Jonny Holland

Former Munster fly-half and current Cork Con head coach

'Ireland were never going to get much credit for winning the Italy game'

Italy game of little value to Ireland or England

It was an unfortunate sequence of events that reduced the Ireland versus Italy game to a foregone conclusion, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 01 Mar 22

'It's similar with other older members of the squad. If he leaves them out for one campaign, it could well be their last'

Tough calls ahead for Farrell in Six Nations part II

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has a few big calls to make as the Six Nations moves towards the business end.

Rugby • 22 Feb 22

'The question now is how does the head coach use the rest of the tournament?

How Farrell builds on Paris loss vital for Ireland

How Ireland head coach Andy Farrell approaches the final three games of the championship will be an interesting tell, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 15 Feb 22

France are going to be the best litmus test for where the Irish team are at

France will be a proper test of Irish faith in attack

Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales bore all the hallmarks of head coach Andy Farrell's attacking philosophy and while bigger tests await, Ireland appear to be very much on the right track.

Rugby • 08 Feb 22

'For Ireland's ambitions to continue forward, you'll need a couple of breakthroughs in this year's competition'

Ireland need more 'breakthroughs' to bolster momentum

The Six Nations is back this weekend. With the normality of full crowds restored, and with Irish expectations climbing back towards their peak, it promises to be a highly enjoyable competition, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 01 Feb 22

Munster showed a definite change in ambition in Thomond Park on Sunday

Offloading in vogue as Munster join the party

An accurate offloading game makes rugby a better spectacle to watch but as spectators we must understand what drives it and when it is appropriate, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 25 Jan 22

'It's becoming more evident that Tadhg Beirne has to be in Farrell's side'

Andy Farrell must gamble on youth as Six Nations looms

Andy Farrell has some decisions to make before he names his Six Nations squad on Wednesday, says Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 17 Jan 22

'The pressure within Munster to string some performances together is still there'

Nonsense to seek Van Graan exit before season is over

There's little chance of Munster getting rid of their head coach before the end of the season, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 11 Jan 22

'Neither side should be overly proud of their performance'

Sub-standard derby fare worrying for Ireland

The Connacht and Munster tussle didn't impress our columnist Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 04 Jan 22

"The bragging rights and direct competition for places ahead of the upcoming Six Nations camps gives the festive fixtures added spice."

Premiership provides contrast in interpros' absence

Irish rugby was forced into a weekend of rest due to Covid-19 cases in Ulster and the continuing concern in Leinster, but the situation was different in the Premiership, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 28 Dec 21