Gerry Thornley: Joe Schmidt taking Australia job adds intrigue to the Lions tourFormer Ireland coach had his imprint all over New Zealand’s victory against his former team in the Rugby World CupFri Jan 19 2024 - 15:11
Playing dynamic Tom Ahern out wide a masterstroke from Munster’s brains trust ‘I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m loving it out there... thankfully the guys in the middle are giving me opportunities out wide’Fri Jan 19 2024 - 06:00
Connacht target bonus-point win against Bristol to keep European hopes aliveBundee Aki, Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham return for crunch match at the SportsgroundThu Jan 18 2024 - 19:51
Ireland’s Six Nations squad: Gerry Thornley on what the line-up tells usSelection confirms how the Six Nations is viewed as a standalone tournament, rather than the start of a new World Cup cycleThu Jan 18 2024 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Peter O’Mahony a safe pair of hands but captaincy honour is fully deserved Andy Farrell opts against sweeping changes as retirement and injury the only factors behind changes in Six Nations squadWed Jan 17 2024 - 17:01
Munster aim to build on Toulon win with another Thomond thriller against Northampton Denis Leamy highlights John Hodnett’s Ireland credentialsWed Jan 17 2024 - 10:51
Peter O’Mahony’s contract situation an ‘ongoing process’, says Denis Leamy‘It’s an ongoing process and it’s probably unfair for me to comment any further than that. We’ll have to wait and see how that pans out’Tue Jan 16 2024 - 17:53
Gerry Thornley: French sides show their class in Champions CupToulouse, La Rochelle and Bordeaux-Begles have all underlined their potential as Champions Cup contenders with impressive displaysTue Jan 16 2024 - 05:15
Munster deliver statement win in Toulon at the perfect point in the seasonGraham Rowntree’s side look set to qualify for Round of 16 after come from behind win in FranceMon Jan 15 2024 - 06:00
Munster make the biggest move on mixed weekend for provinces Ulster are clinging on but vulnerable, while Connacht are in all likelihood restricted to a shot at the Challenge Cup when Pat Lam returns to the Sportsground with Bristol next FridayMon Jan 15 2024 - 06:00
Graham Rowntree ‘immensely proud of the lads’ as Munster stick to the plan in ToulonHead coach reserves special praise for skipper Tadhg Beirne after first away win of the seasonSat Jan 13 2024 - 18:39
Antoine Frisch making steady progress towards his goal of playing for Ireland: ‘From the very start, that was the dream’Munster centre Antoine Frisch has amassed considerable experience in France and England and makes no bones about his lifelong ambition of playing for IrelandSat Jan 13 2024 - 06:00
Toulon v Munster preview: Peter O’Mahony returns from injury while Joey Carbery is named on the benchGraham Rowntree makes six changes from the New Year’s Day defeat by Connacht, with Craig Casey and Jack Crowley restored at half-backFri Jan 12 2024 - 20:15
‘I just want to play well’: Simon Zebo tackles memories of MunsterZebo will likely be making eye contact with another experienced, warrior 10 in Dan Biggar at a ground where Zebo has been on the winning side with RacingFri Jan 12 2024 - 06:00
Andrew Porter: ‘I love being in here with my friends, playing for a club I grew up watching when I was a kid’Ireland and Leinster prop, who feels ‘incredibly lucky’ to play rugby as a job, features in an upcoming Netflix documentary which gives an insight into his lifeThu Jan 11 2024 - 06:00
Bundee Aki looks back at ‘inspiring’ a nation as he picks up Men’s Player of the Year awardHaving signed a new contract until the end of 2025 season, this year was not a last dance for the Connacht playerThu Jan 11 2024 - 00:00
For their latest trick, Munster must win ‘all-or-nothing’ joust in ToulonCoach praises development of Jack Crowley, whose importance is growing as Joey Carbery nears departureWed Jan 10 2024 - 06:00
Munster’s Peter O’Mahony in the mix to return for Toulon clashJoey Carbery and Niall Scannell also back in contention for Champions Cup pool gameTue Jan 09 2024 - 17:02
Gerry Thornley: Unclear who can step in for Mack Hansen during Six NationsThe race is on to take a starting position on the Irish wing, but it’s been a quarter of a century since there’s been so much uncertainty about the optionsTue Jan 09 2024 - 06:00
Leinster hit with Jimmy O’Brien blow but James Lowe may return for Stade Français clashDefence coach Nienaber stresses need to be smart defensively and not allow Top 14 side to build momentumTue Jan 09 2024 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Ireland’s system of maximising its resources will continue to be rewarded in 2024Maintaining competitive provincial and national teams is a balancing act for the IRFU but it has served Irish rugby wellTue Jan 02 2024 - 06:00
Sports Review 2023: Green Army in full voice in Paris as Ireland claim Springboks’ scalp It was a truly memorable World Cup victory for Irish rugby but though South Africa lost that seismic battle they went on to win the warMon Dec 25 2023 - 06:00
Caelan Doris has unfinished business to focus on as he signs new Leinster dealCaelan Doris excited by the impact of arrival of South African coach Jacques Nienaber and the prospect of lining up alongside RG SnymanWed Dec 20 2023 - 06:00
RG Snyman: A world-class lock with X-factor who is worth the gamble for LeinsterDon’t be surprised if Jacques Nienaber’s next acquisition is a South African tightheadTue Dec 19 2023 - 20:14
Graham Rowntree: ‘We’re giving teams presents - have another one, Merry Christmas!’‘You know what this tournament means to our club, we’ll be gunning for qualification’ says Munster head coach after defeat to ExeterTue Dec 19 2023 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Munster’s lack of depth showing in poor form at the end of matches Of their replacements last Sunday vs Exeter, only Oli Jager and Conor Murray could be described as proven impact playersTue Dec 19 2023 - 06:00
Bordeaux Bègles show concrete interest in signing Munster’s Joey CarberyIreland international has fallen down the pecking order at national and provincial level but his versatility could be valued in the Top 14Mon Dec 18 2023 - 20:18
Munster v Exeter: Tadhg Beirne frustrated as endgame proves costly for MunsterGraham Rowntree’s Munster Rugby left with plenty of work to do to reach the knockout stages of the Champions Cup following defeat to ExeterMon Dec 18 2023 - 06:00
Graham Rowntree left frustrated by Munster’s loss after ‘great things’ against ExeterMunster had 11-point lead after 50 minutes only to be overwhelmed in Champions Cup pool gameSun Dec 17 2023 - 16:46
Munster let lead slip through their fingers against ExeterDouble-whammy turned game on its head before a late sucker punch denied Munster second bonus pointSun Dec 17 2023 - 15:42
From Blackrock to New Zealand to Munster: Oli Jager has taken the road less travelledThe 28-year-old is enjoying being back home with the ‘simple things’ like a pint of Guinness and a packet of crispsSun Dec 17 2023 - 06:00
Munster travel to Exeter Chiefs with a sense of Champions Cup urgencySuddenly Munster are cornered again as defeat here would leave Exeter almost out of reach in pool threeFri Dec 15 2023 - 19:35
Gerry Thornley: Nienaber’s influence all over Leinster’s interest in RG SnymanMunster will now fear that history will repeat itself after Snyman’s injuriesFri Dec 15 2023 - 18:00
IRFU contract extension for Andy Farrell a clear ‘hands off’ to potential suitors Ireland boss characterised as ‘a winner’ and ‘quality coach’ by performance supremo David NuciforaFri Dec 15 2023 - 06:00
David Nucifora dismisses idea that key Ireland players were overplayed in Rugby World CupOutgoing IRFU high-performance director admits lineouts weren’t as consistent as hoped for in tournamentFri Dec 15 2023 - 01:00
RG Snyman to join Leinster after contract with Munster endsSouth African Rugby World Cup-winning lock will make the switch across Irish provincesThu Dec 14 2023 - 23:00
Andy Farrell signs contract extension as Ireland coach as IRFU leave door open for LionsDavid Nucifora confirms Farrell would be free to take a sabbatical from his role in 2024-25Thu Dec 14 2023 - 15:39
Munster hopeful of Peter O’Mahony’s return ahead of trip to ExeterIreland backrow missed the defeat to Leinster and Champions Cup draw with Bayonne through injuryWed Dec 13 2023 - 17:31
Gerry Thornley: Leinster shackled Will Skelton, putting the narrative about physicality to bedThere was no shortage of physicality or character from Leo Cullen’s side in La Rochelle as they ground out a very satisfying result in demanding conditionsTue Dec 12 2023 - 06:00
Tadhg Furlong remains an injury concern for Leinster ahead Sale Sharks clash Leo Cullen optimistic on the prospects of Jack Conan’s return but less so on Furlong and James Lowe’s availabilityTue Dec 12 2023 - 06:00
Leo Cullen ‘not getting too excited’ after Leinster finally get one over La RochelleLeinster head coach says his side were ready for the conditions they faced at Stade Marcel DeflandreSun Dec 10 2023 - 20:13
Leinster dig deep to earn modicum of revenge with victory in La RochelleJacques Nienaber’s influence apparent in excellent defensive display in tough conditionsSun Dec 10 2023 - 18:44
La Rochelle look to spark their season into life with Leinster victoryRonan O’Gara’s team are ninth in the top 14 as they struggle to overcome post-World Cup hangoverSun Dec 10 2023 - 06:00
Leinster’s Leo Cullen: ‘This is Harry’s time now - it’s time to deliver’ Younger Byrne brother starts his first Champions Cup match four years after making his debut vs MontpellierSat Dec 09 2023 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: How long will the concept of the Lions stay relevant? The tour has become more of a corporate venture while player welfare concerns continue to be prevalentFri Dec 08 2023 - 17:15
Champions Cup 2023-24: Gerry Thornley’s pool by pool guide to the tournamentTweaked format should ensure more meaningful matches through the pool stagesFri Dec 08 2023 - 06:00
Bundee Aki to make first Connacht start of season as Bordeaux-Bègles bring the starsDenis Buckley and Connacht have a plan to deal with French side’s considerable challenge up frontThu Dec 07 2023 - 12:17
Ryan Baird: ‘Initially you can’t deem the World Cup a success, but I learned so much’Leinster forward says athletic profile of the province’s players mean they can fit in to Jacques Nienaber’s new systemThu Dec 07 2023 - 06:00
Jacques Nienaber: ‘Hopefully I can add value, but there is no silver bullet’One-time physio turned strength and conditioning coach hopes to add to Leinster’s defence after settling down with family in DublinWed Dec 06 2023 - 06:00
Champions Cup format still lacks the excitement of the old Heineken Cup daysThe reverberations from the Anglo-French coup in 2014 continue to affect the successful running of Europe’s primary club rugby competitionTue Dec 05 2023 - 06:00
