Some big moves in the top five, after that Grand Slam success. Welcome to the fourth edition of the ‘Top 20 Irish rugby players’. After following up a 2022 Triple Crown with a winning Test Series in New Zealand, an unbeaten November and a 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam, picking a ‘Top 20’ of the […]

3 years ago

“Ah, stop!” Most Leinster and Irish rugby supporters have been eagerly anticipating Ryan Baird taking his game to another level ever since he first exploded on to the scene in 2020 and announced his intentions with a hat-trick against Glasgow Warriors. Baird made his Leinster debut at the tail-end of the 2018/19 season but made […]

3 years ago

‘I think one of those three Ulster lads should be in the World Cup squad’ On Saturday, at Aviva Stadium, Andy Farrell took his seat in the stands to watch the country’s two best provinces tear into each other, in the Champions Cup. Leinster ended up doing what they do every week [barring a share […]

3 years ago

“It must be something about me. I just can’t seem to get a nickname.” Mack Hansen has been playing top level sport – at underage and professional – for around a decade now but still goes by ‘Mack’. At least, he admits, that is what people call him when he is in their presence. “I […]

3 years ago

Backed up by the young guns, who would no doubt love another crack. For the first time in this country’s sporting history, the Ireland U20s and senior Test sides brought home Six Nations Grand Slams. Johnny Sexton and Gus McCarthy had the dual honour of lifting the Six Nations trophies aloft. The closest any side […]

3 years ago

What a match-up this would be. Last Wednesday saw the 2023 Six Nations Team of the Championship announced, with 10 Ireland players making the cut. This week, the tournament announced the players that got the second most votes in each position. Interestingly enough, there are still no players from England, Wales or Italy in the […]

3 years ago