Leo Cullen’s side aims for Champions Cup semi-finals – The Irish Times

Leinster 47 Glasgow 0 72 mins: Leinster once again tackle the 9 within a metre of the ruck, falling foul of the new law. McGrath the culprit this time. Glasgow go to the corner. 70 mins: O’Brien puts in a good kick off turnover ball to find touch inside the Glasgow half. Every time Glasgow … Read more

Sam Warburton names ‘exceptional’ bolter in British and Irish Lions XV : Planet Rugby

Former British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has named a left-field Test XV for this summer’s tour, which includes bolter Blair Murray at fullback.  The Scarlets and Wales ace only made his Test debut during the autumn, but after some strong showings in the Six Nations, he has put himself in contention for the … Read more

Italy v Ireland preview: Irish onslaught leaves 3-peat hopes in Rome’s ruins : Planet Rugby

Ireland will be a team on a mission when they head to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday to take on Italy in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The men from the Emerald Isle came into this year’s Six Nations highly motivated to lift the title as champions for an unprecedented third … Read more

Ireland boosted as FIVE key men set to return for pivotal Six Nations finale : Planet Rugby

Ireland attack coach Andrew Goodman has confirmed that star quintet Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Garry Ringrose are likely to be available for selection for their final Six Nations Test against Italy.  The men in green head to Rome after a disappointing defeat to France, which ended their hopes of a Grand … Read more

Finlay Bealham takes chance to banish doubts while Tadhg Furlong’s out – The Irish Times

Perhaps no Irish player went into this Six Nations more grateful for an opportunity to right wrongs than Finlay Bealham. When Tadhg Furlong suffered an unfortunate recurrence of his calf problems in the pre-tournament camp in Portugal, it afforded Bealham a chance to banish personal demons lingering from Ireland’s November outing against Australia. Some uncharacteristic … Read more

Ireland spoilt for choice but major shake-up unlikely for trip to Wales – The Irish Times

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

Confirmed: Tadhg Furlong ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England

Breaking |  Connacht’s Jack Aungier will link up with Simon Easterby’s squad in Portugal tomorrow Tadhg Furlong during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at The Campus in Quinta da Lago, Portugal. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Rúaidhrí O’Connor in Quinta do Lago Today at 19:23 Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against … Read more

Tadhg Furlong a major doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England

The experienced tighthead prop missed all four games of the November schedule with a hamstring issue and only returned for Leinster in their win over La Rochelle three weeks’ ago. However, Furlong sat out the win over Bath before travelling to the Algarve where Ireland are preparing for the Championship. He was present at Saturday’s … Read more

Ireland’s historic Six Nations title bid bolstered by return of key players – The Irish Times

The stakes grow higher virtually by the week from here on. Next Saturday fortnight Ireland will begin their quest to become the first side to win three outright Six Nations titles in succession when hosting England. Bringing that more sharply into focus, Simon Easterby will announce Ireland’s Six Nations squad on Wednesday afternoon. There was … Read more