Jonny Holland

Former Munster fly-half and current Cork Con head coach

Holland: 'We'll learn a lot about where Irish club rugby is at over the next two weeks'

European litmus test awaits Irish provinces

Johnny Holland assesses the form of the provinces leading into the opening round of this season's Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 10 Dec 21

'It would also allow the fringe players or non-selected players in the squad to get back in the mix'

Irish Wolfhounds return couldn't come at better time

Plans to get the Irish Wolfhounds, formerly known as the Irish 'A' team, back into competitive fixtures in the 2022 season couldn't come at a better time for Irish rugby, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 30 Nov 21

'The positivity is firmly back in Irish rugby which can now be used as a springboard to push on'

Complacency the risk as Ireland take huge strides

Ireland impressed with the gameplan during a fruitful November window but building on it will be key heading into the next phase of the World Cup cycle, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 23 Nov 21

'Nearly everyone could get a mention for the positive impact they had on the game'

Relentless Ireland turn tables on All Blacks

New Zealand simply couldn't live with Ireland's high intensity - and that is something we've rarely seen before, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 16 Nov 21

'The All Blacks will remember losing in Dublin during their last visit and will no doubt use it in the week ahead'

Experienced heads need to drive it against New Zealand

To win back the fringe supporters and to keep building their confidence and momentum, it's imperative that Ireland put it up to New Zealand, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 09 Nov 21

The expectation is that Farrell will have to go very strong because of the quality of opposition

Autumn selections to hint at Farrell's World Cup plans

Picking and dropping players is harder than it looks, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 02 Nov 21

All Blacks' USA exhibition didn't sit right with me

Jonny Holland discusses the All Blacks' 104-14 demolition of a USA team missing first choice players and how such a fixture does not bring any tangible benefits to international rugby.

Rugby • 26 Oct 21

'As an ex-player, it's really easy to say that's collisions are part of the game and you can understand the player that is flying in to make an impact for his team'

Contrasting calls on high tackles a huge frustration

Former Munster player Jonny Holland looks at two similar high-challenge incidents at the weekend that were dealt with differently by the match officials.

Rugby • 19 Oct 21

"Leinster are known for using 55 or so players every year and barely giving up any points, which shows their strength in depth."

South African sides shorn of stars face URC test

After the chaos wreaked by the pandemic, rugby is resuming with a more recognisable league structure, even if the new competition format will be providing something very different for teams and fans, with the South African sides in the URC facing a major challenge this side of Christmas.

Rugby • 24 Sep 21

"There is loads of rugby to come, but it won't be as tense as that Lions series for another while yet."

Lions loss was tense but focus needs to switch from TMO

The Lions chipped away and gave us a series that was tied up until the final minute of play. Now, hopefully, we can all return to dissecting rugby analysis involving players actions much more than that of the TMO, referees and coaches.

Rugby • 10 Aug 21