Gordon D’Arcy: Johnny Sexton was typically excellent last weekend – but he shouldn’t start against TongaRugby World Cup: There can’t be any falloff in the next game, irrespective of what Ireland team is selectedWed Sept 13 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Farrell has refused to dwell on Ireland’s Rugby World Cup fixtures schedule. That sends a message to players Some changes to the laws have balanced the scales which is not a bad thingWed Sept 06 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: I knew if I’d made the Rugby World Cup squad long before the coach’s number flashed upI can vividly recall that chat with Joe Schmidt in 2015, he tried to find the words to let me down gentlyWed Aug 30 2023 - 05:00
Leinster must turn to the market to fill the obvious holes in their squadMunster should enjoy afterglow of URC success that leaves them the envy of the restWed May 31 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster need next generation of young players to prove their mettle and step up A line in the sand must be drawn after second final defeat to La Rochelle and goals resetWed May 24 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster are favourites against La Rochelle - but for me, the odds are stacked against them Leo Cullen has big decisions to make regarding Caelan Doris and Jason JenkinsWed May 17 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Fascinating semi-final in prospect as Munster target vulnerable great rivals LeinsterGiven Leinster’s looming Champions Cup final assignment and Munster’s injury woes, there are good reasons to support both teams in deciding on the outcomeWed May 10 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster have template to topple La Rochelle but they must perfect itLeo Cullen’s side has less than three weeks left to refine defensive system that could could lay foundation for Champions Cup victoryWed May 03 2023 - 06:00
The Johnny Sexton safety net at Leinster is gone. It’s up to Ross Byrne nowCullen’s men will need to be at their best to thwart Toulouse challengeWed Apr 26 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Appointing Jacques Nienaber shows Leinster want stylistic evolution The South African is likely to introduce a contrarian flavour to the province’s current playing ethosWed Apr 19 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster’s dominance is not due to financial clout and demographicsCoaches need to concentrate on what they can control - and Leinster have progressed by improving coaching at academy and senior levelWed Apr 12 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Concentration of Leinster players within Irish system a cause for concernThe national developmental pathway needs to evolve to be in rude health across all four provinces – not just oneWed Apr 05 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ulster need to iron out performance wrinkles if they are to stand a chance against Leinster It might be time for Munster to take off the training wheels and give Jack Crowley his chance in 10 jerseyWed Mar 29 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s erratic performance against England could be a blessing in disguiseIreland found a way to weather the storm in the Grand Slam decider and it is a valuable lesson learnedWed Mar 22 2023 - 05:00
Pretax profits increase 37-fold at David Hall’s ambulance serviceDirectors’ pay at Lifeline almost halvesMon Mar 20 2023 - 16:56
Gordon D’Arcy: England may go back to move forward for Grand Slam clashVisitors will probably pursue a more conservative approach in chasing a one-off result but this Ireland team embraces the pressure to performWed Mar 15 2023 - 05:00
When the Scottish pressure comes on, I’m backing Ireland to deliverIf both teams play to their maximum capacity on Sunday, Ireland should win on paper, but matches are played on grassWed Mar 08 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s continued reliance on key players shown by Six Nations clash against ItalyIreland are still reliant on key players but what is different is the coaching environmentWed Mar 01 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Italy v Ireland is one of Andy Farrell’s last chances to experiment before the World CupSaturday’s game doesn’t operate in a vacuum, it has context for the Six Nations, the World Cup and the inner workings of the squadWed Feb 22 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Tries are a natural byproduct of the way Ireland are playingThe Irish plan did not change because certain players were missing. They were clear in their approach, using footwork, timing, passingWed Feb 15 2023 - 06:00
Ireland v France set to be the pivotal match of Six Nations Attacking rugby is on the rise thanks in part to the game being sped upWed Feb 08 2023 - 06:00
Ireland v Wales: Gatland’s team will challenge Ireland differently to others in Six Nations openerWarren Gatland’s side will stay with Ireland longer than most but visitors should still pull awayWed Feb 01 2023 - 05:00
Is Joey Carbery tough enough to again display his mercurial talent?Munster outhalf has the physical capabilities, but mental challenge of being dropped is his biggest yetWed Jan 25 2023 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Trying to defend the indefensible not the way forward for either the GAA or rugbyTackling competency is a serious problem in rugby now as is inconsistency when it comes to punishing transgressorsWed Jan 18 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Players can come from left field and make the Ireland squad, but you need to catch a break I know from my own experience it’s possible to come from leftfield in Irish selection terms, but it’s usually reliant on injuryWed Jan 11 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Pecking order at outhalf beneath Sexton about to come into sharp focusThat mixture of collective and individual responsibility and discipline came to mind when watching Ulster v Munster in BelfastWed Jan 04 2023 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Rowntree facing tough decisions in key positions for MunsterThere is a big difference between knowing patterns and plays and understanding how to manage a gameWed Dec 28 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Champions Cup is in danger of becoming a sideshowAs teams refocus on their domestic competitions, the European competition has been left swinging in the windWed Dec 21 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Michael Cheika showed Leinster how to build resilience by winning in the mindTravel disruption offered a ready-made excuse for Leo Cullen’s team to fail to deliver against Racing 92 in Le Havre, but instead they served up a proper performanceWed Dec 14 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: At the RDS Ulster’s mental strength failed to match their ambitionJosh van der Flier epitomised the attitude needed, which augurs well for Leinster’s spicy clash against La RochelleWed Dec 07 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Irish provinces take ‘less is more’ approach with top players as schedule intensifiesCoaches must perform tricky balancing acts as schedule intensifiesWed Nov 30 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Australia were not cautious enough with Nic White after heavy blow to the headDoctors were remiss in allowing Nic White return to action against Ireland after clearly suffering a head injuryWed Nov 23 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Fiji game may have been last chance for some to impressPersonal lessons from 2003 World Cup suggest more game time for fringe players will be hard to come byWed Nov 16 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland can’t absorb that South African attrition again and survive at World CupIn a quick ruck, high-skill game that stretches us to our limits the rewards are clearWed Nov 09 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: South Africa won’t make any apologies for trying to grind Ireland into the dirtGrowing reliance on Jamison Gibson-Park means there’s an argument to give Craig Casey more opportunitiesWed Nov 02 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: I would always measure Leinster’s early success against Munster’s achievementsGordon D'Arcy: There will be bumps on the road, but Munster are doing the right thing in committing to a regeneration processWed Oct 26 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Munster must have the courage to play fast and loose to embrace a brighter futureA win is not vital for Graham Rowntree’s men against Leinster but their performance must show signs of progressWed Oct 19 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Jack Crowley may emerge from South Africa with better Munster prospectsFirst four rounds of the URC have offered contrasting fortunes for the provincesWed Oct 12 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: New Zealand Test series win worth celebrating as a standalone triumph There’s plenty of time to look forward to what it means in a World Cup context . . . but for now, drink it inWed Jul 20 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Trust between players and coaching staff paves way for success in New Zealand Backing given to players to improve after first Test has paid dividendsWed Jul 13 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s failure to develop depth brutally exposed by All BlacksIf you have a jersey, you should always feel under pressure to retain itWed Jul 06 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: I had a fundamental need to be liked and it threatened to derail my careerNick McCarthy’s courage in challenging a taboo in male team sport will smooth a pathway for those who follow in his footstepsWed Jun 29 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Doubt has crept into All Blacks camp - Ireland must take advantage Andy Farrell’s Ireland face the most inhospitable of rugby climates in New ZealandWed Jun 22 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster may need to look further afield to find missing link to future successNo indigenous talent production line is capable of fulfilling all of a team’s needs and as the province’s history shows foreign recruits have been hugely influential in a winning cultureWed Jun 15 2022 - 05:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Priority for new Munster regime is a performance template, not trophies Province’s performance issues cannot be fixed without first accepting there is a problemWed Jun 08 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster’s defeat of inches will hurt like no otherFact that Leo Cullen’s side led with a minute to go having been substandard in performance terms difficult to dismissWed Jun 01 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster won’t be bullied again and have the game to beat La RochelleIf Leinster maintain their quick ruck speed they will get the tries they need to winWed May 25 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster now shooting for a fifth starHaving come tantalisingly close in recent years, this Leinster group has what it takesWed May 18 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Arnold’s red escape tipped balance for ToulouseLeinster can take advantage of Munster’s softening up of French side for semi-finalWed May 11 2022 - 06:00
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster need to drive Ford deep into the pocketSteve Borthwick is reinstalling that old element of hardness in his sideWed May 04 2022 - 06:00
