Logistics of covering a modern Rugby World Cup no walk in the park Journalists must become experts on intercity travel around France and then plot their way through streets and roads we have never walked beforeFri Oct 06 2023 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Ali Price starts at scrumhalf as Scotland take on Ireland with 6/2 splitBen Healy drops out of the 23 after starting last weekend vs RomaniaThu Oct 05 2023 - 18:03
Scotland aware of Paul O’Connell’s influence and expecting a tough lineout battleScottish forwards coach John Dalziel says his team are exactly where they want to beThu Oct 05 2023 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup diary: Leaving behind Phoenix Parc and a faux pas in the Scotland campAmid a wave of optimism, Johnny Watterson says a long goodbye to a big ol’ seaside down in the south of FranceThu Oct 05 2023 - 06:00
Finn Russell: ‘Scotland won’t try to take Johnny Sexton out of the match’Outhalf foresees flashpoints in Ireland’s Rugby World Cup showdown with Scotland but nothing ‘over the top’ against his opposite numberTue Oct 03 2023 - 06:00
Scotland know forwards will need to get upper hand in Ireland showdownGregor Townsend has a talented backline at his disposal but their pack will need to work hard to release themSun Oct 01 2023 - 16:20
Ben Healy - Ireland’s outhalf loss is Scotland’s gainThe Tipperary-born player will start against Romania for Scotland in his first Rugby World Cup outing since leaving Irish rugbySat Sept 30 2023 - 06:00
Waiting for Google: In search of rugby-loving Samuel Beckett around ParisIf he were alive today there’s little doubt rugby fan Samuel Beckett would have been keenly interested in Ireland’s World Cup progressFri Sept 29 2023 - 06:00
Jack Conan grateful for patience of Ireland staff as he tried to save his World Cup‘It’s been very frustrating’ says backrow as he comes into frame for place in side to play ScotlandFri Sept 29 2023 - 06:00
Jack Conan in contention to play Scotland as all 33 Ireland players return to trainingRugby World Cup: Stuart McCloskey returns to camp after attending the birth of his second childThu Sept 28 2023 - 18:37
Rugby World Cup diary: Paris was crazy but it’s nice to be back belly up in the Med Johnny Watterson looks back on a week that included a rather slow fast train down southThu Sept 28 2023 - 06:00
Scottish hooker crisis means a Rugby World Cup call-up for sixth choice Johnny MatthewsA slips on stairs and training ground injuries has given Gregor Townsend a hooker headacheWed Sept 27 2023 - 18:26
Hugo Keenan: The unassuming fullback who is vital to Ireland’s Rugby World Cup hopesThe Irish fullback is unassuming but hugely important in every facet of Ireland’s plans to beat ScotlandWed Sept 27 2023 - 06:00
Jack Crowley: ‘Preparation is massive. Scotland are going to be gunning for us’ Ireland and Munster outhalf came off the bench and kicked three points under pressure to extend Ireland’s narrow lead in their Rugby World Cup win over South Africa. Further adventures lies aheadTue Sept 26 2023 - 06:00
Ireland v South Africa: Tadhg Beirne delivers another epic shift in a battle of inches Ireland v South Africa at the Rugby World Cup: Irish forward has played flanker and lock and is currently among Ireland’s highest try scorersMon Sept 25 2023 - 06:10
Rugby World Cup: Five things we learned from Ireland’s 13-8 win over South AfricaIreland’s lineout failed and the Springbok’s place-kicking badly let them downSun Sept 24 2023 - 15:00
South Africa 8 Ireland 13: How the Irish players rated at the Stade de FranceIreland v South Africa: Bravery, commitment and poise at the heart of Ireland’s win over the SpringboksSat Sept 23 2023 - 22:10
Energy of James Lowe fuels the Irish team during ‘a beast’ of a rugby week Ireland v South Africa: James Lowe sees in the Springboks pretty much what everyone else does: physical strength, blazing line speed and an intention to play the game in a certain waySat Sept 23 2023 - 06:00
Nice seems minded to keep memories of mass murder out of sight At the scene of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Europe this century, there is little reminder of what happened on Bastille Day 2016. Why is that?Fri Sept 22 2023 - 06:00
Garry Ringrose primed for Springbok challenge and defining momentThe polished Ireland outside centre is always one of coach Andy Farrell’s first picksThu Sept 21 2023 - 19:58
Johnny Watterson’s World Cup diary: So nice in Nice as rugby tribes enjoy ‘la belle vie’Supporters have helped extend the summer season on the Côte d’Azur but only when the sun shinesWed Sept 20 2023 - 20:06
South Africa’s lock Eben Etzebeth to play against Ireland after quick recoverySpringbok coach singles out Sexton as a pivotal presence within the Ireland set-upMon Sept 18 2023 - 20:22
Rassie Erasmus rules out taking on role with IRFU after Rugby World CupFormer Springbok Victor Matfield made references to Erasmus coming to Ireland sparking speculationMon Sept 18 2023 - 14:53
Rugby World Cup: England almost lose control as Japan get too close for comfort After a sloppy start, Japan take an early lead in the Pool D match, but England finally get the job done with four triesSun Sept 17 2023 - 22:40
Rugby World Cup: Five things we learned from this weekend in FranceHansen’s cutting edge is up with the World Cup’s best - Minister makes beer run - Ireland’s bench keep press on - Springboks of surprises - That’s entertainmentSun Sept 17 2023 - 15:25
Felix Jones, the Dubliner trying to plot victory for South Africa over IrelandThe former Ireland international is aiming to win his second Rugby World Cup with the Springboks - before joining EnglandSun Sept 17 2023 - 05:00
Rugby World Cup: Outstanding Johnny Sexton deserves his place in the record booksIt was clear from his reaction that the record meant a lot to Ireland’s captain, and it is good that any distraction it might cause is now put to bedSat Sept 16 2023 - 22:47
Rugby World Cup: Nice largely unmoved as rugby carnival passes throughRugby World Cup: While Toulon is a city steeped in rugby lore, in Nice divas and movie stars of 70 years ago have permanence and agencyThu Sept 14 2023 - 19:00
Lost in translation between Bordeaux and the Côte d’Azur on the Rugby World Cup trailRugby World Cup Diary: Just know one thing travelling around France, the locals are never wrongWed Sept 13 2023 - 14:41
Chilled Felix Jones hoping Springbok Eben Etzebeth will be fit for Ireland game South Africa expected to heavily rotate their squad for their second Rugby World Cup match against Romania this weekendWed Sept 13 2023 - 05:00
As the Rugby World Cup heats up, scrum caps are coming offIreland’s Josh van der Flier normally wears a scrum cap but he didn’t against Romania in the first match in BordeauxTue Sept 12 2023 - 05:00
Wales hang on as Fiji suffer agonising loss in pulsating Rugby World Cup encounterFijian winger Semi Radradra knocks on ball in closing moments to leave Wales relieved to have the victorySun Sept 10 2023 - 22:26
Bundee Aki a perfectly timed Rugby World Cup redemption story for IrelandIn the swamp heat of Bordeaux, the big Connacht centre set the tone with outstanding performance against RomaniaSun Sept 10 2023 - 13:24
Ireland 82 Romania 8: How the Irish players rated in their Rugby World Cup openerJohnny Sexton earns a 7/10 after scoring two tries in Ireland's Rugby World Cup opener against Romania in BordeauxSat Sept 09 2023 - 16:41
Fiji gives Wales a challenging first outingRugby World Cup: Warren Gatland becomes first Head Coach in rugby to attend five tournamentsSat Sept 09 2023 - 05:30
Rugby World Cup: Ireland’s mood changes as kick-off approaches in BordeauxIreland v Romania: Both countries have been coy about what they expect in their first World Cup pool match. Soon they will get stuck into each otherSat Sept 09 2023 - 05:05
Rugby World Cup: This time Ireland have nothing to whine about in BordeauxUnlike in 2007, Ireland players have not been plonked in the middle of an industrial estate, so the tones have been just right during their preparation for Saturday’s opening match against RomaniaFri Sept 08 2023 - 10:34
Tadhg Furlong: Ireland will treat Romania with the respect they deserve in World Cup openerTadhg Furlong looking forward to facing Romania alongside Leinster secondrow Joe McCarthy who makes his World Cup debut for IrelandFri Sept 08 2023 - 05:00
Romania hold no fear of Ireland in opening Rugby World Cup match says backrow Vlad NecalauEver present in the competition, the Romanians are back in the World Cup after missing out in Japan 2019Tue Sept 05 2023 - 19:14
Less beauty, more beast: Forwards-focused South Africa could be a sight to behold at Rugby World CupIf the Springboks choose to play primarily to their enormous physical strength, they could reap big rewards - but it’s a high-risk strategyFri Sept 01 2023 - 05:00
Rugby World Cup: Ireland once again facing a formidable glass ceilingAndy Farrell’s side must go where no Irish team has gone before in nine previous World Cups if they are to breach the quarter-final hoodooThu Aug 31 2023 - 17:00
Rugby World Cup viewers should prepare to tackle The BunkerNew innovations will have their first World Cup outing when action begins next week in St DenisThu Aug 31 2023 - 05:00
Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad: Profiles of the 33 men looking to become world championsHead coach Andy Farrell has picked a balanced squad which includes 18 World Cup debutantsMon Aug 28 2023 - 15:03
Five things we learned from the weekend’s World Cup warm-upsFrom Caelan Doris’s barnstorming runs to South Africa’s ominous quality and the growing threat from Fiji and SamoaSun Aug 27 2023 - 15:43
Ireland v Samoa: Dire quality of match just served to make Irish win even more importantIreland's performance was poor but it was important for the team - and for rivals watching on - that the winning streak was maintainedSat Aug 26 2023 - 22:23
Mason Greenwood: Man United faced a similar dilemma as Ulster did with Belfast rape trialAn intriguing question is why Manchester United took so long to understand their prized player had, in public relations terms, become a toxic brandFri Aug 25 2023 - 07:30
Samoan mix of pride, physicality and no little skill likely to test Ireland’s mettle The Pacific Islanders have a reputation as a tough side with lots of talent which includes All Black experienceFri Aug 25 2023 - 05:00
Five things we learned from Ireland’s 29-10 win over England in World Cup warm-upFrom Mack Hansen’s brilliance and the aerial battle, to Ireland’s problems in the lineoutSun Aug 20 2023 - 15:00
Billy Vunipola makes it into this week’s gallery of ‘D’oh! Did I really do that?’ no arm tacklersEngland in successive weeks have had two experienced players given red cards for the same offenceSun Aug 20 2023 - 07:00
World Rugby has rightfully intervened in shameful Owen Farrell decisionGood lawyering appears to have gotten the England captain off a lengthy match suspensionThu Aug 17 2023 - 18:43
