The Irish Times

Gerry Thornley: Captain’s challenge worth the trial but it’s time to scrap it

Drawn-out unsatisfactory endgame in Thomond Park may serve as a salutary warning

Tue Jun 01 2021 - 06:00

Six Nations 2021: Gerry Thornley’s team of the tournament

Ireland’s strong end to the tournament reflected in selection

Tue Mar 23 2021 - 06:00

Ireland’s CJ Stander announces shock retirement at the end of the season

30-year-old Munster and Lions number eight to hang up boots at the end of current deal

Tue Mar 16 2021 - 10:53

Gerry Thornley: Maybe the new Ireland could do with a little of the old detail

It’s one thing looking blunt against England, another altogether against Georgia

Tue Dec 01 2020 - 06:00

Irish professional rugby players face an anxious Christmas

Agent Niall Woods explains IRFU blocking provinces from negotiating new contracts

Mon Nov 30 2020 - 06:00

Ireland 23 Georgia 10: How the Irish players rated

Gavin Cummiskey runs the rule over Andy Farrell’s side after a laboured victory

Sun Nov 29 2020 - 16:38

Gerry Thornley’s Six Nations team of the tournament

Our rugby correspondent looks at the players who impressed in this year’s fractured tournament

Mon Nov 02 2020 - 19:00

CJ Stander ready for Italy after lockdown sheep battles

Ireland player says interpretation of new breakdown laws has helped his game

Wed Oct 21 2020 - 06:00

Irish pack must expose the weakness in England’s backrow

Six Nations: England backrow feels incomplete without phenomenal Vunipola

Sat Feb 22 2020 - 07:00

Rugby Statistics: Ireland’s ruck ball far more effective without being faster

Tweaks in breakdown personnel and the fine form of CJ Stander inspired win over Wales

Thu Feb 13 2020 - 06:00

Rugby stars line out with Focus Ireland to take on homelessness

CJ Stander: ‘Whatever we can do to help, even just to get someone out of the cold’

Sun Dec 22 2019 - 21:04

CJ Stander: Saracens dangerous in wake of salary cap saga

Munser number eight under no illusions of the threat posed by European champions

Fri Dec 06 2019 - 06:00

Rugby World Cup quarter-final: Ireland v New Zealand - Ireland player profiles

Patrick Madden looks at Joe Schmidt’s side as they face down the world champions

Fri Oct 18 2019 - 06:00

Japan 19 Ireland 12: How the Ireland team rated in Shizuoka

Gavin Cummiskey hands out the marks after a humbling night for Joe Schmidt’s side

Sat Sept 28 2019 - 11:48

Joe Schmidt hits back at Gus Pichot over selection of residency players

‘For us it is tough enough to do our job and tough enough for me to have a conversation as I did with Dev’

Tue Sept 03 2019 - 15:03

New dad Stander living the dream as World Cup beckons

Munster man and his Ireland team-mates braced for a big and bruising England

Thu Aug 22 2019 - 05:00

CJ Stander comes through the pain barrier to return for Ireland

Cheekbone and eye socket fractures suffered against England won’t stop the number eight

Thu Mar 07 2019 - 06:00

Munster set to be without Conor Murray, says van Graan

Coach doesn't expect Ireland scrum-half to be available for Scarlets on Saturday

Tue Feb 26 2019 - 01:00

Joe Schmidt has a number of selection puzzles to solve

Injuries to CJ Stander, Keith Earls, Devin Toner and Garry Ringrose could see changes v Scotland

Tue Feb 05 2019 - 06:00

Arno Botha happy to stand with CJ Stander at Munster

Backrowers came through ranks together at Bulls but were never friends until now

Thu Nov 29 2018 - 06:00

Schmidt's 42-man Ireland squad looks like landmark on road to World Cup

Uncapped Ross Byrne, Will Addison and Sam Arnold called up for November

Thu Oct 25 2018 - 07:31

CJ Stander expecting big response as Ireland go ‘back to zero’

Munster stalwart convinced tourists will prove a different proposition next weekend

Tue Jun 12 2018 - 06:00

Bundee Aki: ‘Whenever I put on that shirt I try and do the country proud’

Huge family support for centre on Australia tour – but getting tickets for them all will be tough

Thu Jun 07 2018 - 06:00

All smiles, Donnacha Ryan shines in the spotlight at Racing 92

‘He brings a very high level with a lot of intensity and precision,’ says Laurent Travers

Sat May 12 2018 - 03:00

Munster and Dan Goggin hit the ground running in South Africa

Injury to James Cronin is the only downside to Munster's bonus-point victory

Mon Apr 09 2018 - 06:00

Munster claim bonus point on successful South African debut

Johann van Graan’s side run in six tries; prop James Cronin suffers injury setback

Sat Apr 07 2018 - 21:24

CJ Stander to captain Munster in his native George

Much-changed Munster retain only five players from Toulon win for Pro14 clash

Fri Apr 06 2018 - 12:29

CJ Stander’s sights swivel from title celebrations to Slam dunk

South African-born forward expects England backlash after their defeats to Scotland and France

Wed Mar 14 2018 - 06:00

CJ Stander: We have options to deal with backrow injuries

Number eight cites the performance of Dan Leavy off the bench at Stade de France

Tue Feb 06 2018 - 06:00

CJ Stander says staying with Munster an ‘easy decision’

South African targeting silverware with province and World Cup with Ireland

Thu Jan 04 2018 - 06:12

Ireland v Argentina: Ireland player profiles

James Ryan and Adam Byrne are set for debuts in a team made up of 14 changes

Fri Nov 24 2017 - 18:03

CJ Stander happy with his return to form against South Africa

Munster number eight believes new coach Johann van Graan will hit the ground running

Wed Nov 15 2017 - 06:00

Munster hope to benefit from Lions’ roar in Cardiff Blues clash

Return of Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander could hardly be more timely

Sat Sept 30 2017 - 01:00

Gerry Thornley’s Lions Tour player ratings

Our rugby correspondent hands out the marks after drawn series against All Blacks

Mon Jul 10 2017 - 18:00