Cameron Hill

You're very welcome to Thursday's Rugby Daily.

I'm Cameron Hill.

Now, coming up, Irish rugby mourns the passing of legendary back row Fergus Slattery at the age of 77.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen praises genius senior coach Jacques Nienaber.

John Dobson sends out a warning to critics of Leinster senior coach Jack Nienaber.

And Maggie Alfonsi slams the RFU over a sexism row involving one of its council members.

And Munster's hopes of signing All Blacks prop Tyrell Lomax have been dealt a fatal blow.

First up today, the IRFU have confirmed that Andy Farrell will continue on as head coach of Ireland beyond next year's Rugby World Cup.

First up today, Irish rugby legend Fergus Slattery has died at the age of 77, his club Blackrock College announced this morning.

The 51-year-old has signed a contract extension running until the 2031 edition of the tournament.

The former flanker earned 61 caps for Ireland, winning the Five Nations Championship in 1974, as well as triple crowns in 82 and 85.

Farrell succeeded Joe Schmidt in 2019, having joined the Ireland backroom as defence coach initially in 2016.

He went on three tours with the British and Irish Lions and was part of series wins in 71, 74 and 79.

Since taking the top job, he's guided Ireland to two Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2023, a series win in New Zealand in 2022, and being narrowly beaten by the All Blacks in the World Cup quarter-final last time out in France.

He was also a key part in the Barbarians' most famous try against the All Blacks back in 1973.

He had been linked with a move to English club Saracens as their new director of rugby.

Leinster have named their team for tomorrow's URC semi-final at home to the Stormers.

There's a big injury blow for head coach Leo Cullen with hooker Dan Sheehan missing the game through injury picked up in the quarterfinal win over the Lions last weekend.

So Ronan Kelleher slots into the two jersey with Gus McCarthy held in reserve.

The other changes are starts for Josh van der Vlier and Jamison Gibson-Park.