellington.
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Ireland recorded their first ever victory over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil with an accomplished performance in Dunedin. Two tries from Andrew Porter and 13 points from the boot of Johnny Sexton secured the victory that ties up the series ahead of a decider in Wellington next Saturday.
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