Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

29 January 2026; Jacob Stockdale during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at The Campus in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell backs 'delighted' Stockdale for 6N comeback

Andy Farrell is backing Jacob Stockdale to shine, after handing the Ulster wing his first Guinness Six Nations appearance in close to five years, for Thursday's championship opener against France in Paris.

Rugby • 56 mins

2 February 2026; Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at The Campus in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Jerseys up for grabs as Farrell weighs up options

It's just under two years since Andy Farrell picked a team for a Six Nations match, and when he does reveal his matchday squad for Ireland's opener against France in Paris tomorrow morning, it will be a much different side to his last in March 2024.

Rugby • 9 hrs

25 January 2026; Harry Byrne, left, Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast during the Ireland team assembly day at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin ahead of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell keeping an 'open mind' on 10 jersey for Paris

Andy Farrell insists this week's training camp in Portugal is an open-audition for his number 10 jersey, ahead of the Six Nations opener against France in Paris.

Rugby • 29 Jan

26 January 2026; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell poses for a portrait during the launch of the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship at The Hub in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Ross MacDonald/Sportsfile

'Win every game' - Farrell's goal hasn't changed

If there's an air of pessimism about Ireland's chances in the 2026 Guinness Six Nations, then Andy Farrell didn't get the memo.

Rugby • 27 Jan

30 January 2025; Billy Bohan of Ireland during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell: Newcomer Bohan has temperament for step up

Andy Farrell said that Connacht's 20-year-old prop Billy Bohan has the temperament to adjust to the step-up after being parachuted into Ireland's Six Nations squad, following the injury suffered by Jack Boyle.

Rugby • 27 Jan

Bohan called up after Boyle ruled out of 6N opener

Connacht's Billy Bohan has been called up to the Ireland senior squad for the Guinness Six Nations, after Jack Boyle was ruled out due to injury.

Rugby • 25 Jan

22 November 2025; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Irish places up for grabs as Farrell sweats on injuries

One imagines there has been a flowing line of contact between Andy Farrell and the Leinster medical department in the last few days, as the Ireland head coach prepares to name his Guinness Six Nations squad on Wednesday.

Rugby • 20 Jan

3 December 2025; Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Farrell: We don't want to just get past a quarter-final

Given Ireland's tortured history at the Rugby World Cup, Andy Farrell knew well enough to avoid getting sucked in by the permutations of Ireland's draw when he spoke to the media on Wednesday.

Rugby • 04 Dec 25

3 December 2025; Head coach Andy Farrell, left, and captain Caelan Doris during an Ireland Rugby media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Farrell not drawn on Ireland's favourable RWC pool

Andy Farrell gave a pokerfaced reaction to what looks like a favourable 2027 Rugby World Cup pool draw, but the Ireland head coach will quietly be pleased with this morning's outcome.

Rugby • 03 Dec 25

22 November 2025; Ryan Baird of Ireland receives medical treatment from team doctor Stuart O'Flanagan during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Leinster confirm Baird ruled out for up to three months

Ireland forward Ryan Baird is a potential doubt for the 2026 Six Nations after suffering a suspected broken leg during Saturday's loss to South Africa with Leinster confirming the flanker will be out of action for up to three months.

Rugby • 24 Nov 25

22 November 2025; A general view of a scrum during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Stats don't paint full picture of Irish scrum problems

The numbers would suggest that Ireland gave up six penalties from South Africa's 16 scrums, but the reality is considerably worse.

Rugby • 24 Nov 25

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus shakes hands with Ireland coach Johnny Sexton before the Quilter Nations Series match

Erasmus relieved to get Irish monkey off SA backs

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus was pleased his team could get a monkey off their back by winning in Dublin for the first time in 13 years and start to tip the scales of the sides' recent rivalry away from Ireland.

Rugby • 22 Nov 25

22 November 2025; Ireland captain Caelan Doris, left, remonstrates with referee Matthew Carley after he shows a yellow card to Andrew Porter of Ireland, hidden, during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Sta

Farrell proud despite 'stupid errors' against Boks

Andy Farrell said "stupid errors" cost his side in Saturday's 24-13 defeat to South Africa, but the Irish head coach insisted his main emotion was pride despite the humbling defeat to the world champions.

Rugby • 23 Nov 25

20 November 2025; Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell: Ireland 'more up to speed' as Boks arrive

This is week five of Ireland's camp, and Andy Farrell says he always believed their performances would come together.

Rugby • 21 Nov 25

15 November 2025; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, right, with Sam Prendergast of Ireland before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Farrell defends Prendergast over defensive 'work-on'

Andy Farrell has issued a staunch defence of his out-half Sam Prendergast, ahead of Saturday's Quilter Nations Series meeting with South Africa.

Rugby • 20 Nov 25

15 November 2025; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, left, with Australia head coach Joe Schmidt before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Farrell: Ireland need to be better against the Boks

Andy Farrell couldn't hide his delight at the ruthless nature of Ireland's 46-19 win against Australia on Saturday, but says they will have to be better again if they're to beat the Boks.

Rugby • 17 Nov 25

15 November 2025; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell celebrates with Dan Sheehan of Ireland after the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Upbeat Farrell pleased as Ireland give 'good account'

Andy Farrell admitted he was really pleased after Ireland's comprehensive record victory over Australia.

Rugby • 16 Nov 25

15 November 2025; Mack Hansen of Ireland celebrates with teammate James Lowe, after scoring their side's second try during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Hansen: I love this team and this feels like home

Mack Hansen says he was extra determined to impress against Australia after missing out on the opening autumn Tests.

Rugby • 15 Nov 25

Mack Hansen gets a chance to impress from full-back against Australia

Farrell: Lions has given Hansen 'bit between his teeth'

Andy Farrell can't wait to see Mack Hansen in action after handing the Connacht man a first ever international start at full-back against Australia.

Rugby • 14 Nov 25

13 November 2025; Head coach Andy Farrell during a Ireland Rugby media conference at Bective Rangers RFC in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

'We're expecting better', says Farrell

Andy Farrell has challenged his Ireland team to show their true selves against Australia tomorrow night (8.10pm).

Rugby • 14 Nov 25

8 November 2025; Gus McCarthy of Ireland, centre, is congratulated by teammate Andrew Porter, right, after scoring their side's fourth try during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Japan at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Shau

Bench boost eases Farrell's All Black blues

Ireland had to rely on a second-half surge to pull away from a tricky Japan side on Saturday with Andy Farrell left to thank his impressive bench.

Rugby • 09 Nov 25

8 November 2025; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Japan at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Farrell voices his frustration after sloppy Irish win

Andy Farrell made his frustrations clear with another sluggish Irish display, despite a final quarter flourish seeing them ease past Japan at Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 08 Nov 25

7 November 2025; Ireland players break away from a team photograph before an Ireland Rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland look to recapture ruthless streak against Japan

Neil Treacy looks ahead at Ireland's Quilter Nations Series meeting with Japan at Aviva Stadium this afternoon.

Rugby • 08 Nov 25

1 November 2025; Dan Sheehan and Caelan Doris face the Haka with their Ireland teammates before the Gallagher Cup match between Ireland and New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago, USA. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Farrell challenges Ireland to 'stand for something'

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has publicly challenged his side to make a big response to last week's defeat to New Zealand, saying their final quarter at Soldier Field "wasn't one of fight".

Rugby • 07 Nov 25

18 October 2025; Tom Farrell of Munster celebrates after scoring his side's second try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Farrell on Farrell: New cap Tom '100% deserves a shot'

It's less than two years since Tom Farrell got the news that his time at Connacht was up. At that stage, winning an international cap would have been the furthest thing from his mind.

Rugby • 06 Nov 25