Jonny Holland

Former Munster fly-half and current Cork Con head coach

'There's work to do if Munster want to go on the play-off run that we know they are capable of'

Table doesn't lie as two Irish sides remain in hunt

The URC play-off pairings are now known, after the final round of matches was played out last weekend and the league table doesn't lie, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 21 May

Munster's clash at home to Benetton is a huge point in their season

Benetton aiming to crash Munster party in Cork

After a somewhat surprising, yet utterly dominant victory at home against Glasgow, Benetton have forced a head-to-head showdown with Munster for a place in the playoffs of the BKT URC.

Rugby • 14 May

'Pollock showed something absolutely unique. His energy is almost as impressive as his confidence. His athleticism is frightening.'

Nothing abstract about Pollock's impression for Saints

The Champions Cup semi-finals served up two major surprises as Northampton Saints and Bordeaux Begles rewrote the script to advance to the final in Cardiff.

Rugby • 06 May

'It was a well-deserved win and a cleverly executed game strategy from Dwayne Peel and his Scarlets team'

Clever Scarlets expose underbelly of weakened Leinster

Dwayne Peel and Scarlets had a clear plan to disrupt Leinster on Saturday and it worked very effectively as the Welsh region gave their play-off hopes a massive shot in the arm with an unexpected victory.

Rugby • 29 Apr

'Ulster could be a lot higher up the table with a small bit more consistency and luck from an injury front'

Lack of selection consistency is harming Ulster's push

Ulster are an exciting team with a huge amount of potential, but currently they don't have the consistency of selection or the ability to pick their most experienced players at one time.

Rugby • 22 Apr

Johnny Holland: 'Champions Cup winners are generally well-disciplined and as strong on the defensive side of the game as they are in attack. That can't currently be said about Bordeaux'

Bordeaux require defensive focus to challenge for title

Bordeaux Begles overpowered Munster to take their place in the Champions Cup semi-final. However they need to sort out flaws in defence if they're to have a serious say in this competition.

Rugby • 15 Apr

Munster face a Bordeaux side riding high in the Top 14 at Stade Chaban Delmas on Saturday afternoon

Munster will require another magnifique French effort

More Munster magic in the Champions Cup saw Ian Costello's side topple La Rochelle in the Stade Marcel Deflandre, but it will take another monumental effort to upset Bordeaux this weekend.

Rugby • 08 Apr

'Are we continuously finding ways to make the jackal safer instead of just removing the jackal itself?'

Time to call it a day for the jackal?

While Munster and Connacht played out a tight-fought and historical interprovincial match in MacHale Park, Cian Prendergast sustained a head knock that reminds us rugby union still has an unacceptably high injury rate.

Rugby • 01 Apr

'The identification of talent doesn't seem to be an issue. Utilising the talent can be a slower process'

Good time for Irish rugby to wipe slate clean

After a very underwhelming finish to the Six Nations defence, it feels like a good time for Ireland to go through an extended break, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 18 Mar

It's hugely frustrating that the shot at history has been lost

No need for panic but we need to see a response in Rome

The French backs ran riot in the second half but the victory was founded on physical dominance

Rugby • 11 Mar