Indifference would be the most mortal poison against not great ScotsOnce again, the breakdown is where Ireland must break down a troubled foe at the Aviva Stadium on SundayFri Jan 31 2014 - 09:00
Just who are we? This Six Nations is a real chance to find our personalityPaul O’Connell’s newfound love for offloading shows that Joe Schmidt has already had an influenceFri Jan 24 2014 - 09:00
A daunting task, but Toulouse have shown Connacht where Saracens can be exposedIt’ll take field position, a high tempo at rucks and perfect accuracy from the kicking tee for the province to get aheadFri Jan 17 2014 - 09:00
No matter what game you’re tackling, play with your eyes up and you’ll be okayThe Florida State Seminoles shows that success is all about sticking with the processesFri Jan 10 2014 - 12:00
IRFU and players must tackle issue of what is the true value of the modern playerThe union’s negotiating stance over contracts shows a reluctance to reward elite playersFri Jan 03 2014 - 06:00
Positive self-talk your only man when there’s seconds left and the All Blacks are comingTop performers should study how to unlock the potential deep in individual and collective mindsFri Dec 20 2013 - 01:00
Much more intelligent effort needed for Connacht to complete famous doubleMunster’s five tries against Perpignan mask other issuesFri Dec 13 2013 - 09:00
Northampton Saints a teak-tough test for LeinsterBut Munster at Thomond Park likely to prove a bridge too far for PerpignanFri Dec 06 2013 - 09:00
Sunday still hurts but now it’s less about finding fault, more about learning lessonsFri Nov 29 2013 - 09:00
Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy lead the way in a magical performanceCian Healy abandoned his own safety in bouncing and bashing his way around the parkMon Nov 25 2013 - 09:44
The All Blacks’ secret is their ball-carriers never die. Pass it onTheir backs are dangerous enough but their forwards’ attacking nous set them apart entirelyFri Nov 22 2013 - 09:00
Spartan but safe refuge for those who flee SyriaLebanon and Jordan have had to cope with a vast demographic bulgeTue Nov 19 2013 - 01:00
Southern Hemisphere skills have nothing to do with sorceryHours of deep practice in a perfect environment go into effortless Aussie executionMon Nov 18 2013 - 06:00
Looks like improvisation but Australia work from carefully structured planIreland must target Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper to have any chanceFri Nov 15 2013 - 10:35
O’Brien gilds reputation with impressive exhibition of wing-forward abilitiesThere was a lot to like about Ireland’s display, which bodes well for the futureMon Nov 11 2013 - 09:00
Schmidt’s goal of Ireland playing with high-precision under maximum pressure has a deadlineFri Nov 08 2013 - 09:00
By going a little bit crooked with their feeds, Leinster broke the law and they wonThe home side were in trouble in the scrum against Connacht until they started testing the refereeeFri Nov 01 2013 - 09:03
Raging calf Moore still has learning to doLeinster’s superior work-rate told against Castres, but can’t disguise the fall off in their attacking gameFri Oct 25 2013 - 09:00
Tale of two chips shows up Munster deficienciesMadigan chips and the Blues make hay; Hanrahan chips and the Reds lose their wayFri Oct 18 2013 - 09:00
Keatley man of the match but James Cronin’s cameo was crucial to Munster’s victoryTighthead Fitzpatrick has vital role for Ulster in tonight’s season-defining H Cup battle with LeicesterFri Oct 11 2013 - 10:00
Brilliant O’Driscoll back to bewitch, bother and bamboozle visiting Blues at the RDSSpeed, rivalry and cash seem to have everything moving that bit quicker for Leinster than for MunsterFri Oct 04 2013 - 09:00
Props still feeling the heat as they struggle to engage with new scrummaging lawssThe legitimate scrum contest is bringing us into new territory; how to we referee in those evolving seconds?Fri Sept 27 2013 - 09:00
New scrum laws have taken down the high-impact tighthead monsters. I love them!So will Australia and New Zealand now try to influence the IRB to depower the scrum technicians?Fri Sept 20 2013 - 09:00
I’m walking like John Wayne, but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to doI’m saddle sore but have enjoyed every mile of the Cross Rugby Legends cycleFri Sept 13 2013 - 09:00
A quality passing team like Leinster can score tries against Stade FrancaisFrench scrum can have major impact but Leinster backrow can outrun opponentsFri May 17 2013 - 09:00
Performance in Connacht shows Warriors’ threat to LeinsterGlasgow come to Dublin with 66 Pro 12 tries to their creditFri May 10 2013 - 08:00
Warren Gatland’s three-tiered British and Irish Lions selection done with match-day 23 in mindThe challenge for Cian Healy, Seán O’Brien and others is to convince the coach their impact should start at kick- offFri May 03 2013 - 09:00
Munster challenge is to turn Clermont strengths into weaknessesLineout time ripe for Munster to set up an attack down the traditional outside channelFri Apr 26 2013 - 09:00
Leinster and Munster show our game at its very bestIreland could have between eight and 10 players in Lions squadFri Apr 19 2013 - 09:00
Yes, Munster were great, but Harlequins played right into their handsConor O’Shea’s side fell into a cunning trapFri Apr 12 2013 - 10:00
Unrest all over, and it’s no different with our provincesCan English wolves put out Irish fires?Fri Apr 05 2013 - 10:00
Ireland should go out on a limb with Madigan as it will bear fruitLeinster outhalf has shown enough development and maturity to warrant a chance at the highest levelFri Mar 29 2013 - 06:00
Irish rugby is in a crisis so the IRFU must develop a new culture from top downDefeat in Rome should not signal the end of Kidney but the culture that put us there shouldFri Mar 22 2013 - 06:00
Management of our bench left much to be desiredProvincial side would have dealt with the issues betterMon Mar 18 2013 - 01:00
Ireland must beware Parisse and Co in last Six Nations Championship match, especially in the final 10 minutesIt will take a monumental performance from Ireland to stop Italy in RomeFri Mar 15 2013 - 06:00
I struggle with the logic of Declan Kidney taking Conor Murray off with 20 minutes leftI have huge admiration for the Irish frontrow but there is something rotten in the state of Denmark if a hooker only gets pitch time if a scrumhalf is injuredMon Mar 11 2013 - 06:00
Ireland will need all 23 to take down France's mobile monstersTaking a slight break from the outhalf debate and Frédéric Michalak’s carpet-bombing I found myself walking the…Fri Mar 08 2013 - 00:00
Kidney should note how Lancaster uses his bench for maximum impactGiven time and opportunity to build on the exciting new talent and integration work conducted thus far there is a bounce in this…Fri Mar 01 2013 - 00:00
Generals let us down as we failed to close out a tight game again‘We’ve got to be honest, we need a big improvement,” said one coachMon Feb 25 2013 - 00:00
High-tempo Ireland must facilitate Scotland in their mediocrityIf Leinster were to play the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup this Sunday against Edinburgh I wonder who Joe Schmidt would select…Fri Feb 22 2013 - 00:00
Lead us, Captain Heaslip: you demand it of us, and we of youHad Ireland scored in the corner when electing to kick for the posts our perception of the fixture and the value contained therein…Fri Feb 15 2013 - 00:00
Visitors prove their character as they rise to the challengeWhat would have happened had Ireland gone to the corner on that rare sortie into England’s territory and not kicked for goal; …Mon Feb 11 2013 - 00:00
In a game of margins there's no margin of error for IrelandIn a game of margins Scotland were brutal and England brilliant. Scotland had 11 lineouts to England’s 13; both losing twoFri Feb 08 2013 - 00:00
O'Driscoll is the master of time in a team performanceRugby Analysis: Rugby, like any other game played on a field, is about creating space and subsequently exploiting that space…Mon Feb 04 2013 - 00:00
Ireland need to target Phillips and threaten a counterDelaying gratification is a real trial but what a treat I gave myself having kept the Wales v Australia autumn Test match under…Fri Feb 01 2013 - 00:00
McNulty's arrival in camp will bring positive changesThere are six days remaining in January, leaving 11 months in 2013Fri Jan 25 2013 - 00:00
Munster must keep the intimidation high before going wideThe beauty of sport is simple; it doesn’t matter how you dominate the opposition as long as you do so and winFri Jan 18 2013 - 00:00
Despite their skill, Munster's tactics remain a cause of confusionRugby Analysis I remember attending Shane Byrne’s 100th Leinster cap celebratory banquet dinnerFri Jan 11 2013 - 00:00
Neck surgery gave me four years in brave new professional worldAs long as I can remember I’ve experienced bumps, bruises and busted teethFri Jan 04 2013 - 00:00
