IRFU PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR David Nucifora has signed a three-year extension to his contract, keeping him with the union until the end of the 2021/22 season.

Five years on from his initial appointment, the Australian has proven successful in his role at the top tier of Irish rugby with increased movement of Irish players between provinces and the emergence of serious Sevens teams signalling progress.

The42 reported last week that the 57-year-old was set to re-commit to the IRFU for the period beyond Joe Schmidt’s tenure as head coach.

Today’s statement from the IRFU also credits Nucifora with progress in the player development pathway and talent identification in overseas-based Irish-qualified talent.

IRFU CEO Philip Browne said: “David has delivered across a huge number of areas in that regard and Irish Rugby is in a better place for the experience, leadership and passion he has brought to the role.  We are delighted that he has agreed to continue this important work over the coming years.”

Nucifora made time in the statement to outline future projects.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

“Over the coming months we will see the culmination of a number of years work on a couple of very  important projects,” said the Australian.

“Irish Rugby’s High Performance Centre in Abbottstown will come on stream during the summer and another significant piece of infrastructure – a centralised player data management platform that ties together all of the disciplines that support Irish Rugby from the start of the Elite Player Pathway through to the National Team will be in place ahead of the new season. “ 

He added: “One of the next big challenges will be to ensure that the IRFU’s competition and development structures support the ambitions of young players wishing to pursue an elite pathway in the game. This will involve greater alignment of the programmes in both the performance and participation pathways.”

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NO REST FOR the wicked. Days after his Ulster career was brought to a shuddering halt in Glasgow, Rory Best was back in training under Joe Schmidt’s orders. There was little time to dwell on the disappointment and there will be little time to switch off this summer.

Aside from a quick family trip to the Caribbean last week, the retiring Ireland captain is not thinking about holidays or time off as he bids to get himself in the best possible shape — mentally and physically — for what is to come over the next four months.

Best was in Dublin this week to promote the Union Cup. Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

“It’s not the same conundrum for me,” he says. “I can take as many holidays as I want, hopefully after 2 November. It’s been about getting the break last week, getting away with the kids and freshening up and then keeping myself ticking over until we meet up [for camp] on 16 June.”

That’s when the hard work will start. Schmidt’s 44-man squad will convene for the first time on Sunday week for pre-season training, 98 days before Ireland’s World Cup opener against Scotland on 22 September.

It will be all systems go from there, with a warm-weather training camp in Portugal an important part of the summer, while Ireland will also spend time in Galway and Limerick over the coming months. 

“I think the biggest lesson from 2007 was, don’t base yourself in one spot and sort of move around. It’s far better to move around,” Best continues. 

“When you are together for so long, you have got to change it up. I think the one thing that Joe has done for the two World Cups is that he has based a lot of his training in Ireland, which allows you a good balance of getting home.

“If we have a day off during the week, especially in the Dublin camps, we potentially go home for those. But also getting across to Galway and down to Limerick — it’s just different venues but all within Ireland, so you can jump in your car and drive down.

Ireland’s preparations will intensify, and then conclude, with four warm-up fixtures in August and early September, by which point Schmidt will have whittled his squad down to the 31 chosen players. 

After the disappointment of the Six Nations campaign, during which Ireland dipped well below their high and consistent standards under Schmidt as they slipped to chastening defeats to England and Wales, the summer series has taken on added significance.

Ireland will face Italy, Wales [home and away] and England in the build-up to the tournament and Best admits the team need to use those outings to regain their confidence and intensity heading to Japan.

“You’ve got to keep it in the back of your head that ultimately when you don’t fully commit to something you’re probably more likely to get injured,” the 36-year-old explains.

MUNSTER SECOND ROW Jean Kleyn is set to make his international rugby debut for Ireland when Joe Schmidt’s side begin their Rugby World Cup warm-up schedule against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).

The South African lock is newly-qualified for Ireland under the three-year residency rule having moved to Munster after being granted early release from his Western Province contract during the summer of 2016.

Kleyn and Carbery embrace in Ireland training. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

The powerful, hard-hitting 25-year-old stands a real chance of breaking into the final 31-man squad for the trip to Japan next month, but first must begin impressing in a green shirt. Kleyn is partnered in the engine room by Devin Toner. Both Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne are among the replacements, so James Ryan is among the 20 remaining wider squad members left in cold storage for this weekend’s curtain-raiser.

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Joey Carbery takes the reins at out-half on what will be his 19th cap, but just a sixth starting in the out-half role. He is partnered by Luke McGrath, back in green for the first time since the November win over USA.

Jordan Larmour starts at fullback with Andrew Conway and Dave Kearney – who is set for his first Test involvement since November 2017 – complete the back three, while Mike Haley could make it two Munster debutantes as he sits alongside Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion as the replacement backs.

Garry Ringrose and Chris Farrell make up a strong centre partnership. The back row is made up of Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy and Tommy O’Donnell – whose last cap came during the 2016 Six Nations.

Rob Herring starts at hooker ahead of Niall Scannell and Sean Cronin. Jack McGrath and Andrew Porter get a chance to impress as starting props with Cian Healy and John Ryan in reserve.

Ireland (2019 RWC warm-up v Italy)

15. Jordan Larmour
14. Andrew Conway
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Chris Farrell
11. Dave Kearney
10. Joey Carbery
9. Luke McGrath

JAMES O’CONNOR IS edging closer to a stunning return to the Wallabies after the Queensland Reds announced a new deal with the once-exiled utility back.

O’Connor joined Australia’s World Cup squad at a training camp in South Africa last week, some six years after a string of off-field incidents saw him banished from the Wallabies Test team.

The utility back, who had 44 Test caps before his international career was derailed, was released by English Premiership club Sale Sharks this month to pursue his dream of returning to the national side.

The two-and-a-half-year Super Rugby deal with the Reds paves the way for a potential Wallabies call-up from Michael Cheika ahead of the World Cup.

“I just want to say how grateful I am to be given this opportunity again,” the 29-year-old said from Johannesburg.

O’Connor was only 23 when the Wallabies tore up his contract in 2013 after he was prevented from boarding a flight from Perth to Bali for being drunk.

He said the last time he attempted a return it was “too rushed” and he was still suffering mentally.

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“I’ve been on a journey ever since to understanding my true self and how I’m meant to use my privileged position in Rugby,” he said.

Rugby Australia director Scott Johnson said it was now time for O’Connor’s “rugby to do the talking”.

“He’s matured and understands the leadership roles both on and off the field,” he said.

“He’s been honest and transparent throughout this whole process.”

– © AFP 2019

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NOT EVEN A single minute on the pitch in the warm-up games and already Ultan Dillane and Rory Scannell are on the outside looking in.

The Connacht lock and Munster centre completed six gruelling weeks of pre-season with Ireland but the brutal nature of World Cup squad selection was underlined as Joe Schmidt opted to release them back to their provinces this week.

Saturday’s first friendly game against Italy at the Aviva Stadium could well be the end of the road for others in Schmidt’s current 43-man squad as the Ireland boss and his coaches move towards deciding on their eventual 31-player group to travel to Japan.

Ireland at training in Carton House yesterday. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Injuries are likely to have a say over the coming weeks but there will still be difficult decisions all over the pitch for Ireland.

Take the propping spots for starters.

Cian Healy is nailed-on at loosehead, while Tadhg Furlong is the obvious starter at tighthead. Beyond that, you have Jack McGrath, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham competing for what will likely be three other slots.

The feeling at present is that Ireland will bring two looseheads and three tightheads – one of whom would also cover the loosehead side. That would favour Andrew Porter, formerly a loosehead, but it will be interesting to see if Ireland experiment in this regard during their four warm-up games.

“There’s definitely some aspects of that [experimentation] I’ve been looking at, talking to Joe and the rest of the coaches about and it’s probably why there is that flexibility,” says Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek.

“Over the years, some of those guys have been able to cover both sides and it has actually played into their hands a bit for the World Cup.

“Obviously, at the last World Cup we all know the story with Tadhg and we saw it as an opportunity for Tadhg at that stage but this time I think we’ve got some guys that have actually got some runs on the board and for me it would probably be the guy that fits that best.”

Andrew Porter could provide cover on the loosehead side. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

At hooker, captain Rory Best is the main man but there is competition between Niall Scannell, Sean Cronin and Rob Herring for the other two slots in the 31-man squad.

There is balance to consider in the back row with the likes of Jordi Murphy, Rhys Ruddock and Tommy O’Donnell fighting it out, while Schmidt’s halfback selections will be intriguing too.

The second row is another area of real interest, even after Dillane was released. James Ryan, Devin Toner and Iain Henderson seem certainties but the race for the fourth locking slot is firmly on between Tadhg Beirne and Jean Kleyn, who could make his Ireland debut on Saturday – two days after qualifying on residency grounds.

Beirne is a firm favourite in many supporters’ eyes, but the merits of an enforcer-style set-piece specialist like Kleyn should not be underestimated. 

“Jean brings a little bit of a different element to it,” says Feek. “He’s a big man, he’s played for Munster on the tighthead side of the scrum and enjoys the physical side of the game.

“Like anyone who comes in new, it’s making sure he understands the way we play the game, the intensity of it and getting his detail right which is obviously one part of it. Not forgetting the strengths he brings and making sure that that comes first at the same time.” 

BOTH MUNSTER AND Leinster scored six tries apiece as they got their respective women’s inter-provincial campaigns up and running in emphatic fashion on Saturday. 

Munster ran in six tries as they defeated Ulster 38-12 at Musgrave Park in Cork, before defending champions Leinster followed suit by dispatching Connacht 34-6 at Donnybrook.

Co-captain Chloe Pearse bagged a brace for Munster while Laura O’Mahony, Clodagh O’Halloran, Kate Sheehan and Niamh Kavanagh all touched down for the southern province as they got their season off to the perfect start.

A second-half injury to Niamh Briggs will be a concern for Laura Guest’s side ahead of their second game against Connacht next Saturday.

“Objective achieved,” Munster head coach Guest said. “It’s very close to being the best we could have looked for out of today.

“We lost Niamh Briggs to injury but that didn’t change our focus. We’re a squad. We’re a team. Players switched back onto their job as soon as she went off. Let’s hope it’s not too serious. It’s too early to tell.”

Ailsa Hughes celebrates her try with Sene Naoupu. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Connacht will be hoping to bounce back from their heavy defeat in Dublin this evening, as Leinster’s power and experience told in front of a crowd of 2,527 at Energia Park.

Number eight Hannah O’Connor set the hosts on their way before further scores from Meabh O’Brien, Grace Miller, Ailsa Hughes, Niamh Ni Dhroma and Michelle Claffey saw Ben Armstrong’s side pull away in the second half.

Next weekend sees Leinster travel to face Ulster. 

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LEINSTER COULD BE handed a timely boost ahead of their New Year’s Eve clash against Ulster in the Guinness Pro12 [3.00pm, Sky Sports 2] with Johnny Sexton in the frame to feature in the inter-provincial fixture.

A decision will be made later this week to see if the 31-year-old is fit enough to take to the field in the RDS on Saturday, with Leinster head coach Leo Cullen optimistic of the Ireland international’s availability.

“He [Sexton] trained fully today. He looked pretty good out there,” Cullen said at yesterday’s press conference. “We’re pretty hopeful he’ll come through the week. He looked sharp.

“We are constrained in what we can actually do, in terms of team training with a short turnaround. But, Johnny was full of life today. He is keen to get back involved as soon as possible.”

The out-half, who has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury in Ireland’s November’s loss against New Zealand, will again attend the Sports Surgery Clinic in Santry this week.

“We want to try and do what’s best for Johnny,” Cullen continued.

“But, he’s dying to get back involved now at this stage because it has been a frustrating period for him being on the sideline watching his teammates playing in Europe and at the weekend as well.”

Cullen speaking to the media at yesterday’s press conference. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Squad rotation, driven by the player management system, proved costly for Leinster on St Stephen’s Day as the eastern province left Thomond Park empty-handed following the 29-17 defeat to Munster, but Cullen is expected to name a stronger side for Friday’s fixture against the northern province.

Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Jack McGrath, Josh van der Flier, Devin Toner and Garry Ringrose all took part in training in UCD, although Joey Carbery, Dave Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Mike Ross and Jordi Murphy remain unavailable for selection.

Meanwhile, Ian Nagle is being assessed after being withdrawn in the second period against Rassie Erasmus’ side, with Rob Kearney’s ankle also closely monitored.

“I thought the effort was really good against Munster. We made something like 240 tackles during the game. It tells the story really because we probably just absorbed way too much pressure,” the head coach said reflecting on Monday’s defeat.

“You couldn’t fault the defensive effort. The period either side of half-time, we didn’t manage particularly well.

“We gave away silly penalties which allowed Munster to kick field position.

“Once they get inside our 22, they are strong. I thought they were very efficient, the way they played. There are a lot of learnings for players.

“For some of the young guys, it was a big step up for them and, hopefully, they will be better for the experience.

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“I presume Ulster were able to train properly yesterday and today, having played before Christmas whereas we’re trying to manage our way through.

“It’s part of the challenge of managing this period.”

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EXACTLY 48 days after we last saw him involved in a game, Johnny Sexton will return to action in Leinster’s meeting with Zebre at the RDS tomorrow night.

The 31-year-old missed Ireland’s final Test match of the November series against Australia due to the hamstring injury he sustained in the second meeting with the All Blacks on 19 November.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Following that win over the Wallabies, Joe Schmidt announced the possibility of Sexton taking some time on the sidelines, for “a window of time to really make sure that he can be more robust.”

And so it proved, with Sexton subsequently undergoing a regime of rehabilitation on his hamstring, much of the work done at the Santry Sports Clinic.

Having been involved in Leinster training in the past two weeks, Sexton is now ready for a return to playing, although the province’s head coach Leo Cullen indicated that there is still an element of the unknown about sending the out-half back into action.

The hamstring injury Sexton suffered in November was in his right leg, but he had come into the series with doubts surrounding his fitness after an issue in the hamstring in his left leg.

However, Cullen rejected the notion that the Ireland out-half had become more susceptible to hamstring issues.

“We say ‘recurring’ but he’s only had a few,” said Cullen. “He’s had a few other soft tissue injuries over the last number of years, but in terms of hamstrings I don’t think it’s been a major problem.

“With what’s coming up, it was important to take a more conservative course of action. You can always try and push guys back at various stages and I think time will tell how good this period has been for the player. But he’s in good spirits, has trained well and is looking forward to getting back playing.”

Cullen said that surgery was never an option for Sexton, while revealing that the out-half has spent time working on how he moves in order to prevent further issues with his hamstring.

“It’s just more in terms of movement mechanics, is probably the bigger issue,” said Cullen.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

“Certain players are more susceptible to injuries based on the way they move, and a lot of the time he spent in Santry was in terms of trying to tidy up the way he moves, so he’s at less risk in the future. We will see how that progresses.”

Sexton’s comeback tomorrow night will be watched more closely than ever, particularly with such important challenges ahead for both Leinster and Ireland.

The eastern province face Montpellier and Castres in the Champions Cup in the fortnight following the Zebre clash, while Ireland are looking ahead to their Six Nations opener against Scotland on 4 February.

Sexton will be managed by his province in the coming weeks, but Cullen says that is no different to any other squad member.

“We manage all the players differently, so that’s just not Johnny,” said the former second row. “There’s other players who don’t move as well. You’re managing their training loads in a slightly different way with the understanding that you have to be able to partake in a good chunk of the team activities.

“But all the players are managed on an individual basis in terms of their athletic development programmes they undertake in the gym or on the field.”

Sexton captains a strong Leinster team against Zebre tomorrow night, with Luke McGrath partnering him in the halfbacks – a combination that seems likely to continue for the Montpellier game if they come through this clash unscathed.

Scrum-half McGrath welcomed Sexton’s return.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“He bosses you around the place really, but it’s great to have Johnny back,” said the 23-year-old halfback. “He’s been training away the last two weeks and he’s very eager to go. Just from the nine’s point of view, it’s great to have him outside.

“He’s constantly talking to you and giving out to you, but it’s great to have in the team. We’re all delighted to have him back.”

The hope now is that Sexton is, indeed, back for good.

Meanwhile, Cullen indicated that contract talks with Jamie Heaslip were progressing positively.

The Ireland number eight told BT Sport last month that he was considering all his options, with his current deal set to expire in June.

“A player has to assess his options and my agent is out there assessing the options for me and we will lay it all out on the table and make a decision at some stage,” said Heaslip. ”I’ve travelled a lot in my life. I’m an army brat and we lived abroad plenty.

“If that’s the call I have to make then that’s the call I have to make. We’re a long, long way from making any sort of decision.”

Asked about Heaslip’s contract situation today, Cullen was succinct.

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