Player welfare is a clarion call of long standing for rugby’s constituents – the governing body World Rugby, unions, federations, clubs and tournament organisers. The IRFU’s model had long been the envy of its global peers, and sport’s hierarchy in several countries have followed suit to varying degrees in adopting a version of a central … Read more
Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster and Sean Jansen after their side’s victory over Ulster on Friday night. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile The power of the coach is sometimes overrated. Studies from the UK in football on the difference a new manager can make to a team’s performance reveal it to be at most 10 per cent … Read more
There’s a lack of consistency across the board but head coach will be comfortable with what he has as he hones in on Australia Ireland head coach Andy Farrell (centre) with, clockwise from top left, Tom O’Toole, Robert Baloucoune, Caelan Doris, Edwin Edogbo, Bryn Ward, Craig Casey. Squad depth is an obsession in rugby and … Read more
No better time to check the temperature. The state of Irish rugby – and the sport itself – is on an upward curve after an enormously entertaining Six Nations. Andy Farrell gave a good line last weekend about there being a story in every position. I’d go further and say there are three, even four … Read more
Ireland’s Six Nations MVP Stuart McCloskey of Ireland in action against Kyle Steyn of Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile At the end of an unforgettable Six Nations that saw Ireland win the Triple Crown and finish second, Andy Farrell used 35 players – a record high during his time as … Read more
In 2007, I sat in a hotel in the centre of Rome watching a title-chasing France struggle past Scotland on the final night of the Six Nations. Earlier that day, we had played some cracking rugby in beating Italy. Denis Hickie’s prematch speech provided the catalyst for our bells and whistles performance. We thought France’s … Read more
Rúaidhrí O’Connor: Calls for return to England are loud but the IRFU can convince Andy Farrell to stay beyond 2027 The Irish Independent Lancaster ‘pretty hopeful’ Aki will stay with Connacht RTE.ie ‘You know that I love this!’ – Farrell on Ireland future BBC Andy Farrell to hold talks over Ireland contract extension The Irish Times Andy Farrell speaks … Read more
15 Thomas Ramos (France) France’s Thomas Ramos lines up the winning kick during the Six Nations match against England at Stade de France. Photograph: Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images One of the main reasons France are champions, and ultimately the key man. Yet again, the most points (74) and the best kicking ratio (87.5 per … Read more
Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey celebrates after the Six Nations win against Scotland – the Ulster centre had a tournament to remember. Photo: Getty Our team of rugby experts deliver their verdicts on one of the most exhilarating Six Nations ever witnessed. Rúaidhrí O’Connor: Just about. Ultimately, they made their dominance count on their good days and … Read more
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell with Darragh Murray after their victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Andy Farrell has given his strongest indication yet that he would like to stay on as Ireland head coach beyond next year’s World Cup. Having led Ireland to the Triple Crown and a … Read more