the2ndrow – THE 2ND ROW

Thank You Andy

16 May 202316 May 2023

Connacht Head Coach Andy Friend Announcement 25/1/2021 Head coach Andy Friend Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie I couldn’t sum up in a tweet what the impact Andy Friend has had on…

Ruthless DHL Stormers wary of Connacht dogged spirit

The DHL Stormers happily accepted Connacht’s gift of a BKT URC home semi-final in Cape Town but the defending champions won’t be returning any favours as they continue their ruthless…

Underdog Connacht pack a punch in South Africa

10 May 202310 May 2023

CONNACHT QUARTER-FINAL // www.inpho.ie As the BKT United Rugby Championship play-offs reach fever pitch, rugby fans are gearing up for what promises to be a brutal clash between reigning champions,…

Meet Jack Carty, The Connacht Record Breaker Who Has Seen So Much Change At His Home Province

18 Apr 202318 Apr 2023

Jack Carty // www.inpho.ie Ask Jack Carty to sum up the changes he has seen during his time with Connacht and he provides one particularly vivid illustration. “You would walk…

WOMEN’S RUGBY NEEDS TO TURN PROFESSIONAL

26 Apr 202126 Apr 2021

I have always held the belief that the women's game needs to turn professional, and the time is now. The interest is there. Sooner is better than later. Looking back…

The Rainbow Cup

On the road to a Pro16, the diversion that was the rainbow cup that turned into a speed bump, has turned into a pothole. As we now have a Northern…

A New Type Of Season

24 Mar 202125 Mar 2021

The rollercoaster that has been the Pro 14 season has come to an end, and it has had the ups and downs that go with that description. From not knowing…