Tony Ward: From the Paris no-show to what we’ve seen since has been a spellbinding transformation

Ireland underline that wing is king as Andy Farrell’s men emerge from Six Nations campaign in rude health Ireland captain Caelan Doris lifts the Triple Crown trophy after his side’s victory over Scotland. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile In the end we came up just short, but if there has been a more engrossing or more entertaining … Read more

Tony Ward: Welsh win is closer to where Ireland are at and Scots will be salivating at prospect of ending ‘Dublin hoodoo’

Tadhg Furlong on the charge against Wales players Dafydd Jenkins (left) and James Botham during Friday’s victory at the Aviva Stadium. Photo: Sportsfile While they let us down badly against Les Bleus in this tournament’s opener before spoiling us rotten against the English at Twickenham, it’s fair to say that both home games on either … Read more

Tony Ward: For my generation, it’s hard not to treat Wales with the utmost respect but those days feel distant

Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby has an intimate knowledge of Welsh rugby It was a successful weekend for the Welsh rugby regions. Cardiff beat Leinster on Friday, and the Ospreys defeated Ulster on Saturday, handing the province their third straight defeat in Wales this season. However, despite these wins, there remains a sense of unease … Read more

Tony Ward: Shaky form and an injury crisis leaves Ireland looking vulnerable ahead of French test

It’s very difficult to see beyond a home win in Paris on Thursday night Ireland captain Caelan Doris (left) with head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland squad training session in Quinto da Lago, Portugal. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile This year’s big Six Nations kick-off takes place in in the Stade de France on Thursday night. … Read more

Tony Ward: Anyone who thinks Leinster are playing well is deluding themselves

Leinster’s Sam Prendergast, right, celebrates with Luke McGrath after scoring their side’s second try against Bayonne. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile So we’re now down to one after Munster’s disappointing exit from this Champions Cup in a limp fashion in Limerick albeit in a match that, much like Leinster in Bayonne, could have easily gone either way. … Read more

Tony Ward: Leinster are losing touch with their core support and becoming arrogant

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen needs to start getting more out of his players who are not playing to their potential. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile I think I’m speaking on behalf of many when I describe the innermost feelings following Saturday’s URC quarter-finals as strange in the extreme. Both results, involving our two remaining runners in … Read more

Tony Ward: The Jack Crowley v Sam Prendergast out-half debate will get even hotter as both continue to get better

Jack Crowley celebrates Munster’s victory over La Rochelle on Saturday. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Perhaps they (the players) and we (the public) are victims to recent high standards, and I appreciate that I can only speak for myself, but what we witnessed on ‘Super Saturday’ was Irish rugby of the highest order – yet absolute extremes … Read more

Ireland v Wales predictions: our panel of experts give their verdicts on Six Nations clash

Jack Conan starts at No 8 in an Ireland side looking to make it three wins from three. Photo: Sportsfile Wales will be emotionally charged in Cardiff but it’s impossible to make a case that this will be the day their losing streak ends because Ireland have too much for them. Source link

Tony Ward: Munster will take new confidence from pushing Saints to brink despite defeat at Franklin’s Gardens

Tadhg Beirne’s work ethic, specifically off the ball, is the personification of honesty and graft. Photo: Matt Impey/Sportsfile You could forgive Tadhg Beirne for invoking the old nursery rhyme about the little girl who had a little curl in his post-match analysis on Saturday. “When we’re good, we’re very good. The problem is when we’re … Read more