Six Nations

Sense of anticlimax as Ireland’s campaign peters out

Error-strewn display in Rome raises concerns that this Irish team is not what it was

How Ireland came dangerously close to a rare defeat to Italy

As Leonardo Marin raced up the touchline, thoughts of just a second Six Nations win for Italy in 26 meetings against Ireland flashed before our eyes

Twenty-minute red cards: Rugby selling soul to spectacle at the expense of player welfare

Two notable incidents in the final round of matches affirmed that the law is indeed an ass at times

Ireland’s number 10 debate isn’t over, refereeing is in question and what else we learned from Six Nations

Ireland probably underachieved this year amid patchy campaign

TV View: Easterby uses Dumb and Dumber clip to try convince Irish players of Six Nations chances

Needing favours in at the Principality and Stade de France was always a long shot, and so it proved

France hold off stern Scotland challenge to clinch Six Nations title in Paris

Scotland were unfortunate to go in 16-13 behind at the break before Les Bleus powered home to a bonus-point victory and the championship

England end Ireland’s Six Nations title hopes after 10-try mauling of Wales

Wales condemned to a second successive wooden spoon and 17th Test defeat on the bounce

Simon Easterby frustrated by Ireland’s missed tackles and coughing up of possession

Interim head coach pays credit to Italy for making things difficult at the Stadio Olimpico

Italy vs Ireland as it happened: Easterby’s men secure four-try bonus point at Stadio Olimpico in patchy display

Simon Easterby’s side take on Italy in Rome on a day where France look set to win the Six Nations title

Usually officials get things right in the Six Nations, not on that James Lowe pass

Ireland winger’s incredible balance and pass should have earned Ireland breathing space and Hugo Keenan a second try

Dan Sheehan’s hat-trick earns Ireland a scrappy win as Italy’s discipline lets them down

Italy vs Ireland: Irish errors denied them any chance of establishing any kind of attacking rhythm

Italy 17 Ireland 22: How the Irish players rated in Rome

Dan Sheehan and Hugo Keenan lead the way on a mixed afternoon for Ireland’s players

Italy v Ireland preview: Six team changes; what to expect from The Azzurri; and slim title hopes remain

Six changes to starting XV from losing side against France, with recalls for Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, James Ryan and Jack Conan

Malachy Clerkin: Relax! This is not the end of an era for either Liverpool or the Ireland rugby team

On the back of defeats to French teams last week, there was a mad dash to declare the end of two teams that are actually fine

First loss to Italy caps disappointing Under-20 Six Nations campaign for Ireland

Neil Doak’s side end campaign with 15-12 defeat in Treviso

Ireland fans savour Roman holiday as they hope for ‘dream’ results elsewhere

Some 30,000 Irish fans expected to watch Six Nations match in Italy

Six Nations to remain on free-to-air channels until 2029

RTÉ and Virgin Media set to continue agreement to share broadcasting rights in Ireland

Italy match gives Ireland ‘massive opportunity’ to turn bad day into start of better times

This is a key moment in preparation for next Rugby World Cup, says former Ireland scrumhalf Eoin Reddan

Gerry Thornley: French accusations against Ireland not in keeping with the spirit of the Six Nations

Antoine Dupont’s injury in Dublin prompted a nasty reaction from the French camp

Ireland did not lose because France were bigger, it was because they were better

Ireland contributed to their own demise on the gain line

Steve Aboud: the Irishman who saved Italian rugby

The Counter Ruck Podcast

The age of rugby imperialism is here, and Ireland must realise we sit with the ‘Have-nots’

France have found a way to evolve the South African blueprint, and the ramifications are disastrous

James Ryan: ‘We’ve been very honest and open about our shortcomings ... now it’s about turning the page'

The lock says Ireland can’t afford any more indiscipline when they face Italy in their Six Nations finale

Ireland v Italy: Simon Easterby shakes up team for Six Nations final round

Jack Crowley to start at outhalf as James Lowe and Mack Hansen return on the wings

Jack Crowley’s patience rewarded as Ireland go in search of Rome revival against Italy

The return of Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Garry Ringrose gives Ireland more variety in attack

Gael Fickou and Maxime Lucu named in French side for Scotland clash

Six Nations team news: Scotland make two changes in the pack while Wales also change two for England clash

Simon Easterby defends Beirne and Porter as French criticism prompts abuse

‘These things happen. No player goes out to intentionally injure another player’

Brexoncello: Italy’s midfield duo hope joined-up thinking will trouble Ireland

Centres Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello have shone in this season’s Six Nations despite their team’s defensive frailties

Garry Ringrose graduates from Tackle School in time for Ireland’s final exam against Italy

Ieland’s experienced centre paid a costly price for one poorly-timed tackle against Wales

Jack Crowley set to start for Ireland in Rome as Leicester Tigers eye up Munster outhalf

Ireland team news: Simon Easterby to make several changes to starting XV for Italy match

England boss Steve Borthwick rolls the dice by recalling Marcus Smith for Wales match

Tommy Freeman picked at outside centre while Tom Roebuck earns debut on the right wing

France’s Romain Ntamack unhappy suspension terms differed from those given to Garry Ringrose

French outhalf was unable to count club game towards suspension

Gordon D’Arcy: Shaun Edwards makes a compelling case for the defence in France’s victory

The priority for Ireland must be to address the manner of the defeat in the team selection

Andrew Porter: ‘Fabien Galthié can say what he wants, I’ve done nothing wrong. I sleep well at night’

The Irish prop has hit back after the France coach referred him and Tadhg Beirne to the citing commissioner due to Antoine Dupont’s injury

Furlong, Lowe and Kelleher take part in Ireland training ahead of Italy trip

Lowe missed the defeat to France after suffering a back spasm in the warm-up to the game

France buy-in to monster pack blueprint shows that rugby needs to pick a lane

Oscar Jégou’s fine Dublin performance brings into focus the potential impact of forwards who can play anywhere

Have France shown a blueprint for beating Ireland or did we see a statistical unicorn?

This was a defeat from the days of old, of Ireland looking punchdrunk running into a powerful defence happy to dominate collisions

Jamison Gibson-Park feels privileged to have played with departing Ireland trio

Scrumhalf describes Conor Murray as ‘one of the best in the world’

One comprehensive defeat seemed to flip the narrative about Ireland from wild optimism to doom and gloom

This French side will go down in history as the best team not to win a Grand Slam, certainly in the Six Nations era

Tadhg Furlong, Mack Hansen and Garry Ringrose set for Ireland return against Italy

Leinster prop Furlong is yet to feature in this year's Six Nations

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

The Irish Times ePaper

Stardust

Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people

Common Ground

How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands