Intense nature of back-to-back Heineken Cup ties will prove pivotalNorthampton host Leinster on Saturday for a reprisal of their memorable 2011 finalThu Dec 05 2013 - 01:00
Rob Penney in happy place as Munster are ‘masters of our own destiny’Coach confirmed he was in discussions about a new contract at MunsterThu Dec 05 2013 - 01:00
Tommy Bowe sidelined for up to six weeks with groin injuryMunster have also been hit by injuries for their back-to-back matches against PerpignanWed Dec 04 2013 - 01:00
Return of Johann Muller and Ruan Pienaar offsets loss of Tommy Bowe and Rory BestAnscombe wary of Italian opposition for what he calls a ‘must win’ gameWed Dec 04 2013 - 01:00
Southern heavyweights still rule the roostOne win out of a dozen matches underlines the customary gapTue Dec 03 2013 - 01:00
Leinster face losing Martin Moore as French and English clubs circlePromising tighthead prop has attracted interest from Racing Metro, Castres and ExeterTue Dec 03 2013 - 01:00
From ‘perfect start’ to darkest finaleMinutes away from an historic triumph – then all Ireland’s good work came to noughtSat Nov 30 2013 - 01:01
ERC-run Heineken Cup to go ahead next seasonAnglo-French plan for breakaway European club competition looks in tattersFri Nov 29 2013 - 01:00
Sunday’s narrow loss to best team in world showed anything is possibleNigel Owens a key figure in a classic contest and another dramatic endgameTue Nov 26 2013 - 01:00
Irish hearts broken by All Blacks’ last gaspIreland’s epic performance goes unrewarded in a remarkable gameMon Nov 25 2013 - 01:02
Famous victory turns to sickening defeat as Ireland are caught at the death by the All BlacksLast second try and twice taken conversion allow New Zealand to snatch a winMon Nov 25 2013 - 01:00
History suggests Ireland facing a glorious defeatOne chink of light may be that The All Blacks are showing signs of wearinessSun Nov 24 2013 - 13:09
Easy part over as Conor Murray gets set for the hard work after an impressive start to his careerIreland’s scrum-half is eager for the game against the All Blacks to beginSat Nov 23 2013 - 01:00
All Blacks beatable - but Ireland may tackle a glorious defeatShould players even show up? Well, of course they should, for every team is beatableSat Nov 23 2013 - 01:00
Sexton and O’Driscoll on track to startBulk of the side beaten by Australia are set to be given a shot at redemptionFri Nov 22 2013 - 01:00
Five Unions resolve to press ahead with a pan-European tournament next seasonIt’s clearly a statement of intent in their resolution to retain governance of European club rugbyFri Nov 22 2013 - 01:00
Kieran Read all about staying at the topThe number eight and his side have hit new heights in the last yearThu Nov 21 2013 - 01:00
Brian O’Driscoll hopes last clash with New Zealand is the charmDespite 13 defeats, the centre is still excited to face the All BlacksWed Nov 20 2013 - 01:00
Sexton and Kearney will be given every chance face New ZealandMcFadden ruled out while O’Driscoll nurses calf problem for one last crack at the All BlacksWed Nov 20 2013 - 01:00
For Six Nations not to introduce PSCA protocal would be a dereliction of dutyHow can leaving the player on the field of play be preferable to a five-minute concussion assessment?Tue Nov 19 2013 - 12:00
McFadden hand fracture adds to Ireland’s tale of injury woeIreland are already missing three wingers – Simon Zebo, Keith Earls and Craig GilroyTue Nov 19 2013 - 07:49
Unions to meet in Dublin to draw up plans for Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge CupCompetitions will not include English clubsTue Nov 19 2013 - 01:00
Plenty of pain for Ireland and Joe Schmidt with very little gainJonathan Sexton could be out for six weeks with suspected Grade Two hamstring tearMon Nov 18 2013 - 01:02
Irish fault lines well and truly exposed by Australia’s seismic performanceScale of defeat highlights size of task facing Joe SchmidtMon Nov 18 2013 - 01:00
No matter where he plays, Seán O’Brien will have Australia at sixes and sevensHappy anywhere in the backrow, seven is nonetheless his favourite positionSat Nov 16 2013 - 01:00
Focused Irish look poised to tie faltering Wallabies downWith two attacking teams going hard at it, the home side’s defensive work will be crucialSat Nov 16 2013 - 01:00
No untouchables on Joe’s watchCoach seeks to grow the collective against one of the world powers in international rugbyFri Nov 15 2013 - 01:00
Eoin Reddan could be Joe Schmidt’s most surprising selectionCoach likely to make up to six changes to face WallabiesThu Nov 14 2013 - 01:00
Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll to line out together for first time since 2011Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien and Jonathan Sexton expected to return to starting line-upWed Nov 13 2013 - 01:03
Les Kiss can see signs that ‘good mate’ Ewen McKenzie has Australia building nicelyIreland defence coach worked with Aussie supremo for five years at the WaratahsWed Nov 13 2013 - 01:00
Wallabies’ coach with conviction and talismanic outhalf leading way back to topWith McKenzie at the helm and Cooper his chief strategist, Australia are in good handsTue Nov 12 2013 - 12:00
Ewen McKenzie stands tough as Wallabies walk tall in the face of adversityAustralia have to battle All-Blacks, Springboks and the lure of other sports at homeTue Nov 12 2013 - 09:39
Pierre Camou reputedly ready to offer French clubs €2 million to play in HCPresident of FFR is meeting Anglo-French clubs’ drive for a Rugby Champions Cup head onTue Nov 12 2013 - 01:00
Undercooked Ireland needed this warm-upJoe Schmidt says his side have to improve after untidy showing against SamoaMon Nov 11 2013 - 01:02
Ireland prove too powerful for southern hemisphere visitorsPossession kicked away too often by home sideMon Nov 11 2013 - 01:00
New era dawns for Irish rugby as Schmidt takes chargeFitting sense of occasion to mark the onset of the Joe Schmidt eraSat Nov 09 2013 - 17:32
Back to his Best after the worst of daysUlster hooker bounces back from Lions tour with spring in his step for autumn TestsSat Nov 09 2013 - 01:00
Schmidt shows his hand with a balanced selectionHeaslip to lead side with O’Connell on the bench as coach keeps a few aces in reserveFri Nov 08 2013 - 01:00
Jamie Heaslip first among equals when it comes to captaining Ireland against SamoaInjuries mean Leinster man should get the nod as doubts surround Paul O’Connell and Johnny SextonThu Nov 07 2013 - 14:27
Number one at number 10New Zealand outhalf Dan Carter has been the game’s most valuable player in the professional eraWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:58
No shame in close-call defeat to SpringboksFrom the archives: Brian O’Driscoll v South AfricaWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:31
Late heroics earn Ireland a draw at Croke ParkFrom the archives: Brian O’Driscoll v AustraliaWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:26
A first task for no ordinary Joe as Schmidt gears up for November seriesThe arrival of a new coach of undoubted quality has increased Irish expectations, writes Gerry ThornleyWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:25
Spear tackle leaves Lions captain’s tour in tattersFrom the archives: Brian O’Driscoll v New ZealandWed Nov 06 2013 - 13:21
Joe Schmidt’s plans up in the air againJonathan Sexton sits out training while Paul O’Connell has restricted roleWed Nov 06 2013 - 01:00
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset’s comments look a significant development in riftWell-placed sources maintain Pierre Camou is working assiduously toward saving the ERC-run tournamentTue Nov 05 2013 - 12:00
Paul O’Connell and Johnny Sexton look set to face SamoaEncouraging week for the Irish management as injuries clear upTue Nov 05 2013 - 01:00
Munster look to have enough in reserve for OspreysHard-fought win in Glasgow proves Rob Penney’s men are moving in right directionSat Nov 02 2013 - 00:11
Joe Schmidt optimistic Brian O’Driscoll will play in all three TestsIreland coach will be guided by former captain but says he’s fresh and raring to goFri Nov 01 2013 - 01:00
Les Kiss happy to rise to the challengeIrish defence coach says facing three sides ranked above Ireland in the world is ‘a little scary’Fri Nov 01 2013 - 01:00
