The Irish Times

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

The Offload: Early retirements show capricious nature of sport

An insight into Alain Rolland, Top 14 nears return and Crusaders’ home run ends

Mon Jul 27 2020 - 11:02

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

Owen Doyle: Focus on referees’ neutrality hurts quality

Irish and Welsh officials in particular not given enough exposure to pressure games

Wed Nov 06 2019 - 06:30

Owen Doyle: Debate required over scrum as a source of penalties kick chances

England can have no complaint with Garces as South African pressure game prevails

Mon Nov 04 2019 - 05:20

Dream turns to reality for Mapimpi and South Africa

Winger from a township in the rural Eastern Cape becomes first South African to score a try in a World Cup final

Mon Nov 04 2019 - 01:00

England wilt when it matters as Springboks conquer the world

Rassie Erasmus’s side utterly dominant as they secure a third Rugby World Cup title

Sat Nov 02 2019 - 11:49

Garcès’s communication at breakdown and scrum are key

Owen Doyle: ‘Less is more’ approach to communication from referees is preferable

Wed Oct 30 2019 - 06:00

England braced for South Africa’s physical onslaught

Defence coach John Mitchell says final will be meeting of world’s two most powerful sides

Tue Oct 29 2019 - 08:26

France’s Jerome Garces to referee Rugby World Cup final

Jaco Peyper will assist Wayne Barnes in third place play-off after quarter-final controversy

Tue Oct 29 2019 - 06:31

The Offload: All Blacks defeat could haunt Andy Farrell

Incoming Ireland coach has a long wait until the start of 2020 Six Nations against Scotland

Mon Oct 28 2019 - 10:30

Owen Doyle: Referees step up to the plate at Rugby World Cup semi-finals

It’s a straight choice between Nigel Owens and Jérôme Garcès to referee the final

Mon Oct 28 2019 - 09:57

Springboks' power game looks like too much for Wales to handle

Warren Gatland could be taking charge of Wales for a final time against South Africa

Sat Oct 26 2019 - 07:00

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

Referee Peyper snubbed for World Cup semis over Wales photo row

World Rugby condems photo of Peyper with Wales fans, Owens and Garces are selected

Tue Oct 22 2019 - 13:31

Ireland and New Zealand welcome appointment of Owens

Welsh referee well accustomed to the demands of the big occasion

Wed Oct 16 2019 - 06:00

Rugby World Cup: Inhumane heat equals torture on the lungs under the Misaki dome

Ireland must endure purgatory of intense humidity during showdown with Russians

Wed Oct 02 2019 - 18:50

Rugby World Cup: Ireland need statement victory in no-win game against Russia

Psychological pick-me-up and vital bonus point are there for the taking in Kobe

Wed Oct 02 2019 - 17:21

Andy Farrell points to history as Ireland prepare to prove a point

In 2007, 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups, teams responded to setbacks in the pool

Wed Oct 02 2019 - 11:03

Schmidt insists his faith in Ireland squad undiminished by Japan defeat

Coach says players determined to get things right in two games before ‘monumental’ quarter-final

Wed Oct 02 2019 - 01:00

World Rugby confirms mistakes made by officials in Japan defeat

Joe Schmidt: ‘we’ve now got the feedback that three of those were incorrect calls’

Tue Oct 01 2019 - 11:54

Rugby World Cup - Ireland v Russia: Irish kick-off time, TV channels and more

Joe Schmidt’s side look to get their tournament back on track against Bears in Kobe

Tue Oct 01 2019 - 09:00

Liam Toland: Underdogs should reap the reward their pressure deserves

How often do we see ‘lesser’ teams fail to get key decisions against the stronger sides

Fri Sept 27 2019 - 06:00

Rugby World Cup Offload: Protect the ref, protect the game

The tournament is barely motoring and already refs are being targeted or lambasted

Mon Sept 23 2019 - 10:09

Owen Doyle on World Cup refereeing: TMOs go MIA

Worrying number of major incidents missed by match officials during opening weekend

Mon Sept 23 2019 - 06:09

Rugby World Cup: All Blacks recast their game to devastating effect

Dual playmakers Mo’unga and Barrett give defending champions buckets of options

Mon Sept 23 2019 - 06:00

Rugby World Cup: Talking points from Ireland’s victory over Scotland

Ireland take a lot of credit against a Scotland side way off the pace required in opener

Sun Sept 22 2019 - 13:54

New Zealand hit the ground running with win over South Africa

Rugby World Cup: Defending champions weather Boks’ storm to take charge of Pool B

Sat Sept 21 2019 - 13:43

Ireland hope that if desperation is the disease, then experience is the antidote

Scotland may be an old and manageable foe but danger lurks in Yokohama on Sunday

Sat Sept 21 2019 - 06:00

Owen Doyle: Rugby World Cup could see high risk of serious injury

Omens not great when you see top coaches decrying red card for Barrett last month

Wed Sept 18 2019 - 06:00

Owen Doyle: Referees will be under more scrutiny than ever at this World Cup

The 12 referees have gone through a long and arduous selection process

Sat Sept 14 2019 - 08:30

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

Hope springs eternal as Australia take on New Zealand

Wallabies have had little to shout about in this fixture in recent years

Fri Aug 09 2019 - 16:20

Hansen backs ‘three best’ loose forwards to fire for All Blacks

Australia’s James O’Connor completes his return from international exile

Thu Aug 08 2019 - 20:17