Joe McCarthy in line for first Six Nations start as Ireland prepare to get physical Ireland head coach Andy Farrell to pick from a fully-fit squad when he names team on WednesdayMon Jan 29 2024 - 15:42
Andy Farrell: ‘If you can’t get excited about what’s coming up, you shouldn’t be in this job’Ireland have never won a Six Nations in the year after a World Cup disappointment and the odds are against them facing a trip to FranceMon Jan 29 2024 - 06:00
Six Nations: Les Bleus set to test opponents in tournamentFrance merit favourite status and are in pole position to repeat their title success of two seasons agoSat Jan 27 2024 - 06:00
Six Nations 2024: Ultimate guide to fixtures, main contenders and where to watch it on TVFrance and Ireland are favourites but look more vulnerable given their post-World Cup hangoversFri Jan 26 2024 - 06:10
Rhys Ruddock unlikely to represent Wales in the Six Nations, but nothing is off the tableThe 33-year-old flanker becomes eligible for Wales ahead of the third round of this year’s Six Nations – when they play Ireland at the Aviva StadiumWed Jan 24 2024 - 06:00
Cian Prendergast replaces Tom Ahern in Ireland squad for Algarve training Munster forward had been named as one of three training panellists but suffered a head injury playing for MunsterTue Jan 23 2024 - 15:10
Andy Farrell insists ‘the journey continues’ as Ireland start looking to opening night against France in MarseilleIreland head coach says ‘you’ve got to roll with the punches’ in the Six Nations as it changes all the timeTue Jan 23 2024 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Repeats and reprises also bring chance for revenge in Champions CupThe Irish provinces have had a mixed campaign but Leinster and Connacht carry more momentum with them than Munster and UlsterTue Jan 23 2024 - 06:00
Lost leads leave wet-behind-the-ears Munster searching for answersProvince’s latest defeat followed a pattern that has become uncomfortably familiarMon Jan 22 2024 - 06:00
Leinster to face Leicester, Munster meet Northampton in Champions Cup knockout stagesBy dint of topping Pool 4 and finishing as second seeds overall behind Toulouse, for the second season running Leinster have earned themselves a prospective home route all the way to the finalMon Jan 22 2024 - 01:00
Peter O’Mahony’s early Thomond departure a concern ahead of Six Nations campaignMunster head coach Graham Rowntree says new Ireland captain ‘got a couple of little bangs’ in Northampton lossSat Jan 20 2024 - 21:44
Munster let the Saints come marching in and send them on the road in Last 16 Munster let game slip away despite leading 20-10 at one stage with Northampton down to 14 after red cardSat Jan 20 2024 - 20:13
Jeremy Loughman ready to tick the Six Nations box The Nevada-born, Athy-reared prop had a taste of the Irish squad in the World Cup, and is hungry for moreSat Jan 20 2024 - 06:00
Acid test awaits Munster against Northampton in Champions Cup pool finale Province’s bonus-point win against Toulon at Stade Felix Mayol effectively secured place in the knock-out stageSat Jan 20 2024 - 06:00
Connacht salvage Champions Cup campaign with bonus-point win over BristolWestern province overwhelm English side by former boss Pat LamFri Jan 19 2024 - 22:17
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
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: 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
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
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
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
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
