Gerry Thornley

Rugby Correspondent

Gerry Thornley is Rugby Correspondent of The Irish Times

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Leinster beat La Rochelle in classic thanks to Harry Byrne’s late kick

An unforgettable climax to a pulsating Champions Cup game between two great rivals

Sat Jan 10 2026 - 20:13

AIL previews: Vengeance in the air as recent rivals meet again

This weekend sees return fixtures for the pre-Christmas ninth round pairings

Sat Jan 10 2026 - 06:00

Suddenly, Leinster look a little short on firepower for La Rochelle grudge match

Leo Cullen fields sprinkling of youngsters and fringe players as province targets latest defeat of French rivals

Sat Jan 10 2026 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley: Champions Cup stays relevant with sprinkling of blockbuster matchups

Leinster host La Rochelle before Northampton take on Bordeaux-Bègles in a feast of club rugby

Fri Jan 09 2026 - 18:54

Leo Cullen confirms Leinster in talks for Joey Carbery return

Outhalf departed Leinster for rivals Munster in 2018 before joining Bordeaux-Bègles in 2024

Fri Jan 09 2026 - 15:31

Leinster’s Ciarán Frawley to join Connacht from next season

Versatile back looking for more playing opportunities to break into Andy Farrell’s Ireland team at outhalf

Mon Dec 22 2025 - 15:33

Connacht’s Sean Jansen on the verge of special things

Kiwi is proud of his Irish heritage and likes `shooting as high as possible’

Sat Dec 20 2025 - 06:00

Leinster looking to make up lost ground as Ulster come a calling with big ambitions

Leo Cullen’s side are five points behind Ulster in the table after mixed start to URC title defence

Fri Dec 19 2025 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley: Things have truly become nonsensical in the Champions Cup

Things have truly become nonsensical when it’s easier to qualify from the pool stages than be eliminated

Tue Dec 16 2025 - 06:00

Munster still striving to reach levels of performance demanded, McMillan admits

Side could heave a sigh of relief after subduing Gloucester for a 31-3 win at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday

Mon Dec 15 2025 - 06:00

Munster finally let the game come to them in bonus-point win over Gloucester

Páirc Uí Chaoimh encounter proved frustrating for players and fans alike until home side finally found their rhythm

Mon Dec 15 2025 - 06:00

Clontarf celebrate on the double with victory over Ballynahinch in Bateman Cup

AIL round-up: Comeback win means north Dublin club will also be top of Division 1A for Christmas

Sun Dec 14 2025 - 17:22

Clayton McMillan says Munster guilty of trying to force things against Gloucester

Head coach happy to get off the mark in Europe but says says his side ‘could have been a lot better’

Sat Dec 13 2025 - 21:17

AIL preview: Unbeaten Clontarf look to add their name to Bateman Cup in final against Ballynahinch

’Tarf play their first Bateman final in a decade, with game televised live on irishrugby+

Sat Dec 13 2025 - 06:00

Edwin Edogbo ready to make stamp on Munster after overcoming injury woes

Irish lock on his pride for Cobh and changing focus from tennis to rugby