Days before Rugby World Cup starts France enveloped in racism controversyIf Ireland reach the quarter-finals as Pool B winners or runner-up, there’s almost no avoiding Les Bleus or the All BlacksTue Sept 05 2023 - 05:00
French rugby and Macron caught in racism storm days before hosting World CupFrench head coach and country’s president recorded saying: ‘if he has to cry, he has to cry’Mon Sept 04 2023 - 16:54
Ronan Kelleher ‘fit now and ready to go’: Hooker set to feature in opening game against RomaniaRugby World Cup: ‘I haven’t got a couple of games under the belt, but at the same time my body feels unbelievably healthy’Mon Sept 04 2023 - 15:03
Road less travelled arrives at thrilling destination for James Lowe and Finlay BealhamWhen their rugby journeys began on the other side of the world, they never thought they would end up proudly representing Ireland in a World CupMon Sept 04 2023 - 05:00
Rugby World Cup: Johnny Sexton set for Ireland return in opener against RomaniaJack Conan, Ronan Kelleher and Dave Kilcoyne all likely to be fit for first pool game against The OaksMon Sept 04 2023 - 05:00
Andrew Porter ‘raring to go’ for Rugby World Cup as Ireland are in high spirits for Tours welcomingSome caps fit better than others at welcoming ceremony, with Finlay Bealham having particularly difficultySat Sept 02 2023 - 18:55
Ireland welcomed by 12,000 locals in Tours but forced to change plans due to fungus on pitch Johnny Sexton speaks of an ‘incredible’ reception as squad interacts with fansSat Sept 02 2023 - 12:56
Andy Farrell: Ireland must stay calm and roll with the punches to succeed in World Cup Head coach hopeful his open-minded approach pays off as 18 Irish players to make their World Cup debutsSat Sept 02 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: As injuries mount before the World Cup, rugby needs to look after its battered warriorsCian Healy not alone in falling victim to injury in warm-up games, with the likes of Anthony Watson, Romain Ntamack and Tommaso Menoncello missing outFri Sept 01 2023 - 14:00
Gerry Thornley: To win the Rugby World Cup, Ireland must overcome history and a harsh drawThis is the best Irish side ever to contest a Rugby World Cup but Andy Farrell will need the bulk of his key men to stay fit if they are to prevail over South Africa, France and New ZealandThu Aug 31 2023 - 13:00
Conor Murray hitting rich vein of form ahead of World CupSamoan scare and subsequent victory down to enduring value and qualities of this Irish team, says scrumhalfTue Aug 29 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: Encouraging World Cup signs for France but questions for All Blacks and EnglandHolders South Africa and Pacific Islanders the other winners on an interesting weekendTue Aug 29 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad packed with talent, but pace could be lackingRugby World Cup: Balanced selection offers plenty of experience along with 18 World Cup debutantsSun Aug 27 2023 - 20:50
Ireland World Cup squad: ‘Devastating’ blow for Cian Healy as Andy Farrell names squadDan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher both named despite injury clouds as injury against Samoa costs HealySun Aug 27 2023 - 18:37
Iain Henderson: ‘It means so much to us because it’s so fragile at times’Samoa coach Seilala Mapasua says disrupting Ireland’s momentum was keySun Aug 27 2023 - 14:47
Ireland forced to play the waiting game on Cian Healy injuryJacob Stockdale, Jimmy O’Brien and Robbie Henshaw all suffer injuries or knocks in hard-earned win over SamoaSun Aug 27 2023 - 11:17
Ireland survive Samoa scare as Cian Healy injury makes him worry for World CupLineout misfired horribly in what has become a disconcerting trend in recent matchesSat Aug 26 2023 - 22:12
Ireland aim to seal record 13th consecutive win in final World Cup warm-up against Samoa Ireland vs Samoa: Triumph in Bayonne on Saturday evening would see Ireland go into the World Cup with 25 victories in their past 27 TestsSat Aug 26 2023 - 05:30
Ireland’s World Cup squad: What is it likely to look like?A first World Cup in France would be fitting achievement for Munster’s Jack CrowleySat Aug 26 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: Ireland look to avoid a ‘Battle of Bayonne’ against SamoaO’Driscoll was injured in 2007 following a punch by New Zealand-born Bayonne lock Mikaera TewhataFri Aug 25 2023 - 15:08
Ireland management bring forward announcement of World Cup squadAndy Farrell will now reveal his squad on Sunday afternoon instead of waiting until MondayFri Aug 25 2023 - 11:48
Ireland’s team selection against Samoa gives pointers towards World Cup squadAndy Farrell makes a dozen changes to the Ireland starting team from last week’s win over EnglandFri Aug 25 2023 - 05:00
Ireland ring changes for final World Cup warm-up game against SamoaAndy Farrell gives a clear indication towards selection decisions for World Cup squad and positive news on Dan SheehanThu Aug 24 2023 - 14:00
Dan Sheehan’s inclusion in Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad increasingly likelyOptimism growing within camp that hooker is on course to recover from foot injury in time for major World Cup pool Tests against South Africa and ScotlandThu Aug 24 2023 - 05:00
Rob Herring: ‘With lineouts it’s fractions, there are so many moving parts’Ulster player is hoping it’ll be third time lucky to see him seal a berth in Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squadThu Aug 24 2023 - 05:00
Jimmy O’Brien can realise his World Cup selection ‘dream’ with big performance against SamoaWinger admits putting World Cup selection out of his mind isn’t easyWed Aug 23 2023 - 05:00
Mike Catt admits Ireland would be willing to gamble on Dan Sheehan’s fitnessThe conundrum around their hookers makes finalising the Ireland squad trickierWed Aug 23 2023 - 05:00
Ireland’s Andrew Brace will make his refereeing debut at the Rugby World CupIreland’s Joy Neville, the first female match official in men’s Rugby World Cup history, will be a TMO for five matchesTue Aug 22 2023 - 15:13
Ireland still waiting for full assessment on Dan Sheehan’s foot injuryHooker seeing a specialist in Dublin after hooker sustained an injury in last Saturday’s win over EnglandTue Aug 22 2023 - 14:45
World Rugby’s clunkiness creates ridiculously lopsided Rugby World Cup draw This was an accident waiting to happen, and reflects poorly on World Rugby’s organisational skillsTue Aug 22 2023 - 05:00
Diarmuid Barron travels with Ireland squad ahead of World Cup warm-up game against SamoaDan Sheehan, Jack Conan and David Kilcoyne didn’t travel with squad to BiarritzMon Aug 21 2023 - 21:13
Dan Sheehan injury a concern as Ireland complete home preparations Hooker awaiting scans on a foot injury as Farrell concedes the victorious performance against England was mixedMon Aug 21 2023 - 06:00
Keith Earls gets the moment he deserves as Ireland left frustrated by 19 point win over EnglandIreland rewarded for playing with greater ambition and width than joyless EnglandMon Aug 21 2023 - 05:00
Andy Farrell reacts to win over England, Dan Sheehan’s foot injury, and Keith Earls 100th capIreland head coach concerned by injury to his hooker during World Cup warm up victorySat Aug 19 2023 - 21:22
Ireland beat England in flawed yet convincing send-off before heading for FranceIreland will rue much of the inaccuracies which undermined this displaySat Aug 19 2023 - 20:09
Determined Ireland seek statement win for fitting World Cup send-offFarrell’s strong line-up looks equipped to extend record sequence of home wins and thereby maintain precious momentumSat Aug 19 2023 - 06:00
Popular Earls caps illustrious career by joining a very exclusive club Munster stalwart has overcome significant adversity to become just the ninth Irishman to reach 100 Test caps for his countrySat Aug 19 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: There are no winners in the Owen Farrell red card sagaYou wonder how any panel could adjudicate on any appeal to this vexed verdict such has been the noise around itFri Aug 18 2023 - 16:03
Ireland v England: Cian Prendergast given his chance as Farrell reverts to tried and trustedConnacht number eight will make his full Test debut against England as coach says injured trio Conan, Kelleher and Kilcoyne will all be fit for World CupFri Aug 18 2023 - 06:00
Ireland v England: Cian Prendergast at number eight as Andy Farrell names strong sideEleven starters named from team that beat England in the Six NationsThu Aug 17 2023 - 13:57
Ireland v England: Farrell to bring the Grand Slam band back together – with a few notable exceptionsCian Prendergast to start at 8, while Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose will revive their midfield partnership in World Cup warm-upWed Aug 16 2023 - 22:04
Five players released from Ireland squad ahead of Rugby World CupCaolin Blade, Gavin Coombes, Calvin Nash, Jamie Osborne and Kieran Treadwell fail to make the cutWed Aug 16 2023 - 18:45
France outhalf Romain Ntamack ruled out of Rugby World Cup with cruciate injuryBrilliant Toulouse No 10 suffered the injury following a tackle from Scotland’s Finn RussellMon Aug 14 2023 - 11:17
Ireland look to have learned from previous Rugby World Cup warm-up mistakesFarrell’s decision to sacrifice one preseason game will allow players recover fully from their Algarve exertionsSun Aug 13 2023 - 13:03
Gerry Thornley: Photograph of Sexton and Keane captures optimism of Ireland’s World Cup hopesThis year, more than ever, the spread of support throughout Ireland for Andy Farrell’s side appears bigger than it has ever beenFri Aug 11 2023 - 16:46
Tom Stewart has bought straight into international life after fulfilling dream with Ireland debutYoung Ulster hooker happy to be a sponge and delighted that advice is offered at every turnThu Aug 10 2023 - 06:00
Simon Easterby plays down fears concerning Jack Conan’s injury as he misses training campCraig Casey and Jimmy O’Brien overcome injury issues to join squad for camp in AlgarveWed Aug 09 2023 - 01:00
Jean Kleyn makes South Africa’s World Cup squad as key trio miss outRG Snyman and Steven Kitshoff make the cut as Pollard, Am and de Jager are placed on standbyTue Aug 08 2023 - 17:04
Stuart McCloskey hoping he remains central to Farrell’s World Cup plansLast Saturday marked the Ulster centre’s seventh start in Ireland’s last nine Tests and he attributes the change in fortune to a little overdue luckTue Aug 08 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: Five things we learned from Ireland’s win over ItalyJack Crowley, Joe McCarthy and the back-row reinforcements provide encouragement about Ireland’s strength in depthMon Aug 07 2023 - 06:00
