Leinster hit with Jimmy O’Brien blow but James Lowe may return for Stade Français clashDefence coach Nienaber stresses need to be smart defensively and not allow Top 14 side to build momentumTue Jan 09 2024 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Ireland’s system of maximising its resources will continue to be rewarded in 2024Maintaining competitive provincial and national teams is a balancing act for the IRFU but it has served Irish rugby wellTue Jan 02 2024 - 06:00
Sports Review 2023: Green Army in full voice in Paris as Ireland claim Springboks’ scalp It was a truly memorable World Cup victory for Irish rugby but though South Africa lost that seismic battle they went on to win the warMon Dec 25 2023 - 06:00
Caelan Doris has unfinished business to focus on as he signs new Leinster dealCaelan Doris excited by the impact of arrival of South African coach Jacques Nienaber and the prospect of lining up alongside RG SnymanWed Dec 20 2023 - 06:00
RG Snyman: A world-class lock with X-factor who is worth the gamble for LeinsterDon’t be surprised if Jacques Nienaber’s next acquisition is a South African tightheadTue Dec 19 2023 - 20:14
Graham Rowntree: ‘We’re giving teams presents - have another one, Merry Christmas!’‘You know what this tournament means to our club, we’ll be gunning for qualification’ says Munster head coach after defeat to ExeterTue Dec 19 2023 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Munster’s lack of depth showing in poor form at the end of matches Of their replacements last Sunday vs Exeter, only Oli Jager and Conor Murray could be described as proven impact playersTue Dec 19 2023 - 06:00
Bordeaux Bègles show concrete interest in signing Munster’s Joey CarberyIreland international has fallen down the pecking order at national and provincial level but his versatility could be valued in the Top 14Mon Dec 18 2023 - 20:18
Munster v Exeter: Tadhg Beirne frustrated as endgame proves costly for MunsterGraham Rowntree’s Munster Rugby left with plenty of work to do to reach the knockout stages of the Champions Cup following defeat to ExeterMon Dec 18 2023 - 06:00
Graham Rowntree left frustrated by Munster’s loss after ‘great things’ against ExeterMunster had 11-point lead after 50 minutes only to be overwhelmed in Champions Cup pool gameSun Dec 17 2023 - 16:46
Munster let lead slip through their fingers against ExeterDouble-whammy turned game on its head before a late sucker punch denied Munster second bonus pointSun Dec 17 2023 - 15:42
From Blackrock to New Zealand to Munster: Oli Jager has taken the road less travelledThe 28-year-old is enjoying being back home with the ‘simple things’ like a pint of Guinness and a packet of crispsSun Dec 17 2023 - 06:00
Munster travel to Exeter Chiefs with a sense of Champions Cup urgencySuddenly Munster are cornered again as defeat here would leave Exeter almost out of reach in pool threeFri Dec 15 2023 - 19:35
Gerry Thornley: Nienaber’s influence all over Leinster’s interest in RG SnymanMunster will now fear that history will repeat itself after Snyman’s injuriesFri Dec 15 2023 - 18:00
IRFU contract extension for Andy Farrell a clear ‘hands off’ to potential suitors Ireland boss characterised as ‘a winner’ and ‘quality coach’ by performance supremo David NuciforaFri Dec 15 2023 - 06:00
David Nucifora dismisses idea that key Ireland players were overplayed in Rugby World CupOutgoing IRFU high-performance director admits lineouts weren’t as consistent as hoped for in tournamentFri Dec 15 2023 - 01:00
RG Snyman to join Leinster after contract with Munster endsSouth African Rugby World Cup-winning lock will make the switch across Irish provincesThu Dec 14 2023 - 23:00
Andy Farrell signs contract extension as Ireland coach as IRFU leave door open for LionsDavid Nucifora confirms Farrell would be free to take a sabbatical from his role in 2024-25Thu Dec 14 2023 - 15:39
Munster hopeful of Peter O’Mahony’s return ahead of trip to ExeterIreland backrow missed the defeat to Leinster and Champions Cup draw with Bayonne through injuryWed Dec 13 2023 - 17:31
Tadhg Furlong remains an injury concern for Leinster ahead Sale Sharks clash Leo Cullen optimistic on the prospects of Jack Conan’s return but less so on Furlong and James Lowe’s availabilityTue Dec 12 2023 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Leinster shackled Will Skelton, putting the narrative about physicality to bedThere was no shortage of physicality or character from Leo Cullen’s side in La Rochelle as they ground out a very satisfying result in demanding conditionsTue Dec 12 2023 - 06:00
Leo Cullen ‘not getting too excited’ after Leinster finally get one over La RochelleLeinster head coach says his side were ready for the conditions they faced at Stade Marcel DeflandreSun Dec 10 2023 - 20:13
Leinster dig deep to earn modicum of revenge with victory in La RochelleJacques Nienaber’s influence apparent in excellent defensive display in tough conditionsSun Dec 10 2023 - 18:44
La Rochelle look to spark their season into life with Leinster victoryRonan O’Gara’s team are ninth in the top 14 as they struggle to overcome post-World Cup hangoverSun Dec 10 2023 - 06:00
Leinster’s Leo Cullen: ‘This is Harry’s time now - it’s time to deliver’ Younger Byrne brother starts his first Champions Cup match four years after making his debut vs MontpellierSat Dec 09 2023 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: How long will the concept of the Lions stay relevant? The tour has become more of a corporate venture while player welfare concerns continue to be prevalentFri Dec 08 2023 - 17:15
Champions Cup 2023-24: Gerry Thornley’s pool by pool guide to the tournamentTweaked format should ensure more meaningful matches through the pool stagesFri Dec 08 2023 - 06:00
Bundee Aki to make first Connacht start of season as Bordeaux-Bègles bring the starsDenis Buckley and Connacht have a plan to deal with French side’s considerable challenge up frontThu Dec 07 2023 - 12:17
Ryan Baird: ‘Initially you can’t deem the World Cup a success, but I learned so much’Leinster forward says athletic profile of the province’s players mean they can fit in to Jacques Nienaber’s new systemThu Dec 07 2023 - 06:00
Jacques Nienaber: ‘Hopefully I can add value, but there is no silver bullet’One-time physio turned strength and conditioning coach hopes to add to Leinster’s defence after settling down with family in DublinWed Dec 06 2023 - 06:00
Champions Cup format still lacks the excitement of the old Heineken Cup daysThe reverberations from the Anglo-French coup in 2014 continue to affect the successful running of Europe’s primary club rugby competitionTue Dec 05 2023 - 06:00
Leinster primed for trip to La Rochelle after late late show in ConnachtCullen’s Leinster side will be back to full strength when they lock horns with French rivals La RochelleMon Dec 04 2023 - 06:00
Connacht’s defeat was painful on bitterly cold night in GalwayProvince were one successful lineout away from victory over Leinster in a pulsating SportsgroundMon Dec 04 2023 - 06:00
Leo Cullen praises his Leinster team for delivering in big momentsCiaran Frawley finished a well-constructed try to beat Connacht at the deathSun Dec 03 2023 - 13:27
Last-minute Leinster try denies Connacht famous victoryCiaran Frawley was Leinster’s match-winner with Leinster’s fourth try in the final playSat Dec 02 2023 - 22:07
Cian Prendergast: ‘Sometimes I wish Connacht fans were a bit harsher’ Having digested the disappointment of missing the Rugby World Cup, the backrower is looking forward to a mouthwatering series of matches with Connacht, starting with Saturday’s meeting with Leinster - and his brother SamSat Dec 02 2023 - 06:00
Connacht eager to test the extent of Leinster’s strength in depth Packed Sportsground will prove a tricky assignment for Leo Cullen’s much-changed Leinster sideFri Dec 01 2023 - 21:09
Gerry Thornley: High-class French sides loom into view ahead of Champions Cup Stuart Lancaster is already having a big impact at Racing 92, with a game against Ulster coming up this monthFri Dec 01 2023 - 16:15
Connacht’s Diarmuid Kilgallen: ‘No one has an absolute right to the jersey... every jersey you get is earned’ The 23-year-old from Kildare is making big strides this season, and adding to the side’s strength in depth - even in the high altitudes of Pretoria against the BullsThu Nov 30 2023 - 06:00
Connacht’s John Muldoon: ‘The lads will be on it on Saturday night. No doubt’Muldoon admitted that his five years as a defence and forwards coach at Bristol to being back with his former province has been ‘a huge learning curve for me’Wed Nov 29 2023 - 06:00
Mack Hansen in line for Connacht return ahead of upcoming Leinster clash Ireland international to feature for the first time domestically this season but Bundee Aki remains sidelined with a hamstring injuryTue Nov 28 2023 - 14:33
End of Sexton era leaves a huge void at outhalf in Irish rugby Pivotal position of outhalf for Ireland has been dominated over 29 years by just four players but we are now in very different territoryTue Nov 28 2023 - 05:15
Leinster v Munster: ‘We’re all hoping to learn from Jacques when he comes in,’ says Leo CullenMunster’s thrilling start and ambition confirmed that the auld rivalry appears to have been rebootedMon Nov 27 2023 - 06:00
Graham Rowntree won’t rush decision on Munster’s next captain Injury-hit Munster contribute handsomely to cracking URC game in the Aviva StadiumMon Nov 27 2023 - 01:00
Leo Cullen praises impact of ‘excellent’ Ciarán Frawley performance against MunsterRoss Byrne ‘to be assessed’ for arm injury as outhalf went off early in URC clashSat Nov 25 2023 - 22:44
Leinster v Munster: Has the old rivalry found a healthier balance?In the past, the bitterness between the provinces had not always been good for the Irish teamSat Nov 25 2023 - 06:00
IRFU chief Kevin Potts insists Irish rugby in good financial state despite €10m World Cup costsCEO cites future broadcasting outlook as ‘biggest challenge’ facing sport, as deficit of just under €1m reported at union’s AGMFri Nov 24 2023 - 18:00
Gerry Thornley: Leinster on a mission as Irish bid to draw a line under the World CupSimon Zebo and Jean Kleyn make first appearances of the season for Munster as Diarmuid Barron captains the provinceFri Nov 24 2023 - 17:29
Andrew Porter - ‘I think I probably took it harder than a lot of people’Loosehead prop says returning to Leinster after World Cup disappointment was ‘a breath of fresh air’Fri Nov 24 2023 - 06:00
Peter O’Mahony steps down as Munster captain after more than 10 yearsThere are not too many obvious alternatives to the flanker for the provinceWed Nov 22 2023 - 18:38
