Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Head coach Andy Farrell, left, and Finn Russell during a British & Irish Lions captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Jackman: Farrell can deal with any 'Irish bias' claims

Bernard Jackman believes Andy Farrell has the man-management skills to allay any perception of partiality towards the Ireland contingent in his British and Irish Lions squad as they prepare for Friday's tour opener against Argentina at Aviva Stadium on Friday.

Rugby • 19 Jun

Leinster haven't won a trophy since 2021

Jackman: I've 'lost confidence' in Leinster resilience

Bernard Jackman says he can't back Leinster to win the United Rugby Championship until he sees it happen, adding that it's unlikely to make amends for their Champions Cup elimination.

United Rugby Championship • 14 May

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will take charge of the British and Irish Lions

Jackman: Ireland must get 'balance' right during Lions

Bernard Jackman says Ireland's summer games against Georgia and Portugal can't afford to be devalued by their growing representation on the British and Irish Lions tour.

Rugby • 26 Mar

Sam Prendergast has started all three games for Ireland in this Six Nations

'Hiding' Prendergast in defensive line not an option

Noel McNamara and Bernard Jackman believe Ireland should trust in Sam Prendergast's defence for Saturday's crucial Guinness Six Nations meeting with France at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 05 Mar

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby

Jackman would be 'shocked' if Wales land Easterby

While many in Wales have called for their union to headhunt Simon Easterby to become their next head coach, Bernard Jackman says he would be "absolutely shocked" to see the Ireland interim boss leave the IRFU.

Rugby • 12 Feb

Bernard Jackman believes that while Jack Crowley (left) delivered a timely reminder that he's not going to give up the Ireland 10 jerse without a fight, he believes interim coach Simon Easterby would be unlikely to change his mind on one game

Jackman: Crowley-Prendergast dilemma good for Ireland

Bernard Jackman believes Sam Prendergast may still have the edge over Jack Crowley to start for Ireland in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations, despite Crowley's impressive display against Northampton Saints on Saturday.

Rugby • 22 Jan

Ben Murphy will be hoping to be in today's Ireland squad

Jackman backs Connacht's Murphy for Ireland call

RTÉ rugby analyst Bernard Jackman is not expecting too many big surprises when Simon Easterby names his Six Nations squad today, but feels that Connacht's Ben Murphy is in line for a call-up.

Rugby • 15 Jan

Leinster have won in the side's last three meetings and La Rochelle are without Will Skelton

Ex-internationals debate Leinster's hopes in France

Fiona Coghlan, Jamie Heaslip and Bernard Jackman assess the much-anticipated clash between Leinster and La Rochelle on Sunday in the Investec Champions Cup.

Rugby • 12 Jan

Leinster's defence prevents Tadhg Beirne from scoring a try in their 28-7 win against Munster

Jackman: Nienaber's Leinster playing like 'psychos'

Bernard Jackman believes Jacques Nienaber has changed the mentality of Leinster's squad since his arrival 12 months ago, with the province now playing like "psychos" since buying into his defence-first strategy.

United Rugby Championship • 30 Dec 24

Ireland were 13-10 winners when they played Australia in 2022

Jackman: Ireland must be wary of 'dangerous' Wallabies

Bernard Jackman says Ireland must proceed with caution against Joe Schmidt's Australia on Saturday afternoon.

Rugby • 27 Nov 24

Will Jordan starts at full-back for New Zealand

Jackman: Ireland can look to exploit Jordan positioning

Bernard Jackman believes Will Jordan could be the weak link in the New Zealand defence that Ireland should look to expose on Friday.

Rugby • 07 Nov 24

Leinster haven't won a big trophy since 2021

Jackman: Pressure on Leinster to finally deliver

Bernard Jackman tells RTÉ's Game On that the pressure is on Leinster to end their trophy drought ahead of the start of the new BKT URC season.

Rugby • 20 Sep 24

Hugh Gavin (l) is one of several promising Connacht youngsters

Jackman optimistic for future of young Connacht squad

Bernard Jackman believes Connacht have every right to be optimistic about their upcoming season after a disappointing return in 2023/24.

United Rugby Championship • 18 Sep 24

Jackman optimistic for future of young Connacht squad

Bernard Jackman believes Connacht have every right to be optimistic about their upcoming season after a disappointing return in 2023/24.

United Rugby Championship • 18 Sep 24

Osborne has won both of his Ireland caps at full-back

Murphy: Osborne move to full-back 'a stroke of genius'

Jamie Osborne's former coach Johne Murphy believes the 22-year-old has passed his test at full-back with flying colours against the Springboks, and says the selection was a 'stroke of genius' by head coach Andy Farrell.

Rugby • 16 Jul 24

Munster were 40-29 winners when the sides met in the regular season

Jackman: Munster must stifle 'elaborate' Glasgow attack

Bernard Jackman believes Munster will go on and secure their place in next week's BKT United Rugby Championship final, but has warned they'll have their work cut out dealing with a multi-faceted Glasgow Warriors attack this weekend.

United Rugby Championship • 12 Jun 24

Jackman: Leinster got kicking game wrong

Bernard Jackman said watching Leinster lose another Champions Cup final was tough, but added his former team will have some regrets about the way Saturday's defeat to Toulouse played out.

Rugby • 27 May 24

Ireland have won back to back Six Nations championships

Should Ireland rest veterans for South Africa tour?

Bernard Jackman says he hopes Peter O'Mahony will extend his career by another season with both Munster and Ireland, however he believes the Ireland captain and multiple other senior players should be rested by Andy Farrell this summer.

Rugby • 20 Mar 24

Ireland are heavy favourites against England this weekend

Jackman: England have to bring Ireland into a battle

Bernard Jackman says Ireland must beware of a wounded England team, when the sides meet in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday.

Rugby • 06 Mar 24

Ireland defence coach Simon Easterby has received high praise in this championship

Jackman: 'The opposition now fear our defence'

Bernard Jackman believes Ireland's defence is now "feared" across the game, after a dominant start to the Six Nations on both sides of the ball.

Rugby • 28 Feb 24

Wales arrive in Dublin at a relatively low ebb

Jackman: Wales scrum and kicking game are weaknesses

RTÉ rugby analyst Bernard Jackman instances the Welsh set-piece and kicking game as obvious weaknesses as Warren Gatland's side land in Dublin ahead of Saturday's Six Nations encounter.

Rugby • 23 Feb 24

Ulster are eighth in the URC with eight games left to play

Jackman: Ulster job is one of the best in Europe

Bernard Jackman believes the Ulster job would be an attractive prospect for the game's top coaches, with the province set to replace Dan McFarland as head coach.

Rugby • 21 Feb 24

(L to R): James Lowe, Caelan Doris and Jamison Gibson-Park

Ireland have created a powerful winning aura - Jackman

Bernard Jackman, speaking on RTÉ's Against The Head, believes some teams are beaten before the match even starts such is the aura around the Irish right now.

Rugby • 13 Feb 24

Scottish out-half Finn Russell talks to match officials while waiting for a TMO decision at the end of the game

Jackman: World Rugby needs to simplify the game

World Rugby needs to simplify the game to take pressure off referees and not alienate people from the sport, according to Bernard Jackman.

Rugby • 12 Feb 24

O'Mahony will lead Ireland for the 2024 Six Nations

Jackman: O'Mahony a 'clear-cut' captaincy choice

Bernard Jackman believes Andy Farrell has made the right decision to name Peter O'Mahony as Ireland captain for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, even if it's just a short-term choice.

Rugby • 17 Jan 24