Jacob Stockdale is his own toughest critic. It’s been that way since his youth, and it’s worth recounting a story from his first year on the Ireland Under-20 squad to illustrate the point. Sitting in the Lansdowne pavilion in January 2015, the 18-year-old Lurgan-born wing opened a folder to reveal handwritten notes alongside numbers on … Read more
Ospreys 21 Ulster 10 Jude Postlethwaite of Ulster is tackled by Sam Parry of Ospreys during the United Rugby Championship match at The Brewery Field Stadium in Bridgend, Wales. Photo: Gareth Everett/Sportsfile An arm-wrestle of a game ended with another defeat in Wales for Richie Murphy’s men, their third of the season from the same … 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
Ulster’s rising star is enjoying rapid rise to top and training with Ireland Bryn Ward has only been with the Ireland squad for the last week and a half. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Bryn Ward was talking to his mother Wendy the other day when he suddenly remembered that his goal at the start of the … Read more
Connacht have expressed disappointment at the announcement that Matthew Devine will join Ulster at the end of the season. The former Ireland under-20 scrumhalf will join on a one-year deal “until at least the summer of 2027”, according to Ulster. The 23-old from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, will renew acquaintances with some of the Ulster coaches, … Read more
Connacht scrumhalf Matthew Devine is to join Ulster next season. The 23-year-old has started only two games this season, the same as in the whole of the last campaign, and in a bid to earn more game time The Irish Times understands the Galway native has agreed to transfer to Ulster. A product of Ballinasloe … Read more
Any disappointment Leinster might feel at finishing the pool stages as third seeds, failing to earn a top-two draw for the fourth season in a row, has been offset by them ending up in the opposite half of the draw to reigning champions Bordeaux Bègles and six-time winners Toulouse. As the only Irish side still … Read more
This week’s squad will tell us if Irish head coach is planning to stick with his gradual evolution, or whether he thinks the project needs a sharp shock Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile The international rugby landscape changed significantly on Wednesday night when Scott Robertson was removed from his position as All … Read more
Harry Byrne’s late heroics in Leinster’s 25-24 win over La Rochelle last weekend have earned him a start at outhalf ahead of Sam Prendergast, who’ll take a place on the bench for the province’s Champions Cup trip to Bayonne on Saturday (kick-off 3.15pm Irish time). Leo Cullen’s side is boosted by returns from injury for … Read more
New Zealander Aidan Morgan leaves northern province after one season Australia’s Angus Bell in action After a difficult campaign that finished with them missing out on the URC play-offs and facing into the Challenge Cup next season, Ulster have made a statement signing by recruiting Wallabies prop Angus Bell on a one-season sabbatical. The 24-year-old … Read more