Rugby World Cup: Surface tension adds to uncontrollables as Ireland target Samoa winIreland may need to win ugly and hope physical cost is not too high in FukuokaFri Oct 11 2019 - 19:27
If Ireland survive Samoa storm, All Black clouds roll in fastRugby World Cup: odds against Ireland advancing further are lengtheningFri Oct 11 2019 - 01:00
Gerry Thornley: World Rugby had no Plan B as tournament is blown off courseIf any country on the planet could relocate or defer big games it is surely JapanThu Oct 10 2019 - 12:05
Rugby World Cup: Murray and Sexton to equal Irish halfback record against SamoaDuo will play 55th Test together as Joe Schmidt makes 11 changes for Pool A finaleThu Oct 10 2019 - 08:00
Rugby World Cup: Furlong says Ireland need to ‘knuckle down’ ahead of Samoa clash‘It feels like it’s very, very nearly there but probably just hasn’t clicked yet,’ says Leinster manThu Oct 10 2019 - 01:00
Stockdale suitably refreshed and rarin’ to go against SamoaHis strike rate in terms of tries has dried up a little but Ulster winger remains a potent threat for IrelandWed Oct 09 2019 - 01:01
Easterby confident Ireland can still make their mark in JapanForwards coach says squad can regain real momentum with a good display against SamoaWed Oct 09 2019 - 01:00
Rugby World Cup: Typhoon fears eased as Ireland prep for SamoaStorm Hagibis likely to miss Fukuoka while Ireland squad is nearly back to full healthTue Oct 08 2019 - 11:29
Rugby World Cup: Andy Farrell’s mini tutorial on the art of tackling safelyRed cards have been a dominant theme at tournament with five shown already in JapanTue Oct 08 2019 - 04:02
Gerry Thornley: Storm brewing as Samoa bid to take anger out on IrelandGluey slugfest with bristling Pacific Islanders is the last thing Joe Schmidt’s side needMon Oct 07 2019 - 15:15
All still to play for in Pool A as Scotland bid to spoil Japan’s partyA win of any kind over Samoa would be highly likely to ensure Ireland’s qualificationMon Oct 07 2019 - 06:00
Hungry Henshaw eager to hit the ground runningCentre ready to make a belated World Cup start in Ireland’s game against SamoaMon Oct 07 2019 - 05:00
Letter from Japan: Ireland fans here to party – whatever the resultUbiquitous use of plastic bags strange in an extraordinarily tidy countrySat Oct 05 2019 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Anxious Ireland appear to be trying too hardMomentum Schmidt would have hoped for at this point in a World Cup is absentSat Oct 05 2019 - 06:00
Rory Best admits Ireland are not at the level they expectedIreland captain believes any resurgence in form has to be driven by both coaches and playersSat Oct 05 2019 - 05:00
Change in the weather could be the boost Ireland needSchmidt hoping for cooler conditions against Samoa as squad take stock of injuriesFri Oct 04 2019 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Ireland fail to find performance they were looking forBonus point safely secured but sloppy second half merely adds to growing misgivingsFri Oct 04 2019 - 06:00
Joe Schmidt looks on the bright side despite errors in Russia winIreland coach says maul could have worked better but reiterates conditions were toughThu Oct 03 2019 - 17:49
Rugby World Cup: Ireland backrow faces further blow with Jordi Murphy injuryMurphy called in to replace Jack Conan but came off in first half with rib injuryThu Oct 03 2019 - 15:52
Rugby World Cup: Ireland make heavy weather of Russia winJoe Schmidt’s side secure their bonus point in imperfect victory over minnows in KobeThu Oct 03 2019 - 13:11
Rugby World Cup: Ireland need statement victory in no-win game against RussiaPsychological pick-me-up and vital bonus point are there for the taking in KobeWed Oct 02 2019 - 17:21
Andy Farrell points to history as Ireland prepare to prove a pointIn 2007, 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups, teams responded to setbacks in the poolWed Oct 02 2019 - 11:03
John Ryan: ‘I’ve had to wait like no other man in the team’He becomes Ireland’s oldest Rugby World Cup debutant at this tournamentWed Oct 02 2019 - 09:22
Schmidt: Sexton captaining Ireland 'a deserved honour'World Player of the Year delighted to finally fulfil a childhood dreamWed Oct 02 2019 - 01:00
Schmidt insists his faith in Ireland squad undiminished by Japan defeatCoach says players determined to get things right in two games before ‘monumental’ quarter-finalWed Oct 02 2019 - 01:00
Rugby World Cup: Sexton starts as Ireland make 11 changes for RussiaOuthalf Johnny Sexton to lead side in Kobe; Jordi Murphy straight into the sideTue Oct 01 2019 - 07:00
Rugby World Cup: Preparation drives Japan’s perfect coupUnlike four years ago, favourable schedule in the pool will now suit the Brave BlossomsTue Oct 01 2019 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Scotland bounce back with a bonus-point victoryRelieved Townsend now looking ahead to key clashes against Russia and JapanTue Oct 01 2019 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Ireland close off training session to public for a second timeTuesday’s session against the Kobelco Steelers was due to be an open eventMon Sept 30 2019 - 16:00
CJ Stander now crucial as backrow cupboard becomes thinner‘There’s a few places where we can fix-up, just look after the ball a bit more’Mon Sept 30 2019 - 06:48
Rugby World Cup: Sexton eager to get back down to businessOuthalf ready to lead team against Russia as they bid to recover from ‘hurt’ of shock defeatMon Sept 30 2019 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Japan pitch perfect as Ireland strike bum noteHost nation take full advantage as Ireland let standards drop in ShizuokaMon Sept 30 2019 - 06:00
Rhys Ruddock looking to kick on after getting his chanceIreland player says he has been impressed with Russia so far ahead of Thursday’s clashMon Sept 30 2019 - 01:00
Johnny Sexton ready to ride to Ireland’s rescue once againIreland outhalf takes the positives from Japan defeat ahead of return against RussiaSun Sept 29 2019 - 12:46
Rugby World Cup: Joe Schmidt counts cost of loss but remains coy on Angus GardnerRob Kearney failed a HIA and could miss out on upcoming clash with Russia on ThursdaySat Sept 28 2019 - 12:56
Rugby World Cup: Japan’s rising sons leave Ireland under a cloudHost nation pull off shock victory in Shizuoka to leave Joe Schmidt’s men reelingSat Sept 28 2019 - 10:09
Rugby World Cup: Mixed messages on high tackles doing rugby no favoursReferees are taking the brunt but coaches and players must accept responsibility alsoSat Sept 28 2019 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Ireland must be wary against a Japan side under very little pressureHosts can swing from the hip with opportunities to come against Samoa and ScotlandFri Sept 27 2019 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Jack Carty keen to put his own stamp on Ireland’s No 10 shirt‘I suppose pressure is what you make of it yourself and I’ve good fellas around me’Fri Sept 27 2019 - 01:00
Rugby World Cup: Jack Carty replaces Johnny Sexton for Japan clashBest starts and Kearney and Earls return as Schmidt summons frontliners for JapanThu Sept 26 2019 - 05:00
Record-breaker Keith Earls still in full flight three World Cups onAware this could be his last World Cup, the Irish winger is out to enjoy his time in JapanThu Sept 26 2019 - 01:00
Kearney expects Japan to pose bigger threat than ScotsIreland fullback full of praise for deputy Larmour as sights turn to tackling hostsWed Sept 25 2019 - 01:00
Yamanaka and Japan eager to grasp once in a lifetime opportunityFullback hoping to win a starting role for crucial clash against Ireland on SaturdayWed Sept 25 2019 - 01:00
Gerry Thornley: Ireland forwards a match for any pack in the worldRyan-Henderson shaping up as one of the great Irish secondrow partnershipsTue Sept 24 2019 - 06:10
Rugby World Cup: Ireland enjoy splendid isolation as they prepare for Japan testRemote hotel an ideal location for Schmidt and his squad to hone their game planTue Sept 24 2019 - 01:00
Rugby World Cup: Healy and Ireland back in the bubble as thoughts turn to JapanAll talk of prospective quarter-final against the Springboks parked ahead of meeting with hostsTue Sept 24 2019 - 01:00
Rugby World Cup: All Blacks recast their game to devastating effectDual playmakers Mo’unga and Barrett give defending champions buckets of optionsMon Sept 23 2019 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Questioning of the back three gives Conway added motivationJames Ryan delighted with pack’s lineout work and the try scored off a rolling maulMon Sept 23 2019 - 00:01
Rugby World Cup: Ireland make a loud statement of intent against ScotlandJoe Schmidt’s well-oiled machine was back to its brilliant best in a sodden YokohamaSun Sept 22 2019 - 23:00
Rugby World Cup: Ireland now on a collision course with South AfricaSix-day turnaround before Japan may be cutting it fine for Aki and O’MahonySun Sept 22 2019 - 20:00
