After the first fallow weekend, the Six Nations kicks back into gear this week with Ireland travelling to Cardiff. However, across the first two rounds of the tournament, Ireland have ranked second bottom of all six teams for lineout success rate. This fits in with the narrative of the Irish coaches battling to fix a … Read more
Following a 22-19 victory for Leinster against Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday night, here’s our five takeaways from the fixture at Swansea. The top line Chalk up win number 11. With a feeling of inevitability, the Leinster machine rumbles on as they secured an 11th straight victory in the URC but … Read more
Although there was the usual mayhem in his fixture, especially in a disconcerting first half of repeated head-knocks and four HIAs, ultimately Ireland emerged from Sunday’s 32-18 Six Nations win in Murrayfield seemingly unscathed, as well as on top of the table. What’s more, Joe McCarthy will be back in the mix and could feature … Read more
‘A red rag to a bull’ – Peter O’Mahony continues Scotland rivalry The Irish Times Indo Sport podcast: The Rugby Show – The return of Peter O’Mahony | Ronan O’Gara to Australia? Irish Independent Matt Williams: Scotland could beat Ireland if they do something they haven’t done for years The Irish Times Where and when to watch Scotland … Read more
Simon Easterby is expected to keep changes to a minimum, if making any at all, when unveiling the Irish team to face Scotland in Murrayfield next Sunday (kick-off 3pm). The starting XV and replacements will be announced on Friday morning and, barring injuries, could well remain unchanged, with Sam Prendergast to retain the number 10 … Read more
Richie McCaw, one of rugby’s iconic players, eloquently captured the importance of momentum in the context of a match. The former World Cup-winning All Black captain suggested: “Momentum is massive in rugby. When you have it, everything seems easier. When you lose it, you’re scrambling to get it back.” It’s a simple analogy but it … Read more
Ireland and England will begin their Six Nations campaigns this evening at the Aviva Stadium as Simon Easterby’s side look to start their pursuit of a historic three championships in a row with a win. Follow all the build-up, action and post-match reaction in our live story below. Ireland v England key info Kick off … Read more
Coach: Simon Easterby Captain: Caelan Doris Overview Rewind to the Six Nations two years ago and Ireland look a good deal more vulnerable now than the imperious force which won the Grand Slam then. In Johnny Sexton’s final championship, he led the team to four of their five wins — Ross Byrne steering the ship … Read more
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) Performance Director, David Humphreys, believes coach Andy Farrell will be missed as Ireland near their opening game of the Six Nations Championship against England on Saturday. Farrell has taken a sabbatical from Ireland to coach the Lions team later this year in Australia with Simon Easterby taking control for … Read more
Once more unto the breach, and in the first Six Nations campaign without Andy Farrell there was even less cause for ripping things up and starting again. A strong core of the 36-man squad announced by Simon Easterby for Ireland’s attempt at a historic three titles in succession have been an integral part of the … Read more