Tag Archives: ireland rugby

We’re set for another packed weekend of Irish sport with GAA action dominating the headlines.  Both the Leinster and Munster hurling championships reach a crucial stage this weekend as the respective provincial finals will be confirmed in addition to those teams whose involvement in this year’s championship will come to an end. There is also excitement surrounding the US Open …

Ireland U20s head coach Noel McNamara has confirmed that two players have been ruled out of the remainder of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina.  Flanker Ciaran Booth suffered a knee injury in the bonus-point win over Italy. The circumstances surrounding the injury have come in for criticism on social media as Booth was in the jackal position at …

Munster have confirmed that Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham will join the province as a new senior coach ahead of the 2019/20 season.  Munster are currently in the midst of a coaching reshuffle after the news that Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones would be leaving the province. The southern province have already secured the services of former England and British & …

The final pool matches of the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship take place on Wednesday.  Australia are the only team to have secured a semi-final berth but the final makeup of the top four teams won’t be known until the culmination of action tomorrow. Noel McNamara’s Ireland U20 side came into this championship with plenty of expectation and they got …

Ireland U20 head coach Noel McNamara has named his starting XV for Wednesday’s final pool match at the World Rugby U20 Championship.  Ireland will take on Italy (KO 2.30 pm) in the knowledge that there is still a mathematical possibility that they can reach the semi-finals. Ireland have been plagued by injuries throughout the campaign and McNamara has made a …

Louth native Michael McDonald has been named to start at scrum-half for the junior Wallabies’ World Rugby U20 Championship clash with Ireland in Santa Fe on Saturday (KO 2.30 pm).  McDonald, who hails from the Cooley peninsula in Co. Louth, emigrated to Perth with his family when he was 13 and has since blazed a trail through Western Australia’s underage …

The second round of the World Rugby U20 Championships 2019 takes place on Saturday and already, many teams are in a do-or-die position if they want to reach the semi-finals.  There were some big wins for the likes of South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland and Australia in the opening round and here, we provide you with a list of the …

Ireland U20s head coach Noel McNamara has named his side to take on Australia in the second pool match of the World Rugby U20 Championships in Santa Fe, Argentina.  Ireland got their campaign off to a perfect start by securing a bonus-point 42-26 victory over England on Tuesday. Like Ireland, Australia also opened their campaign with a victory as they …

Ireland got their 2019 U20 World Championships campaign off to a fantastic start in Santa Fe on Tuesday evening as they overcame England 42-26 in their Pool B opener.  It was an excellent performance from Noel McNamara’s side who backed up their Six Nations Grand Slam heroics with an accomplished display against a very good England team who have players …

It’s been a mixed year so far for Johnny Sexton.  The Ireland and Leinster out-half had an incredible 2018 where he helped his province to a PRO14 and European Cup double while also massively contributing to Ireland’s success where they achieved a Grand Slam, a series win in Australia and of course, beating the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium …

Ireland’s World Rugby U20 Championship campaign kicks off today in Santa Fe as Noel McNamara’s side take on England in their Pool B opener.  Ireland are going into this competition in good form having secured the Grand Slam during the Six Nations earlier this year. Despite some injuries to key players such as David Hawkshaw, Scott Penny and Harry Byrne, …

Ireland will face familiar foes New Zealand in the 5th place playoff at this year’s London 7s after overcoming Canada 33-14 in a highly entertaining game at Twickenham.  Ireland, competing at this world series event as an invitational side, have had an excellent tournament. They secured their spot in the last eight by beating England and Scotland yesterday in the …

Ireland sevens fell to a 33-24 defeat to Fiji in a remarkable Cup Quarter Final at the London 7s in Twickenham this afternoon.  Ireland’s victories over England and Scotland yesterday saw Anthony Eddy’s side secure a spot in the top-eight but they faced a massive task when drawn with Olympic champions Fiji. However, despite competing in this competition as an …

New Zealand had too much for Ireland as Anthony Eddy’s side fell to a 34-7 defeat at Twickenham.  Ireland opened their London 7s campaign with a superb 21-17 victory over England but New Zealand showed their ruthlessness by capitalising on mistakes time and time again. Ireland began the game by winning their own kick-off but they lost possession in midfield …

Cian Healy has signed a new contract with the IRFU.  Healy’s new contract will keep him with Leinster and in Ireland until the end of the 2020/21 season. The loosehead prop has had a superb season – starting in four of Ireland’s five Six Nations games in addition to lining out in the victories over the All Blacks and Argentina …

“To be honest, I’m pretty speechless,” Michael McDonald says cheerfully with a distinct Louth brogue. The 19-year-old from the Cooley Peninsula has had a whirlwind couple of weeks. In early April, he made his senior debut for the Western Force as a replacement in their 42-10 victory over the Asia Pacific Dragons in Global Rapid Rugby. 14 days later, he …

Leinster’s Sean Cronin admitted to being disappointed following his axing from Joe Schmidt’s squad for the final two Six Nations games but the hooker is adamant that he is still in the New Zealander’s plans going forward. Speaking to the media ahead of Leinster’s crunch Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse on Sunday, Cronin expressed his disappointment at being dropped but …

Ulster Rugby have confirmed that Will Addison has undergone back surgery which puts an end to his season.  Addison hasn’t played since Ulster’s Heineken Champions Cup victory over the Leicester Tigers at Welford Road at the end of January. The 26-year-old was named in Ireland’s initial squad for this year’s Six Nations but he didn’t play a minute of action …