Andy Farrell has moved his squad announcement up 24 hours. The Ireland squad for the 2023 World Cup was officially announced from The Shelbourne Hotel, in Dublin, on Sunday at 4:30pm. A squad of 33 players will then have a couple of down days before reassembling for final preparations before flying out to France, in […]

2 years ago

From the outside, looking in, that selection picture looks clearer. With five dropping out, Tom Stewart coming back in, Jeremy Loughman called in as loosehead cover and Diarmuid Barron flown over to Bayonne, we put the current Ireland World Cup training squad at 40. Jacob Stockdale and Ciarán Frawley missing out on Samoa selection hints […]

2 years ago

“He is flying around the place.” Tom Stewart is getting his big chance, Diarmuid Barron is up to speed on team calls, Rob Herring is backing up his Ulster teammate and both the Leinster hookers are in good nick ahead of the World Cup squad announcement, according to the Ireland head coach anyway. Andy Farrell […]

2 years ago

This is the final run-out before we get to the really serious stuff. Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face Samoa, on Saturday in Bayonne. As expected, he has made a raft of changes from the XV that did for England, last time out. Farrell and his coaches will be using many of […]

2 years ago

The Johnny Sexton ban scuppered one warm-up tactical plan. Following Ireland’s weekend win over England, the RTE panel of Jerry Flannery, Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip all make an underlined note of Jack Crowley slipping back to play a bit of 12 for a while. Crowley came on to replace Bundee Aki after 58 minutes […]

2 years ago

“Your personal life is more important than your professional career.” Andrew Conway has always come across as a level-headed chap, even in the cut and thrust of a cup run or Six Nations campaign, but a season of what many would equate to injury hell has given him even more perspective. Had Conway been fully […]

2 years ago

The yellow that became a red that was rescinded, that was then reinstated. Owen Farrell has been hit with a ban that will see him miss his country’s final World Cup warm-up and some matches at the upcoming tournament. Billy Vunipola has also been banned, but he got off lightly. Farrell was initially yellow-carded in […]

2 years ago

It is hard to recall an Ireland side, over the past 20 years, that has done this so consistently. Andy Farrell is fortunate to have so many big hitters to deliver the goods for Ireland, so frequently, but it is no fluke. Compiling player ratings is a frenetic business and we have been known, here, […]

2 years ago

It only makes sense that the top clubs are paying close attention. Evan Ferguson has been on the bench for Brighton’s first two Premier League games of the season, leading to some remarks that the Seagulls are trying to fly him under the radar until the transfer window closes. Several clubs, such as Chelsea and […]

2 years ago

The final hit-out before the big show starts. On Thursday, Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team for the final World Cup warm-up game before the big tournament comes fully into focus. Having dispatched of Italy and England with only foot injuries to Jack Conan and Dan Sheehan in the ‘negatives’ ledger, Ireland are in Bayonne […]

2 years ago

“What a horrendous job they’d done on it.” Mack Hansen paid tribute to ‘The GOAT’ Keith Earls, on Friday, with one of the crudest haircuts we have seen in some time. The Connacht winger wanted to do something to mark the occasion of Earls reaching 100 Test caps and, with his body filling up on […]

2 years ago

“She caught me off guard with that one.” For a guy that shies away from attention, whenever possible, Keith Earls was in the centre of it all, last week. It was proper order, too, as he became only the ninth Irish player to reach 100 Test caps. Earls was stuck on 98 caps for over […]

2 years ago

There’s getting carried away, then there is this. Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish football federation, has come in for criticism for two overly intrusive and personal gestures towards Spain striker Jenni Hermoso. Hermoso and her Spanish teammates woke up as world champions, on Monday, after defeating England 1-0 in the World Cup final. Hermoso […]

2 years ago

If this was his final game for Ireland, Keith Earls has passed the baton in style. Even though Ireland, and even World Cup side, have two extra squad places to allocate, there are set to be some tough calls for Andy Farrell. Keith Earls got his dream send-off at Lansdowne Road, on Saturday, but will […]

2 years ago

“Probably a bit over the top, but I enjoyed it.” There is a bit of divil to Keith Earls, you know. John Hayes, back when he was in the Munster squad, used to get young Keith to scoot to the shops, when the seniors were training and he was just breaking through, and pick him […]

2 years ago

“We’ll have to get it looked at or scanned in the morning.” Andy Farrell believes Bundee Aki and James Lowe will both be fine, as Ireland head into Samoa week, but Dan Sheehan has suffered a recurrence of an old injury. The Leinster hooker was looking good in his first game of the 2023/24 season […]

2 years ago

The Saracens forward was initially sin-binned but it was upgraded to a red. Billy Vunipola could be joining England captain Owen Farrell in missing World Cup games after he was sent off against Ireland. Vunipola was yellow-carded for a shoulder to the head of ball carrier Andrew Porter. However, the decision was referred to the […]

2 years ago

One down, two to go, World Cup getting closer. Ireland take on England in their final home World Cup wam-up match, and Keith Earls is set for his 100th Test cap. We’ve got all the big moments, reactions and Ireland player ratings from what should be a hotly contested affair. Andy Farrell named his Ireland […]

2 years ago

Ireland will want a winning send-off at a ground that has become a fortress. Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team to face England, on Thursday, and look to continue his side’s winning run at Aviva Stadium. Before that, though, Farrell cut FIVE players from his World Cup training squad (more on that below). Ireland […]

2 years ago

Two stars of the future included. Most of us that follow Irish rugby closely, or even tune in and out for the big games and Test matches, will have players we have a soft spot for. Someone that provides an extra edge, has an intriguing personality or something in them that we recognise within ourselves. […]

2 years ago

A huge call, here. Owen Farrell has been told he can immediately return to play and will not receive any ban, despite his recent red card against Wales. The red card decision was ‘not upheld’ by a disciplinary committee and he could even face Ireland in Dublin, this weekend. The England captain has been cleared […]

2 years ago

“It’s bold, innit?” Eddie Howe used the words of Erik ten Hag, last season, to motivate his players for a home game against Manchester United. Gary Neville has just handed him fresh fodder for United’s next trip to St James’ Park. The Monday Night Football panel – Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Karen Carney – […]

2 years ago

“Get in!” Former footballers, now banter merchants, Jamie Redknapp and Micah Richards made a half-time appearance during Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Wolves, at Old Trafford. Redknapp and Richards were filming the ‘bit’ for the new and upcoming season of Sky’s ‘A League of Their Own’. The pair had a penalty shoot-out in front […]

2 years ago

“He’ll need to explode.” The first Monday Night Football of the season brought Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Karen Carney together, as they discussed Manchester United and Wolves before the final game of the first Premier League weekend. The trio were guided through a host of talking points, ahead of kick-off, with Carragher pointing out […]

2 years ago

Back in April, Brighton signed up the Irish striker on a new contract. Any Premier League club, or suitors further afield, looking to snap up Evan Ferguson before he gets too hot are already too late. Having brought in €200m on just three outgoing transfers – Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Robert Sanchez – […]

2 years ago

An absolute disaster for the lad. France and England have both been hit by brutal injury news, ahead of the Rugby World Cup. England have already called up cover in their half-backs department while France go into the tournament without Romain Ntamack. The Toulouse talisman went off injured after 55 minutes of a tight warm-up […]

2 years ago

It’s a whole new world. Sky Sports have been rolling out the whole ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ schtick, with Roy Keane as the grumpy but comic foil. At Stamford Bridge, this afternoon, the former Manchester United captain played up to that role. Peter Drury replaced Martin Tyler in the commentary gantry, Patrick Davidson filled Geoff […]

2 years ago

The club are set to be busy until the summer transfer window closes. The McFred era at Manchester United is officially over. Brazilian midfielder Fred has moved to Fenerbahce for an initial fee of €10m (with another €5m in add-ons and potential bonus fees). Having joined United in 2018 for a fee of £47m, Fred […]

2 years ago

There was one exchange in Andy Farrell’s post-post-match chat with journalists after the Italy win. Asked by one reporter if it was his ‘intention to use all 42 players in the squad’ during the World Cup warm-ups, Andy Farrell cut in, “No, no. Take it as it is. “Watch training, judge everyone accordingly, getting the […]

2 years ago

The squad’s social committee is pulling out all the stops. Inpho photographer Dan Sheridan has captured some fantastic images from Ireland’s training session at The Campus in Faro, today, featuring special guests Roy Keane, Niall Horan and Padraig Harrington. The Ireland squad have a social committee that organises speakers and events for the players, and […]

2 years ago

A target date for the Dane’s Manchester United debut has already been set. It has already been confirmed by Erik ten Hag that Rasmus Hojlund will miss Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Wolves, on August 14. It now looks like he could miss the first month of the season. The Dane, signed by United […]

2 years ago

Jonny Evans may stick around, too. Harry Maguire looks set for a move to West Ham, with the club agreeing a fee with Manchester United for the England international. The Hammers had initially bid £20m for the centre-back but that was quickly rebuffed. Maguire had made it known, through his representatives, that he was looking […]

2 years ago

“Je m’en f**king fous!” At the start of last season, SportsJOE embarked on an enjoyable mission to follow Ronan O’Gara and his La Rochelle team over the course of a season. On a visit to the club’s Apivia Park training facilities, team captain Grégory Alldritt recalled the squad’s first big pre-season meeting for the 2021/22 […]

2 years ago

We’ll meet again… Ireland’s decision to omit Munster lock Jean Kleyn from their World Cup plans has led to him getting a spot in the Springbok squad. Kleyn, who is from South Africa but appeared for Ireland at the 2019 World Cup after meeting the residency and eligibility requirements, has been named, today, in the […]

2 years ago

Four out, one in and several young players getting their chance. Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are the last two clubs out of the 2023/24 Premier League gates, and both are getting serious work done. There will be more Man United transfers by next Monday, while Wolves could have a new manager in place. On […]

2 years ago

“He could just have a monumental game, I can see it happening.” Simon Zebo last played for Ireland in 2017 and is now 33, just off a Covid- and injury-hit season, but he insists he still has the drive to play for his country again. The Cork native has 35 Test caps but did not […]

2 years ago

“Oh, sorry.” It’s hard to miss Stuart McCloskey, all 6-foot-4 of him, especially when he walks in on two debutants talking excitedly about their first ever Test outings for Ireland. The Ulster centre is fresh off another Test start for Ireland, with a solid performance and a fourth international try the reasons for pep in […]

2 years ago

This transfer window seems to be all about first, second, third and final bids. Jamie Carragher has expressed some frustration that Liverpool can not get a big summer transfer over the line, away from the media headlines. West Ham, meanwhile, are hoping to spirit Harry Maguire away for less than half the money they paid […]

2 years ago

“We’ll get to a point where we’ve got the best 33 on the plane.” Andy Farrell and his Ireland players are heading to Portugal, this week, for a spot of warm weather training. It has been reported that the Ireland squad will also have a closed door run-out against the national side, while they are […]

2 years ago

Billed as ‘star-studded’ with several international players set to be involved, United fielded several teenagers and lads Erik ten Hag wants offloaded. Back in June, when Man United officially confirmed the news of a long-awaited return to Dublin, the club touched on past Irish legends such as Roy Keane, George Best and Denis Irwin, and […]

2 years ago

The promo video looks like it was shot earlier this summer, given Keane’s beard length [detective work going on here!]. The thaw between Roy Keane and Manchester United is set to continue as the club’s former captain has been drafted in for a kit launch, filmed at Old Trafford. The Cork native held a degree […]

2 years ago

No official announcement has been made but expect these calls to be confirmed soon. Henry Slade and Alex Dombrandt are set to be the biggest casualties from England’s World Cup squad. Scotland have also cut their 41-man squad down to 37 ahead of a return tie with France. England were defeated 20-9 by Wales in […]

2 years ago

Only one player from the Italy XV may start again. Following Ireland’s 33-17 World Cup warm-up win over Italy, Andy Farrell joked that he was ‘sick of Caelan Doris getting man of the match’. On August 19, he would gladly take another such performance from the Leinster back row. Doris had previously only played once […]

2 years ago

“We both want to push on and get to a World Cup.” Calvin Nash and Ciaran Frawley have been international roommates for years now, whether it was underage, Emerging Ireland or the senior stuff. On Saturday, against Italy, the roommates became Ireland internationals No. 1154 and No. 1156. Along with Tom Stewart [No. 1155], Frawley […]

2 years ago

The Ulster winger turned back the clock with some of his attacking play. There were a few double-takes, at half-time in Ireland’s 33-17 win over Italy, when the statistics for Jacob Stockdale were updated. 151 metres made off 13 carries, and still with 40 minutes on the clock. Heading into tonight’s match, at Aviva Stadium, […]

2 years ago

“It was a bit clunky.” Andy Farrell has offered a positive update after Jack Conan, Craig Casey and Jimmy O’Brien all went off with injuries in Ireland’s 33-17 win over Italy. Ireland scored five tries but looked a bit stale and lacking flow in the second half as Italy made a game of it. Tom […]

2 years ago

Loving the scanned version of it, too! John Small waited until the All-Ireland buzz was easing off until he dropped a not so gentle reminder of a Joe Brolly article about the Dubs. Dublin are All-Ireland champions again after two years in the wilderness – a lifetime for some of their key men – and […]

2 years ago

The World Cup countdown is on. Andy Farrell’s side get underway on the road to France with a World Cup warm-up against Italy, on Saturday evening [8pm kick-off]. We’ll have all the biggest moments, talking points and, after the match, Ireland ratings for you. Follow our live match feed and check out all the big […]

2 years ago

The World Cup countdown is officially on. Andy Farrell has named his first Ireland team of the season, on Thursday, and started down the road to the World Cup, in France. Farrell has mixed up his starting XV and give new combinations a go, when Italy visit Aviva Stadium this Saturday. There will be plenty […]

2 years ago

“It’s a bit of a working from home week!” As many of his Ireland teammates are off getting in a bit of sun, sand and sea, Hugo Keenan is staying local and getting through his fitness homework. We catch up with the Leinster and Ireland fullback just weeks out from what should be his first […]

2 years ago