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Liam Toland: Negating Bastareaud’s threat simply an imperative for Munster

Liam Toland: Negating Bastareaud’s threat simply an imperative for Munster

Toulon centre’s ability to wreak havoc must be curbed if home side are to prevail

Fri Mar 30 2018 - 07:00
Liam Toland: The best sides know that information is not intelligence

Liam Toland: The best sides know that information is not intelligence

Liam Toland: England should learn from Ireland – and from Glenstal Abbey

Fri Mar 23 2018 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Grand Slam went according to Ireland’s grand plan

Liam Toland: Grand Slam went according to Ireland’s grand plan

It was no accident that, despite being tested to our limits, we had the measure of England

Mon Mar 19 2018 - 07:00
Liam Toland: England will aim to dominate corridor of power

Liam Toland: England will aim to dominate corridor of power

Eddie Jones has changed his entire rugby vision with his new selection for Saturday

Fri Mar 16 2018 - 07:41
Liam Toland: Brutally efficient champions worthy of huge praise

Liam Toland: Brutally efficient champions worthy of huge praise

Scotland were full of clever plays, offloads but lacked the power and oomph to hurt Ireland.

Mon Mar 12 2018 - 07:17
Liam Toland: Scotland to find Ireland a different proposition

Liam Toland: Scotland to find Ireland a different proposition

Schmidt's side will not offer up the chances provided by England’s poor technique

Fri Mar 09 2018 - 06:38
Liam Toland: Ireland’s attack is the problem with our defence

Liam Toland: Ireland’s attack is the problem with our defence

Why are Ireland’s oppenents inflicting so much damage with just 33 per cent of the ball?

Fri Mar 02 2018 - 06:39
Liam Toland: Ireland let Wales pay penalty to arm wrestle a win

Liam Toland: Ireland let Wales pay penalty to arm wrestle a win

Joe Schmidt’s men mastered the breakdown to claim victory in the trenches

Mon Feb 26 2018 - 07:30
Liam Toland: Wales are greatest threat to Ireland's Grand Slam ambitions

Liam Toland: Wales are greatest threat to Ireland's Grand Slam ambitions

Andrew Porter faces baptism of fire against Dragons as scrums could prove crucial

Fri Feb 23 2018 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Carbery’s performance is crucial against Wales

Liam Toland: Carbery’s performance is crucial against Wales

Is his lack of real pitch-time impacting his natural skillset for spotting space?

Fri Feb 16 2018 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Struggle to identify precious space still an issue for Ireland

Liam Toland: Struggle to identify precious space still an issue for Ireland

Conan’s contribution to Earls’ try an example of how to identify possibilities

Mon Feb 12 2018 - 07:08
Liam Toland: Larmour can help exploit Italy's second-half fatigue

Liam Toland: Larmour can help exploit Italy's second-half fatigue

Joe Schmidt's side need electric recycles and to suck Azzurri into cul-de-sacs

Fri Feb 09 2018 - 08:49
Liam Toland: Ireland’s hard work in French trenches paid off

Liam Toland: Ireland’s hard work in French trenches paid off

Schmidt’s side displayed discipline in painstakingly plotting a win from a certain defeat

Mon Feb 05 2018 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Man for man we’re a match for anyone in Six Nations

Liam Toland: Man for man we’re a match for anyone in Six Nations

James Ryan in for Devin Toner in Six Nations opener against France is a big call from Schmidt

Fri Feb 02 2018 - 06:43
Liam Toland: Cronin and Ryan show power of motivation

Liam Toland: Cronin and Ryan show power of motivation

Joe Schmidt has to show if he wants the Six Nations or if he has his eye on 2019 World Cup

Fri Jan 26 2018 - 07:00
Liam Toland: New culture of body image the shape of things to come

Liam Toland: New culture of body image the shape of things to come

As obsession over looks dominates it’s important we have zero tolerance in Ireland

Fri Jan 19 2018 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Why CJ Stander is a better flag-bearer than Conor McGregor

Liam Toland: Why CJ Stander is a better flag-bearer than Conor McGregor

Munster player is a wonderful ambassador of whatever Irishness means

Fri Dec 22 2017 - 05:45
Liam Toland: Peerless Conor Murray possesses rare killer instinct

Liam Toland: Peerless Conor Murray possesses rare killer instinct

Leicester must fix passing problems to mount serious challenge to Munster

Fri Dec 15 2017 - 06:55
Liam Toland: O’Mahony must stay if Munster’s status is to be maintained

Liam Toland: O’Mahony must stay if Munster’s status is to be maintained

Province have the wherewithal to deal with a competent but far from great Leicester

Fri Dec 08 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Ireland have the breakdown in hand, so what about breakaways?

Liam Toland: Ireland have the breakdown in hand, so what about breakaways?

Joe Schmidt has got his Ireland side excelling at the basics but now we can evolve

Fri Dec 01 2017 - 07:30
Liam Toland: Man of the match award not a free pass

Liam Toland: Man of the match award not a free pass

Reselection never a guarantee in Schmidt era due to the huge amount of talent within squad

Mon Nov 27 2017 - 06:20
Liam Toland: Plenty to watch for in Ireland’s new combinations

Liam Toland: Plenty to watch for in Ireland’s new combinations

Exciting potential evident in the back three, the backrow and new second row pairing

Fri Nov 24 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Carbery and Conway best at exploiting space

Liam Toland: Carbery and Conway best at exploiting space

Ireland have beaten Fiji with a whole raft of new faces – with some especially shining

Mon Nov 20 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Unique Fiji style both a danger and opportunity

Liam Toland: Unique Fiji style both a danger and opportunity

Irish players with meek opportunities may stake a claim in non-Joe Schmidt style of game

Fri Nov 17 2017 - 06:50
Liam Toland: Aki and Ireland hammer the hammers

Liam Toland: Aki and Ireland hammer the hammers

Exciting times ahead if Ireland can build on this record-breaking performance

Mon Nov 13 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: We’re not Europe’s All Blacks in one area – transition

Liam Toland: We’re not Europe’s All Blacks in one area – transition

With Bundee Aki in midfield the evolution of how we transition is ripe for exploitation

Fri Nov 10 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: To hell with precedent, Ireland need Zebo

Liam Toland: To hell with precedent, Ireland need Zebo

There’s not a player in Irish rugby akin to Zebo and his case should stand on its own merits

Fri Nov 03 2017 - 07:00
Are Ulster as ordinary as La Rochelle made them look?

Are Ulster as ordinary as La Rochelle made them look?

Leinster will prove a different challenge as they know how to flick the switch

Fri Oct 27 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: La Rochelle could leave Ulster in a tactical quandary

Liam Toland: La Rochelle could leave Ulster in a tactical quandary

Champions Cup new boys showed what they are made of in opener and will be a real test

Fri Oct 20 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Tadhg Furlong vital for Leinster in unlocking space

Liam Toland: Tadhg Furlong vital for Leinster in unlocking space

Irish tighthead proved a force multiplier in the victory over Munster and can do so again

Fri Oct 13 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Does the 1,3,3,1 formation add up for Munster?

Liam Toland: Does the 1,3,3,1 formation add up for Munster?

Implementing a structure for the sake of it is not enough – we need to develop skills

Fri Oct 06 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: In appreciation of the pioneer Neville Furlong

Liam Toland: In appreciation of the pioneer Neville Furlong

He will be missed by many – his family, Garryowen, and his old army rugby team-mates

Fri Sept 29 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Young players need more meaningful rugby

Liam Toland: Young players need more meaningful rugby

Being on the fringes of the school panel can mean students play precious little rugby

Fri Sept 22 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Munster must stop Scarlets causing mayhem at breakdown

Liam Toland: Munster must stop Scarlets causing mayhem at breakdown

Key to victory lies in battle of opensides

Fri May 26 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Murray’s drive likely to see him edge out Webb

Liam Toland: Murray’s drive likely to see him edge out Webb

Ireland players can improve Lions chances by overcoming Welsh rivals in Pro12 semi-finals

Fri May 19 2017 - 12:47
Liam Toland: Patient Saracens will outlast Clermont

Liam Toland: Patient Saracens will outlast Clermont

Ireland can’t compete with these European heavyweights on money but we can on resources

Fri May 12 2017 - 05:00
Liam Toland: Range of options Webb offers may appeal to Lions

Liam Toland: Range of options Webb offers may appeal to Lions

Ospreys and Wales scrumhalf not restricted by the consistent use of pre-ordained plays

Fri May 05 2017 - 06:30
Liam Toland: Bogged down by pre-ordained plays

Liam Toland: Bogged down by pre-ordained plays

Leinster and Munster needed the ‘OODA Loop’: Observe-Orientate-Decide-Act

Fri Apr 28 2017 - 11:43
Liam Toland: Stop the Vunipola boys and you stop Saracens

Liam Toland: Stop the Vunipola boys and you stop Saracens

Match up of Lions Maro Itoje and Peter O’Mahony worth the match ticket alone

Fri Apr 21 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Old Crescent young guns conquer Europe

Liam Toland: Old Crescent young guns conquer Europe

Fantastic experience as panel of 28 young lads experience a memorable trip to Portugal

Fri Apr 14 2017 - 06:20
Liam Toland: Tadhg Furlong miles ahead of the competition

Liam Toland: Tadhg Furlong miles ahead of the competition

Leinster frontrower showed the ambition Ireland need if they are to dominate

Fri Apr 07 2017 - 09:34
Liam Toland: Leinster have to skewer Wasps’ playmaking trident

Liam Toland: Leinster have to skewer Wasps’ playmaking trident

Munster must keep ball alive to fatigue a huge Toulouse pack

Fri Mar 31 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Irish lag in counter-attack play

Liam Toland: Irish lag in counter-attack play

If we want to compete with All Blacks we need to practise attacking off turnover ball

Fri Mar 24 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Ireland drained England’s confidence from the off

Liam Toland: Ireland drained England’s confidence from the off

Peter O’Mahony a key figure, but all were phenomenal, including the Aviva crowd

Mon Mar 20 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Ireland must get Stander and O’Brien into outside lanes

Liam Toland: Ireland must get Stander and O’Brien into outside lanes

Joe Schmidt’s side must play smart to disrupt England’s impressive recycle speed

Fri Mar 17 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Big changes needed if Ireland to beat England

Liam Toland: Big changes needed if Ireland to beat England

Schmidt needs to look at players and tactics against harder opposition than Wales

Mon Mar 13 2017 - 09:28
Liam Toland: Neutralise Alun Wyn Jones, neutralise Wales

Liam Toland: Neutralise Alun Wyn Jones, neutralise Wales

Ireland must test the Welsh non-pushing up defensive side and keep penalty count down

Fri Mar 10 2017 - 11:02
Liam Toland: It’s England’s fault if they aren’t well-versed with laws

Liam Toland: It’s England’s fault if they aren’t well-versed with laws

Conor O’Shea is being hailed as a genius but all he did was apply the breakdown law

Fri Mar 03 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Ireland looked like a team with a winning mindset

Liam Toland: Ireland looked like a team with a winning mindset

Allowing Murray dictate the pace and field position through his box-kicks was crucial

Mon Feb 27 2017 - 07:00
Liam Toland: Exploiting turnover ball  a key tactic for Ireland

Liam Toland: Exploiting turnover ball a key tactic for Ireland

France’s new pod system has limitations which Ireland can exploit and expose

Fri Feb 24 2017 - 07:00
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