A new rumor suggests that The Undertaker could be the next wrestling legend to get an online podcast. According to a report by PWInsider, Starrcast, LLC applied to trademark the term “Dead Man Talking.” As previously reported, The Undertaker is set to appear at this year’s Starrcast, which is being held in Las Vegas the same weekend as AEW Double or Nothing in May.  The filing for the trademark reportedly references podcasts. Conrad Thompson also conducts wrestling podcasts with Bruce Prichard, Eric Bischoff and Tony Schiavone. Before anyone gets too excited, the report notes that the filing could simply be related to Undertaker’s appearance at Starrcast 2019. The event is…

MUNSTER HAVE INCLUDED five senior players in their ‘A’ team for Saturday’s Cara Cup game against the New England Free Jacks, with Duncan Williams named as captain. The scrum-half is joined in the starting XV by Liam O’Connor, Conor Oliver, Dave O’Callaghan and Alex Wootton, with eight academy prospects handed starting opportunities in Massachusetts. Williams has made just four senior starts this term. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO Click Here: Koke jersey sale Alan Tynan and Conor Phillips start in the back three alongside Wootton, who has struggled for game-time this season, while U20 Grand Slam winners Sean French and Ben Healy are named at outside centre and out-half respectively. In the…

FORMER IRELAND INTERNATIONAL David Wallace believes that the IRFU needs to see the bigger picture and fully utilise the resources they have to remain competitive at the top of world rugby. The financial gap between the Tier One nations in the northern hemisphere has widened in recent years and it looks like a trend that is set to continue after it was announced that Canal+ will pay €97 million per season to screen France’s Top 14 matches from the 2019/20 season on a four-year deal. That figure is over 10 times more than the broadcasters pay to show the Pro12. “The IRFU has to take a top-down approach and look at…

JOE SCHMIDT REJECTED the notion that he is picking players for Ireland based on reputation but did say that Test form in the past is among his selection criteria. Connacht’s sensational Pro12 final win over Leinster has led to renewed question marks around the omission of their try-scoring back-three stars Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun and Matt Healy for Ireland’s tour to South Africa. Healy is now set to come into the Ireland group as a replacement for the injured Luke Fitzgerald, but criticism from Irish supporters has once again labelled Schmidt as conservative in his selection. Schmidt says he is picking players based on performance. Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO In reference…

AT JUST 87KG, Paddy Jackson is never going to be the biggest hitter in Test rugby but his display against South Africa on Saturday underlined once again that there is nothing wee about his defence. The Ireland out-half was superb as he more than compensated for the absence of Johnny Sexton in a performance that spoke volumes of his ever-growing confidence, maturity and ability. Jackson was a ferocious defensive presence. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO The presence of Luke Marshall, a decision-making centre, in the 12 shirt certainly aided Jackson’s composure, as did the assurance of Conor Murray at scrum-half. For the 24-year-old Ulsterman this seemed like a watershed moment in his…

Rory Keane reports from Port Elizabeth IN TERMS OF immediate impact, Andy Farrell’s opening match in charge of the Irish defence was a stunning introduction. When longstanding defence guru Les Kiss stepped down from his role after last year’s World Cup, Joe Schmidt began a worldwide search to replace the hugely popular Australian, who had helped Ireland secure a Grand Slam and two Six Nations championships during his seven-year stint. Farrell has added a big voice to the Ireland squad. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO Schmidt didn’t have to look far when Farrell – along with Stuart Lancaster, Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt – was relieved of his duties following England’s disastrous…

AUSTRALIA’S NRL HAS suspended Parramatta Eels half Corey Norman for eight weeks following his drug possession conviction and sex tape scandal. Norman has already served a one-game suspension after being stood down from the Eels’ round 19 loss against the Penrith Panthers last Sunday. The 25-year-old will now be unavailable for selection for the rest of the Eels’ season. Norman was also fined 20,000 Australian dollars (€13,630). Click Here: Australia Rugby Shop In a statement released by the NRL, they listed Norman’s penalty as relating to the following matters: “His conviction for drug possession at The Star casino, a police warning for consorting with known criminals at the casino, filming incidents involving apparent drug…

THE OPPORTUNITY TO face New Zealand is just about the greatest motivation a rugby player can have as they battle back from injury. Robbie Henshaw has that carrot dangling in front of him now. Joe Schmidt’s men face the Kiwis in Chicago on 5 November, before they clash again in Dublin two weeks later. Two chances at history. Henshaw with new Leinster teammates Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose. Source: SPORTSFILE Having undergone knee surgery in June, remedying an injury sustained on Ireland’s tour of South Africa, Henshaw is somewhere between eight and 12 weeks away from a return to play. A scan and consultation with his surgeon in…

IRISH RUGBY TEAM manager Michael Kearney is set to step down from his role in the aftermath of the November international series. The announcement of Kearney’s departure was made this morning by the IRFU. Kearney was first installed in the position as team manager in January 2012 when he succeeded Paul McNaughton. He first worked alongside Declan Kidney before staying in the role when Joe Schmidt was appointed in 2013. Kearney’s spell involved has seen Ireland claim Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015, a first Test Series win in the Southern Hemisphere (v Argentina in 2014), finishing top of Pool D at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and a…

FORMER LEINSTER LOCK Kane Douglas has been dropped from Australia’s matchday squad as head coach Michael Cheika shuffles his second row ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Perth [KO 11.05am Irish time, Sky Sports 3]. Kane Douglas’ time in Ireland did not work out. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO Douglas had started all three games in the tournament so far, but makes way for Rob Simmons. Adam Coleman of the Western Force will partner Simmons in the engine room as the Wallabies look to back up last weekend’s win over South Africa. Waratahs prop Tom Robertson and explosive Melbourne Rebels back row Lopeti Timani could make their Test debuts against the…