The Irish Times

Champions Cup lowdown: Irish pools broken down, players to watch and betting guide

Leinster and Ulster both face two French sides in pool stages

Wed Jun 29 2016 - 16:55

Stuart Olding determined to seize day with Ireland

Centre eager to play his part in the Ulster resurgence in Irish backline

Sat Jun 18 2016 - 06:01

Ireland international James Downey to retire from rugby

Wasps centre to take up career in financial world following 13-year professional career

Wed May 18 2016 - 15:25

Friends in media, politics gather for James Downey funeral

Journalist decided ‘he could wait no longer for government to be formed’, mourners told

Sat Apr 23 2016 - 18:12

Diarmaid Ferriter: James Downey took the long view

But he believed the answers to Ireland’s problems lay in the here and now

Sat Apr 23 2016 - 00:39

Former ‘Irish Times’ deputy editor James Downey dies

Distinguished journalist began career at ‘Sligo Champion’ before moving to Dublin

Thu Apr 21 2016 - 01:00

Brendan Macken signs deal to move to Wasps

Centre ends five years with Leinster to join English club

Fri May 22 2015 - 14:59

Ireland tickets sales reach 35,000 for World Cup warm-ups

Healy, O’Brien and Nick McCarthy added to Leinster roster for Champions Cup

Wed Mar 25 2015 - 09:21

Former Munster centre James Downey joins Wasps on loan deal

Willie Faloon will leave Connacht and return to his native Ulster for the 2015/16 season

Tue Feb 10 2015 - 14:27

Ulster aiming to halt Glasgow’s momentum

New head coach Neil Doak plumps for Ian Humphreys at outhalf in place of the sidelined Paddy Jackson

Sat Oct 11 2014 - 01:00

Unbeaten Connacht face unbeaten Glasgow

Two of the three Pro12 sides who have won their opening matches face each other

Fri Sept 26 2014 - 01:00

Local hero Anthony Foley ready to make Munster more consistent

Home coaching ticket wants to make the province more direct

Sat Aug 30 2014 - 05:00

James Downey signs two-year Glasgow Warriors deal

The 33 year old centre leaves Munster and will hook up with his new team-mates in France

Fri Jun 27 2014 - 09:56

Munster’s season ends early at the hands of Glasgow

Rob Penney’s side beaten by narrowest of margins as Scots reach a first Pro 12 final

Fri May 16 2014 - 22:54

Ulster take advantage of error-strewn Munster

Rob Penney’s side travel to Glasgow for tough semi-final clash

Sat May 10 2014 - 20:52

Munster bring in Andrew Smith from Brumbies

Greg Feek also appointed Ireland’s scrum coach, Connacht make two new signings

Thu May 01 2014 - 10:50

Toulon march on after Munster’s brave effort comes up short

Simon Zebo scores only try of Heineken Cup semi-final in Marseille

Sun Apr 27 2014 - 18:30

Munster must engage Toulon in warfare long before the inevitable ruck

To do so they must recognise their weaknesses and play to their strengths

Fri Apr 25 2014 - 12:00

Munster seal bonus-point win over Connacht in Galway

Conor Murray comes on as replacement outhalf as thoughts turn to Toulon

Sat Apr 19 2014 - 21:13

Munster lose unbeaten record at Thomond Park

Glasgow deserving winners as Rob Penney’s side brought back to earth with a bump

Sat Apr 12 2014 - 20:58

Munster make seven changes to face Glasgow

Peter O’Mahony’s operation a ‘great success’, says Rob Penney

Fri Apr 11 2014 - 13:17

Three wins can set up a famous final four

Munster tackle Toulouse first with Aviva Stadium semi-final places within grasp

Sat Apr 05 2014 - 01:00

Peter O’Mahony cleared to face Toulouse

Munster make just two changes with O’Mahony and James Downey back in the side

Fri Apr 04 2014 - 12:34

Munster entering key period with Penney’s extended goodbye and Foley’s succession

Foley in tricky situation but winning, starting on Saturday, would make things easier

Wed Mar 26 2014 - 15:35

Wary Rob Penney sends out a warning shot to his players

Head coach knows a big improvement will be required against Leinster next Saturday as Munster go second in Pro12 table

Mon Mar 24 2014 - 01:00

Munster see off Treviso to move back into second spot

Tries from Keith Earls and James Downey in scrappy Thomond Park clash

Sat Mar 22 2014 - 21:53

Munster back on top with Ospreys win

Rob Penney’s side run in three tries to pick up a victory at Liberty Stadium

Sun Feb 23 2014 - 18:34

Munster boosted by return of Ireland trio for Ospreys game

Donnacha Ryan and Tommy O’Donnell both start in the pack, as fullback Felix Jones returns

Fri Feb 21 2014 - 12:56

Simon Zebo named at fullback for Munster’s clash with Cardiff

Rob Penney makes nine changes for Thomond Park encounter, James Coughlan named captain

Fri Feb 07 2014 - 12:52

Technology’s growing influence in the game

To gain an edge on and off the pitch, in training, playing and even sleeping, all manner of equipment is being used

Wed Jan 29 2014 - 15:00

Rory Best to make 150th Ulster appearance against Leicester

Prop Callum Black to make his competition debut in Pool 5 decider at Welford Road

Fri Jan 17 2014 - 16:20

Conor Murray to start for Munster against Gloucester

Damien Varley retains place and Simon Zebo returns to the squad for trip to Kingsholm

Fri Jan 10 2014 - 14:30

Conor Murray back in the reckoning for Munster

Scrumhalf has been out for four weeks with a knee injury, Simon Zebo also back in training

Mon Jan 06 2014 - 14:09

JJ Hanrahan steers steady Munster past Connacht

Little sign of festive spirit in bad-tempered clash as Connacht secure bonus point

Sat Dec 28 2013 - 01:00