Tadhg Beirne: ‘It had only been a year since I had been let go by Leinster. To be back there and to get that result with Scarlets was pretty special’

The Munster and Ireland player talks about the historic game that changed everything for him at 15, getting spotted to play for Leinster and embracing every opportunity Ireland and Munster rugby star Tadhg Beirne. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile I was lucky enough to go to the Ireland versus England game in the 2007 Six Nations. That … Read more

Brian O’Driscoll reveals why Ireland and Leinster star will have to ‘disconnect himself’ during the Lions Tour

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL reckons Caelan Doris will try to shut off from rugby altogether during this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour. The Ireland legend reckons that the Leinster star will have to come to terms with missing the trip to Australia. 2 Brian O’Driscoll offered some advice to Caelan Doris after he missed Lions selection … Read more

Rugby-Australia-born Tuipulotu all in for the Lions

(Reuters) -Melbourne-born Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu says he is fully committed to the British & Irish Lions after being selected to tour Australia later this year. The 28-year-old, who qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother, was one of two Australia-born players selected to tour the land of their birth along with Ireland winger Mack Hansen. … Read more

Lions would do well to remember that in rugby, as in war, past difficulties often repeat themselves – The Irish Times

Retired Lieutenant General HR McMaster is best known for his time serving as one of America’s national security advisers in the first Trump administration. As a beacon of common sense and rationality in the midst of Donald Trump‘s chaotic first term, not unexpectedly, his ability to influence the US president‘s decision making lasted only 13 … Read more

Leinster’s Hugo Keenan – the last and only Irish rugby Olympian to be selected for the Lions

Hugo Keenan is focused on picking up the URC title before the Lions tour. Photo: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile Two sides of the same Irish rugby coin within a week – heart-warming for those on the right side of imminent immortality; heart-breaking for the others who history will soon forget. At a house in Clonskeagh last Thursday … Read more

Bernard Jackman: Andy Farrell made right calls but unlucky few may yet travel with Lions

Henry Pollock’s rise has been remarkable. Photo: David Rogers / Getty Thursday’s Lions squad announcement was hyped up like no other. There were 2,000 fans at the venue in London, and it was broadcast live on Sky Sports and all social media channels. Elements of the show were a little bit cringe, but people like … Read more

Leinster v Northampton – ‘It’s not a hostile relationship but we both want to win’ – Sam Prendergast and Fin Smith lock horns in Lions audition

Leinster and Northampton’s gifted 22-year-old out-halves are hoping to impress Andy Farrell ahead of Thursday’s squad announcement Sam Prendergast and Fin Smith The summer of 2022 was a strange time for rugby’s most exciting young players because for the third year running the U-20s World Cup was cancelled on the back of Covid. In a … Read more

Andrew Porter: ‘My mum was my biggest fan. After she passed away, Dad stepped into that role. Even if there’s a crowd of 50,000, I can pick him out’

The Leinster and Ireland rugby star looks back on the standout moments of his career, and reveals how family and school have played important roles Andrew Porter is a brand ambassador of Canterbury, and is promoting the Stampede boot, designed for forwards for whom traction and stability are key. See canterbury.com The game that stands … Read more

‘A man unbelievably comfortable in his own skin’ – Leinster’s Tadhg Furlong pays tribute to his late dad James

Fit-again Ireland prop reflects on fatherhood, his native Wexford, the Champions Cup and the Lions tour Tadhg Furlong: ‘It’s one of the most special things you can do, I genuinely do, and I’ve loved both [Lions] tours.’ Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile A lot of water has happened in Tadhg Furlong’s world since last we spoke. He’s … Read more

Eight Irishmen, three Scots, three England players and even a Welshman – Warren Gatland picks his Lions XV

Caelan Doris is Warren Gatland’s pick for Lions captain. (Andrew Milligan/PA) In picking this Lions team, I have done so on the basis that it is for a Test match to be played against Australia next Saturday. If it were for a Test in July some currently injured players would come into contention, such as … Read more