Tag Archives: IRFU

The IRFU have hit back at claims by Sunday Times columnist Stephen Jones that Ireland and New Zealand were “vehemently opposed” to the possibility that the Pool A clash between Scotland and Japan could be rearranged.  Prior to the confirmation that today’s game would go ahead as scheduled, Scotland have been putting pressure on World Rugby to rearrange the game …

Despite yesterday’s bonus-point win over Russia, question marks still hang over Ireland’s form heading into their final Pool A game with Samoa. Joe Schmidt’s side were expected to bounce back in style following a shock defeat to Japan last weekend. However, a much-changed Irish outfit laboured to a 35-0 win over the Russian Bears. Rory Best was one of the …

Johnny Sexton will captain Ireland for the first time on Thursday when they face Russia in the third pool game of their Rugby World Cup campaign. The Leinster out-half has been joint vice-captain alongside Peter O’Mahony for some time now and has previously taken over the duties during games when Rory Best was replaced. However, Thursday’s game marks the first …

Shortly before Ireland’s opening World Cup win on Sunday, Jerry Flannery proclaimed that the nation has never been better prepared to perform at a World Cup. Having taken on all comers and won at some point over the last two years it’s fair to say this is the best Irish side to ever compete in rugby’s showpiece event. Despite the …

Chris Farrell has leapt to the defence of Ireland’s project players in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Jean Kleyn made headlines around the world when he was selected for Joe Schmidt’s 31-man squad in place of long-serving lock Devin Toner. Kleyn became eligible to represent Ireland just two days before making his debut against Italy in …

Rory Best started in 2005 coming on as a sub against New Zealand to take up his position in the scrum alongside his brother, Simon. While it’s not over just quite yet the end is most definitely approaching for the Ulster man who made his final appearance at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland’s 19-10 win over Wales this afternoon. The …

Ireland will go top of the World Rugby rankings if they defeat Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. As it turns out both Ireland and Warren Gatland’s Welsh side are capable of leap-frogging New Zealand into first place as we countdown towards the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The All Blacks currently sit atop the rankings having regained it …

Joe Schmidt has responded to Agustin Pichot after the World Rugby Vice-Chairman expressed his disappointment at Devin Toner’s exclusion from Ireland’s World Cup squad. The Leinster lock was the shock exclusion from Schmidt’s squad announcement yesterday after it was confirmed that South African born Munster second-row Jean Kleyn had been selected in his stead. Kleyn only qualified for Irish selection …

It’s an interesting time for women’s rugby in Ireland.  Saturday saw another milestone reached with the first double-header taking place at Energia Park where Leinster’s opening pre-season friendly of the summer acted as the curtain-raiser for Leinster’s women who opened their interprovincial series with a 34-6 victory over Connacht. This was the first round of the women’s interprovincial championship which …

With the Rugby World Cup in Japan looming, Ireland captain Rory Best has addressed what went wrong in the 2019 Six Nations Championships.  Joe Schmidt’s side came into the game as raging hot favourites having beaten all before them in 2018. Ireland followed up their Grand Slam victory with a first series win in Australia since 1979 before going on …

Two fans have taken personal injury claims against the IRFU, the governing body of rugby in Ireland, and New Stadium DAC, the company that operates the Aviva Stadium, according to a report in The Times.  The two fans have decided to take this action after being struck in the head by a rugby ball in two different games which took …

Ulster Rugby have today confirmed that Iain Henderson will take over as club captain for the 2019/2020 season following the retirement of Rory Best. The 27-year-old has previously captained the northern province on numerous occasions and brings a wealth of experience to the role having made 105 appearances for Ulster as well as having represented both Ireland and the British …

The IRFU have outlined details of the upcoming women’s rugby season which they hope will provide the perfect preparation for Ireland’s bid to qualify for the 2021 World Cup which takes place in New Zealand.  Ireland’s disappointing showing at the 2017 World Cup which was held on home soil resulted in them missing out on automatic qualification for 2021 and …

Will Addison has linked up with the Ireland squad after returning from injury earlier than expected. Addison suffered a season-ending back injury which ruled him out for the majority of the second half of last season and it was thought that he would also miss out on the opportunity to play in the Rugby World Cup after undergoing surgery in …

The IRFU have sanctioned Sean O’Brien due to an “incident of inappropriate behaviour” following Leinster’s PRO14 title win against the Glasgow Warriors.  The Irish Independent reports that O’Brien urinated on a member of the public in a pub in Dublin the day after Leinster clinched the title at Celtic Park. “The IRFU have investigated an incident of inappropriate behaviour by a …

Ulster out-half, Johnny McPhillips has signed a deal with Leicester Tigers and will join the English Premiership ahead of next season.  McPhillips becomes the second Irish player to move to Welford Road this summer alongside Leinster’s, Noel Reid, where they will be coached by former Irish international, Geordan Murphy. He was born in England and spent five years playing soccer …

Noel McNamara’s Ireland charges will face England on Monday in the fifth-place playoff semi-final at the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championships after France secured the best runners-up spot. Ireland were in contention for a semi-final berth following their bonus-point win over Italy on Wednesday, however, a heavy defeat on Saturday against Australia ultimately cost them in the end. Hosts, Argentina, …

Munster have confirmed that three-times British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree will take over as forwards coach of the southern province.  Rowntree is the current forwards coach with Georgia and he will begin his new position once their involvement in the 2019 World Cup ends. Rowntree has signed on with Munster until June 2022. Commenting on the appointment, …