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2020 Racing 92 Hold On To Rob Kearney Signs One-Year
Contract With Western Force
30th, End Saracens’ Rob Kearney has joined Australian
Ireland’s most decorated player
September club Western Force on a one-year

contract.
Full-back Kearney, who made 95

| Champions Cup Hopes appearances for Ireland, moves to
Perth having recently ended a distin-
EXAMINER guished 15-year career with Leinster.
The 2012 European Player of the
Year lifted the European Rugby Champions Cup four times
with the province, as well six Pro14 titles and the European
IRISH Challenge Cup.
At international level, he was part of two British and Irish
Lions tours, travelled to three World Cups, and won four Six
Nations titles, including Grand Slams in 2009 and 2018.
“I am delighted to be joining the Western Force for their
upcoming season and excited to play with such an ambitious
club who are looking to improve on this year’s campaign,”
the 34-year-old told his new club’s website.
“I hope to add value both on and off the field that comple-
ments the high ambition of the club.
“I’m particularly excited to immerse myself in a new per-
formance environment and to play both with and against
some of the best players and teams in the southern hemi-
sphere.
“I look forward to moving to Western Australia to begin
building relationships with my new team-mates and coaches
alike and to meet the ever-growing Western Force fanbase,
which also includes a strong Irish contingent.”
Western Force head of rugby Matt Hodgson said: “He is
a player of the highest caliber that brings a wealth of experi-
aracens suffered late the competition this season. classed as good, even though ence and quality to the side.
Heineken Champions Racing lost flanker Fabien there was some confusion “He also brings a winning mentality, having experienced
SCup heartbreak as Sanconnie to a third-minute whether it had actually flown so much success for his country and Leinster.” C
Racing 92 claimed a dramat- head injury and the subsequent inside the post.
ic 19-15 semi-final win in delay appeared to effect both Parity was soon restored at Republic, North And Scotland Could Face
Paris. sides, who struggled for fluen- the start of the second half as Play-Off Delays Into 2021
Alex Goode had kicked five cy during a scrappy opening. Antonie Claasen knocked on The Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland
penalties as Saracens over- Iribaren broke the deadlock deliberately and Goode could have to wait until days before Euro 2020 starts next
turned a 9-6 interval deficit and with an 11th-minute penalty stroked over his third penalty. summer to seal their place in the finals if the coronavirus pan-
boost hopes of a fourth before Saracens centre Duncan Goode quickly added a
Heineken Champions Cup title Taylor was forced off with a fourth goal for a 12-9 lead as an demic creates further problems with scheduling.
in five years. shoulder injury and replaced effective kick-and-chase game All three countries are due to be in play-off semi-final
But the champions were by Dominic Morris. began to turn the screw on action next month, with the matches to decide the last four
undone in the 76th minute The Vunipolas, Mako and Racing. places at the delayed tournament set to be played in
when leading 15-12, Virimi Billy, combined neatly in Morris forced another November.
Vakatawa charged clear and Saracens’ best passage of play turnover with a crunching hit However, European football’s governing body
wing Juan Imhoff accepted and Racing were punished by on Zebo and Goode’s fifth announced the adoption of ‘special measures’ on Thursday
Finn Russell’s pass to score the referee Nigel Owens for not penalty provided some breath- designed to ensure the games go ahead amid the coronavirus
game’s only try which Maxime using ruck possession quickly ing space as the lead stretched pandemic.
Machenaud converted. enough. to six points for the first time. It said that in the event of players being ordered to be
Teddy Iribaren (three) and Goode levelled the scores Alex Lewington might have quarantined or to self-isolate, matches would go ahead as
Machenaud had earlier kicked from in front of the posts and put the issue beyond doubt on planned provided there were at least 13 players available,
penalties for Racing – losing Saracens were beginning to a breakaway, but he chose to including at least one goalkeeper.
finalists in 2016 and 2018 – as win the battle for field posi- gather rather than hack on and However, if that was not possible, a UEFA document stat-
the 1,000 fans allowed in at the tion. was held up by backtracking ed “the match will be rescheduled at a date to be fixed by the
Paris La Defense Arena A second Goode penalty Racing defenders. UEFA administration, including May-June 2021 preceding
savored a famous home victo- gave the visitors the lead on Saracens mainstay Brad
ry. the half-hour mark, but Barritt was forced off inside the start of the UEFA Euro 2020 final tournament”.
Saracens kept the same side Iribaren immediately replied the final quarter and his depar- The finals are due to begin on June 11 next year.
that floored Leinster in the to tie the scores at 6-6. ture galvanized Racing, with It added that the UEFA administration would retain the
quarter-final, with Goode con- Camille Chat’s careless Machenaud cutting the gap to power to switch the match to a neutral venue if necessary,
tinuing at fly-half in the place knock-on allowed Saracens a three points. with the designated home team responsible for the staging
of the suspended Owen prime attacking opportunity, Vakatawa was at the fore- costs. The semi-finals are all due to take place on Thursday,
Farrell. but indiscipline at scrum-time front of a thrilling home October 8.
Russell and Irish star Simon let Racing off the hook and attack and, although Racing Northern Ireland are away to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the
Zebo were part of a dangerous Teddy Thomas’ break down were denied on that occasion, Republic of Ireland will travel to Slovakia and Scotland are
Racing back division whose the left set up one final first- the center ran clear again and set to face Israel at Hampden Park.
efficiency was reflected by the half chance. Saracens’ grip on the The play-off finals are scheduled for Thursday, November
fact the French club had man- Racing won a line-out Champions Cup was loos- 12. C
aged the most clean breaks in penalty and Iribaren’s kick was ened. C