In their first Autumn International, which was the first women’s national game to be held at the RDS, Ireland recorded a 10-point victory over the United States of America.

It was their first match since they missed out on qualification to next year’s World Cup in Parma earlier this year.

The game has more significance than that for Ireland though, as it will be captain Ciara Griffin and Head Coach Adam Griggs’ last game with the girls in green.

Griffin, who has captained Ireland since 2018, will win her 41st cap for the national side on Saturday afternoon.

She has appeared in 40 of their 42 matches since making her debut against Wales in the 2016 Six Nations.

The 27-year-old has been a huge presence for Ireland in the back row since making her debut five years ago and will hang up her boots after five impressive years in green.

Griggs was appointed as the manager of the national side ahead of the 2018 Six Nations and gave Griffin the armband.

Former Ireland Women’s assistant coach Greg McWilliams will replace him after the side wrap up their 2021 fixtures.

Munster’s Aoife Doyle returns to the starting XV and is joined in the back three by Lauren Delany and Laura Sheehan, who are retained from last Friday’s win over the USA in Dublin.

Eimear Considine and Sene Naoupu continue their midfield partnership, but there is a new-look half-back pairing for Ireland with Kathryn Dane starting at scrum-half and Enya Breen in the pivotal out-half position.

In the pack, Laura Feely, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang are named in the front row, with the experienced Aoife McDermott returning to the second row alongside Sam Monaghan.

Griffin starts at blindside flanker for her 41st and final Ireland cap, with Edel McMahon continuing at openside and Hannah O’Connor back in the starting team at number eight following injury.

Leinster duo Mary Healy and Ella Roberts and Connacht back Shannon Touhey are all included in an Ireland matchday squad for the first time, with the trio among the seven replacements.

Teams

Ireland

15. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)(17)
14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/Munster)(6)
13. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster)(22)
12. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(45)
11. Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)(5)
10. Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster)(8)
9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)(17)

1. Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht)(22)
2. Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)(5)
3. Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster)(16)
4. Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster)(17)
5. Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(4)
6. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster)(Captain)(40)
7. Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(13)
8. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/Leinster)(6).

Replacements:

16. Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(30)
17. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/Leinster)(4)
18. Mary Healy (Naas/Suttonians/Leinster)*
19. Anna Caplice (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(15)
20. Maeve Og O’Leary (Blackrock College/Munster)(1)
21. Alisa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)(13)
22. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore/Connacht)*
23. Ella Roberts (Wicklow/Leinster)*

Japan

Where To Watch

The match will kick off at 3 pm and will be shown live on RTÉ 2.

The post Ireland v Japan – Preview, Teams, Where To Watch appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Munster back-rower announced earlier this week that the side’s final test of the year will be her last in green.

Head Coach Adam Griggs will also take charge of the team for the last time before Greg McWilliams rejoins the Ireland Women’s set up as the boss.

Munster’s Aoife Doyle returns to the starting XV and is joined in the back three by Lauren Delany and Laura Sheehan, who are retained from last Friday’s win over the USA in Dublin.

Eimear Considine and Sene Naoupu continue their midfield partnership, but there is a new-look half-back pairing for Ireland with Kathryn Dane starting at scrum-half and Enya Breen in the pivotal out-half position.

It is Breen’s first start in the number 10 jersey for Ireland and it is a chance for the 22-year-old to build her Test experience.

Breen replaces Stacey Flood at out-half, who along with Beibhinn Parsons, Eve Higgins and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe are not involved on Saturday as they fly to Dubai on Sunday with the Sevens side.

In the pack, Laura Feely, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang are named in the front row, with the experienced Aoife McDermott returning to the second row alongside Sam Monaghan.

Griffin starts at blindside flanker for her 41st and final Ireland cap, with Edel McMahon continuing at openside and Hannah O’Connor back in the starting team at number eight following injury.

Leinster duo Mary Healy and Ella Roberts and Connacht back Shannon Touhey are all included in an Ireland matchday squad for the first time, with the trio among the seven replacements.

The match will kick-off at 3 pm and will be shown live on RTÉ 2.

Ireland Team v Japan

15. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)(17)
14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/Munster)(6)
13. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster)(22)
12. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(45)
11. Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)(5)
10. Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster)(8)
9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)(17)

1. Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht)(22)
2. Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)(5)
3. Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster)(16)
4. Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster)(17)
5. Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(4)
6. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster)(Captain)(40)
7. Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(13)
8. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/Leinster)(6).

Replacements:

16. Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(30)
17. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/Leinster)(4)
18. Mary Healy (Naas/Suttonians/Leinster)*
19. Anna Caplice (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(15)
20. Maeve Og O’Leary (Blackrock College/Munster)(1)
21. Alisa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)(13)
22. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore/Connacht)*
23. Ella Roberts (Wicklow/Leinster)*

The post Griffin to captain Ireland for the final time against Japan appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The two sides will meet for the second time this year in the same venue but with considerably more fans this time around, although not a sellout.

The pair met in July and Ireland won that nine-try meeting by eight points in what was the first of two Summer internationals.

Andy Farrell’s side head into their three Autumn internationals on a five-game win streak after turning around a slow start to this year’s Six Nations.

Japan will take a second test in the year against the boys in green as an opportunity to get revenge, earn their first win against Ireland outside of a Rugby World Cup and spoil Jonathan Sexton’s party.

Sexton captains Ireland and will earn his 100th cap, making him the latest Irish centurion and the first since Cian Healy, who will make his 110th appearance from the bench.

Regardless of who wins, Japan are expected to be the more exciting side with their innovative 1-3-2-2 attack still in use.

The likes of Ryoto Nakamura, Yu Tamura and Kotaro Matsushima will be huge threats to Ireland’s defence in Jamie Joseph’s system.

Ireland will hope that Hugo Keenan, in his 14th consecutive appearance for the side, as well as the midfield pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose, in their first test together since October 2020, will offer the same in return.

But Ireland’s main weapon will be their powerful forwards – it’s no surprise that seven of those eight forwards are from Leinster considering how dominant Leo Cullen’s men can be in several aspects of the game.

The only exception to that is no surprise either – Tadhg Beirne has been a monster for Munster and Ireland and, undoubtedly, Ireland’s best player so far this year – look out for the tall man with the blue scrum cap.

Teams

Ireland

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 13 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 25 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 31 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 6 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 99 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 10 caps

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 49 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 22 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 9 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 20 caps

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)*
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 109 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 16 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 63 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 76 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 89 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 24 caps
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 93 caps

*denotes uncapped player

Japan

1. Keita Inagaki (Panasonic Wild Knights)
2. Atsushi Sakate (Panasonic Wild Knights)
3. Ji-won Gu (Honda Heat)
4. Jack Cornelsen (Panasonic Wild Knights)
5. James Moore (Munakata Sanix Blues)
6. Ben Gunter (Panasonic Wild Knights)
7. Lappies Labuschagné (C) (Kubota Spears)
8. Kazuki Himeno (Highlanders)
9. Yutoka Nagare (Suntory Sungoliath)
10. Yu Tamura (Yokohama Canon Eagles)
11. Siosaia Fifita (Hanazono Kinetsu Liners)
12. Ryoto Nakamura (Suntory Sungoliath)
13. Timothy Lafaele (Kobelco Steelers)
14. Dylan Riley (Panasonic Wild Knights)
15. Kotaro Matsushima (Clermont Auvergne)

Replacements

16. Yusuke Niwai (Yokohama Canon Eagles)

17. Craig Millar (Panasonic Wild Knights)

18. Asaeli Ai Valu (Panasonic Wild Knights)

19. Yoshitaka Tokunaga (Toshiba Brave Lupus)

20. Tevita Tatafu (Suntory Sungoliath)

21. Naoto Saito (Suntory Sungoliath)

22. Rikiya Matsuda (Panasonic Wild Knights)

23. Ryohei Yamanaka (Kobelco Steelers)

Odds

Ireland 1/12

Draw 33/1

Japan 7/1

Where To Watch

The match will be available to watch live on RTÉ 2 with coverage starting an hour before kick-off at 12 pm.

The post Ireland v Japan – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Flanker Lappies Labuschagné will lead his side out on Saturday as he wears the captain’s armband in the absence of Michael Leitch.

24-year-old Ben Gunter is set to make his debut for the national side at blindside flanker, with number 8 Kazuki Himeno in between the pair.

Keita Inagaki and Ji-Won Gu start at prop with hooker Atsushi Sakate completing the front row for the Brave Blossoms.

The second row is occupied by Jack Cornelsen and James Moore.

Yutaka Nagare and Yu Tamura make for an exciting half-back partnership, with Ryoto Nakumara and Timothy Lafaele only adding to that in the midfield.

The back three consists of Siosaia Fifita, Kotaro Matsushima and Dylan Riley, who lines up for his second cap for Jamie Joseph’s team.

Replacements for Japan includes the likes of Asaeli Ai Valu and Naoto Saito.

Eight members of the squad line out for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan’s Top League, while 11 sides are represented in the matchday 23.

10 of those 11 sides will have players starting the game, including Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne, who employ Matsushima.

Japan team v Ireland 

1. Keita Inagaki (Panasonic Wild Knights)
2. Atsushi Sakate (Panasonic Wild Knights)
3. Ji-won Gu (Honda Heat)
4. Jack Cornelsen (Panasonic Wild Knights)
5. James Moore (Munakata Sanix Blues)
6. Ben Gunter (Panasonic Wild Knights)
7. Lappies Labuschagné (C) (Kubota Spears)
8. Kazuki Himeno (Highlanders)
9. Yutoka Nagare (Suntory Sungoliath)
10. Yu Tamura (Yokohama Canon Eagles)
11. Siosaia Fifita (Hanazono Kinetsu Liners)
12. Ryoto Nakamura (Suntory Sungoliath)
13. Timothy Lafaele (Kobelco Steelers)
14. Dylan Riley (Panasonic Wild Knights)
15. Kotaro Matsushima (Clermont Auvergne)

Replacements

16. Yusuke Niwai (Yokohama Canon Eagles)

17. Craig Millar (Panasonic Wild Knights)

18. Asaeli Ai Valu (Panasonic Wild Knights)

19. Yoshitaka Tokunaga (Toshiba Brave Lupus)

20. Tevita Tatafu (Suntory Sungoliath)

21. Naoto Saito (Suntory Sungoliath)

22. Rikiya Matsuda (Panasonic Wild Knights)

23. Ryohei Yamanaka (Kobelco Steelers)

The post Japan side named for Autumn clash with Ireland in Dublin appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

There are two significant cap milestones as captain Jonathan Sexton will win his 100th cap and Tadhg Furlong his 50th.

Sexton is joined at half-back by Jamison Gibson Park with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose reunited in the centre for the first time since the rescheduled Six Nations fixture against Italy in October 2020.

Hugo Keenan starts at fullback in his 14^th consecutive game for Ireland and is flanked in the backfield by Andrew Conway and James Lowe.

Seven Leinster players are present in the pack with Tadhg Beirne being the only exception in the second row.

The dominant trio of Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Furlong make up the Irish front row.

Beirne is slotted behind the three front-rowers, with Leinster lock James Ryan joining him in the number five shirt.

Another Leinster trio make up the back row – Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.

The replacements named for Saturday’s game are uncapped hooker Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Keith Earls.

Ireland won the most recent match involving the two sides in July – a nine-try thriller that ended 39-31.

The game will kick-off at 1 pm and will be available to watch on RTÉ 2.

Ireland team v Japan

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 13 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 25 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 31 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 6 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 99 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 10 caps

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 49 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 22 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 9 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 20 caps

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)*
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 109 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 16 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 63 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 76 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 89 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 24 caps
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 93 caps

*denotes uncapped player

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A 33-player Ireland Women’s squad has been named for the upcoming Autumn Tests against USA and Japan at the RDS Stadium.

The post Six uncapped players in Ireland Women’s squad for USA and Japan tests appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The three matches will be played in November at the Aviva Stadium and Munster winger Simon Zebo will be among those in the squad for them.

Johnny Sexton who has been capped 99 times for his country will lead the squad during this international window.

Six of Ireland’s players who toured with the British and Irish Lions during the summer – Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson and Conor Murray are included as is Ronan Kelleher who joined the squad in South Africa.

Six of the players who won their first caps during the Vodafone Summer Series in July have been included in the squad – Robert Baloucoune, Harry Byrne, Gavin Coombes, James Hume, Tom O’Toole and Nick Timoney.

There are two uncapped players named Leinster duo Dan Sheehan and Ciaran Frawley, who have impressed under former Ireland international Leo Cullen.

Robbie Henshaw will continue his rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the Ireland medical team.

Thomas Ahern (Munster) and Jamie Osborne (Leinster) will train with the squad as development players during this window.

Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell, commented: “It has been a short lead into this international window but that is the challenge, to get back up to speed quickly and build on the performances from the Six Nations and the Summer Tests.

“This is the start of an exciting period for the group as we begin to build towards the Rugby World Cup in France.”

“In September we got together and mapped out what was coming up in this window, the exciting fixtures that lay ahead in the next 12 months and beyond that the opportunities to improve as a group over the next five windows we will have together.

“In a few weeks’ time, we will face an exciting and well-coached Japan team who showed in July what a dangerous team they are.

“New Zealand dominated the Rugby Championship losing just one game while Argentina are battle-hardened from playing the southern hemisphere’s Big 3 week in week out over the past two months.

“It would be fantastic to play in front of a full-house at the Aviva Stadium.  We had small crowds back in for the games in July and even that made a huge difference to the team and the atmosphere in the stadium.”

Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures at the Aviva Stadium will be televised on RTE (ROI) and Channel 4 (NI).

Ireland Squad for Autumn Internationals

Backs (18)
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 31 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 1 cap
Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 24 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 3 caps
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 25 caps
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 93 caps
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/UCD)*
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 10 caps
James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 13 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 30 caps
James Lowe (Leinster) 6 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 5 caps
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 89 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 99 caps CAPTAIN
Simon Zebo (Munster/Cork Constitution) 35 caps

Forwards (20)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 5 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 16 caps
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 22 caps
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 20 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) 2 caps
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 19 caps
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 9 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 49 caps
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 109 caps
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 63 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 22 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 45 caps
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 76 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 1 cap
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)*
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps

*denotes uncapped player

Development Players

Thomas Ahern (Munster/Shannon)
Jamie Osborne (Leinster/Naas)

Fixtures

IRELAND v Japan
Aviva Stadium , Saturday 6^th November, 2021

IRELAND v New Zealand
Aviva Stadium , Saturday 13^th November, 2021

IRELAND v Argentina
Aviva Stadium , Sunday 21^st November, 2021

The post Simon Zebo returns in green for Ireland Autumn internationals appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The match against the USA is scheduled for Friday, November 12 while the game against Japan is set to be played on Saturday, November 20.

The USA are ranked sixth in the world while Japan sit 12th in the world – Ireland are currently number eight.

The two Autumn tests will be the first games for the side since their failed World Cup qualification campaign.

Ireland lost to Spain and Scotland in Parma, Italy, which saw them miss out on a spot at next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand – hosts Italy took the spot.

The IRFU has said it looks forward to welcoming supporters back to a Women’s International Test for the first time since March 2020 and all details including broadcast arrangements, ticket prices and club and school travel support offers will be communicated next week.

Commenting on today’s announcement, IRFU Director of Women’s and Sevens Rugby, Anthony Eddy, said: “We’re delighted to confirm these two Test matches against quality opposition, with both USA and Japan set to provide a big challenge during the November window.

“It’s a good opportunity for the group to get back on the pitch and also provides opportunity for other players to perform at this level and showcase their talent on the international stage.”

Ireland Captain, Ciara Griffin, said: “We’re looking forward to two Test matches on home soil this November, and we’re excited about the opportunity to play in front of our supporters again.

“The group will reassemble in the coming weeks and put the building blocks in place ahead of two big Tests.

“A Friday Night game under the lights promises to be a special occasion and we hope to see as many of our supporters as possible.”

Ireland Women Autumn Tests

Ireland v USA, Friday 12th November, 7.15 pm.

Ireland v Japan, Saturday 20th November, 3 pm.

The post Ireland Women to play USA and Japan in November appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Gunners have agreed to sign Tomiyasu who plays in Serie A with an announcement imminent after his medical.

According to Italian reporter Fabricio Romano, personal terms have been discussed and decided on with Bologna receiving €20 million and a potential €3 million in add-ons. The medical will take place this afternoon in Italy and an official announcement will be made once the player is given the all-clear.

To push the deal through in time, the Gunners have sent a doctor to complete the medical. Arsenal have stolen this deal from under the noses of their biggest rivals Tottenham who were heavily linked with the player.

Takehiro Tomiyasu to Arsenal, agreement reached and here we go! Personal terms agreed and Bologna will receive €20m plus €3m add ons. #AFC #DeadlineDay

Medical during the afternoon and then official announcement. Here-we-go.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2021

Arteta believes that Tomiyasu will fit in perfectly in defensive Arsenal’s setup, being comfortable to play at right-back and centreback.

He appears to be a great player for the future, only 22 years old and willing to play out from the back with either foot. He has made 60 appearances in the league over the last two seasons for the midtable club Bologna. In his mainstay at the side, he also scored three goals and provided three assists.

He also enjoyed his summer playing at the home for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He plays like a defender with ten years of experience at the highest level and now he has a great chance to challenge himself in the Premier League.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is a Gunner! Here's what you need to know about the 22-year-old fullback/center back hybrid. (1/x) pic.twitter.com/TPMewavwcN

— Adam Rae Voge (@adamvoge) August 31, 2021

The Gunners have been in need of more reassurance in their defense this year having conceded nine goals in their first three games of the league. This signing will also give Arteta a chance to offload some players that are no longer needed at the club.

Reports claim that Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could still leave the club before the closing of the transfer window.

Tomiyasu might make his debut for the club in their next match against Norwich on Saturday 11th September in the Emirates Stadium.

The post Arsenal agree to sign Tomiyasu for €20 million appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Head coach Anthony Eddy’s team were the first Irish rugby side to represent Team Ireland at the Olympics.

Eddy’s men suffered a big loss to Kenya on Wednesday morning in the ninth-place final, losing 22-0 to the Shujaa after beating them less than 24 hours previous.

The match did not get off to the best start for captain Billy Dardis and his squad with a cagey start being interrupted by a Kenyan try to kick-start proceedings.

Kenya captain Andrew Amonde retired after the game and his teammates made sure to play their hearts out to send him off into the sunset riding a high.

Hohnstone Olindi opened the scoring for his country and the conversion was scored.

The side held onto their slim lead until halftime, putting them in prime position to earn ninth.

Jacob Ojee scored his side’s second try and put the result beyond doubt for anyone watching.

Ireland’s handling and concentration were once again below the level that was expected of them coming into this tournament.

Two more tries followed for the Kenyans but they were merely icing on the cake that symbolised a strong performance and revenge against the side that beat them on Wednesday morning.

Amonde was visibly emotional after the final whistle as his career came to an end.

Ireland ends their campaign with a win record of 40% (2W, 3L) and valuable experience at the Olympics that will help them on their push towards Paris 2024.

It was a subpar tournament for Eddy’s side and one that his players were clearly disappointed with after the Pool C game against Kenya.

However, they can hold their heads high knowing that they’ve once again grown as a side and taken the Sevens programme in Ireland to new heights – a trend that they will continue to follow.

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