Jonny Holland

Former Munster fly-half and current Cork Con head coach

Confident Leinster have the upper hand against Munster

Jonny Holland previews the interprovincial clash of Munster and Leinster at the Aviva stadium this weekend.

Rugby • 21 Nov 23

'Introducing internationals such as Iain Henderson and the record breaking Herring, as well as debutant Scott Wilson, turned the game in Ulster's favour'

Getting basics right is still key to winning or losing

After a disappointing defeat against Connacht, Ulster exacted their interprovincial revenge on Munster in Belfast on Friday night.

Rugby • 14 Nov 23

Nascent stars can embrace post-World Cup opportunities

With established internationals still injured or resting up, the season after a World Cup offers huge opportunities for breakthrough stars to strut their stuff.

Rugby • 07 Nov 23

South Africa are experts at building their team to peak at the right time

Springboks mastery of basics is its own kind of torture

The South African rugby team are currently touring their home country to visit the people that they represented during their deserved World Cup victory.

Rugby • 31 Oct 23

'One or two knock ons crept in throughout the aerial bombardment and unfortunately for England, the South African subs bench had a much more influential effect on the game than their own'

South Africa set up clash of styles against New Zealand

South Africa will play New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final, a clash of styles according to RTÉ Rugby columnist Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 24 Oct 23

'This isn't just a loss, it's the end of a four-year cycle, and at least two years of that cycle was spent with confident anticipation towards this World Cup'

The doom and gloom of starting a new four-year cycle

Jonny Holland is full of praise for New Zealand, and also examines the difficulty of starting a World Cup cycle under such a cloud.

Rugby • 17 Oct 23

All Blacks clash as much a mental battle as physical

Ireland convincingly beat Scotland on Saturday night to set up the double sided tale of revenge in a grudge match against the All Blacks this weekend.

Rugby • 10 Oct 23

'There should also be someone slightly detached from the group that has an extensive breakdown on every potential outcome'

Ireland must focus on job first, permutations later

Ireland know what they have to do against Scotland, writes Jonny Holland, but they also need to make sure they know exactly what they need in the event that the game goes down to the wire.

Rugby • 03 Oct 23

'It's advantage Ireland from a psychological perspective'

Ireland changed the picture to outmanoeuvre Springboks

Ireland were not perfect, but smart tactical tweaks helped them battle past South Africa in a World Cup blockbuster.

Rugby • 26 Sep 23

Jonny Holland: 'It's going to be a top class tactical battle between two of the form sides in the world, a showdown that we've been waiting months for'

Two areas likely to decide outcome against South Africa

If Ireland can brush up on their accuracy at the breakdown and the penalty count, victory over world champions South Africa is well within reach, according to Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 19 Sep 23