Michael Glennon

RTÉ Sport Journalist

7 February 2026; The Ireland team huddle after the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade Amie Giral in Perpignan, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Three changes for Ireland Under-20s to take on Italy

Ireland Under-20s coach Andrew Browne has made three changes to his side to take on Italy in Cork in Virgin Media Park on Friday night, with Rob Carney, Lee Fitzpatrick and Joe Finn coming into the team.

Rugby • 11 Feb

22 March 2025; Referee Hollie Davidson during the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Six Nations history beckons for referee Davidson

Irish rugby fans are well used to seeing Hollie Davidson as the woman in the middle but this Saturday marks a new altitude for a referee who has crashed through the glass ceiling.

Rugby • 12 Feb

5 February 2026; Joe McCarthy of Ireland during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

McCarthy says Ireland still have 'belief' after Bleus

A marked man before the game, and a lightning rod for what went wrong during it, Joe McCarthy admits the defeat to France has been eating away at him.

Rugby • 13 Feb

10 February 2026; Tadhg Furlong during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Fogarty: 'Brilliant' to have Furlong back

Tadhg Furlong trained fully with the Ireland squad on Tuesday and is expected to come into the team to face Italy on Saturday.

Rugby • 10 Feb

10 February 2026; Bryn Ward during an Ireland Rugby media conference at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

'I feel like I'd be able to take that step no problem'

Ulster back row Bryn Ward is determined to strike while the iron is hot and make the most of his rise up the Ireland ranks.

Rugby • 11 Feb

5 February 2026; Ireland players during the national anthem before the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ratings: Irish struggle in chastening Paris defeat

Ireland were outfought and outplayed in their opening Guinness Six Nations match against France. Here's how we rated the players in the 36-14 defeat.

Rugby • 06 Feb

5 February 2026; Matthieu Jalibert of France celebrates after scoring his side's second try during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Six Nations recap: France 36-14 Ireland

Relive all the action from Paris as Guinness Six Nations champions France hosted Ireland in the opening clash of the 2026 tournament.

Rugby • 11 Feb

France's scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont (R) fights for the ball with Ireland's number 8 Caelan Doris during the Six Nations rugby union international match between France and Ireland at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on Februa

Six Nations: France v Ireland - All you need to know

The 2026 Guinness Six Nations kicks off with a Thursday night clash between France and Ireland in Paris - find out all you need to know here.

Rugby • 05 Feb

12 February 2022; The teams stand for the national anthems before the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

It's 15 v 15 - France v Ireland Paris match-ups

Ireland take on defending Six Nation champions France in Paris this evening, Here's how the starting teams match-up.

Rugby • 05 Feb

Ciarán Frawley (l) and Max Deegan are among the senior capped players to line out in Thomond Park on Friday

Six senior caps in Ireland XV to face England 'A'

Leinster's Max Deegan will captain the Ireland XV side to face England 'A' as one of six senior capped Test internationals in the starting team.

Rugby • 04 Feb