World Rugby has urged patience for those applying for tickets for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after many fans were left frustrated after tickets went on presale for the tournament in Australia. The first batch of tickets was made available from midday Sydney time (1am on Wednesday in Ireland) when registered fans could secure a … Read more
The social media landscape around Ireland’s two outhalves, Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, was so noxious last week that Andy Farrell was left fuming. Former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton spoke at the team’s training base on Tuesday of his frustration with much of the discourse – and of his own experiences with the ‘toxic’ nature … Read more
Former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is confident current outhalves Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley will hit their best form in the coming matches. Now part of Ireland’s coaching set-up, Sexton added it is vital that Ciarán Frawley and Harry Byrne should also be given opportunities to develop in the 10 position. “(Prendergast and Crowley) both … Read more
Steve Borthwick has backed Henry Pollock to thrive in the face of any wind-up tactics from Ireland on his first England start on Saturday, tipping his rising star to bring “euphoria” to Twickenham. Pollock comes into the side at number eight as England seek to get their Six Nations campaign back on track and goes … Read more
It may have been Valentine’s Day at the Aviva, but there was no love lost in this battle. That’s Amore echoed around the stadium, but its calming influence proved minimal. Ireland were put to the pin of their collar on their way to forging a much-needed victory, although something tells me the better team lost. … Read more
The Ireland squad returned to training in Clongowes Wood College on Monday in readiness for next Saturday’s Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham (kick-off 2.10pm) with no fresh injury concerns arising from last Saturday’s 20-13 win over Italy. Andy Farrell will announce the team on Thursday morning ahead of the squad’s departure to London … Read more
I have known Keith Wood for nearly 30 years and so it’s easy to talk about life and death long before we move on to rugby. But the game always provides context and, last Friday afternoon, the 54-year-old former Lions hooker and Irish captain drove to Cork to watch his youngest son, Tom, play for … Read more
“Seventy to 80 per cent of households in Wales watch when we play in the Six Nations,” Sam Warburton told Gabby Logan before Sunday’s game got under way in Cardiff. By the 15th minute, by which point France had scored their third try, you had to conclude that the 20 to 30 per cent might … Read more
Andy Farrell has hit out at the “keyboard warriors” who have contributed to the negative and often nasty targeting of his young outhalves Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley on social media over the past year or two. Being asked about his selection at outhalf for next Saturday’s Six Nations match against England at Twickenham prompted … Read more
Joey Carbery’s season has been ended prematurely after suffering an ACL injury, which effectively means he has played his last game for Bordeaux Bègles. The 30-year-old has been dogged by injury in his career and this is a cruel way to end his two-year spell with the Champions Cup holders, although The Irish Times understands … Read more