“You always have to prepare for those moments.” Following Ireland’s 53-7 victory over Argentina, Andy Farrell shook his head and smiled when asked about Tadhg Beirne. Ireland’s match preparations were thrown into disarray when Jack Conan and then Iain Henderson got ruled out of the match, leading to two players getting summoned back to the […]

4 years ago

“Scumbag” It was a serious accusation to throw out there, by Peter O’Mahony, but Tomas Lavanini had almost detached Cian Healy’s head from its’ shoulders. With James Ryan off with concussion, O’Mahony had taken over the captaincy against Argentina. The referee’s microphone picked up the Munster back-row coarsely chastising Lavanini, who was eventually red-carded for […]

4 years ago

“You want to be on the pitch for every game.” Craig Casey had the water-carrier job, on November 13, when Ireland beat the All Blacks for only the third time in their long rugby history. He was on the pitch, but not exactly how he would like to be involved. Eight days after Ireland’s win […]

4 years ago

“That typified it today.” Joey Carbery kicked 18 points for Ireland and ran their backline excellently, in the 53-7 win over Argentina, but there was a moment at the end of the game that really stood out for head coach Andy Farrell. The Munster outhalf deputised well for Johnny Sexton as Ireland defeated Japan and […]

4 years ago

The Argentina lock could have no complaints. Tomas Lavanini may be set for a spell on the sidelines, after a red card cruncher on Cian Healy. It was a challenge that upset stand-in Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony, and the home fans. Ireland were already coasting, mid-way through the second half, when the Argentina forward went […]

4 years ago

IRELAND 53-7 ARGENTINA Ireland got off to a slow start to put Argentina to bed well before supper. Our Ireland player ratings feature one forward that was very, very close to a 10/10. Even before a ball was kicked, Ireland had to reshuffle their XV. Jack Conan and, just before the game started, Iain Henderson were […]

4 years ago

It looks like the end-game for the Norwegian. The Manchester United board have reportedly drawn up three-man shortlist after they ‘decided to sack’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Times has reported that exit talks are underway with Solskjaer and United after the club lost 4-1 to Watford today. They have only won four of their last […]

4 years ago

“When you went to Leicester, you realised why they had been so successful. They were just ruthless.” Toby Flood’s first four years as a rugby professional were spent with Newcastle Falcons. They had some good players on their books and were often in the upper echelons of the league, but they were not a patch […]

4 years ago

The Portuguese attacker was not having that. Manchester United lost 4-1 to Watford at Vicarage Road to continue a wretched run of league form. Many of the travelling supporters turned on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at full-time, but Bruno Fernandes rushed to his defence. United fell 2-0 behind to Watford after goals from old boy Josh […]

4 years ago

ENGLAND 27-26 SOUTH AFRICA England gained a small but sweet measure of revenge for the 2019 World Cup Final with a nail-biting win over South Africa, at Twickenham. Marcus Smith held his nerve to clinch it. England got off to a flyer when the aerial game gave them territory and possession, and they made it […]

4 years ago

“The quote sounds aggressive when I start it… “ There was a period of two years when Will Greenwood and his England side looked to be bedding in for a long period of domination. Having built steadily under Clive Woodward, and won a couple of Six Nations titles along the way, 2003 was the banner […]

4 years ago

“It was an incredible experience, to be there at the weekend.” Seán O’Brien was still buzzing after being in Dublin to witness Ireland beat the All Blacks, last weekend, and not even Will Greenwood and his valid T.M.O point could bring him down. O’Brien faced New Zealand five times with Ireland but was never on […]

4 years ago

A fairly damning judgement. World Rugby has suspended South Africa Rugby Director Rassie Erasmus from ‘all rugby activities’ for two months and from ‘all match-day activities’ until 30th of September 2022. The judgement was handed down after a lengthy hearing, into Erasmus and the South Africa Rugby Union, following on from conduct during the British […]

4 years ago

“Johnny always used to say to Cheika, ‘You should have played me 10 and Felipe 12!’“ Back when he was coming up through the ranks with Leinster, Johnny Sexton would have coach Michael Cheika’s head wrecked with how they could really get the best out of Felipe Contepomi. Sexton felt he should be given the 10 […]

4 years ago

“We were lucky enough to hold them out. Jordie’s a big fella!” 10 minutes into the game, the score still at 0-0, and New Zealand were looking to pull out one of their usual aces – an early try. Garry Ringrose and Andrew Conway had other ideas. An All Blacks set-play was designed to take […]

4 years ago

“It’s the best feeling ever.” Ollie O’Neill was way beyond cloud nine when RTÉ’s Darragh Maloney caught up with him for a chat. He was up there in double figures. The Fulham midfielder showed all the technique and composure in the world to slot in a stoppage time for Ireland U21s against a Sweden side […]

4 years ago

“They did it, but they did it even better.” There was a moment, 39 minutes into Ireland’s emphatic win over New Zealand, when referee Luke Pearce blew for a penalty and Johnny Sexton kicked, once again, for an attacking lineout. Andy Farrell would have enjoyed what he saw next. All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor, despite […]

4 years ago

“It is now time for me to turn my focus to my life outside of rugby.” Ireland captain Ciara Griffin is retiring from international rugby at the age of just 27. The Kerry native will line out in what will be her 41st and final Ireland game, this weekend, against Japan before stepping off the […]

4 years ago

‘Special days’. A simple post, accompanied by a Shamrock emoji and a picture of him facing The Haka with his Ireland teammates. For James Lowe, exactly a year after his Test debut against Wales, Saturday was the day he truly arrived on the international stage. The Leinster winger arrived into the Ireland team, late last year, […]

4 years ago

“Ah, there’s the door bell!” Monday morning is here, the nation is on our biggest sporting high in a while, and Kellie Harrington is holding court in a bright red hoody and with a kitsch TK Maxx cushion in the background. The Olympic boxing champion is wearing scarlet to signify a three-year brand ambassador deal […]

4 years ago

“It is time to find out about him.” Irish rugby supporters learned all about hubris back in 2019, so there is a cautious optimism about the place ahead of this Sunday’s Test encounter with Argentina. Andy Farrell’s men beat New Zealand 29-20, on Saturday, to pick up their seventh consecutive win. The team are in […]

4 years ago

A chance for the deputies to thrash it out. Johnny Sexton has led Ireland to a string of impressive performances, and wins, this year, but he will miss the last Test of 2021. He will miss several other games too. The Leinster and Ireland captain left the pitch going into the final quarter of the […]

4 years ago

The Ireland boss was not taking that. We are 100% here for the Stephen Kenny vs. Luc Holtz beef of 2021. There is no love lost between the head coaches of Ireland and Luxembourg after both sides took away wins in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. While Ireland may have been used to ruffling the […]

4 years ago

LUXEMBOURG 0-3 IRELAND Stephen Kenny’s men were give a couple of scares but revenge, when it came, was sweet. Our Ireland ratings feature one super-sub that scored highly. Ireland had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but were left rueing the referee’s decision to dismiss a strong Adam Idah penalty shout. The […]

4 years ago

The New Zealand head coach did not pay this one much heed. Ian Foster put this question to bed, not long after Ireland had done the same to his team. At this stage, all rugby fans are aware of the eligibility rules that allow a player to represent a country that he has played rugby […]

4 years ago

“This is the start of a two-year journey… “ Not long after he had led Ireland to victory over New Zealand – the fourth time he has beaten the Kiwis in his career – Johnny Sexton set a bold agenda that went all the way up to, and included, a shot at the 2023 World […]

4 years ago

“We’ve got our own identity and it’s great.” James Lowe was at his very best in his post-match chatter with the press after Ireland defeated New Zealand 29-20. He wasn’t half bad in the match itself, either. The Leinster winger score a try against the country of his birth, and went on to deliver a […]

4 years ago

Both Irish forwards delivered for their side, so the final ratings are somewhat strange. As much as one tries to stay above the fray, emotions and immediacy can often seep into the compilation of player ratings. For example, we awarded Peter O’Mahony 10/10 when the All Blacks were beaten at Lansdowne Road back in 2018. […]

4 years ago

More than a few All Blacks took issue with the Ireland captain’s constant chirping at referee Luke Pearce. Johnny Sexton likes a moan. He will freely admit that himself. The Leinster outhalf can often be heard on the referee’s microphone as he berates opponents, officials and even teammates. Everyone that plays with him is used […]

4 years ago

At the end of such an gripping battle, a lovely show of respect. Back in October, New Zealand rugby player Sean Wainui died after he was involved in a single vehicle car crash in Tauranga. The Chiefs and Maori All Blacks star was only 25, and left behind a wife and child, as well as […]

4 years ago

On a day of heroic performances, the Leinster winger took the cake. In rugby terms, James Lowe had a rough 2020. He just wasn’t himself. Lowe, like the rest of us, had to fret and follow news updates as the whole world ground to a halt. Rugby was put on ice due to the Covid-19 […]

4 years ago

He has one hell of a vertical leap. Peter O’Mahony is making a habit out of cutting the All Blacks off at the knees. The Munster star missed out on Soldier Field, in 2016, and only played one game – albeit as captain – in the 2017 British & Irish Lions Test Series. When he […]

4 years ago

IRELAND 29-20 NEW ZEALAND As big a nine-point victory as you will ever see. Our full Ireland ratings are crammed with heroes after a sensational win. Ireland got off to an excellent start as they thundered into tackles and were ferocious at the breakdown. Codie Taylor was sin-binned for going too high on Johnny Sexton, […]

4 years ago

“I’ve seen reds given.” New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor was shown a yellow card after only 12 minutes of his side’s clash with Ireland. Taylor was sent to the sin-bin by referee Luke Pearce after his tackle on Johnny Sexton was highlighted by the Television Match Official. Codie Taylor gets a 10 minutes in the […]

4 years ago

“That is the magic of sport.” Johnny Sexton received plenty of plaudits last week – all of them deserved – as he lined out for his 100th Test appearance for Ireland. As he prepared for Ireland cap No.101, the Leinster outhalf was lauded by the sister of late Munster and Ireland legend Anthony Foley. In […]

4 years ago

“It was obviously my fault, and I shouldn’t have done it.” Sean O’Brien is never reluctant to hold his hands up if he feels he has done something wrong. Back at the 2015 World Cup, he recalls giving his Ireland teammates a lecture, in the tunnel, before they went out to face France in a […]

4 years ago

“Oh, I learned heaps from him.” All Blacks star Braydon Ennor smiles broadly when Ronan O’Gara’s name is mentioned, early in our chat. Ennor played under the Munster legend when he was assistant to head coach Scott Robertson at Super Rugby trophy-hogs, the Crusaders. O’Gara had a two-year stint in Christchurch and came away even […]

4 years ago

“Yeah, mate, it does leave a bit of a sour taste.” Ardie Savea is a typical All Black. The wins taste sweet, but the ones that get away often linger longer. Early November and the Hurricanes and New Zealand back-row is sitting in his hotel room and chatting with us over a ‘Zoom’ call before […]

4 years ago

“All that pressure he was under, and there he is dropping me in dog food he’d thought to pick up on the way back from Limerick.” We are days out from Ireland taking on New Zealand at a sold-out Aviva Stadium, when a tribute song to the late Anthony Foley will be launched in from […]

4 years ago

IRELAND 0-0 PORTUGAL Republic of Ireland gave it a right old rattle against Portugal but could not find that moment of class to break the deadlock. Our Ireland player ratings have plenty of high points. Ireland looked very composed in the opening 45 minutes as they stroked the ball out from defence and both Callum […]

4 years ago

“A pretty cool story. The Murrays are so nice.” David Pocock may have just recruited a couple of hardy bucks to help him out on the farm, back in his native Zimbabwe. The former Wallabies flanker is doing his part for the environment, and then some. At present – as he talks with Seán O’Brien […]

4 years ago

They are the lifeblood of clubs across the four provinces of Ireland, and we’d be lost without them. House of Rugby, in partnership with Bank of Ireland, is looking to celebrate some of club rugby’s unsung heroes, and we need your help. A groundsman that has been trundling out the pitch markings for decades. The […]

4 years ago

Andy Farrell is not messing about. The Ireland team to face New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium, this Saturday, has been named. There are a couple of contentious calls, but it is unquestionably strong. Farrell has made a couple of tweaks from the match-day squad that started against Japan, last week. Iain Henderson is in […]

4 years ago

“Andy said it? He said it twice? I’ll have to have a word with him!” James Lowe took Andy Farrell’s weight comments in good nature. In fairness, it is always easier to absorb an off-kilter comment after running for 130+ metres, making four line breaks and scoring a try. At least that’s what they say. […]

4 years ago

“There’s competition all over the park after a performance like that.” Right now, Ireland can play three pretty decent Test front rows. On Saturday, though, Andy Farrell looks set to stick with Andrew Porter, Ronán Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong. The likes of Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne and Rob Herring will all feel they have strong […]

4 years ago

“It’s been heartbreaking, not being able to qualify.” Amee Leigh Murphy-Crowe would have been aware that questions would be coming on the IRFU women’s rugby director Anthony Eddy, and how the likes of Cliodhna Moloney, Claire Molloy and Jenny Murphy responded to them. The Munster and Ireland winger was up for a press briefing, this […]

4 years ago

“This is the future, right here!” Ian Garry has been riding on the crest of a wave for the past week, and he is in his element. As UFC debuts go, scoring a highlight reel first-round KO at Madison Square Garden before cutting an impressive promo that included Conor McGregor, Floyd Mayweather and Muhammad Ali […]

4 years ago

“It’s all gone very quickly, and a little bit full circle. The flairs were in fashion, then the skinnies, then the flairs, then the skinnies.” As fashion talk with Ronan O’Gara goes, that is about the height of it. Swings and roundabouts. Stay of Instagram to avoid the fashion-related slaggings. We are four days out […]

4 years ago

“If you don’t do that you have no chance.” Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton have a clear vision for this Ireland team, and what they can achieve in the coming years. The Covid-19 pandemic meant Farrell only had three games as head coach, and five weeks with the squad together, before northern hemisphere rugby was […]

4 years ago

“It’s hard to look past any of those lads.” Andy Farrell’s Ireland team are on a six-game winning streak and looked mightily impressive in their last four games when at full strength. There are reasons to be hopeful as New Zealand touch down in Dublin. The last four encounters between the two sides have led […]

4 years ago