“I’m really excited to have the opportunity Ireland international scrum-half Kieran Marmion will join Bristol Bears from Connacht ahead of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership campaign. The 31-year-old, who has 28 caps for his country, links back up with Pat Lam having won the Pro 12 title together in 2016. Marmion has made 222 appearances for […]

3 years ago

“I’ve had two nice weeks, and hopefully I can build on this going forward now.” Shane Lowry started off 2022 by reeling off a string of tidy performances and high finishes. He finished no lower than 35th in a 10-tournament run that included four Top 10 finishes. One of those Top 10s was at the […]

3 years ago

The Leinster and Leicester fullbacks are flying it. For a good stretch, Rob Kearney and Mike Brown would be included in the debates for best fullbacks in world rugby. The torches have been passed to Hugo Keenan and Freddie Steward, two lads making the job look far easier than it actually is. Last weekend, in […]

3 years ago

“They’re pretty good. They’re pretty good.” “You know what’s wild?” Ugo Monye asked, before going on to lay out just how good he believes this Ireland team, under the guidance of Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton, are. We are three rounds into the 2023 Six Nations and while four times are still in with a […]

3 years ago

With another area of debate being who gets the No.2 jersey. Next Friday, March 10, Andy Farrell will name what should be his strongest Ireland team since the tour to New Zealand, last summer. While Ireland were in decent health for the Bank of Ireland Nations Series, last November, should a host of key players […]

3 years ago

“We’ve got a good crop of players coming back when it matters.” Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad are three from three in the 2023 Six Nations and another full haul of points, against Scotland, should put them on the brink of a first title since 2018. To help them get the job done at Murrayfield, Andy […]

3 years ago

“Garry Ringrose returning definitely cools a few defensive issues.” Ireland may have beaten Italy 34-20 and secured a bonus point before the half-time whistle, but there were so wrinkles that Andy Farrell will be keen to iron out. The Ireland head coach was verging on incredulous when he was asked, in the post-match press conference, […]

3 years ago

“I think it’s always easy to sit in the studio with the benefit of hindsight, and say you would have” James Ryan scored a try for Ireland and captained them to their eighth straight Test victory, but it was not all sweetness and light in Rome. Ireland defeated Italy 34-20 at Stadio Olimpico to stay […]

3 years ago

“We did some really good stuff and then we did the total opposite.” Bundee Aki returned to the Ireland starting line-up for the first time since last July but did not have it all his own way against Italy. The Connacht centre was set to play at inside centre beside Garry Ringrose until his teammate […]

3 years ago

“I think he’s got an infinite ceiling.” Brian O’Driscoll and Lawrence Dallaglio were full of praise for Andy Farrell’s Ireland after their rollicking start to the 2023 Six Nations. Ireland entered 2023 as World No.1 but there were more than a few pressing the case of France, who won the Grand Slam last year. That […]

3 years ago

“I’m buzzin’, man. Absolutely buzzin’.” It is media day ahead of Bellator 291 at Dublin’s 3 Arena and Pedro Carvalho draws us all in with his sense of enthusiasm and fun, with that glint in his eye when he talks about his opponent. Jeremy Kennedy may have carried the nickname JBC (Junior Bacon Cheeseburger) around […]

3 years ago

“No. No. It’s completely different to then.” Andy Farrell was much more interested in discussing how the current Italian team ‘tore Australia apart’ than delving back deeper in time. The media assembled at the Radisson Dublin Airport Hotel, this afternoon, and picked the brains of the Ireland head coach before allowing him to join up […]

3 years ago

“We’d be more than happy for a handful of players to captain the side. James is the lucky one to be able to do it, this weekend.” Such has been the strength of Ireland’s start to the 2023 Six Nations that Andy Farrell indulged in more changes than he usually might for a trip to […]

3 years ago

Andy Farrell is clearly not messing about. Ireland fly out to Rome on Thursday afternoon, not long after Andy Farrell names his Ireland team to face Italy. Tadhg Beirne has been ruled out for the next 12 weeks after a leg injury sustained in the win over France. Johnny Sexton has missed training, early this […]

3 years ago

“We’re looking on in a little bit of awe.” As the nation still basked in the afterglow of a resounding win over France, I was contacted by a radio producer in New Zealand to discuss the recent surge of success for Andy Farrell’s Ireland. Having lived in New Zealand in 2006, when a touring Ireland […]

3 years ago

The footballing Gods giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other. Vera Pauw’s Ireland side drew 0-0 with China at at Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, Spain, this afternoon. They were denied what looked to be a clear and easy goal in the second half of their World Cup warm-up. Ireland got their […]

3 years ago

Big step up in a crucial match for ‘Cheese’. James Ryan won his 50th cap in Ireland’s recent Six Nations win over France. This Saturday, in Rome, he is set for another big honour. The IRFU confirmed, this afternoon, that Ryan will captain Ireland against Italy in the third round of the 2023 Six Nations. […]

3 years ago

“This is our show. We’re keeping him grounded!” Back before Ireland faced off against France in the second round of this year’s Six Nations championship, Brian O’Driscoll suggested five of Andy Farrell’s side could stake great claims for a World XV. The House of Rugby team went two better than the great man himself, after […]

3 years ago

Tough beat for Joe McCarthy but a welcome return for Kieran Treadwell. Johnny Sexton looks likely to sit out this Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Italy after Joey Carbery was called up as outhalf cover ahead of round three of the championship. Carbery is joined by Kieran Treadwell and the uncapped Leinster back-row Scott Penny […]

3 years ago

A trip into Ian Poulter’s wardrobe is as colourful an experience as you could expect. Full Swing is the latest Netflix sporting documentary that is seeking to be their next ‘Drive to Survive’ or ‘The Last Dance’. The producers of ‘Drive’ were given handsome access to some of the best, brightest, and not so bright, […]

3 years ago

“10 points after two rounds is a great place to be but… we have to move on to the next one.” No sooner had the Netflix camera crew packed up and French rugby reporters pegged it out to the mixed zone to interview several of the visiting, beaten team, Andy Farrell was surrounded by 15 […]

3 years ago

Six changes are being suggested, with another couple of tweaks on the bench. Ireland have a few days off, after Six Nations wins over Wales and France, but 25 of the core squad will assemble for a mini camp, later this week, to get tested by Richie Murphy’s U20s Ireland team. The U20s are also […]

3 years ago

Every challenge thrown at them, and their team, they meet it with a better one. As Hugo Keenan hared in to clear up a tricky defensive situation, then gallop off for another 15-metres gain, I honestly tried to think of a time he had played poorly in a green jersey. Caelan Doris, meanwhile, was putting […]

3 years ago

‘Absurd, yet again’ Ireland and France served up a piping hot Six Nations classic, in round two, with both sides pushing the other to the very brink, and back again. Caelan Doris and Damian Penaud have been singled out as the cherries atop this sumptuous dish. The France winger and the Ireland No.8 were both […]

3 years ago

How impressive was that? It was back on the summer tour to Australia in 2018 when Ross Byrne won his Test debut for Ireland. Almost five years on, and after a cameo comeback against the Aussies in November, it feels like Ross Byrne has finally arrived in international rugby. There was a moment, on Saturday, […]

3 years ago

“Amazing, really, that he could show up today, be so calm and perform the way he did.” On Tuesday, Conor Murray and his entire family were given a terrible shock. That he was able to help Ireland to a huge victory, days later, says so much about not only him but the Murray clann. Gerry […]

3 years ago

The Munster lock had been enjoying another impactful performance when injury struck. Ireland are top of the Six Nations standings and remain on course for a Grand Slam, after defeating France, but injuries to Johnny Sexton, Rob Herring and Tadhg Beirne took the sheen off. Sexton confirmed, after Ireland’s 32-19 win, that he received a […]

3 years ago

The former England captain asked a valid question, in fairness. Ireland defeated France 32-19 in a pulsating Six Nations match-up, with a bonus point secured late in the game by Garry Ringrose. Many were left arguing over a crucial James Lowe try, including Will Carling. The former England captain was watching on, like millions more, […]

3 years ago

This was sensational. Ireland vs. France was teed up to be a Six Nations classic, and it certainly delivered in the first half of a pulsating contest at Aviva Stadium. James Lowe and Damian Penaud scored two crackers. Ireland led France 7-6 after two Thomas Ramos penalties were shaded by a converted Hugo Keenan. Then, […]

3 years ago

Conor Murray gets more respect in France than he does in Ireland. Over on a recent trip to France, I was talking about Leinster bulking up to combat the likes of La Rochelle and Toulouse. Amid chat of Jason Jenkins and Joe McCarthy coming into the Leinster pack, Conor Murray came up. “Now,” said an […]

3 years ago

Even before Ireland’s team announcement blow, this one was edged by France. This Saturday in Dublin, Ireland and France face off in the Six Nations. Our Ireland France combined team shows just how class, and close, the two teams are. France were made to sweat for their opening Six Nations victory, while Ireland made short […]

3 years ago

“It’s a whole new beast.” Now that Wales and Italy are in their respective wakes, the Six Nations’ two best sides are set for a collision course in Dublin, this Saturday. Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team for the game, and Dan Sheehan is the big omission. Ireland defeated Wales 34-10 in Cardiff while […]

3 years ago

They must reckon we still have Mick Galwey and Peter Clohessy in the squad. The days of Ireland huffing, swinging, rucking and wheezing their way to a noble defeat to France are long behind us. Someone needs to give the French media heads a refresher on the past decade of Six Nations and World Cup […]

3 years ago

“It’s an easy choice, but easy for a reason.” Have a chat with any player from the Leinster and Ireland set-ups and they will invariably rave about Garry Ringrose. Touted as the next Brian O’Driscoll [not the first lad to have that compliment and burden bestowed], Joe Schmidt got a glimpse of Ringrose in 2014 […]

3 years ago

“There’s no aura about him, at all.” Ahead of the 2023 Six Nations, Greg O’Shea got a chance to do what so many rugby supporters, and reporters, would love to do – go for a mosey with Josh van der Flier and pick his brain. The House of Rugby host, and former Ireland Sevens star, […]

3 years ago

‘Ireland taught them a big lesson’ Now that his old punch-bag, Eddie Jones is back in Australia, Clive Woodward has more time to look around the other sides competing in the Six Nations. A Grand Slam and World Cup-winning coach with England, Woodward regularly muses about the game on ITV and in his Daily Mail […]

3 years ago

We always knew this second round encounter would be pivotal. Andy Farrell’s Ireland team got their 2023 Six Nations campaign off to a rousing start, on Saturday. A day later, France needed a late try to deny Italy another famous win. Come Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, all that will matter is two sides going […]

3 years ago

“He was superb today.” Ireland ran amok in Cardiff to start off their Six Nations challenge in emphatic style. Andy Farrell’s side won 34-10 at the Principality Stadium but Matt Williams is keen for changes. Over on Virgin Media, Joe Molloy asked if Conor Murray should be retained if Jamison Gibson-Park was not deemed fit […]

3 years ago

“Potentially, that could have been a costly yellow card.” Andrew Porter stepped up with another big game for Ireland, as they beat Wales 34-10, but he will need to address some reckless moments that put his side on the back-foot for a while. Warren Gatland was certainly not impressed with one flashpoint tackle. At the […]

3 years ago

‘Remember that name, my friends’ Sonny Bill Williams has been all over the Six Nations this weekend, even getting in some of the U20s action. The former All Blacks star won world renown for his brilliant attacking play and his ability to get the wildest, and most wonderful, offloads away. It was no surprise, then, […]

3 years ago

‘Have I slipped into a parallel universe?’ Peter O’Mahony loves nothing better than gearing up for a big Test match by getting right under the opposition’s skin. New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Wales – you name the country and O’Mahony has got into it with some of their best and brightest. During a wide-ranging interview […]

3 years ago

The former Leinster and Scotland coach teed off on rugby writers for what he believes is “rubbish” written about Ross Byrne. Ross Byrne came on for the final stages of Ireland’s 34-10 win over Wales and showed some nice touches. Matt Williams, perhaps fired up from the manner of the Irish performance, used that substitute […]

3 years ago

Came out of nowhere. Ireland started like a freight train against Wales, in their Six Nations opener, but Hugo Keenan needed every yard of his old Sevens rugby pace to maintain their rollicking start. Andy Farrell’s men raced into a 14-10 lead after only 10 minutes, with Caelan Doris and James Ryan crashing over. The […]

3 years ago

“I’m in.” On Thursday, many in Ireland were resigning themselves to the fact that Katie Taylor’s homecoming would not be as spectacular as we all wanted. By Friday night, Conor McGregor was stepping forward with a possible solution. As she has stated on multiple occasions, Taylor would dearly love to fight at Croke Park, with […]

3 years ago

This is what so many Irish rugby supporters and pundits have been pining for. Tadhg Furlong is OUT and the roof will be CLOSED. That’s the long story made short. Ireland were heading to Cardiff with World No.1 swagger but life in rugby has a way of slinging several curveballs at once. For the pessimistic […]

3 years ago

“No bad stories.” Roy Keane was quick to get in the warning to his former Manchester United colleague Tom Heaton after the 36-year-old joined the Sky Sports panel for a wee post-match chat. Heaton was drafted in for his second game of the season, as United beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 [5-0 on aggregate] to reach […]

3 years ago

Ireland are looking to win their first Six Nations title since 2018. Andy Farrell has shown his hand and named his first Ireland team on this World Cup year. The big news is the lack of Tadhg Furlong in the match-day squad. Ireland enter 2023 as World No.1 and with home fixtures against France and […]

3 years ago

Teams are having to open up the dressing- and team-room doors, and some are finding it tough to stomach. At the annual junket to launch the Six Nations championship, invariably held in London, Johnny Sexton was being asked about the Netflix documentary that is covering the championship. An Italian journalist, in a lost in translation […]

3 years ago

United were even interested in another Bayern Munich midfielder. On Tuesday, Manchester United secured the deadline day signing of Marcel Sabitzer, on loan until the end of the season, as a quick response to the news that Christian Eriksen would be out until the end of April. Erik ten Hag had, early on Tuesday, told […]

3 years ago

The longlist has been announced, but there’s a ways to go yet. The EPCR has confirmed its’ long-list of nominees for the 2022/23 Player of the Year award and Gavin Coombes of Munster is joined by four Leinster stars. Each season, at the end of the pool stages, the tournament organisers assemble an elite panel […]

3 years ago