The Irish Times

Leinster blast past poor Montpellier on long-awaited return

Irish province notches 13 tries in impressive display in first fixture in over a month

Sun Jan 16 2022 - 16:10

Leinster determined to set the record straight at Montpellier’s expense

Cullen’s side will be highly motivated by controversial walkover which still rankles

Fri Jan 14 2022 - 20:45

Owen Doyle: Referee Luke Pearce far from perfect in fraught final

Referee was never far from the centre of attention, some of his own making, some not

Tue May 25 2021 - 01:00

Rhys Ruddock the dominant force in Leinster’s bonus-point victory

The brightest note of all was Dan Leavy’s return to the Champions Cup

Mon Dec 14 2020 - 06:00

Leinster impress in European opener as pack set the tone early in Montpellier

Five-try victory for Irish province sees Dan Leavy secure the bonus point in France

Sat Dec 12 2020 - 19:43

Ireland wary of Peyper calling the tune as they head for Twickenham

John O'Sullivan: South African referee has made some controversial calls in the past

Thu Feb 20 2020 - 07:00

Gerry Thornley: Japan World Cup reminds rugby of its core values

South Africa emerge deserving winners from open tournament made by hosts’ enthusiasm

Tue Nov 05 2019 - 06:30

Wales fight back from the brink to deny 14-man France

Vahaamahina’s red card proves crucial as Moriarty breaks French hearts at the last

Sun Oct 20 2019 - 11:55

Antoine Dupont fit to start for France against Wales

Captain Guilhem Guirado returns to side with Gael Fickou also back in midfieler

Fri Oct 18 2019 - 09:21

Lopez the hero as France withstand Argentina’s second-half comeback

Late drop goal seals victory as Pumas fume over referee Gardner’s performance

Sun Sept 22 2019 - 15:00

Rugby World Cup: France scrape over the line against Argentina

Argentina miss last gasp penalty as France remain masters of illusion, and disillusion

Sat Sept 21 2019 - 12:16

Rugby World Cup: Argentina seek to stun France in battle of the unpredictables

French head coach Jacques Brunel believes second half will be decisive in close game

Fri Sept 20 2019 - 21:19

Veteran number eight Louis Picamoles included in France’s World Cup squad

Francois Cros, Felix Lambey and Romain Taofifenua among those to miss out

Mon Sept 02 2019 - 21:08

Five things we learned: France fall into Ireland’s traps

Referee undermines his final warning to French by refusing to follow through on it

Mon Mar 11 2019 - 19:00

Ireland 26 France 14: France player ratings

Felix Lambey’s performance is a silver lining on a bleak day for French rugby in Dublin

Sun Mar 10 2019 - 18:11

Ireland find cold comfort against France

Four tries for Joe Schmidt’s side secured a bonus point ahead of final trip to Cardiff

Sun Mar 10 2019 - 13:56

Unchanged French side slightly unnerving for Ireland

First France coach to name the same team for successive Tests since 2012

Wed Mar 06 2019 - 05:30

France stick with the same team that beat Scotland

Jacques Brunel has retained the same French matchday 23 for the trip to Dublin

Tue Mar 05 2019 - 08:21

No shortage of advice for Brunel as he juggles his options again

Critics claim France coach’s chopping and changing means he is unsure of his best backline

Tue Mar 05 2019 - 06:00

Jacques Brunel and France turn to youth for visit of Scotland

Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack in the halfbacks with Parra and Lopez dropped

Tue Feb 19 2019 - 11:50

Sebastien Vahaamahina: ‘I did not even know I was captain’

Ref Wayne Barnes had to inform player he had become skipper during France’s defeat to Wales

Mon Feb 04 2019 - 19:58

Six Nations 2019: Brunel and France looking for youthful revival

Les Bleus endured a torrid 2018 but can call on exciting crop of junior world champions

Fri Feb 01 2019 - 07:00

Six Nations: Logic points to Welsh win but doesn’t apply to France

Unpredictable les bleus will fired up and keen to redeem themselves after Fiji upset

Fri Feb 01 2019 - 06:30

Edinburgh close in on last eight with victory in Toulon

Richard Cockerill’s team on the brink after earning memorable win in Stade Mayol

Sat Jan 12 2019 - 20:52

Fiji stun France with historic victory at the Stade de France

Pacific islands secure first win over Les Bleus after dramatic encounter in Paris

Sat Nov 24 2018 - 22:42

Thomas grabs two tries as France end losing run with win over Argentina

Les Bleus end five-game losing streak after scrappy win in Lille

Sat Nov 17 2018 - 22:21

Gerry Thornley: Results have vindicated increased use of TMOs

Analysis of video replays has ensured many more correct decisions than wrong ones

Sat Apr 07 2018 - 06:00

What we learned from the Champions Cup weekend

Zebo fortunate, durable Sexton, O’Mahony’s lineout nous, Arnold and O’Donoghue impress

Mon Apr 02 2018 - 19:30

Drama kings Munster complete another white-knuckle ride

Conor Murray and Andrew Conway score tries with Munster six points adrift of Toulon

Mon Apr 02 2018 - 06:00

Munster’s giant slayers win epic battle with Toulon

Stunning late Andrew Conway try seals place in Champions Cup semi-finals for Munster

Sat Mar 31 2018 - 17:57

Only Munster's best will do against Toulon's galacticos

Province’s collective effort may need to add to more than the individual parts to foil French giants

Sat Mar 31 2018 - 06:00

Van Graan says Toulon can be beaten ‘the Munster way’

On paper the odds appear stacked against Munster - until Thomond Park factor kicks in

Tue Mar 27 2018 - 01:00

Simon Zebo still ‘touch and go’ to be fit for Toulon

Toulon will travel to Thomond Park on the back of 49-0 win over Clermont

Mon Mar 26 2018 - 15:14

Gerry Thornley’s Six Nations team of the tournament

After a Six Nations that will go down in the annals of history, Gerry Thornley selects his XV

Mon Mar 19 2018 - 17:17