Gordon D’Arcy: England may go back to move forward for Grand Slam clashVisitors will probably pursue a more conservative approach in chasing a one-off result but this Ireland team embraces the pressure to performWed Mar 15 2023 - 05:00
When the Scottish pressure comes on, I’m backing Ireland to deliverIf both teams play to their maximum capacity on Sunday, Ireland should win on paper, but matches are played on grassWed Mar 08 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s continued reliance on key players shown by Six Nations clash against ItalyIreland are still reliant on key players but what is different is the coaching environmentWed Mar 01 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Italy v Ireland is one of Andy Farrell’s last chances to experiment before the World CupSaturday’s game doesn’t operate in a vacuum, it has context for the Six Nations, the World Cup and the inner workings of the squadWed Feb 22 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Tries are a natural byproduct of the way Ireland are playingThe Irish plan did not change because certain players were missing. They were clear in their approach, using footwork, timing, passingWed Feb 15 2023 - 06:00
Ireland v France set to be the pivotal match of Six Nations Attacking rugby is on the rise thanks in part to the game being sped upWed Feb 08 2023 - 06:00
Ireland v Wales: Gatland’s team will challenge Ireland differently to others in Six Nations openerWarren Gatland’s side will stay with Ireland longer than most but visitors should still pull awayWed Feb 01 2023 - 05:00
Is Joey Carbery tough enough to again display his mercurial talent?Munster outhalf has the physical capabilities, but mental challenge of being dropped is his biggest yetWed Jan 25 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Trying to defend the indefensible not the way forward for either the GAA or rugbyTackling competency is a serious problem in rugby now as is inconsistency when it comes to punishing transgressorsWed Jan 18 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Players can come from left field and make the Ireland squad, but you need to catch a break I know from my own experience it’s possible to come from leftfield in Irish selection terms, but it’s usually reliant on injuryWed Jan 11 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Pecking order at outhalf beneath Sexton about to come into sharp focusThat mixture of collective and individual responsibility and discipline came to mind when watching Ulster v Munster in BelfastWed Jan 04 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Rowntree facing tough decisions in key positions for MunsterThere is a big difference between knowing patterns and plays and understanding how to manage a gameWed Dec 28 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Champions Cup is in danger of becoming a sideshowAs teams refocus on their domestic competitions, the European competition has been left swinging in the windWed Dec 21 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Michael Cheika showed Leinster how to build resilience by winning in the mindTravel disruption offered a ready-made excuse for Leo Cullen’s team to fail to deliver against Racing 92 in Le Havre, but instead they served up a proper performanceWed Dec 14 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: At the RDS Ulster’s mental strength failed to match their ambitionJosh van der Flier epitomised the attitude needed, which augurs well for Leinster’s spicy clash against La RochelleWed Dec 07 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Irish provinces take ‘less is more’ approach with top players as schedule intensifiesCoaches must perform tricky balancing acts as schedule intensifiesWed Nov 30 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Australia were not cautious enough with Nic White after heavy blow to the headDoctors were remiss in allowing Nic White return to action against Ireland after clearly suffering a head injuryWed Nov 23 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Fiji game may have been last chance for some to impressPersonal lessons from 2003 World Cup suggest more game time for fringe players will be hard to come byWed Nov 16 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland can’t absorb that South African attrition again and survive at World CupIn a quick ruck, high-skill game that stretches us to our limits the rewards are clearWed Nov 09 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: South Africa won’t make any apologies for trying to grind Ireland into the dirtGrowing reliance on Jamison Gibson-Park means there’s an argument to give Craig Casey more opportunitiesWed Nov 02 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: I would always measure Leinster’s early success against Munster’s achievementsGordon D'Arcy: There will be bumps on the road, but Munster are doing the right thing in committing to a regeneration processWed Oct 26 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Munster must have the courage to play fast and loose to embrace a brighter futureA win is not vital for Graham Rowntree’s men against Leinster but their performance must show signs of progressWed Oct 19 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Jack Crowley may emerge from South Africa with better Munster prospectsFirst four rounds of the URC have offered contrasting fortunes for the provincesWed Oct 12 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: New Zealand Test series win worth celebrating as a standalone triumph There’s plenty of time to look forward to what it means in a World Cup context . . . but for now, drink it inWed Jul 20 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Trust between players and coaching staff paves way for success in New Zealand Backing given to players to improve after first Test has paid dividendsWed Jul 13 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s failure to develop depth brutally exposed by All BlacksIf you have a jersey, you should always feel under pressure to retain itWed Jul 06 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: I had a fundamental need to be liked and it threatened to derail my careerNick McCarthy’s courage in challenging a taboo in male team sport will smooth a pathway for those who follow in his footstepsWed Jun 29 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Doubt has crept into All Blacks camp - Ireland must take advantage Andy Farrell’s Ireland face the most inhospitable of rugby climates in New ZealandWed Jun 22 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster may need to look further afield to find missing link to future successNo indigenous talent production line is capable of fulfilling all of a team’s needs and as the province’s history shows foreign recruits have been hugely influential in a winning cultureWed Jun 15 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Priority for new Munster regime is a performance template, not trophies Province’s performance issues cannot be fixed without first accepting there is a problemWed Jun 08 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster’s defeat of inches will hurt like no otherFact that Leo Cullen’s side led with a minute to go having been substandard in performance terms difficult to dismissWed Jun 01 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster won’t be bullied again and have the game to beat La RochelleIf Leinster maintain their quick ruck speed they will get the tries they need to winWed May 25 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster now shooting for a fifth starHaving come tantalisingly close in recent years, this Leinster group has what it takesWed May 18 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Arnold’s red escape tipped balance for ToulouseLeinster can take advantage of Munster’s softening up of French side for semi-finalWed May 11 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster need to drive Ford deep into the pocketSteve Borthwick is reinstalling that old element of hardness in his sideWed May 04 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster’s defeat in South Africa inspired trip down memory laneIt’s time for Ulster players to take responsibility, but who is in charge now at Munster?Wed Apr 27 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Message on brain injuries is still not sinking inPresent disciplinary process is not proving a significant deterrent and threatens future participation levelsWed Apr 20 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ulster must improve again to claim a massive European scalpFull-strength Toulouse will travel to Belfast in expectation, not simply hopeWed Apr 13 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Munster need to be bolder in selection and tacticsLack of creative attacking patterns ensures Van Graan’s side are too easy to defend againstWed Apr 06 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: URC finally kicks into gear with lots of dramaAfter a slow burn, newest recruits from South Africa are making their presence feltWed Mar 30 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland must capitalise on the doubt they created in All BlacksNew Zealand’s prep for summer tour will focus on how Ireland played in Six NationsWed Mar 23 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: the red card ruined the match . . . What about the player's head?Ewels was upright, clumsy and ran risk of a head collision in trying to stop offloadWed Mar 16 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Even if Ireland are excellent, a win at Twickenham will be toughA fast start and scoring early is our best chance of beating EnglandWed Mar 09 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: It is a fair question to ask now if rugby in Italy is sustainableItaly’s presence should not be guaranteed if they cannot be competitiveWed Mar 02 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Vital experimentation set to be limited by need to swat aside ItalyIreland need to improve depth in a number of areas with frontrow top of the listWed Feb 23 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Superior bench strength proved a telling factor for FranceGalthie’s decision to select six forwards in the replacements important in the end gameWed Feb 16 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland must show courage and continue unrelenting attackIreland and France share similar playing styles with one or two points of differenceWed Feb 09 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland and Wales enter this weekend’s game with very different mindsetsJamison Gibson-Park’s fitness is more of a priority than Johnny Sexton’s for the Six NationsWed Feb 02 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Jack Carty is back in the Ireland fold and I hope he shinesIf we can replicate ruck speed shown against All Blacks we are Six Nations contendersWed Jan 26 2022 - 07:13
Gordon D’Arcy: Crowley making strides to move up the pecking orderChampions Cup matches give contenders a final opportunity to impress Irish coach FarrellWed Jan 19 2022 - 06:00
