The Irish Times

Matt Williams: Time for players to rediscover the lost art of the torpedo punt

The 50-22 law empowers attacking teams to exploit some of that crucial empty space to telling effect

Sun Sept 26 2021 - 08:00

Deciding factor: When a Lions tour hinged on the third Test

Only five times in modern British & Irish Lions history has it gone down to a third and final decider

Sat Aug 07 2021 - 06:00

Outcome of first Test will likely decide Lions’ fate

Just once since 1900 has the side triumphed after losing the opener

Sat Jul 24 2021 - 06:00

Rugby stats: Jacob Stockdale boasts Ireland’s best try-scoring strike rate

His footwork, pace, strength and ability to beat defenders make him a potent finisher

Thu Feb 04 2021 - 06:00

Matt Williams: Alexander the Great offers an important lesson for rugby coaches

Players must be given the space to push their decision-making to the point of failure

Sat Jan 02 2021 - 05:00

Johnny Watterson: Rugby’s centurions really just a modern day concept

No player that began their career prior to 1982 reached 100 caps

Thu Oct 29 2020 - 21:23

Matt Williams: Daunting task facing coaches to teach what once came naturally

Coronavirus will further limit kids’ opportunities to work on rugby’s key skills

Sat May 23 2020 - 12:05

Matt Williams: There will be nothing new in how Ireland will dominate Scotland

Andy Farrell knows tight-five domination will lay platform for more expansive game

Sat Feb 01 2020 - 13:52

Owen Doyle: Jaco Peyper’s cardinal error puts it up to the referee selectors

Photo fallout highlights the limited viable options for selecting officials in Japan

Wed Oct 23 2019 - 07:02

Schmidt v Hansen Part V: something’s got to give in Rugby World Cup quarter-final

Ireland and New Zealand have shared two wins apiece since 2013. That will change on Saturday

Thu Oct 17 2019 - 16:30

RWC moments: Hamilton’s try, so near and yet . . .

Ireland were minutes away from a Rugby World Cup semi-final in 1991

Sat Sept 14 2019 - 10:00

Gerry Thornley: Uneasy lies New Zealand’s World Cup crown

Losing to Australia will give All Blacks a jolt, but will it be enough to keep them on top?

Tue Aug 13 2019 - 14:46

Pool D: Wallabies have renewed hope after Rugby Championship

Australia’s win over the All Blacks shows they can still match anyone on their day

Fri Aug 02 2019 - 05:00

Ireland dominate nominees for Rugby Union Writers’ Club award

Joe Schmidt, Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong and Stuart Lancaster all nominated

Tue Jan 08 2019 - 16:50

Michael Cheika will lead Wallabies to Rugby World Cup in Japan

Australia head coach will have to report to a director of rugby, Scott Johnson

Mon Dec 17 2018 - 09:11

Ireland face familiar foes England in Women’s World Cup Sevens

If men beat Chile in preliminary clash they take on number-one ranked South Africa

Fri Jul 20 2018 - 07:00

What history teaches us when Lions tours go to a decider

Looking back at the 10 times when the series was still alive going into the final game

Wed Jul 05 2017 - 07:45

Conor O’Shea loving life in Italy but knows Rome wasn’t built in a day

Irishman wants his side to arrive at the next World Cup like Argentina did in 1999

Fri Feb 10 2017 - 19:29

Haka: Tradition must be abused, or at least ignored

‘Why should a side coming to Ireland get the first applause by doing a dance’

Mon Oct 31 2016 - 05:00

Liam Toland: Provinces show benefits of broadening their horizons

Munster try against Edinburgh demonstrated how they have added value to ball

Fri Sept 30 2016 - 07:00

Keith Duggan: Outsiders of Irish rugby crash through front door

Connacht have become beating heart of west – and an inspiration to their GAA brethren

Sun May 29 2016 - 18:01

Bryan Habana on course to make Rio 2016 appearance for South Africa

Toulon agree to release winger for next two rounds of World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon Feb 22 2016 - 14:17

Australia v New Zealand: a Rugby World Cup history

Ahead of next weekend’s final we look back at the rival’s three tournament meetings

Mon Oct 26 2015 - 12:00

Demoralised Samoa between Scotland and the last eight

Finn Russell returns at St James’ Park as Vern Cotter’s side look to secure second spot

Fri Oct 09 2015 - 17:50

England coaches under investigation over half-time tunnel incident

Two members of the coaching team are reported to have approached match officials

Mon Oct 05 2015 - 16:53

Matt Williams: Ireland and Italy share problem – the centres keep running in to people

Ireland can win the World Cup if the backs can start using their footwork and run straight

Sun Oct 04 2015 - 12:55

RWC #6: David Campese’s magic pass

Moment of genius helps Australia dispatch All Blacks in 1991 semi at Lansdowne Road

Sun Sept 13 2015 - 12:00

RWC #7: Michael Lynagh breaks Irish hearts

Wallabies bounce back after Gordon Hamilton’s late try to reach 1991 semi-finals

Sat Sept 12 2015 - 12:00

RWC #8: Gordon Hamilton’s try against Australia in 1991

David Campese can’t catch the Ballymena flanker as he puts Ireland on the brink of the semi-finals

Fri Sept 11 2015 - 12:00

RWC #9: Ireland finally crack the Wallabies in 2011

Australia’s World Cup hoodoo comes to an end as Irish pack dominates at Eden Park

Thu Sept 10 2015 - 12:00

RWC #11: All Blacks end 24 years of hurt in Auckland

The long, long wait for a second World Cup comes to an end against France in 2011

Tue Sept 08 2015 - 12:00

RWC #23: Time stands still as Rob Andrew sinks Australia

England outhalf nails difficult drop goal in 1995 World Cup quarter-final at Newlands

Thu Aug 27 2015 - 12:00

RWC #27: Serge Blanco magic sees France past Australia

Wallabies denied a place in inaugural World Cup final as Les Bleus upset 1987 co-hosts

Sun Aug 23 2015 - 12:00

Road Warrior: from the $32,000 ticket to healthy hotels

Flying high, workouts on the road, All Blacks as ‘Men in Black’ and airport app

Wed Aug 19 2015 - 05:45