Munster blocking out external criticism after much-needed Ulster win

Province’s style of play came in for heavy criticism after Connacht loss last weekend

The Offload: John O’Sullivan’s order of merit for 2021

The players, the try, the tackle and the moments of the rugby year

Ulster secure bonus-point win despite never shaking Saints off their tails

Stuart McCloskey and Iain Henderson both forced off with injury for home side

One tackle and he’s one of us – James Lowe must think we are very odd

Lowe was up against it because at heart, we all know the residency rule is a bit of a cod

Iain Henderson returns to Ireland secondrow for New Zealand clash

Andy Farrell: ‘We’re coming up against a different beast . . . It’s a challenge we get excited about’

Connacht’s fire and fury ignites their season as Ulster brushed aside with ease

Head coach Andy Friend calls Aviva Stadium experiment a success after big bonus-point win

Nathan Doak comes up trumps again as Ulster collect late bonus point

Dan McFarland’s keep up perfect start on the back of strong first half

Ulster should have too much for improving Benetton in Belfast

Despite injury problems Dan McFarland’s side have started season in fine form

Milestone beckons for Rob Herring as Ulster seek third win

Hooker in line to make his 200th appearance for the province against Benetton

Much-changed line-up for Ulster on welcome trip to sunny Parma

URC preview: Meeting with Zebre is first competitive start for scrum-half Nathan Doak

Ulster secure bonus-point win but fall over the line in the end

Dan McFarland’s side get off to winning start in the United Rugby Championship

Ulster looking to bring the flare as Kingspan gets ready to roar again

A crowd of 15,000 is allowed for Friday’s United Rugby Championship opener

Andy Farrell surprised by speed of James Ryan’s recovery

Injury had seemingly ruled James Ryan out of Lions call-up

James Ryan and Joey Carbery in Ireland side to face Japan

Andy Farrell selects strongest side at his disposal for match in Dublin

Sexton excused as 11 uncapped players in Ireland squad

Harry Byrne, Carbery and Burns are the three outhalves selected for summer series

Gordon D'Arcy: James Ryan is not getting the best out of his skillset

Likes of Ryan, Ringrose and Stockdale could not quite grasp opportunity when it counted

Ulster’s power game finally comes good as Northampton felled on home turf

Tries from John Cooney and Jacob Stockdale in the final quarter seals the win

Ireland 32 England 18: Ireland player ratings

Johnny Watterson hands out the marks after an inspirational Six Nations win in Dublin

England look to hold all the cards for final day showdown with Ireland

Eddie Jones’s side comes to Dublin looking to make it five wins in a row against Ireland

Jacob Stockdale one of six new faces in Ireland team

Andy Farrell names his Irish team for the final match of the 2021 Six Nations

Proud Farrell relieved as Ireland prevail in fraught endgame

Ryan a major concern for England clash having suffered another head injury

Farrell’s early record as Ireland coach in shadow of Schmidt and Kidney

Ireland’s progress as a rugby nation has stalled since 2018, we’re now ranked seventh

Hard-nosed Ireland have the means to halt Scotland’s momentum

Establishing forward dominance could prove crucial in stymieing Hogg/Russell influence

Andy Farrell explains his team selection for Scotland match

Some tight calls went the way of Jamison Gibson-Park and Rob Herring

Jamison Gibson-Park retained in Ireland team for trip to Edinburgh

Andy Farrell picks his team for Sunday’s Six Nations game away to Scotland

Gibson-Park likely to keep Murray out of Ireland XV for Murrayfield trip

Possible changes in frontrow could see Cian Healy and Rob Herring return

Ulster’s Pro14 season reaches familiar point of no return

In 15-year trophy drought, no team has proven more of a bugbear than Leinster

Ireland find their clinical edge to put 48 points past Italy

Andy Farrell’s team win their first match against ragged and ill-disciplined hosts

Italy 10 Ireland 48: Ireland player ratings

Johnny Watterson hands out the marks after Ireland’s first win of this year’s Six Nations

New Ireland frontrow among expected changes for Italy trip

Ryan Baird and Craig Casey in line to make their Test debuts off the bench

Ireland v France: Henderson set to replace Ryan with Ruddock to start

Ruddock to come in for first Six Nations start in place of suspended Peter O’Mahony

Six Nations Miscellany: Portrait of the Artist as a rugby fan

Willie John’s debut; Beirne’s ruck rating; Thomas stars despite Racing exit

Paul O’Connell steels Irish for pilfering down the human tunnel

Assistant coach’s lineout expertise was evident from early on

Wales 21 Ireland 16: How the Irish players rated

John O’Sullivan hands out the marks after Ireland’s latest defeat in Cardiff

James Lowe and Hugo Keenan in line to start for Ireland against Wales

Big issue is lack of game time as Ireland manager unveils his matchday 23 against Wales

Ulster sign Nakarawa as Madigan and Herring extend deals

Fijian joins on one-year deal while Madigan and Herring commit to province until 2023

Leinster’s potent pack turn screw after break to help land bonus point

Bonus-point statement win has halved Ulster’s 10-point lead atop Conference A

Scannell and Tracy both looking to push on with international ambitions

Munster and Leinster hookers in line for St Stephen’s Day meeting at Thomond Park

Ulster suffer late heartbreak as Gloucester clinch it at the death

George Barton’s late try denies visitors the victory as they take home two points

Cheslin Kolbe and Toulouse repeat the dose as Ulster miss opportunity

South African winger makes it four tries in two games after Belfast double

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