Tag Archives: World Cup

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw has emerged as an injury doubt for the side’s opening World Cup encounter against Scotland on Sunday.  According to a report in the Irish Times, the Leinster star suffered a hamstring injury during training at Ireland’s base in Chiba. Henshaw was in line to start in midfield against the Scots, alongside Bundee Aki, following the pair’s …

Imagine the scenario. You’re 22 years of age with 15 international caps under your belt. Your CV is highly impressive; one Six Nations Championship, one Grand Slam, one Triple Crown, one Champions Cup, and two PRO14 titles and the media are touting you as a cert to make it onto the plane to Japan. Yet, in the back of your …

Munster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed the short-term signing of Australian forward Jed Holloway as cover during the World Cup period. “An experienced and integral member of the Waratahs squad, Holloway has made 52 Super Rugby appearances and is known for his work-rate and strong ball carrying abilities”, their statement read. The 26-year-old will provide cover at lock, and …

The IRFU have confirmed that Keith Earls will travel to Japan as part of the World Cup squad despite injury concerns following Saturday’s win over Wales in the Aviva Stadium. The Munster winger was accompanied off the pitch by a member of the medical staff in the second half of the 19-10 victory. Earls took his place on the bench …

Ireland take on Wales in their final World Cup warm-up match at the Aviva Stadium today with both teams looking to impress before boarding the plane to Japan. While it is a warm-up game, there is much at stake for both sides. Having endured a mixed season so far, Warren Gatland will be hoping his side can gain momentum from …

Ireland welcome Wales to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their final warm-up game before they board the flight to Japan for the World Cup. The fixture will also mark the final game on home soil for captain Rory Best and head coach Joe Schmidt who will both be stepping away following the tournament. However, it will also serve …

He may not want to dwell on it before the game, but Saturday’s encounter with Wales will mark Rory Best’s final game at Lansdowne Road after 14 years.  The Ulster talisman made his Ireland debut in the old stadium when he came off the bench against the All-Blacks in November 2005. Since then, he has seen the best, and the …

Australia legend David Pocock will make his first Test appearance in almost a year when he captains his side in their final World Cup warm-up game against Samoa this weekend. The 31-year-old hasn’t featured on the international scene since last November after suffering a series of calf, neck and concussion issues which limited him to only three rugby games this …

England centre Joe Marchant is set to make his first Test start in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Italy in Newcastle on Friday, despite not being included in the squad for the tournament. Marchant has made two previous appearances for England from the bench, however, his inclusion raises questions as to the fitness of Jonathan Joseph, who withdrew …

Ireland have moved up to second in the latest World Rugby rankings following their 17-22 win over Wales in Cardiff at the weekend.  Had they won by a margin of 15 or more points, Joe Schmidt’s men would have gone to the top of the table, however, an outstanding performance from substitute Rhys Patchell helped Wales claw back from a …

“Finnan facing Cocu…. a little cross in there.. and it’s come through here.. MCATEER!” _____ The Context On the first of September 2001, Mick McCarthy’s Irish side stepped onto the Landsdowne Road pitch to face European giants Holland knowing that they needed the most unlikely of victories to keep the spark of their World Cup dream alive. The Boys in …

Munster and Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray has admitted that complacency may have crept into the side’s performances during their disappointing Six Nations campaign. After a memorable 2018 season during which Ireland won the Grand Slam, recorded the first series win away to one of the major Southern Hemisphere teams in 39 years and beat the All Blacks in Dublin, Joe …

Ireland travel to Twickenham on Saturday for the second of their World Cup warm-up games and Joe Schmidt has named an exciting, experimental side for the clash. Ross Byrne is named at fly-half alongside the experienced Conor Murray while Jean Kleyn is once again named in the second row alongside Iain Henderson. There’s a wealth of experience running throughout with …

In the absence of Joe Schmidt, who has returned to New Zealand due to a family bereavement, Andy Farrell will take charge of Ireland as they face Italy in their first World Cup warm-up game this weekend. The defence coach will succeed Schmidt as head coach of the Ireland side following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup later this …

Leinster and Ireland scrum-half Luke McGrath is hoping to put the disappointment of missing out on the Six Nations behind him as he eyes a starting position for this weekend’s game against Italy.  McGrath suffered knee ligament damage prior to the Six Nations, ruling him out of the entire tournament and should he feature against the Italians at the weekend, …

Full-back Mike Brown and centre Ben Te’o are among those who have been left out from Eddie Jones’ England squad to face Wales in Twickenham this weekend.  The exclusion means that pair will miss a final chance to impress the England head coach ahead of the Rugby World Cup as Jones is set to name his final 31-man squad for …