Frontrows should engage with refs to sort out scrumRUGBY ANALYST: As the props wrestle, the referee will be blamed for everything but players and public must stop shaking their…Fri Feb 04 2011 - 00:00
Fullback selection will reveal Kidney's strategyDeclan Kidney has a great chance to ‘experiment’ knowing his ideal top-three fullbacks are either injured or just back from injury…Fri Jan 21 2011 - 00:00
Munster can win in WalesRUGBY ANALYST: ‘GEE, THEY look pretty mad,” police officer Lou observes of the police attack dogs to chief WiggumFri Dec 17 2010 - 00:00
Challenges forming on many frontsRUGBY ANALYST: Irish rugby has travelled an unbelievable distance during the Celtic Tiger, but many threats are now closing …Fri Dec 03 2010 - 00:00
Successful provinces fundamental to successful IrelandThe fight for supremacy of Ireland between Munster and Leinster has fed the Ireland team with great players, battled-hardened…Fri Oct 01 2010 - 01:00
The future is now as academy graduates make their moveRUGBY ANALYST: The summer tour will give the international coaches a chance to run a proper rule over the up-and-coming prospects…Fri Jun 04 2010 - 01:00
Rights debate can have huge repercussionsIreland’s best players won’t be slow to hit the road if their working conditions and chance of success deteriorateFri May 21 2010 - 01:00
Referees and players must both play ballRUGBY ANALYST: Yes, officials need to earn players’ trust, but the same players can’t expect perfection, writes LIAM TOLAND…Fri May 14 2010 - 01:00
You can't fire a cannon from a currachRUGBY ANALYST: Connacht continue to defy the odds, but can't continue to overcome lack of IRFU investmentFri Apr 23 2010 - 01:00
Provinces know just 'what it takes'RUGBY ANALYST: ON 52 minutes Jean de Villiers crashed over the Northampton line to put Munster ahead by twoFri Apr 16 2010 - 01:00
Ireland must try to match France's organic gameRUGBY ANALYST: To get to a game that will challenge the Southern Hemisphere sides, Ireland must embrace adventureFri Mar 26 2010 - 00:00
Ireland will beat Wales, so it's the performance that countsThe big danger for the men in green will be letting the game drift into multiphase playFri Mar 12 2010 - 00:00
Ireland meet massive challenge head onRUGBY ANALYST: England are a tough team to beat and Ireland managed it with the utmost efficiency.Mon Mar 01 2010 - 00:00
Set-piece still most potent source of five-pointersRUGBY ANALYST: AT A little after 10pm on the November 18th, 2009, Thierry Henry’s hand shook the FAI cradleFri Feb 12 2010 - 00:00
Munster midfield must attack as a unitRUGBY ANALYSIS : It isn’t sufficient for Lafeimi Mafi to step off his outside foot, drop his shoulder, wriggle like an eel through…Fri Dec 18 2009 - 00:00
Catch them on the counter and punish themWhen the chances come, Ireland must attack as 15Fri Nov 20 2009 - 00:00
Real leadership a trump card for IrelandRUGBY ANALYIST: Splitting the Leinster centre partnership looks risky but Ireland still have enough quality to prevailFri Nov 13 2009 - 00:00
Provinces mix it up for KidneyRUGBY ANALYST: SITTING HERE in Thomond Park listening to Declan Kidney, Conor O’Shea and Enda McNulty at a sports and coaching…Fri Oct 23 2009 - 01:00
Loan option may be Connacht's solutionRUGBY ANALYST: It’s more Naca than Nama this week as Connacht need to bounce back quickly from last week’s disaster in Scotland…Fri Sept 18 2009 - 01:00
An amazing season that offers much promiseRUGBY ANALYST: THE CLOCK stands at two minutes and 20 seconds when Jamie Heaslip of Ireland, way out on the left touchline, …Mon Jul 06 2009 - 01:00
Problems at tail of lineout prove costlyRUGBY ANALYST : The Lions are very much alive and kicking. But unfortunately there’s no reward for their effortMon Jun 29 2009 - 01:00
Combinations and lineout maul keys to successRUGBY ANALYST : Lion coach Ian McGeechan’s ability to unearth successful combinations over the coming weeks is vitalSat Jun 06 2009 - 01:00
Lions won't survive on a diet of BurgersAnalysis: Just meeting the Springboks head on-on won't be enough: the Lions must vary their playWed May 27 2009 - 01:00
Leinster's 19-16 win a revolution of sortsRUGBY ANALYST : Leinster fans can don the blue jersey with extra pride after Saturday’s dramatic winMon May 25 2009 - 01:00
Ruthless Leinster finally stop effin' aroundHeineken Cup Munster v Leinster: Even the hardest of Munster supporters had to bow to the mighty blue performanceMon May 04 2009 - 01:00
Hayes can provide Lions with a real liftRUGBY ANALYST: The partnership of John Hayes and Paul O’Connell is vital for Lions successFri Apr 17 2009 - 01:00
Leinster can make it, and Munster willRUGBY ANALYST: So how many of the much-vaunted Ospreys would make the Munster side this weekend?Fri Apr 10 2009 - 01:00
Their manhood is on the lineRUGBY ANALYST: TOMORROW WILL be my second visit this week to Thomond ParkFri Apr 03 2009 - 01:00
Gauging Gatland's guide to Irish weaknessesThe Wales coach knows well how and where his side can target the visitors’ deficienciesFri Mar 20 2009 - 00:00
Ability to adapt on the run proves crucialRUGBY ANALYST : Scotland tested this side in all aspects of play, lineout, scrum and defenceMon Mar 16 2009 - 00:00
Ireland must keep the spoilers guessingRUGBY ANALYST: I’VE ALWAYS been taught to expect the unexpectedFri Mar 13 2009 - 00:00
England need to clean up their actIndiscipline has proved costly to Martin Johnson’s side and it may be time for him to leave a few boots at homeFri Mar 06 2009 - 00:00
Bloody-minded Irish win battle of the Smal inchesIRELAND v ENGLAND : Accumulation of inches add up to a milestone on this side's quest for the elusive Grand SlamMon Mar 02 2009 - 00:00
Ireland must outwit them, not outmuscle themANALYSIS: Ireland’s success or otherwise will be determined by how they do at the breakdownFri Feb 27 2009 - 00:00
It is a united front that will march in RomeLearning from past lessons will help the Irish conquer their Italian opponentsFri Feb 13 2009 - 00:00
Privilege to witness eight seconds of magicRugby Ireland v France: RUGBY ANALYST: To win by nine points against opposition of this calibre was a serious beatingMon Feb 09 2009 - 00:00
New rules for qualifying for Lions squadWith the tour to South Africa on the horizon, there’s a great deal riding on this Six Nations championshipFri Jan 30 2009 - 00:00
We lack positive intervention at highest levelIrish players, regardless of position, should be capable of adding value to the ballFri Nov 21 2008 - 00:00
Irish rugby at all levels must risk a running gameRUGBY ANALYST : Ireland's back three kicked nearly every ball that came their way, which conceded possession immediately and…Mon Nov 17 2008 - 00:00
Kidney's key questions remain unansweredRUGBY ANALYST : IN IRELAND there's eight months of crap weather and then winter comes.Mon Nov 10 2008 - 00:00
Earls gains the cap his feted father never woreRUGBY ANALYST: Winds of change even reach Irish rugby as Declan Kidney rings the changes for first matchFri Nov 07 2008 - 00:00
One-trick Leinster are forgetting how to bully opponentsRUGBY ANALYST: THE ONLY phrase I could use on Setanta to describe Connacht's performance two weeks ago was, "you can't make …Fri Oct 10 2008 - 01:00
Ireland stuck between a ruck and a hard placeANALYSIS: Time waits for no team, and by getting bogged down in tackles and rucks the Irish allowed England organise the defence…Mon Mar 17 2008 - 00:00
Decision to resort to 10-man rugby very difficult to fathomAnalysis WALES ARE a bloody good rugby team, but a team with weaknesses. They have a wonderful style but with weaknesses.Mon Mar 10 2008 - 00:00
O'Gara and Ireland must kick visitors into touch'SOMETIMES YOU don't know how to take himSat Mar 08 2008 - 00:00
Time to get ruthless with rudderless ScotsAnalysis: On St Patrick's Day 2007 Lionel Beauxis of France brought the final score in Paris, against Scotland, to 46-19 and…Sat Feb 23 2008 - 00:00
