World Cup history and versatility point to gamble on CarberyConor Murray and Johnny Sexton not at heights of 2018 but are primed for World Cup tiltSat Aug 24 2019 - 06:00
Beating England perhaps unlikely, but Ireland might settle for emerging unscathedIt may be only a warm-up, but it’s still England v Ireland, and that’s a red-hot prospectSat Aug 24 2019 - 06:00
Van der Flier believes ‘incredible’ Byrne has temperament to copeFlanker praises Ireland outhalf’s ‘steady head’ and ability to control the gameFri Aug 23 2019 - 01:00
Twickenham an imposing testing ground for Byrne and CartyOuthalves vying for a place in squad for Japan while Kleyn gets another chance to impressFri Aug 23 2019 - 01:00
Schmidt wary of the danger of suspensions due to crackdown on high tackles‘There’s always things that concern, and injury is one and suspension is the other’Fri Aug 23 2019 - 01:00
Ross Byrne at outhalf for warm-up clash with EnglandJoe Schmidt’s team take on England in their second Rugby World Cup warm-up matchThu Aug 22 2019 - 10:55
New dad Stander living the dream as World Cup beckonsMunster man and his Ireland team-mates braced for a big and bruising EnglandThu Aug 22 2019 - 05:00
Ross Byrne in line for Test debut against EnglandGerry Thornley’s probable team: Schmidt is expected to make a number of changesWed Aug 21 2019 - 18:13
Conor Murray: Twickenham warm-up will be more trial by fire‘It’s a massive game that could get away from you if you’re not up for it physically’Wed Aug 21 2019 - 06:00
Time against Joey Carbery as Ireland look at Plan B‘In some ways it’s come out of Joey’s control in relation to staking a claim for his place in the squad’Wed Aug 21 2019 - 06:00
Jacob Stockdale relishing return to Japan as things start heating upUlster winger’s second Test cap came against Japan on a boiling hot day in TokyoTue Aug 20 2019 - 17:08
Jack Carty in line for first Test start against England at TwickenhamJohnny Sexton’s anticipated return to action delayed after he sits out training sessionTue Aug 20 2019 - 15:15
Back in Black: New Zealand’s 36-0 win leaves Wallabies thunderstruckAll Blacks were on a highway to hell, but their World Cup outlook is now a whole lotta rosyTue Aug 20 2019 - 07:00
Ireland using Algarve base to acclimatise ahead of Rugby World CupSquad training in similar temperatures but replicating Japan’s humidity is impossibleTue Aug 20 2019 - 01:09
Gerry Thornley: Uneasy lies New Zealand’s World Cup crownLosing to Australia will give All Blacks a jolt, but will it be enough to keep them on top?Tue Aug 13 2019 - 14:46
Six-week lay-off leaves Joey Carbery's World Cup in jeopardyIreland and Munster outhalf facing race against time to be fit for JapanTue Aug 13 2019 - 13:17
Extent of ankle injury suffered by Joey Carbery remains unclearIreland are due to travel to Portugal for Rugby World Cup training camp on WednesdayMon Aug 12 2019 - 19:07
Cruel cull continues as Ireland’s World Cup squad whittles downMore players to be pruned from 43-man squad prior to training camp in PortugalMon Aug 12 2019 - 07:01
Ireland v Italy: Carbery injury leaves fans facing agonising waitOuthalf was the star turn for 49 minutes, but concern now is his wellbeing for World CupMon Aug 12 2019 - 06:00
Joey Carbery injury overshadows facile Italy winOuthalf a concern for World Cup after suffering injury at the Aviva StadiumSat Aug 10 2019 - 16:25
Farrell open-minded over Ireland World Cup squad selection as warm-ups beginTask of narrowing down squad will be ‘really difficult’, says incoming Ireland head coachSat Aug 10 2019 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Ireland's shambolic first Rugby World Cup stepsMichael Kiernan recalls Ireland’s preparation for the inaugural 1987 competition, an event the IRFU didn't want to enterSat Aug 10 2019 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Opportunity knocks for World Cup hopefulsWarm-up clash against Italy a chance to press their case for a place in 31-man squadFri Aug 09 2019 - 06:00
James Ryan wins Rugby Writers Player of the Year awardJoe Schmidt wins Tom Rooney award while Ciara Griffin named Women’s Player of YearThu Aug 08 2019 - 01:00
Overdue Ireland opportunity knocks for Tommy O’DonnellInjury-prone player grateful to be given chance to impress in World Cup warm-upsWed Aug 07 2019 - 07:00
Greg Feek and company ponder prop posers as World Cup loomsVersatility could help press the case of the likes of Ryan, Porter and BealhamWed Aug 07 2019 - 06:30
Joe Schmidt returns to New Zealand after family bereavmentIreland manager has left training camp as squad prepare for first warm-up matchTue Aug 06 2019 - 14:28
Gerry Thornley: World Cup warm-ups a necessary evilIf Ireland can swerve injuries, pre-tournament fixtures will have served a purposeTue Aug 06 2019 - 13:33
Further cuts to be applied to Irish RWC squad next weekIn what seems like death by a thousand cuts, Dillane and Scannell are the first to goMon Aug 05 2019 - 15:29
Gerry Thornley: Hemispheres take different routes to global collision in JapanSix Nations left Ireland with plenty to ponder as they prepare for their warm-up gamesSat Aug 03 2019 - 06:00
Shane Horgan believes Ireland must not be too ‘Johnnycentric’ at World CupFormer Ireland winger sees Joey Carbery as the perfect second playmaker in JapanThu Aug 01 2019 - 15:38
Ronan O’Gara: World Cup history makes mental game key for IrelandFormer Ireland outhalf looks back on the mistakes made in 2011 and 2003Tue Jul 30 2019 - 06:00
Ronan O’Gara still discovering his best coaching talentsFormer Ireland outhalf is now La Rochelle head coach after spell with CrusadersMon Jul 29 2019 - 14:40
Barnhall celebrate reaching 50 not outJoe Schmidt and Trevor Brennan will be on hand at 50th anniversary gala dinnerWed Jun 12 2019 - 11:59
Gerry Thornley’s end of term report: Did Ireland's peaks come too early?Rugby correspondent runs the rule over the season for Ireland and the four provincesSat Jun 01 2019 - 06:30
Gerry Thornley: Ireland’s initial World Cup squad follows predictable linesThe inclusion of uncapped Munster duo Kleyn and Haley the most eye-catchingWed May 29 2019 - 06:39
Gerry Thornley: Seán O’Brien had that rare quality of making others play betterIreland have been dealt a significant blow in losing Tullow Tank in addition to Dan LeavyTue May 28 2019 - 07:00
Rob Kearney agrees nine-month extension to stay at LeinsterFull back was looking for two-year contract during negotiationsMon May 27 2019 - 19:15
World Rugby issues new guidelines on high tackles and shoulder chargesFramework allows less leeway for referees to make judgment callsMon May 27 2019 - 18:46
Paradise regained as Leinster win the bigger moments in Pro14 finalChampions use all their finals experience in a far from perfect display in GlasgowMon May 27 2019 - 07:00
Pain of defeat spurred Leinster towards redemption in Pro14 finalLoss to Saracens in Champions Cup threatened to derail remainder of seasonMon May 27 2019 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: O’Brien denied third World Cup experienceAnother hip operation set to bring down the curtain on the flanker’s international careerMon May 27 2019 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Sexton delighted to give Seán O’Brien fitting farewell‘He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with. As a forward, I’d say he’s the best’Sat May 25 2019 - 22:24
Leinster get down and dirty to hold on to their prize in ParadiseLeo Cullen’s side take sixth title in front of record final attendance at Celtic ParkSat May 25 2019 - 21:26
Dave Rennie busy fine-tuning Glasgow powerhouseEx-Waikato Chiefs head coach has overseen a marked improvement in Scottish clubSat May 25 2019 - 11:07
Leinster are both hunters and hunted as they chase sixth titleScene is set at Celtic Park for historic final between high-calibre attacking sidesSat May 25 2019 - 06:00
Tadhg Furlong's farming strength has him in good Irish frontrow companyJohn Hayes and Mike Ross were as durable as tree trunks, and Furlong is showing same signsSat May 25 2019 - 06:00
Leo Cullen offers apology to anyone offended by ‘throwaway remark’Leinster coach had suggested Glasgow Warriors had Rangers fans in their ranksFri May 24 2019 - 15:25
Nucifora sets Ireland target of at least a semi-final in Rugby World CupIRFU performance director says outgoing coach Schmidt very focused on final taskFri May 24 2019 - 06:00
Salaries of Men’s Sevens players to remain below minimum wageBasic salary of €18,000 ‘equivalent of a development contract’ says IRFUFri May 24 2019 - 01:00
