|
2013–14 Pro12
The 2013–14 Pro12 (also known as the ''RaboDirect Pro12'' for sponsorship reasons) was the 13th season of the Pro12 rugby union competition originally known as the Celtic League, the fourth with its current 12-team format, and the third with RaboDirect as title sponsor. Leinster were the defending champions, having beaten Ulster in the 2013 playoff final. The twelve competing teams were the four Irish teams, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster; two Scottish teams, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors; four Welsh teams, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets; and two Italian teams, Benetton Treviso and Zebre. Changes for the season Ireland New Zealand native Pat Lam replaced Eric Elwood as head coach of Connacht, following Elwood's decision to step down, while out-half Dan Parks took on a coaching role with Connacht U18 Schools and Clubs while continuing to play with the senior team. Following changes between captains in previous seasons the start of th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland), North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the List of islands of the British Isles, second-largest island of the British Isles, the List of European islands by area, third-largest in Europe, and the List of islands by area, twentieth-largest on Earth. Geopolitically, Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Ireland), which covers five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. As of 2022, the Irish population analysis, population of the entire island is just over 7 million, with 5.1 million living in the Republic of Ireland and 1.9 million in Northern Ireland, ranking it the List of European islan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ospreys (rugby Union)
The Ospreys ( cy, Y Gweilch), formerly the Neath-Swansea Ospreys ''www.walesonline.co.uk'', accessed 22 October 2020 is one of the four professional teams from . They compete in the United Rugby Championship and the . ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Josef Schmidt (rugby Union)
Josef Schmidt HonFRCSI (born 12 September 1965) is a New Zealand and Irish rugby union coach, who is the attack coach for the New Zealand national team. Schmidt coached Bay of Plenty, and was an assistant coach with the Blues and Clermont Auvergne. He joined Leinster as head coach in 2010, and brought unprecedented success to the province, reaching six finals and winning four trophies in three years. He was then head coach of Ireland from 2013 to 2019. In six years under his leadership, Ireland won three Six Nations Championships, including a Grand Slam in 2018. Ireland were ranked number 1 in the World Rugby Rankings for the first time in their history in 2019, and recorded their first-ever wins over New Zealand. Early life and career Schmidt was born in Kawakawa, Northland, New Zealand, and brought up in Woodville - population 1470 - near Palmerston North. He went to Tararua College in Pahiatua. After training as a school teacher, Schmidt played rugby in New Zealan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Craig Clarke
Craig Brian James Clarke (born ) is a retired rugby union player from New Zealand. He played as a lock during his career, winning two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs where he served as captain. He also captained Taranaki in the ITM Cup. Before his retirement he was playing for the Irish provincial team Connacht in the Pro12, and served as the team captain.https://www.allblacks.com/news/former-chiefs-captain-craig-clarke-to-retire-from-rugby Clarke's ability to anticipate play and adaptability to the referee's rulings are two of his key attributes. Early career Born in the Wairarapa, Clarke grew up in Poverty Bay, where he attended Gisborne Boys' High School. He had originally moved to Canterbury on a scholarship to the Canterbury Rugby Union and to Canterbury University to study geology. He made his debut for Canterbury in a Ranfurly Shield match against Marlborough. Professional club career New Zealand During Clarke's domestic career he has reached the quarter-fi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chiefs (rugby Union)
The Chiefs (formerly known as the Waikato Chiefs and officially called the Gallagher Chiefs for sponsorship reasons) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Hamilton, Waikato. The team competes in the Super Rugby competition, previously known as the Super 12 and Super 14, and are one of the competition's five New Zealand teams. Their primary home ground is Waikato Stadium. Until 2004, the Chiefs were the only New Zealand side never to have qualified for the Super 12 semi-finals. In that year the Chiefs earned their first semi-final berth, and in the end achieved fourth place (defeated 37–20 in the semi-final by the ACT Brumbies). They subsequently reached the 2009 final, but found themselves on the short end of a record 61–17 defeat by the Bulls. The Chiefs were rewarded with a home final after a strong 2012 season. The Chiefs defeated the 37–6, winning their first title. In 2013, the Chiefs became the fourth team to record back-to-back title wins, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Michael Swift (rugby Union)
Michael Swift (born 18 October 1977) is an English former rugby union player. Swift played rugby professionally for 17 years and spent most of his career with Irish provincial team Connacht. He retired from playing in 2015. Though he originally played both as a flanker and a lock, Swift played almost exclusively in the second row later in his career. At the time of his retirement Swift was the most-capped Connacht player of all time and held the record for appearances in the Celtic League/Pro12. These records were later broken by his long-time Connacht teammate John Muldoon. Career Early career Richmond Swift started playing rugby in 1989, while a pupil at the London Oratory School. He represented Middlesex and England U16s during his time at school. His first professional club was Richmond, which he joined at 19 while attending Loughborough University. He primarily played as a flanker. Swift did not feature for the team in the 1997–98 Premiership, but made two appe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Muldoon (rugby Player Born 1982)
John Muldoon (born 30 November 1982) is an Irish rugby union coach and former player. He is currently the forwards coach for the Bristol Bears. During his playing career, Muldoon played in the back row, primarily as a number 8 but also at blindside flanker. He spent his entire professional career with Irish provincial team Connacht and represented at test level. Muldoon holds the record for appearances for Connacht, is also the most-capped player in the Pro14. Before becoming a professional rugby player, Muldoon played hurling with Portumna. He won an inter-county All-Ireland minor medal in 2000 playing for Galway against Cork. Early life Muldoon was born in Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe and grew up in Portumna in east County Galway. He attended Gortanumera National School in Ballyshrule. Muldoon was also a student at Portumna Community School. Muldoon played hurling in his youth, with the local Portumna GAA club. He represented Galway at under-age inter-c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gavin Duffy (sportsman)
Gavin Duffy (born 18 September 1981) is an Irish sportsman. Duffy is a former international rugby union footballer who primarily played at full back. He last played professionally for Irish provincial side Connacht Rugby, in the Pro12, and represented Ireland at full international level. Duffy also plays Gaelic football, and was previously part of the wider Mayo county team. He had previously represented the county at under-age level. Youth Educated at Cistercian College, Roscrea and NUI Galway (where he studied commerce), he first played for Ireland at Schools level in 1998 and at Under-21 level before he was brought into their senior side during the 2000–01 season. He is also a graduate of the sports college, Setanta College. Rugby career Early career Duffy played for the amateur clubs Ballina RFC, his hometown's side and Galway city-based Galwegians RFC, before playing for his native province of Connacht. Early on there were rumours that he would play with local ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dan Parks
Daniel Arthur Parks (born 26 May 1978) is an Australian-born former international rugby union player and now coach. His primary playing position was at fly-half. Parks played professionally for Pro12 sides Glasgow Warriors, Cardiff Blues and Connacht Rugby as well as English side Leeds Tykes. He secured international caps for from 2004 to 2012. Parks is also the record holder for points scored in the Pro12 with a combined total of 1,582 points. Parks announced his retirement from playing rugby on 25 June 2014. Youth and amateur career Parks was brought up in Sydney, and early on he played rugby for West Harbour RUFC, Southern Districts RUFC and Eastern Suburbs RUFC which brought about the nickname 'Compass'. Parks also represented New South Wales at Under-21 level. During his playing days in the Sydney rugby union competition, Parks broke a long-standing point scoring record for the third fifteen's highest scoring replacement in a friendly game. Professional care ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eric Elwood
Eric Elwood is a former Irish rugby union player from Galway. He played as a fly-half. He played for Ireland internationally, and provincially for Connacht. He split his club career between hometown club Galwegians and Lansdowne in Dublin, starting and finishing his career in Galway, with a stint playing with Lansdowne in the 1990s. Elwood earned 35 caps for Ireland, scoring 296 points for the side. He played 168 games for Connacht scoring 1,152 points. He was the first Connacht player to make 100 appearances for the side, while his points tally is still the greatest ever recorded for the team. Elwood also made a single appearance for international invitational side the Barbarians before being capped by Ireland. After retiring from playing, Elwood went into coaching. He served as assistant coach for Connacht and then as coach of the Ireland under-20 side, where he won a Grand Slam in 2007. In 2010, he became head coach of Connacht and led the team to the Heineken Cup for ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pat Lam
Patrick Richard Lam (born 29 September 1968) is a rugby union coach and former player. He is currently Director of Rugby at Bristol Bears in England's Premiership Rugby. Born in New Zealand, he represented New Zealand in schools and under-21 rugby. He played for Auckland, North Harbour, , Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints. He also won 25 caps for Samoa, including at the 1991, 1995 and 1999 World Cups. His usual position was number 8. Since retiring as a player he has coached teams including Auckland and Connacht. Playing career Lam was born in Auckland and attended St Peter's College, Grafton, and captained the New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby team. He played at loose forward for Auckland, North Harbour and Crusaders, before moving to England where he first played for Newcastle Falcons. In his first season at Newcastle he made 22 appearances as they won the 1997-98 Premiership. However, after that triumph he moved on to Northampton Saints, with whom he won th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 List of islands of New Zealand, smaller islands. It is the List of island countries, sixth-largest island country by area, covering . New Zealand is about east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and south of the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. The country's varied topography and sharp mountain peaks, including the Southern Alps, owe much to tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's Capital of New Zealand, capital city is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland. The islands of New Zealand were the last large habitable land to be settled by humans. Between about 1280 and 1350, Polynesians began to settle in the islands and then developed a distinctive Māori culture. In 1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight and record New Zealand. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
