The former Leinster, Ulster and Scotland coach is not a happy camper. Matt Williams has railed against a replacements bench strategy that South Africa have taken to extreme levels, saying it is ‘against the spirit of the game’. The Australian was speaking on the VMTV Rugby podcast and used the platform to highlight the Springbok […]

2 years ago

Some food for thought for Andy Farrell ahead of this evening’s World Cup squad announcement. Ireland completed their trio of Rugby World Cup warm-up matches with an uninspiring and costly 17-13 victory over Samoa in Bayonne on Saturday night. The win sees Andy Farrell’s side assured of maintaining their number one world ranking spot heading […]

2 years ago

Between the ‘Battle of Bayonne’ in ’07 and tonight’s injury list, maybe Ireland should just avoid World Cup warm-ups in the French town… Ireland 17 – 13 Samoa Ireland made sure they head into next month’s Rugby World Cup as the world’s number one ranked side with a physically bruising win over a resolute Samoan […]

2 years ago

This is the final run-out before we get to the really serious stuff. Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face Samoa, on Saturday in Bayonne. As expected, he has made a raft of changes from the XV that did for England, last time out. Farrell and his coaches will be using many of […]

2 years ago

The final hit-out before the big show starts. On Thursday, Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team for the final World Cup warm-up game before the big tournament comes fully into focus. Having dispatched of Italy and England with only foot injuries to Jack Conan and Dan Sheehan in the ‘negatives’ ledger, Ireland are in Bayonne […]

2 years ago

Just the three games, this time around. Andy Farrell is changing tack from the World Cup preparations of the last two Ireland coaches. Their final match before the big tournament will be in the host country. Last month, the IRFU confirmed dates and opponents for Ireland’s two home World Cup warm-up fixtures. The Grand Slam […]

3 years ago