Brendan Cole

RTÉ Sport journalist

Follow@brendcole

Leinster recorded a memorable win at the Rec back in January 2005

Preview: Do or die for Leinster in Bath

It is do or die for Leinster against Bath on Saturday, writes Brendan Cole.

Rugby • 20 Nov 15

Saracens beat Ulster in the quarter-finals last season

Preview: Ulster face tough task against Saracens

Ulster face a difficult task as they welcome Saracens to Ravenhill, writes Brendan Cole.

Rugby • 20 Nov 15

Jonathan Sexton will back in action European for Leinster after his spell in France

Provinces aiming to lift gloom around Irish rugby

Will the Rugby World Cup disappointment have any impact on the Irish provinces as they embark on their European campaigns? Brenda Cole previews this weekend's Champions Cup ties.

Rugby • 13 Nov 15

Karne Hesketh touches down for a Japanese victory against South Africa

Feature: Ten defining images of RWC 2015

Brendan Cole picks his selection of ten of the defining images from the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 30 Oct 15

Australian back row David Pocock could be the key man in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand

RWC final preview: New Zealand v Australia

Can Australia overcome a New Zealand side with an incredible winning record over the last four years? Brendan Cole previews the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 31 Oct 15

Brian O'Driscoll offloads the ball during his tour de force against Italy in the 2014 Six Nations

Column: Irish rugby has an obvious role model

The role of bad luck in Ireland's exit should be acknowledged, but as we look forward we should also remember that Ireland produced the most consistently creative passer in the world game of the last 15 years, writes Brendan Cole.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 22 Oct 15

Ireland never recovered fully from two early Argentina tries

Awesome Argentina dump Ireland out of World Cup

Ireland's Rugby World Cup is over after Argentina deservedly claimed a 43-20 quarter-final win in an enthralling game in Cardiff.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 19 Oct 15

The Ireland team huddle together at the captain's run in Cardiff

Ireland v Argentina: New leaders must emerge

Ireland have their backs firmly against the wall with four key players missing for their clash with an Argentina team capable of playing superb rugby, writes Brendan Cole.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 18 Oct 15

Sean O'Brien and Paul O'Connell will both be missing when Ireland play Argentina on Sunday

RWC Health Check: The eight quarter-finalists

Ireland have been badly hit by injuries and a one-game ban handed to Sean O’Brien at the Rugby World Cup but with eight nations left, how badly off are Joe Schmidt’s men compared to the competition?

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 21 Oct 15

Ian Madigan was emotional after the match

Column: Ireland reap reward of All Black pain

It was hard to see how losing to New Zealand in agonising circumstances could have a silver lining, but learning from that defeat paid dividends against France, writes Brendan Cole.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 15 Oct 15