Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster's failings in gathering marquee talent on display against ToulouseLeinster's attack just lacked that clinical edge that was required to nudge them over the line to Champions Cup gloryWed May 29 2024 - 06:00
Leinster and Toulouse both pursue culture, home talent and picking up quality overseas playersToulouse have an incredibly high proficiency across all aspects of their game, which makes them more challenging to defendWed May 22 2024 - 06:00
Richie Murphy can now embrace Ulster’s rugby makeover with certaintyIt is not up to the IRFU or Ulster executives to interfere unduly with the fledgling senior coach - they have elected to give Murphy the job so let him do itWed May 15 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster’s big players stepped up to get them over the line against NorthamptonLeinster failed to hit the heights of the display against La Rochelle but they managed to pip Northampton thanks to some big moments from big playersWed May 08 2024 - 06:00
Sexton’s leadership vacuum will be felt as Leinster can’t replicate the emotion of La Rochelle matchChampions Cup semi-final against Northampton will turn on ‘who finds the right words at the right time and provides that focal point of leadership’Wed May 01 2024 - 06:00
Leinster provide too many players to the national squad for it to be an equitable systemMunster are treading a similar path to last season, pulling out some great wins away from home. They know the virtues of timing a run, better than mostWed Apr 24 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: All four provinces have the opportunity for a proper crack at the URCLeinster stand alone in Europe but for Munster, Ulster and Connacht in the URC there is precious little wriggle room for further missteps from here on inWed Apr 17 2024 - 06:00
Jacques Nienaber holds key to Leinster’s defence that can unlock way past La RochelleThe World Cup-winning Springbok coach has changed the way that Leinster think about setting up against the team that has too often proved to be their knock-out nemesisWed Apr 10 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Craig Casey has an opportunity to prove he should be the next cab off the rank for IrelandLeinster can learn from experience of 2002 when Freddie Tuilagi caused me no end of problems highlighting risks of setting out to contain a teamWed Apr 03 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Taxing weeks ahead for the provinces as business end of club season loomsLeinster face a tough schedule but Jacques Nienaber could well be the key that unlocks the barrier to European silverwareWed Mar 27 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Rest and a little change will be good for Ireland before they take on South AfricaOpponents think they have Ireland’s number; Andy Farrell needs to figure out what to do nextWed Mar 20 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland need to produce a statement performance to seal title dealStill smarting from the narrow defeat to a fired-up England, Andy Farrell’s Ireland must take a leaf out of South Africa’s book and quickly regain momentumWed Mar 13 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: With English backs to the wall, the Ireland match is more than historic rivalrySix Nations: Andy Farrell’s Ireland side know that when they focus on themselves and get it right not many teams can live with themWed Mar 06 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s slight dip in performance levels is no bad thing ahead of facing EnglandAndy Farrell’s side came out on top against Wales but some players will know they fell short of the mark and will reflect on thatWed Feb 28 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Welsh rugby faces a golden opportunity to secure its futureSix Nations performances show grounds for optimism for future of Welsh rugbyWed Feb 21 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Rare Ireland rotation leaves interesting selection discussion for Wales clashIreland’s defence was impressive, constantly harassing the Italian set piece and breaking their momentum time and againWed Feb 14 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Well-drilled Ireland’s decision-making and execution now at a high levelItaly looked a much-improved outfit against England but will find Farrell’s Ireland in Dublin an entirely different propositionWed Feb 07 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Jack Crowley has become the clear successor to Johnny SextonThere is a healthy Munster influence within this squad, and rightly so with everything they have achieved in the last 18 monthsWed Jan 31 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Joe Schmidt could revolutionise rugby in Australia Former Ireland coach combines his attention to detail with Australian joie de vivre, making the 2025 Lions tour all the more intriguingWed Jan 24 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Players have seen that if they take the chance given by Andy Farrell, he will be fiercely loyal Joe McCarthy is one big reason why Ireland look in good shape as the Six Nations approachesWed Jan 17 2024 - 06:00
Schools system seems to be coaching the flair out of Leinster’s backsToo many players come through the province’s school system comfortable with patterns but short of rugby IQWed Jan 10 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Munster need to rediscover the core principles to be able to move forward The Irish province have endured a tough time of late, underlined by a brutal injury listWed Jan 03 2024 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ciarán Frawley needs game time at 10 if he’s to develop into a frontline outhalf While Leinster have plenty of depth to pick from in the pack, they were looking very light in the centre and back threeWed Dec 20 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster’s La Rochelle win evokes memories of famous first win on French soil Some 21 years ago, a team featuring a young Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Cullen saw off Montferrand in a 23-20 victoryWed Dec 13 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: The Champions Cup’s future is far from certain, even in the short to medium termCullen’s side face their “bête jaune et noire,” of recent vintage La Rochelle at the Stade Marcel Deflandre on SundayWed Dec 06 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: In the week of Jacques Nienaber’s arrival, was Leinster’s bench split a mere coincidence?My belief is that Cullen and Nienaber would have discussed aspects of Leinster’s set-up over the last few weeksWed Nov 29 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: South Africa have welcomed back proven doper Aphiwe Dyantyi with open arms - that can’t be good enoughThe Sharks winger has served his time with a four-year ban but the game should not be celebrating a player who has cheated his opponents by deciding to take three different banned substancesWed Nov 22 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Welsh rugby has further to sink before it bottoms outThere should be a glimmer of hope if Wales look across the water to Connacht, a shining example of the powers of recoveryWed Nov 15 2023 - 06:00
This a golden opportunity to elevate a couple of players in the Ireland rugby squad Peter O'Mahony could fill a leadership void while Scott Penny’s captaincy at Leinster shows promiseWed Nov 08 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Battle is heating up for Ireland’s number 10 jersey as teams learn lessons from Rugby World CupRugby World Cup peaked in the quarter-finals for attacking playWed Nov 01 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland never had the depth of players to win the World CupTen Irish players started every game - not a single player from New Zealand, South Africa or England did the sameWed Oct 25 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s performance in New Zealand defeat one to be proud of Rugby World Cup: The outcome will hurt Ireland's outstanding group of players a long time but Andy Farrell has set the right tone and the squad remains one full of potentialWed Oct 18 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: All Blacks don’t know how to be underdogs and Ireland can exploit that New Zealand have been lightly raced coming into Rugby World Cup quarter-finalWed Oct 11 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: A win for Ireland over Scotland will be built on zero talent momentsThe top two inches is the deciding factor when the best plays the best in the Rugby World CupWed Oct 04 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland need a knockout-round mindset for the rest of the Rugby World CupThere were huge positives in the win over South Africa but many performance areas need to be improved if Ireland are to go as far as they wishWed Sept 27 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland v South Africa promises to be a fascinating clash of stylesThe individual threat across both back threes may be a point of difference in Rugby World Cup clashWed Sept 20 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Johnny Sexton was typically excellent last weekend – but he shouldn’t start against TongaRugby World Cup: There can’t be any falloff in the next game, irrespective of what Ireland team is selectedWed Sept 13 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Farrell has refused to dwell on Ireland’s Rugby World Cup fixtures schedule. That sends a message to players Some changes to the laws have balanced the scales which is not a bad thingWed Sept 06 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: I knew if I’d made the Rugby World Cup squad long before the coach’s number flashed upI can vividly recall that chat with Joe Schmidt in 2015, he tried to find the words to let me down gentlyWed Aug 30 2023 - 05:00
Leinster must turn to the market to fill the obvious holes in their squadMunster should enjoy afterglow of URC success that leaves them the envy of the restWed May 31 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster need next generation of young players to prove their mettle and step up A line in the sand must be drawn after second final defeat to La Rochelle and goals resetWed May 24 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster are favourites against La Rochelle - but for me, the odds are stacked against them Leo Cullen has big decisions to make regarding Caelan Doris and Jason JenkinsWed May 17 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Fascinating semi-final in prospect as Munster target vulnerable great rivals LeinsterGiven Leinster’s looming Champions Cup final assignment and Munster’s injury woes, there are good reasons to support both teams in deciding on the outcomeWed May 10 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster have template to topple La Rochelle but they must perfect itLeo Cullen’s side has less than three weeks left to refine defensive system that could could lay foundation for Champions Cup victoryWed May 03 2023 - 06:00
The Johnny Sexton safety net at Leinster is gone. It’s up to Ross Byrne nowCullen’s men will need to be at their best to thwart Toulouse challengeWed Apr 26 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Appointing Jacques Nienaber shows Leinster want stylistic evolution The South African is likely to introduce a contrarian flavour to the province’s current playing ethosWed Apr 19 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster’s dominance is not due to financial clout and demographicsCoaches need to concentrate on what they can control - and Leinster have progressed by improving coaching at academy and senior levelWed Apr 12 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Concentration of Leinster players within Irish system a cause for concernThe national developmental pathway needs to evolve to be in rude health across all four provinces – not just oneWed Apr 05 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ulster need to iron out performance wrinkles if they are to stand a chance against Leinster It might be time for Munster to take off the training wheels and give Jack Crowley his chance in 10 jerseyWed Mar 29 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s erratic performance against England could be a blessing in disguiseIreland found a way to weather the storm in the Grand Slam decider and it is a valuable lesson learnedWed Mar 22 2023 - 05:00
