The Irish Times

Owen Doyle: Referees damned if they do, damned if they don’t on red cards

Three finals is a huge achievement for Barnes and he is standing the test of time

Tue May 24 2022 - 06:00

The English press react: ‘Pride restored’ in record defeat to Ireland

England's 14-man effort is praised, while head coach Eddie Jones is questioned

Sun Mar 13 2022 - 12:35

Owen Doyle: It’s clear that advantage law has become a contradiction of itself

A law interpreted differently depending on the position of play on the pitch is wrong

Tue Mar 08 2022 - 08:05

Owen Doyle: Weekend Tests show that referees should reach for their cards sooner

Matches emphasise need to punish serial offenders and retain control of game

Tue Nov 23 2021 - 06:00

Nigel Owens says May’s try should have been disallowed

Six-try display gets stung England’s Six Nations challenge back on track at Twickenham

Sun Feb 14 2021 - 17:40

Rhys Ruddock in line for his first Six Nations start against France

Jack Conan called into squad as cover after Peter O’Mahony is given three-match ban

Wed Feb 10 2021 - 06:00

Peter O’Mahony to miss Ireland’s next three games following red card

Flanker will only be eligible to return for closing encounter against England in Dublin

Tue Feb 09 2021 - 18:57

Referee Nigel Owens calls time on internationals after reaching century mark

Welsh official will continue to take charge of club games in the future

Fri Dec 11 2020 - 15:25

Owen Doyle: Scrum a major issue World Rugby must address

Authorities also need to double down on their High Tackle Framework strategy

Tue Dec 01 2020 - 01:01

Ireland’s clash against Georgia will be an important audition

All roads point to an England-France ‘final’ as Autumn Nations Cup enters its endgame

Sat Nov 28 2020 - 06:27

Autumn Nations Cup - Ireland v Georgia: TV details, kick-off time, team news and more

Andy Farrell’s side look to bounce back from their defeat to England at the Aviva Stadium

Thu Nov 26 2020 - 18:00

Owen Doyle: Ireland suffered from officiating of the breakdown

Joy Neville makes important calls in Wales as other officials struggle over the weekend

Tue Nov 24 2020 - 06:59

Maro Itoje: We celebrate key moments for ourselves not the opposition

How Ireland respond to intimidation and contend with bigger pack will be crucial

Fri Nov 20 2020 - 22:30

The Offload: Matera inspires Argentina’s Soldier Field moment

Los Pumas captain at the heart and soul of his side’s first win over the All Blacks

Mon Nov 16 2020 - 10:00

Owen Doyle: Wales lucky to escape heavier censure for a litany of offences

Ireland will learn more about their worth after daunting trip to Twickenham

Mon Nov 16 2020 - 06:00

Zebo’s brace of tries in vain as Exeter Chiefs hold on to reach promised land

English side edged out Racing 92 in thrilling European Cup final at Ashton Gate

Sat Oct 17 2020 - 19:38

Sporting Upsets: Connacht’s greatest day as they claim title glory

Pat Lam’s charges completed unlikely Pro12 triumph on memorable day in Murrayfield

Mon Sept 28 2020 - 01:00

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

Quality of seminal Leinster-Munster semi-final clash still a cause of wonder

Nine of Ireland’s 10 most capped players ever were in the starting line-ups at a packed Croke Park

Tue May 05 2020 - 06:00

My favourite sporting moment: Struck dumb at Thomond until Rog finds his feet after 41 phases

Munster have had plenty of exciting days but none surpass November 12th, 2011

Wed Apr 22 2020 - 06:00

Ryan Baird scores a hat-trick as blue wave rolls over Glasgow

Young lock shows he is ready as Leinster machine makes it 21 wins on the trot

Fri Feb 28 2020 - 22:06

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

Gordon D’Arcy: Digging deep only recipe for Twickenham success

If Ireland do not match the home side physically, they are sure to be overwhelmed

Wed Feb 19 2020 - 06:00

Owen Doyle: Concussions bring high tackle trial into focus

World Rugby doing its best to address a persistent and worrying problem

Wed Feb 05 2020 - 19:00

France light the blue touch paper as they sink England in Paris

Fabien Galthié’s Les Bleus reborn at Stade de France as they blow Six Nations wide open

Sun Feb 02 2020 - 17:20

Ireland v Scotland: Kick-off, TV details and team news

Everything you need to know ahead of the opening round of the 2020 Championship

Thu Jan 30 2020 - 10:00

Confident Ulster braced for their stiffest test to date

Clermont in atmospheric Stade Marcel Michelin a tough assignment for any side

Sat Jan 11 2020 - 06:00

Jaco Peyper to take charge of Ireland’s Six Nations trip to Twickenham

South African referee missed out on World Cup semi-final after posing for photo with Welsh fans

Wed Dec 04 2019 - 16:24

Joe Schmidt: Rory Best nearly quit before 2018 Grand Slam

In his autobiography Ordinary Joe, the coach says he faced several ‘uncontrollables’

Thu Nov 21 2019 - 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: 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

England deliver performance of a lifetime to dethrone All Blacks

Maro Itoje inspires his side to a famous victory and a place in the World Cup final

Sat Oct 26 2019 - 12:56

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