Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

England's winger Jonny May is tackled by Welsh lock Alun Wyn Jones

England do enough to see off limited Wales

England did just about enough to subdue a spirited but limited Wales with a 24-13 victory to secure top spot in Autumn Nations Cup Group A and set up a probable title decider against France at Twickenham next week.

Rugby • 28 Nov 20

Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze says Ireland remain among the world's best teams

Irish still among world's best, insists Georgia captain

Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze insists Ireland remain one of the world's best teams.

Rugby • 28 Nov 20

John Fogarty and Simon Easterby ahead of last month's game against Italy

Fogarty seeks more cohesive performance from Irish pack

Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty is braced for a relentless physical battle with Georgia and believes remaining calm, controlled and cohesive will be key to success.

Rugby • 28 Nov 20

Ireland have played Georgia on four occasions

All You Need to Know: Ireland v Georgia

Ireland take on Georgia on Sunday looking for a second win in the Autumn Nations Cup. Find out all you need to know here.

Rugby • 28 Nov 20

Soso Matiashvili returns to the Georgia team at full-back

Half a dozen Georgian changes for Ireland clash

Georgia have made six changes to their team for Sunday's Autumn Nations Cup encounter with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium (live on RTÉ One).

Rugby • 27 Nov 20

This will be Andy Farrell's eighth game in charge

Preview: More than Georgia on Irish minds

Ireland host Georgia in the Aviva this afternoon but bigger tests lie ahead.

Rugby • 29 Nov 20

Marcelo Bielsa: 'The presence of fans has an effect on the results'

Bielsa leads criticism of regional fan return

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa led criticism of the regionalised return of fans as part of the UK government's new strategy for tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

Soccer • 27 Nov 20

Stuart McCloskey in action for Ireland against the USA in 2018

Farrell urges McCloskey not to be too eager to impress

Ireland boss Andy Farrell admits Stuart McCloskey is entitled to feel aggrieved about his lack of international action but has urged him not to be "too desperate" to impress against Georgia.

Rugby • 27 Nov 20

Will Connors enjoying 'chop shop' combo with CJ Stander

Ireland back row Will Connors feels he is reaping the benefits of working closely with CJ Stander in training as players exchange expertise and specialties.

Rugby • 26 Nov 20

Andy Farrell: "We're obviously a small playing pool and with a small playing pool you're always one or two injuries away from a crisis"

Farrell: Growing pains part of priceless experience

Andy Farrell is comfortable with the "growing pains" he believes come with gleaning precious experience for Ireland after an up-and-down autumn that's yielded mixed results.

Rugby • 26 Nov 20

Ford gets England nod, Williams back for Wales

England have named George Ford at out-half in their only change for Saturday's Autumn Nations Cup clash with Wales at Parc y Scarlets.

Rugby • 26 Nov 20

Billy Burns starts for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium

Billy Burns to make first Ireland start against Georgia

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said he's excited to see Billy Burns "run the show" after handing the Ulster out-half his first start for Ireland against Georgia at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 26 Nov 20

Lenihan: 'Ireland need to step back & address basics'

Donal Lenihan tells the RTÉ Rugby Podcast that Ireland are "falling between two stools" when it comes to the evolution in the style of play under Andy Farrell and that the team need to go back to basics before taking a step forward.

Rugby • 26 Nov 20

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: Ireland falling between two stools?

On this week's RTÉ Rugby Podcast, Hugh Cahill is joined by Donal Lenihan, Bernard Jackman and Wes Liddy to sift through the issues raised by Saturday's Autumn Nations Cup loss to England.

Rugby • 25 Nov 20

Finlay Bealham said James Lowe (pictured) is "an incredible player"

Bealham comes to defence of 'class act' Lowe

Finlay Bealham described James Lowe as "an incredible player" with huge qualities, in response to criticism of the Leinster wing from former England international Chris Ashton.

Rugby • 26 Nov 20

James Ryan: 'We defended really well at times, but we weren't clinical enough.'

James Ryan urges Ireland to stay calm & 'see pictures'

James Ryan wants Ireland to calm down and "see pictures" when chances arise and insisted they're not far away from going toe to toe with the world's best sides.

Rugby • 25 Nov 20

Liam Williams crashes into Manu Tuilagi and George Kruis during last March's Six Nations clash

'They clearly target people' - England eye Wales battle

England defence coach John Mitchell expects Wales to do all they can to distract and disrupt the visitors in Saturday's Autumn Nations Cup match in Llanelli and says his players must be wary of provocation.

Rugby • 25 Nov 20

'We certainly feel we're going in the right direction in terms of our phase attack'

Easterby: We're trying to change the way we play

Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby is confident that Saturday's lineout woes in the 18-7 defeat to England will be ironed out and stressed again the coaching ticket's ambition to improve decision-making within the team.

Rugby • 24 Nov 20

CJ Stander, left, and Caelan Doris, were part of the Irish backrow that tasted defat in Twickenham at the weekend

Ferris has concerns over retreating Irish backrow

The sight of an Irish backrow struggling to make inroads at Twickenham is a worry going forward, says former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris.

Rugby • 23 Nov 20

Cian Healy, left, James Ryan and Jacob Stockdale react after the 18-7 defeat to England at Twickenham

Half a million watch rugby loss on big weekend of sport

On a bumper weekend of sport, television viewers for Ireland's defeat to England in the Autumn Nations Cup peaked at 564,000 on RTÉ One, with a share of 50% of those watching TV at the time.

other sport • 23 Nov 20

Conor Murray runs with the ball during the Autumn Nations Cup match against England

Murray belief grows despite another Twickenham defeat

Conor Murray says Ireland's players are desperate for another crack at toppling Eddie Jones' England after leaving Twickenham with "huge belief".

Rugby • 23 Nov 20

Virimi Vakatawa proved the difference at Murrayfield

Vakatawa powers France past battling Scotland

France centre Virimi Vakatawa muscled over the line to break open an absorbing clash which saw his side beat Scotland 22-15 at Murrayfield on Sunday and top Group B of the Nations Cup.

Rugby • 22 Nov 20

The Irish skipper takes it all in after the Twickenham loss

Ryan references 'one big learning' after England defeat

Stand-in skipper James Ryan is adamant Ireland will learn from the "collection of errors" which cost them dearly in the comprehensive defeat to England

Rugby • 22 Nov 20