Tag Archives: irish rugby

A lot has been said about the state of the pitch at Fukuoka Stadium where Ireland are due to play Samoa on Saturday.  Video footage emerged earlier today of Irish centre Chris Farrell placing a match ball underneath the playing surface. So the pitch in Fukuoka looks… interesting. The Irish players able to bury a ball under the pitch … …

While Ireland’s World Cup campaign hasn’t gone the way many expected, it’s important to savour the unique experience that many of these players, as well as their families, are experiencing for the first time.  Opportunities like these don’t come along too often and Chris Farrell knows that. Having admitted that he found it difficult acclimatising to Japan on tour two …

There can be no disputing that the pressure is mounting on this Ireland squad ahead of their final Pool A game with Samoa next weekend. Ireland’s all-conquering 2018 followed by a topsy turvy 2019 ensured that pressure was on Joe Schmidt’s side before the World Cup had even begun. Jacob Stockdale burst onto the scene during Ireland’s most successful ever …

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 …

We all let ourselves down last week. Ireland’s inept performance saw them become the victims of a legitimate giant-killing at the Rugby World Cup. Japan were excellent, no doubt about it and fully deserving of their victory. However, for the second-placed team in the world to lose to a second-tier nation is totally and wholly unacceptable. We in the media …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

Pundit Arena columnist, Reggie Corrigan, gives us a quick rundown of where this afternoon’s Leinster Schools Senior Cup decider will be won and lost. The most interesting thing about these two sides going into the final is that both play a similar style of rugby, so trying to predict an outcome is almost impossible. Both defences are very well organised …

Ireland tighthead prop, John Ryan, is hoping to be involved for Ireland’s crunch Six Nations game against Wales this weekend in Cardiff but admits you never know how Joe Schmidt is thinking. “I suppose I can’t speak for Joe, he keeps his cards close enough to his chest, he won’t tell what you are going to expect because if you …

For someone who prides himself on his ability to physically impose himself on opponents, the manner of Ireland’s Six Nations loss to England on Saturday will sting Peter O’Mahony in particular.  O’Mahony and the rest of his forward pack came out second best to their English counterparts with the likes of the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, Kyle Sinckler, Maro …