“That is nonsense, that is horse shit, that does not sit well with me.” Most of the discourse during Ireland’s recent Autumn Nations Series surrounded the battle for the No 10 jersey between newbie Sam Prendergast and the more experienced Jack Crowley. After eight starts with Leinster – 20 games in total – time in […]

1 year ago

Jamie Heaslip looked forlorn in the RTÉ studio. Jamie Heaslip represented Leinster fans everywhere after Saturday’s 31-22 Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse. To lose any cup final is a kick in the teeth, but to lose a second and then a third in as many seasons is enough to leave any fan speechless. This […]

1 year ago

“We need to get our biggest, most athletic players into the team.” Ireland are still in pole position to retain their Six Nations title, but Saturday’s narrow defeat to England has clipped some wings. Andy Farrell’s men lost 23-22 to England and were ruing a missed Jack Crowley conversion, some porous defending off England’s lineout […]

2 years ago

ULSTER 14-15 MUNSTER “If there was a camera on my face at the end, when Ben Healy went over, the colour completely drained from it!” Munster were dreadful for long, grim stretches against Ulster but two second half tries saw them puncture another tyre in Ulster’s teetering bandwagon. Munster have lost six of their 11 […]

3 years ago

“They are absolutely phenomenal athletes, and good rugby players.” Stephen Ferris knows all about what it is like to face a fully-loaded, world champion South Africa side when Irish fans are expecting the best. Back in 2009, as Ireland revelled in their Grand Slam win and their healthy contingent (including Ferris) on a close, hard-fought […]

3 years ago

“Its an enormous honour for him.” Back in 2016, Josh van der Flier stood on a landing spot, outside the England press room, at Twickenham, overlooking a gym the senior players often use. Ireland had lost 21-10 to England, and it was a ruthless job by a team that Eddie Jones had quickly turned around […]

4 years ago