No shame in close-call defeat to SpringboksFrom the archives: Brian O’Driscoll v South AfricaWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:31
Late heroics earn Ireland a draw at Croke ParkFrom the archives: Brian O’Driscoll v AustraliaWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:26
A first task for no ordinary Joe as Schmidt gears up for November seriesThe arrival of a new coach of undoubted quality has increased Irish expectations, writes Gerry ThornleyWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:25
Spear tackle leaves Lions captain’s tour in tattersFrom the archives: Brian O’Driscoll v New ZealandWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:21
Joe Schmidt’s plans up in the air againJonathan Sexton sits out training while Paul O’Connell has restricted roleWed Nov 06 2013 - 01:00
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset’s comments look a significant development in riftWell-placed sources maintain Pierre Camou is working assiduously toward saving the ERC-run tournamentTue Nov 05 2013 - 12:00
Paul O’Connell and Johnny Sexton look set to face SamoaEncouraging week for the Irish management as injuries clear upTue Nov 05 2013 - 01:00
Munster look to have enough in reserve for OspreysHard-fought win in Glasgow proves Rob Penney’s men are moving in right directionSat Nov 02 2013 - 00:11
Les Kiss happy to rise to the challengeIrish defence coach says facing three sides ranked above Ireland in the world is ‘a little scary’Fri Nov 01 2013 - 01:00
Johnny Sexton a racing certainty to miss Samoa gameOuthalf likely to miss first Autumn international as club recall him for Biarritz gameFri Nov 01 2013 - 01:00
Joe Schmidt optimistic Brian O’Driscoll will play in all three TestsIreland coach will be guided by former captain but says he’s fresh and raring to goFri Nov 01 2013 - 01:00
IRFU must dig deep to retain top players in brave new world of tournament rugbyThe unions are countering the Anglo-French bluff by conceding to pretty much all their demandsTue Oct 29 2013 - 11:00
O’Connell, O’Brien among eight ruled out of Ireland trainingConcerns expressed by Irish management over Johnny Sexton’s workload in FranceTue Oct 29 2013 - 08:13
Agreement over breakaway European tournament still a good way offDespite English reports that deal is almost done, little sign of resolution over succesor to Heineken CupTue Oct 29 2013 - 01:11
Donnacha Ryan weighs up option of move abroadConor Murray cited for foul play while Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls seem doubtful for Samoa gameMon Oct 28 2013 - 01:03
Leinster get the benefit of the doubt to emerge with hard-fought victorySlew of contentious refereeing decisions leave Connacht empty-handedMon Oct 28 2013 - 01:00
Champions Leinster look too strong for injury-hit ConnachtReddan and Madigan form hungry half-back partnership and Luke Fitzgerald to start at centreSat Oct 26 2013 - 01:00
Jake Heenan fast tracks his career with ConnachtFormer Baby Blacks captain is excited by huge and exciting challenge against LeinsterSat Oct 26 2013 - 01:00
Rugby unions make concessions in bid for compromiseBut agreement on 20-team format is prelude to bigger stumbling blocks on governance and televsion coverageFri Oct 25 2013 - 09:01
Visit to formidable league leaders Glasgow a tough assignment for MunsterCoach Rob Penney makes eight changes from the Gloucester win for the showdown with WarriorsFri Oct 25 2013 - 01:00
Warren Gatland describes former Ireland captain Keith Wood as a ‘mé féiner’Kiwi was responding to criticism of his decision to leave Brian O’Driscoll out of final Lions testFri Oct 25 2013 - 01:00
Recent action proves the Heineken Cup ain’t broke so no need to tamper excessivelyAmong the Irish contingent, Ulster are looking like the the strongest contendersTue Oct 22 2013 - 12:00
Injuries mount as Connacht prepare for Leinster challengeCoach Pat Lam says Saturday’s game atthe RDS is ‘a perfect game for us’Tue Oct 22 2013 - 01:00
Clean sweep means Irish eyes are left smiling after an almost perfect dayMunster and Leinster win ugly and have much room to improveMon Oct 21 2013 - 09:53
Gnarled Munster in do or die mode as they face GloucesterNew men in the pack signals home side’s need to front up to visitors in crucial tieSat Oct 19 2013 - 07:57
Casey Laulala proving his worth to MunsterLaulala admits to lacking confidence in first year with the provinceSat Oct 19 2013 - 01:00
Ulster face a real test of their credentials in MontpellierReturn of Pienaar is timely for visitors as they go up against France’s in-form teamSat Oct 19 2013 - 01:00
Sexton’s physical and mental well-being a worry for SchmidtRacing Metro outhalf admits he was a little tired against GrenobleFri Oct 18 2013 - 10:07
Victory over Northampton may infuse Castres with more ambitionWhether there will be a more pro-European approach this season remains to be seenFri Oct 18 2013 - 01:00
Toulon owner says club will compete in next season’s Heineken CupMourad Boudjellal breaks ranks with Top 14 clubs over foreign player restrictionsFri Oct 18 2013 - 01:00
Gloucester ready to ring the changes for clash with MunsterBurns and Twelvetrees set to start as visitors expect a Munster backlashThu Oct 17 2013 - 01:01
IRFU reject Fintan Drury’s take on Seán O’Brien negotiationsPlatinum agent says parties had discussions but nothing which could be considered as negotiationsThu Oct 17 2013 - 01:00
Peter O’Mahony ready to lead by example as Munster gear up for Gloucester testCaptain says Rob Penney’s side are now in cup mode – one more defeat and they’re outWed Oct 16 2013 - 01:00
Simon Zebo out for 10 weeksMunster captain Peter O’Mahony to return against Gloucester on SaturdayTue Oct 15 2013 - 23:20
Flawed bonus point system only issue on opening weekendTries galore in timely advert for the Heineken CupTue Oct 15 2013 - 12:00
RFU chief Ritchie effectively the go-between now as Heineken Cup negotiations continueTue Oct 15 2013 - 01:00
Leinster get quest for a fourth Heineken Cup crown off to winning startIrish province without the talismanic presence of Brian O’Driscoll but they were still able to secure what may prove a vital away winMon Oct 14 2013 - 01:00
Munster minds turn quickly to upcoming Gloucester testDismal display in Edinburgh consigned to history as Rob Penney’s side switch their focus to a must-win gameMon Oct 14 2013 - 01:00
Seán Cronin to draw a huge amount of belief from Leinster victoryFormer Connacht man was the creator in chief of the game’s only tryMon Oct 14 2013 - 01:00
Ulster enjoy perfect start to their campaign at RavenhillPaddy Jackson’s 17 points and a try from Tommy Bowe enough to see off TigersSat Oct 12 2013 - 12:48
Leinster to up the ante and rediscover European pedigreeGopperth preferred to Madigan alongside Boss, as Macken braced for Heineken Cup debutSat Oct 12 2013 - 06:43
O’Connor has to oversee passing of golden generation and stay winningIt’s a tall order but the Leinster head coach thrives on high expectationsSat Oct 12 2013 - 01:00
Two heavyweights meet on opening nightBowe returns and Pienaar named on bench for Ulster against English championsFri Oct 11 2013 - 01:00
Heaslip chasing Lions for a changeOz friends now foes as number eight gets ready for battle royal with Ospreys’ packFri Oct 11 2013 - 01:00
Top 14 in danger of eating itself, and othersHolders Toulon lead the way as only the super rich can afford twin trophy pursuitWed Oct 09 2013 - 01:00
Heineken Cup preview: Perhaps timing is right for Clermont’s final flingIrish sides again stand in the way of Anglo-French power blockWed Oct 09 2013 - 01:00
Heineken Cup Pool-by-Pool GuideFamiliar faces expected to progress but Montpellier could be surprise packetWed Oct 09 2013 - 01:00
Low-key Munster-Leinster occasion did not live up to golden pastEvents in Ellis Park and Rosario underline daunting November schedule for IrelandTue Oct 08 2013 - 01:00
Munster in rude health for Heineken Cup after derby win over LeinsterCoach Rob Penney hails Ian Keatley’s performance in 19-15 victoryMon Oct 07 2013 - 01:00