Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

1 February 2026; Assistant coach Simon Easterby during an Ireland Rugby media conference at The Campus in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Easterby dismisses Leinster defence 'misconception'

Simon Easterby believes it's a "misconception" that Jacques Nienaber's aggressive defensive system at Leinster has made it harder for their players to adapt back to Ireland's style of play.

Rugby • 6 hrs

8 March 2025; France players, including Maxime Lucu, centre, celebrate as they hold the grounding of the ball to prevent an Ireland try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pho

Ryan: Fast start key to prevent French onslaught

Thursday night at Stade de France will be a much different experience than Ireland's last two trips to Paris.

Rugby • 3 hrs

1 February 2026; Tadhg Furlong during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at The Campus in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Furlong returns to training ahead of Six Nations opener

Tadhg Furlong trained with the Ireland squad this afternoon, with the tighthead prop looking to prove his fitness ahead of Thursday's Guinness Six Nations opener against France in Paris.

Rugby • 19 hrs

15 November 2025; Jack Conan of Ireland is tackled by Jake Gordon of Australia during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Conan raring to go after 'stressed' start to season

It was roundly denied at the time, but as the months slip by there is a growing acceptance from some of Ireland's large touring contingent that the Lions Hangover was probably a real thing.

Rugby • 01 Feb

22 November 2025; Ireland captain Caelan Doris speaks to referee Matthew Carley during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Spotlight on discipline as Ireland look to mend fences

Irish discipline will be under the microscope when they take on France in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations next Thursday, writes Neil Treacy.

Rugby • 01 Feb

25 January 2026; Sam Prendergast during the Ireland team assembly day at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin ahead of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Exclusive Prendergast balancing highs and lows of 'fickle' game

Ireland out-half Sam Prendergast speaks exclusively to Neil Treacy about dealing with the praise and criticism of 2025, out-half competition in camp, and next week's Six Nations opener against France in Paris.

Rugby • 31 Jan

29 January 2026; Edwin Edogbo poses for a portrait after an Ireland Rugby media conference at The Campus in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Edogbo: I would be 'more than ready' for Ireland debut

There have been plenty of suggestions that Edwin Edogbo should go straight into the Irish matchday squad next week for a Six Nations debut in Paris.

Rugby • 30 Jan

29 January 2026; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell speaks to his half-backs, from left, Craig Casey, Jamison Gibson-Park, Nathan Doak, Jack Crowley, Harry Byrne and Sam Prendergast during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at The Campus in Quinta do La

Ireland attack 'always trying to evolve' with the times

Ireland attack coach Andrew Goodman is preaching evolution rather than revolution, as his side look to rebound back to form in 2026.

Rugby • 30 Jan

22 November 2025; Bundee Aki of Ireland during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Goodman: Door remains open for Aki return after ban

Ireland assistant coach Andrew Goodman insists Bundee Aki still has a role to play in Ireland's Guinness Six Nations, despite his suspension for "verbal abuse and disrespect" towards match officials.

Rugby • 30 Jan

3 January 2026; Bundee Aki of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Aki dropped from Ireland squad over disciplinary issues

Ireland could be without Bundee Aki for their Guinness Six Nations opener against France next week, after the centre was cited for comments made to match officials following Connacht's defeat to Leinster on Saturday.

Rugby • 28 Jan