Jonny Holland

Former Munster fly-half and current Cork Con head coach

'The gulf between the top teams and the rest of the pack is more obvious than ever'

Champions Cup knockout stages look lopsided and diluted

Ulster are among the teams that really shouldn't be in the knockout stages of a competition that's supposed to about pitting the best of the best against each other, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 21 Jan 25

'Even small things can be problematic in coaching when you're not the one in control'

Challenges await as Easterby steps into Farrell's shoes

Simon Easterby is due to name his first full Irish squad on Wednesday amidst Andy Farrell's Irish sabbatical for his role with the Lions. How much autonomy does he have over the selection and how much is he playing to Farrell's tune, asks Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 14 Jan 25

'La Rochelle's ability is obvious, and the power can be unstoppable'

Prendergast can expect serious La Rochelle examination

La Rochelle will be up against it when they take on Leinster this Sunday, but they still have a love for the Champions Cup, and will be eyeing what would be a huge scalp to kick their season on.

Rugby • 07 Jan 25

'Connacht will regret not getting into their attacking rhythm sooner'

Leinster widening the gap to the rest of the provinces

Connacht caused Leinster problems at the Aviva Stadium, but the quality which Leo Cullen can recall to his squad his frightening, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 24 Dec 24

'Leo Cullen has a way of managing this squad so that everyone wants to play, yet nobody wants to leave'

Selection dilemmas abound as Leinster spoilt for choice

Leinster flexed their muscle on Sunday evening to beat Bristol Bears, in their opening Champions Cup game but Leo Cullen may have trouble picking his top fifteen

Rugby • 09 Dec 24

Selection dilemmas abound as Leinster spoilt for choice

Leinster flexed their muscle on Sunday evening to beat Bristol Bears, in their opening Champions Cup game but Leo Cullen may have trouble picking his top fifteen

Rugby • 10 Dec 24

Jonny Holland: 'With England on the horizon in the Six Nations opener, Jack Crowley remains the man in possession'

Ireland's out-half questions yet to be resolved

Ireland's out-half depth chart is one of the biggest talking points following a stuttering and unconvincing Autumn Nations Series.

Rugby • 03 Dec 24

'This is the last development opportunity for Farrell (and his stand-in Simon Easterby) ahead of the Six Nations before players are released back to their clubs for URC and European action'

The fringe candidates worth Farrell's first preference

Jonny Holland identifies the squad players who could benefit from getting Andy Farrell's vote at the ballot box this week.

Rugby • 26 Nov 24

'I'm not sure if we need Sam Prendergast to start a Test match as physically daunting as this one...Fijian physicality is something that might do more harm than good'

Farrell has frustrations but not with either debutant

While Ireland have issues to work out before the end of the Autumn Nations Series, Jonny Holland was impressed by the performances of Irish debutants Thomas Clarkson and Sam Prendergast against Argentina.

Rugby • 19 Nov 24

Farrell has frustrations but not with either debutant

While Ireland have issues to work out before the end of the Autumn Nations Series, Jonny Holland was impressed by the performances of Irish debutants Thomas Clarkson and Sam Prendergast against Argentina.

Rugby • 18 Nov 24