Church in ireland

DUBLIN: Ireland began the Andy Farrell era with a scrappy home win over Scotland in February and the coach ended an inconsistent first year in charge with a somewhat improved 31-16 victory over the same opponents in the Autumn Nations Cup on Saturday. Two tries from wing Keith Earls and one for prop Cian Healy in a 10-minute spell either side of halftime did the damage as Ireland recovered from a poor start to claim third spot in the tournament cobbled together during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We feel that we aren't at the top table yet, we haven't been able to win away from home against the big teams like France and England but we've won every other game" captain Johnny Sexton said in a pitchside interview. "The performances haven't been amazing for 80 minutes but we back our coaches, we think they're doing an outstanding job. Very different to the previous regime and it takes a bit of getting used to but we're happy with our progress." Ireland's recent set-piece and breakdown … [Read more...] about Rugby: Ireland take their chances to beat Scots 31-16

LONDON: Fit-again captain Johnny Sexton will return when Ireland take on Scotland in their Autumn Nations Cup clash at the Aviva Stadium after coach Andy Farrell named the squad on Thursday (Dec 3). Sexton was forced off the field with a hamstring problem that he sustained in their opening win over Wales and replaces the injured Billy Burns at flyhalf. Uncapped Ulster Rugby prop Eric O'Sullivan is set to make his debut after being named among the replacements, while Robbie Henshaw returns from a groin issue to slot in at inside centre with former Connacht team mate Bundee Aki at outside centre. Farrell did not make changes to the back line for the third-place playoff, opting for the trio of Jacob Stockdale, Keith Earls and Hugo Keenan who all featured in last weekend's 23-10 victory over Georgia. Team: 15. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 32 14. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) 5 13. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 29 Chris Farrell (Young Munster/Munster) 12 12. Robbie … [Read more...] about Rugby: Sexton back as Ireland name strong squad for Scotland clash

REUTERS: Debutant Jaco van der Walt is one of six Scotland changes to face Ireland in the Autumn Nations Cup at the weekend as coach Gregor Townsend rung the changes after their home loss to France last month. South African-born Van der Walt has been training with the team over the last month but only qualified this week on residency grounds after three years with Edinburgh. He is the third South African newcomer to the Scottish side during the Autumn Nations Cup after wing Duhan van der Merwe and prop Oli Kebble, who are also in the matchday squad to play in Dublin on Saturday. Townsend recalled Saracens centre Duncan Taylor for his first start since last year’s World Cup in Japan and brought back winger Darcy Graham after leaving him out for the last game against France a fortnight ago, which Scotland lost 22-15 at Murrayfield. Edinburgh loosehead prop Rory Sutherland returns to the front row after injury while the back row sees a positional change and a new … [Read more...] about Rugby: Scotland ring the changes for clash in Ireland

DUBLIN: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has delivered an impassioned defence of his side's performances this year, insisting Ireland were progressing even after defeat by England and a lacklustre win over Georgia in their last two Autumn Nations Cup matches. The Ireland flyhalf, who is due to return to the team after injury for their final fixture of the new competition against Scotland in Dublin on Saturday, believes the team have been harshly judged. "If you look at our results, we've lost twice to England away and we've lost to France away, we've won the rest of our games," Sexton told a news conference on Tuesday. "If you're talking about results - which is what test match rugby is about - there have been plenty of Irish teams over the years that have lost at Twickenham and in France. "Were they games we could have won? Maybe not the first England game. The second one and the French one, we definitely feel like there were things we did that got away from us." However, he … [Read more...] about Rugby: Sexton defends Ireland’s performances and insists they are improving

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, joined by the church’s newest cardinals in Mass on Sunday (Nov 29), warned against mediocrity as well as seeking out “godfathers” to promote one's own career. Eleven of the 13 new cardinals sat near the central altar of St Peter’s Basilica, where Francis on Saturday had bestowed upon them the red hats symbolising they are now so-called princes of the church. Two of the new cardinals could not make it to Rome because of COVID-19 pandemic travel complications. The freshly-minted cardinals who did come to the Vatican wore protective masks and purple vestments, as the Church began the solemn liturgical season of Advent in the run-up to Christmas. READ: Pope installs new cardinals, including first African-American In his homily, Francis decried what he called “a dangerous kind of sleep: It is the slumber of mediocrity”. He added that Jesus “above all else detests lukewarm-ness”. Being chosen to head Vatican departments or eventually … [Read more...] about Pope Francis, with new cardinals, warns Catholic Church against mediocrity