Tag Archives: IRFU

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, …

Two alleged incidents are being investigated by the IRFU and Leinster in the aftermath of the eastern province’s Guinness PRO14 title win according to Brendan Fanning of the Sunday Independent.  The first incident surrounds the hospitalisation of an Academy player after he was allegedly knocked unconscious by a punch from a former player who is no longer employed by the …

James Ryan has been named the Players’ Player of the Year at the Zurich Irish Rugby Player Awards for 2019. The Leinster lock has continued in his rich vein of form following a breakout year in 2018, beating off stiff competition from Tadhg Beirne, Jack Carty and Peter O’Mahony to claim the prize. Since making his Ireland debut against the …

IRFU referee, Andrew Brace, has been selected in the 23-man match day officials squad ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan.  The 30-year-old has been named as one of seven assistant referees selected for the tournament which begins on September 20, 2019. ‘Team 21’ – the 21st tournament team – comprises of 12 referees, seven assistant referees and …

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 …

Huge news coming out of Munster this morning as it has been confirmed that head-coach, Johann van Graan has extended his contract for a further two years and will now remain in the province until 2022. The news was confirmed by Munster Rugby this morning. The South African native joined the provincial side in 2017 after leaving his role as …

Leinster 27 Bennetton 27 A makeshift Leinster side conceded an 80th minute try this evening as they were held at home by a brave Benetton outfit. Leinster held possession the majority of the first five minutes as they looked to build through the phases and keep the ball in play just as they had done against Ulster in last week’s …

The trajectory of Jacob Stockdale’s career since bursting onto the scene with a try against South Africa in his first home international has been a constant upward curve. Unfortunately for the Ulster winger, Saturday’s game-changing slip-up against Leinster in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final marks the first major setback of his career as the northern province crashed out of Europe’s …

The IRFU have confirmed that Leinster prop Jack McGrath will be making the switch to Ulster from the start of the 2019/2020 season. McGrath has struggled for form and fitness this season and was left out of the squad for Leinster’s Champions Cup Quarter-Final against Ulster on Saturday – the team he will become a part of next season. The …

Paul O’Connell has confirmed that he is to step down from his coaching role at French club, Stade Francais at the end of the season. However, the former Ireland captain has reiterated that he is not leaving to take up another coaching role. In a statement O’Connell said; “I have decided not to stay beyond my contract year with the …

Ulster are preparing for a huge game this weekend when they travel south to take on Leinster in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium. For Darren Cave, this weekend presents an exciting opportunity to take on the best team in Europe in what is arguably a home venue for them. Cave, an Ulster rugby veteran at this …

Andy Farrell will face Gregor Townsend’s Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in his first Six Nations game as Ireland head coach in February of next year. A full fixture list was announced today for both the 2020 & 2021 tournament with Ireland set to play all three home nations in the opening three rounds next year. Elsewhere, Grand Slam champions …

Ireland women have fallen to tenth in the World Rugby rankings following their worst Six Nations finish in 13 years. It was a horrible campaign for Adam Griggs’ side who finished fifth in the table with just one win and four defeats. It started with a complete route by eventual Grand Slam champions, England and finished with a 24-5 defeat …