Jamie Osborne has been living one of rugby’s oldest adages: that injury to one player is an opportunity for another. Since Hugo Keenan hurt his hip and then his thumb and has not yet played in Ireland’s Six Nations campaign, Osborne’s claims to fullback have been growing louder. Mack Hansen is also out injured, with … Read more
Ireland won the Triple Crown last season for only the 14th occasion. Just saying. A third Triple Crown in four years, like those of 2022 and 2023, was effectively lost in the wash. Ireland have long since been in the market for titles and Grand Slams. The Triple Crown is no longer the full bag … Read more
Bundee Aki came back into the Irish squad this week with a view of claiming pitch time ahead of Ireland’s fourth game of this year’s Six Nations Championship against Wales on Friday in Aviva Stadium (KO: 8.10pm). Aki, who played for Connacht last weekend in their 15-10 win over Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby … Read more
The Six Nations trophy is to be replaced after suffering fire damage while being transported by road last month, the organisers of the tournament have said. It is understood the trophy was being driven from Limerick to Dublin after an event when the vehicle transporting it was involved in an “incident”, and though nobody was … Read more
Who is playing, when and where? Ireland are playing Wales at the Aviva Stadium in the fourth round of the Six Nations. Kick-off is at 8.10pm on Friday night. Wales will wear white to help supporters impacted by colour blindness. How can I watch it? You can watch the game on RTÉ 2, the coverage … Read more
In an interview with The Scotsman newspaper last November Rory McIlroy was asked about Tommy Fleetwood’s breakthrough victory at the Tour Championship. After 30 top-five finishes, including six as runner-up, Fleetwood had finally won a tournament on the PGA Tour at the 164th attempt. Because of his popularity and his perceived vulnerability, Fleetwood’s triumph was … Read more
It’s an affliction that is impossible to avoid. One of the more contagious viruses that runs through sports fans the world over. Irish rugby punters are no different and the latest bout has fast taken hold. Shiny new toy syndrome has certainly kicked in thanks to the performances of one Irish Under-20 forward: South African-born … Read more
Simon Easterby has clearer memories than most of Ireland’s Six Nations game against Wales at the Principality Stadium last year. Standing in while Andy Farrell organised his Lions squad for their Australian tour, Easterby was head coach against a Welsh team that caused Ireland some real problems. He expects as much again next Friday night … Read more
I’ve never seen so many people leave Twickenham so early. After Paris, I expected a big response against England. Nothing like this. Last Saturday was as close as I’ve seen to a complete performance. The narrative spins one way then the next. All of a sudden, the Ireland rugby team is no longer stuck in … Read more
It’s all so fickle really. One scrum-based mangling and yellow card-riddled beating by the Springboks and not just Irish rugby, but the very game itself, was supposedly in grave peril. Then another comprehensive beating by France on a sodden opening night in Paris and, coupled with heavy defeats for the Under-20s and the Ireland XV … Read more