Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Peter O'Mahony is congratulated after helping Munster to beat Leinster in the semi-final

De Villiers backs O'Mahony to lead Munster charge

Former Munster players Jean de Villiers and CJ Stander have backed Peter O'Mahony to lead the charge as the Reds look for a first trophy since 2011.

Rugby • 23 May 23

UJ Seuteni touches down despite pressure from Tadhg Furlong

Stander: Seuteni try key turning point for La Rochelle

La Rochelle's second try was the moment that turned the Heineken Champions Cup final, according to CJ Stander.

Rugby • 22 May 23

Munster are hopeful that RG Snyman could be available to return in October

Snyman's road to recovery a 'bestseller' - Van Graan

Munster head coach Johann van Graan says the province are hopeful of an October return for the luckless RG Snyman.

Rugby • 07 Sep 21

Damian de Allende in action against Cardiff Blues on 28 May

Petrol explosion led to Munster players' burn injuries

Munster centre Damian De Allende says a decision by one of his team-mates to "throw petrol on the fire" resulted in the fire pit accident that left four of the province's players with burn injuries.

Rugby • 08 Jun 21

Four Munster players injured in fire pit accident

Munster quartet Mike Haley, CJ Stander, Damian de Allende and RG Snyman are recovering from "superficial burns" after a fire pit accident at the weekend.

Rugby • 07 Jun 21

'My last three games with Ireland I was taking pictures and videos, no one knew I was going to retire but I knew that was the last time I was going to be able to walk on a pitch without anyone giving me trouble. I'll probably have to streak to do it again

We Become Heroes - CJ Stander

Departing Munster backrow and Ireland international CJ Stander joins the We Become Heroes podcast.

Rugby • 13 Apr 21

Johann van Graan will lead Munster into a final for the first time since his appointment in 2017

Van Graan: Final the ultimate test of Munster progress

Munster head coach Johann van Graan hopes his team can cap their development this season with a first league crown in a decade when they meet Leinster in the Pro14 final on Saturday.

Rugby • 23 Mar 21

'You can't ask for much more from a guy who played 51 tests in five years with an average of 16 carries and 10 tackles per game, every game'

CJ Stander committed himself to the whole Irish process

In recalling the first time he encountered CJ Stander during a Munster training session, Jonny Holland wanted to impress him and, in the process felt he was going up a level because of him.

Rugby • 23 Mar 21

Keenan (r) celebrates Keith Earls disallowed try

Delivering under 'pressure' extra special for Ireland

Hugo Keenan says Ireland were feeling pressure to perform as they rounded off their Six Nations campaign with their best performance since 2018.

Rugby • 21 Mar 21

CJ Stander embraces Robbie Henshaw at full-time

Henshaw: Stander factor paramount in 'emotional' win

Robbie Henshaw said CJ Stander's impending retirement factored into the emotional pitch Ireland were able to reach as their Guinness Six Nations campaign ended with a resounding win over England at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 20 Mar 21

Lenihan: 'You might see him [Stander] back in the Pro16 playing for one of the South African franchises

Lenihan: Stander may be back in Pro16 before too long

Donal Lenihan says he would not be surprised if CJ Stander makes a playing return in South Africa despite announcing his retirement this week when his contract runs out in June.

Rugby • 20 Mar 21

CJ Stander's Ireland days are almost over

We want to help CJ go out with a bang - Andy Farrell

Andy Farrell says his players are determined to help CJ Stander go out with a bang but insists Ireland should not require further incentive to beat England.

Rugby • 18 Mar 21

Sexton on Stander: 'He's got the upmost respect of anyone who has played with or against him. Ultimately, when you finish up, that's what you want'

Shocked team-mates appreciate Stander's 'noble' call

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton and international and provincial team-mate Peter O'Mahony pay tribute to the impact CJ Stander has made on Irish rugby since his arrival from South Africa in 2012.

Rugby • 20 Mar 21

CJ Stander is set to call time on his rugby career

CJ Stander set to retire from rugby in June

Ireland and Munster back row CJ Stander has announced he will retire from rugby in June.

Rugby • 16 Mar 21

Iain Henderson (left) impressed in his first game as Ireland captain

Ireland player ratings: Henderson and Stander step up

Player ratings as Ireland's Six Nations title hopes were prematurely ended by a 15-13 defeat to France at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 14 Feb 21

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

CJ Stander: 'You can only be physical if you know what you are doing'

Stander not buying 'soft' Ireland tag as England loom

CJ Stander views Rassie Erasmus' labelling of Ireland as a "soft" team as a challenge and has promised to keep that message in store for their next meeting with South Africa.

Rugby • 18 Nov 20

Antoine Dupont (L) is tackled by Ireland's scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park (R)

Dupont named Six Nations Player of Championship

France scrum-half Antoine Dupont has been voted 2020 Guinness Six Nations player of the championship, T while the inaugural women's award was won by England centre Emily Scarratt.

Rugby • 06 Nov 20

Munster made it two dramatic wins in the space of a week with victory over Edinburgh at Thomond Park

Last gasp Stander try snatches victory for Munster

For the second week running, Munster left it late to snatch victory in the Guinness Pro14, with Edinburgh the victims this week at Thomond Park in a 25-23 defeat.

Rugby • 10 Oct 20

CJ Stander and Josh van der Flier have impressed in Ireland's first two Six Nations games

Downey: Ireland back row 'massive area' against England

Former Ireland and Munster centre James Downey looks ahead to the trip to Twickenham in the Six Nations and how the back row battle will be crucial to how Andy Farrell's team will do.

Rugby • 17 Feb 20

CJ Stander is expected to be targeted by Wales following his performance against the Scots

Ireland must win physical battle with Wales - Lenihan

Ireland must win the physical battle in their Six Nations clash against Wales on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, according to Donal Lenihan.

Six Nations • 07 Feb 20

CJ Stander has made the move to blindside flanker as Caelen Doris takes the number eight jersey

Stander was forewarned Caelan Doris' day was coming

CJ Stander recalls the time he once joked about Caelan Doris taking his number eight jersey with his new team-mate's father

Rugby • 31 Jan 20

Ireland's starting team against Scotland has played on average 1244 minutes each for club and country since the end of last year's Six Nations campaign

Matter of time - Stander has most minutes of Ireland XV

How many minutes have the Ireland players selected to face Scotland on Saturday played since the conclusion of last year's Six Nations campaign?

Rugby • 01 Feb 20

CJ Stander: "This is what you want to do when you're growing up, thinking about being part of a World Cup'

Stander desperate to go again and wipe away the pain

CJ Stander has declared himself ready to play his third World Cup match in 11 days when Ireland face Russia in Kobe on Thursday.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 30 Sep 19

Jack Conan had a powerful game against Scotland

Rueful Murphy hails Ireland back row rivals

Ulster flanker Jordi Murphy says he had mixed emotions as Ireland got off to a winning start at the World Cup without him.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 23 Sep 19