Depleted Leinster braced for tough Borders testThe Borders v Leinster: On paper, this might at first glance seem like the most lob-sided match of the season given the top …Sat Jan 22 2005 - 00:00
More than league at stake for ConnachtConnacht v Cardiff: At first glance eighth against 10th in the Celtic League wouldn't appear to have much cache in a European…Sat Jan 22 2005 - 00:00
Lack of pace out wide a worryRUGBY: There was nothing particularly new in Harlequins coach Mark Evans citing Munster's lack of pace out wide as the main …Mon Jan 17 2005 - 00:00
Provinces draw the short strawsRUGBY: They were probably the quarter-final pairings the Irish provinces least favoured going into the weekend's final round…Mon Jan 17 2005 - 00:00
Provinces draw the short strawsThey were probably the quarter-final pairings the Irish provinces least favoured going into the weekend's final round of the …Mon Jan 17 2005 - 00:00
Provinces draw the short strawsThey were probably the quarter-final pairings the Irish provinces least favoured going into the weekend's final round of the …Mon Jan 17 2005 - 00:00
Once Munster, always MunsterGerry Thornley hears a contentedly-retired Keith Wood pledge allegiance to his province even against old club HarlequinsSat Jan 15 2005 - 00:00
Munster home in on the necessaryRUGBY/Harlequins v Munster : Yet another moment of truth for MunsterSat Jan 15 2005 - 00:00
Only certainty is that nothing is for certainEuropean Cup pool-by-pool permutations: Even by the convoluted standards at this stage of the Heineken European Cup, the permutations…Fri Jan 14 2005 - 00:00
Refreshed French advance on EuropeOn Rugby: So, who said the French aren't interested in the European Cup? And the French don't like to travel? And the expanded…Tue Jan 11 2005 - 00:00
Munster still haven't shown full handEuropean Cup Pool Four: As ever, the palpable mood of another Thomond Park capacity crowd mirrored that of their teamMon Jan 10 2005 - 00:00
Munster maul too much for OspreysRUGBY Munster v N-S Ospreys, Thomond Park, 5.15: So here we go againSat Jan 08 2005 - 00:00
All the indications point to a photo finishEuropean Cup Overview: The Heineken European Cup resumes with the penultimate round of pool matches this weekend and all the…Fri Jan 07 2005 - 00:00
Ulster need a big oneRUGBY European Cup/Ulster v Gloucester: By rights, this shouldn't be a contestFri Jan 07 2005 - 00:00
IRB pitches in for aid effortThe International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced a contribution of US$187,000 (141,860) to its humanitarian aid partner, the…Fri Jan 07 2005 - 00:00
Ireland must face up to prop problemOn Rugby: This is, traditionally, a time for crystal ball gazing, but it wouldn't require a soothsayer to forecast that one …Tue Jan 04 2005 - 00:00
After much deliberation . . . this is the year aheadOn account of a pact with an evil-looking gentleman with cloven feet, a large fork, a sheepskin overcoat and a hip flask, this…Tue Dec 28 2004 - 00:00
Very few teams can afford to relaxAnd then there were 18? Two-thirds of the way through the Heineken European Cup pool stages, 48 matches having been played, and…Tue Dec 14 2004 - 00:00
Bourgoin not the first team to roll overThe Heineken European Cup doesn't really do dull, does it? The first round of the so-called Battle of Britain between Wasps and…Tue Dec 07 2004 - 00:00
Chips with everything: Triple Crown revisitedSports Books 2004/Rugby: Of all the sports literature out there in our book shops, rugby is one of the mostly poorly served - …Sat Dec 04 2004 - 00:00
Leinster will look to push for bonus pointEuropean Cup/Leinster v Bourgoin Lansdowne Road, 5Sat Dec 04 2004 - 00:00
Gouging not on, but IRB give Pumas cause for ireOn Rugby: No doubt there'll be hard-nosed aficionados of a bygone era who will have scoffed at the Irish management going public…Tue Nov 30 2004 - 00:00
No citings to follow claims of gougingIRELAND V ARGENTINA: Inconclusive video evidence means no action will be taken against any Argentinian players following accusations…Mon Nov 29 2004 - 00:00
Cut out to be a middle man after allShane Horgan interview: Funny, isn't it? For four years he'd been a top-class Leinster centre who supposedly couldn't cut it…Sat Nov 27 2004 - 00:00
Argentina take the hardlineNews round-up: Argentina have restated their demands that their leading players be released for the Pumas' Test match against…Thu Nov 25 2004 - 00:00
Pumas' mix of familiar and newArgentina name team: Like their hosts, Argentina renew old acquaintances with Ireland this Saturday at Lansdowne Road on the…Thu Nov 25 2004 - 00:00
O'Connor is the main doubtIreland team to play Argentina: Given the chance Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan is no different from any other coach in that…Wed Nov 24 2004 - 00:00
Pumas will arrive hungry for revengeRecent history has taught Ireland when the Pumas come into view, any notions of grandeur can be dispelled.Tue Nov 23 2004 - 00:00
A witty and colourful writerDeath of Karl Johnston: The death of Karl Johnston (70), the former rugby correspondent of the Irish Press and latterly the …Mon Nov 22 2004 - 00:00
Eagles' wings to be clipped with easeIt is a curious billing: the giants of Ireland against the minnows of AmericaSat Nov 20 2004 - 00:00
Brennan in injury scareTrevor Brennan was detained overnight in hospital after being stretchered off following a heavy collision while playing for Toulouse…Sat Nov 20 2004 - 00:00
O'Connor key to open game planAutumn Internationals: First and foremost, bumping into the Springboks in the coalface of Test match rugby is a test of one'…Wed Nov 10 2004 - 00:00
Ireland to bear brunt of the backlashOn Rugby: There will have been more than enough meat in the recipe served up by the Springboks last Saturday at the Millennium…Tue Nov 09 2004 - 00:00
Pattern still unpredictable but logic says LeinsterCeltic League Round Eight Strange, isn't it, the way sport throws up some odd, almost illogical patternsFri Nov 05 2004 - 00:00
D'Arcy may be out until New YearThe extent of Gordon D'Arcy's injury and forthcoming lay-off remained unclear last night after a scan on the groin muscle injury…Tue Nov 02 2004 - 00:00
Holwell makes Kidney's pointOn Rugby: Whenever Declan Kidney has been asked about David Holwell, either on his arrival or before or after any of his four…Tue Nov 02 2004 - 00:00
Munster well equipped to ground OspreysN-S Ospreys v Munster: There's a palpable fear in the air about the prospects for the Irish provinces as they head into a fairly…Sat Oct 30 2004 - 01:00
Provinces facing early must-win gamesThere's always a danger in reading too much into just one round of the Heineken European Cup, especially the opening weekendTue Oct 26 2004 - 01:00
Munster must start well to win wellPREVIEW/Pool Five: So begins Munster's latest European Cup odysseySat Oct 23 2004 - 01:00
Ulster's chance to revive seasonEuropean Cup Preview: Andy Ward having been declared fit, no doubt the Ulster captain and his side will be striving to make …Fri Oct 22 2004 - 01:00
Driven to lead from the frontAndy Ward interview: It would kill Andy Ward not to be leading Ulster out in their Heineken European Cup opener tomorrow night…Thu Oct 21 2004 - 01:00
Kelly comes to Ulster's defenceEvery one else is doing it, so why can't we? Recognising the need to strengthen their defence, Ulster have co-opted the former…Tue Oct 19 2004 - 01:00
Faraway fields aren't always greenerOn Rugby: We're into the beef of the season now, albeit swilled with amber nectarTue Oct 19 2004 - 01:00
Europe looms large in provinces' preparationsOn Rugby: Allowing for Ulster's third successive Ravenhill defeat, overall it was a pretty encouraging weekend for the Irish…Tue Oct 12 2004 - 01:00
