Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Monday's ruling does not decide liability but enforces compliance after years of delays

Ex-players lose UK court bid in concussion lawsuit

Hundreds of former rugby players must hand over medical records and neurological test results after Britain's High Court dismissed their challenge to a requirement that they do so, clearing away an obstacle in a concussion lawsuit launched more than four years ago.

Rugby • 23 Dec 25

27 September 2025; Byron Ralston of Connacht collides with Michele Lamaro of Benetton Treviso during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Benetton Treviso at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

World Rugby sets game limits to improve player welfare

World Rugby has introduced new welfare guidelines that will limit the number of professional games per season to 30 with players permitted to play no more than six matches in a row.

Rugby • 01 Oct 25

The episode between Michael Cheika and the doctor lasted for five minutes

Cheika was 'overly aggressive with intense eye contact'

Michael Cheika's behaviour has been described as "overly aggressive with intense eye contact" in a written judgement after he was found guilty of disrespecting an independent match-day doctor and given a two-week suspension.

Rugby • 04 Oct 24

Marcus Horan: 'I don't think the edge is taken off the game at all'

Shake it off and get on with it mentality gone - Horan

Marcus Horan believes the 'shake it off' mentality is gone from rugby and has welcomed a new initiative aimed at the welfare of retired players.

Rugby • 16 Apr 24

England 2003 World Cup winners Steve Thompson is named in the proceedings

Sixty join legal action against rugby governing bodies

Sixty new claimants have been added to the legal action being taken against three of rugby union's governing bodies for the brain injuries they allege were sustained during their careers.

Rugby • 03 Apr 24

Ireland's Josh van der Flier passed a second half head injury assessment v Wales

World Rugby 'confident' in mouthguard technology

World Rugby's Lindsay Starling has underlined the governing body's confidence in data provided by new smart mouthguards after Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend voiced concerns over the technology.

Rugby • 27 Feb 24

Waterford's Stephen Bennett after taking a blow to the head in his county's recent defeat to Limerick

High tackles: Hurling in danger of losing the head

A spate of high challenges in the early rounds of the hurling championship could lead to a crackdown.

Hurling • 07 May 23

Heading balls immediately alters brain function - study

Even a brief session of heading a football immediately alters brain function and the way the brain communicates with the muscles around it, a new study has shown.

Soccer • 20 Apr 23

James played for the British and Irish Lions on the 2001 tour of Australia

James reveals dementia as brain injury claim grows

A group of ex-sportsmen and women taking legal action claiming they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to 380, with former Wales rugby international Dafydd James among the latest to reveal he has been diagnosed with early onset dementia.

Rugby • 04 Apr 23

The IRFU say they have not made a decision over whether or not to opt into the World Rugby trial

IRFU to begin consulting clubs over tackle height trial

The IRFU say they will be consulting with members of the community game over proposed changes to the tackle height at amateur level.

Rugby • 08 Mar 23

Almost 80% of PFA members support a trial for temporary concussion substitutes

Premier League and PFA want temporary concussion subs

The Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association have jointly written to football's lawmakers to express their continued support for the introduction of a temporary concussion substitute trial.

Soccer • 03 Mar 23

Concussion study finds link to worsened brain function

Experiencing three or more concussions is linked to worsened brain function in later life, according to a new study.

other sport • 31 Jan 23

Wales' Neco Williams being treated during the 2022 World Cup

Premier League seeks to join trial on concussion subs

The English Premier League has asked football's lawmakers if they can take part in a trial which would see temporary concussion substitutions used from the start of next season.

Soccer • 21 Dec 22

Wexford hurler Jack O'Connor, Meath footballer Sinead Ennis, Down camogie player Niamh Mallon and Mayo footballer Cillian O'Connor helped launch the new service in Croke Park

GAA increase concussion services for inter-county stars

Baseline concussion testing will be provided to Gaelic games players in all codes across Ireland, and these players will also be covered for concussion physician specialist treatment.

Football • 05 Dec 22

Emiliano Martinez took a heavy blow to the head in an accidental collision with team-mate Tyrone Mings

Concussion rules must be addressed 'urgently' in EPL

Soccer • 01 Nov 22

Tua Tagovailoa was assessed on the field before leaving on a stretcher

Tagovailoa set for MRI after controversial concussion

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will have an MRI after sustaining neck and head injuries in Thursday night's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

US Sport • 03 Oct 22

Bernard Jackman said that the physicality at high-end rugby is a world away to what the majority play

Jackman: Rugby remains a safe sport

Bernard Jackman has said that he believes rugby remains a safe game to play despite ever-growing concern about concussion issues in the sport.

Rugby • 30 Sep 22

A number of former Irish players are taking a case against the governing body

Former players to take legal proceedings against IRFU

An undisclosed number of former players are taking a case against the Irish Rugby Football Union in relation to serious brain injuries sustained during their playing careers.

Rugby • 29 Jul 22

New Zealand have been given a red card and two yellows so far in the series

Debate needed over red cards 'dominating' game - Foster

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster says there needs to be a future "debate" around the volume of red cards in rugby.

Rugby • 14 Jul 22

Sexton will captain Ireland against the All Blacks in Dunedin, despite being withdrawn following a HIA in the first Test

Updated Rugby's brain injury checks 'exposed' by Sexton case

Safety campaigners have warned that rugby's head-injury checks are "being exposed" after Johnny Sexton was selected for Ireland's second Test against New Zealand.

Rugby • 07 Jul 22

Johnny Sexton failed his HIA during Saturday's first Test in Auckland

Sexton cleared of concussion as Ireland target accuracy

Johnny Sexton looks set to play in Ireland's second Test against New Zealand this Saturday, having returned to full training with the squad in Albany.

Rugby • 05 Jul 22

Jeremy Loughman suffered the head injury in the first minute of the game

Loughman incident 'deeply alarming', says welfare group

A player welfare lobby group says it's "deeply alarming" that Jeremy Loughman was allowed return to the field of play after a head injury during the Ireland XV's 32-17 defeat to the Maori All Blacks.

Rugby • 29 Jun 22

'No player will return earlier than the seventh day after injury,' World Rugby said

World Rugby to increase concussion stand-down period

Players will face an increased minimum stand-down period of 12 days in a significant concussion protocol change announced by World Rugby.

Rugby • 20 Jun 22

Emerson Royal is checked for signs of concussion in Tottenham's clash with Man City earlier this year

Calls for soccer concussion protocols to go further

An open letter calling for the introduction of temporary concussion substitutions has been written to the International Football Association Board as key figures insisted the current protocols were not working.

Soccer • 13 Jun 22

Charlie Ewels was sent off for this high tackle

Ewels on Ryan hit: 'Split-second thing that went wrong'

Charlie Ewels says his high hit on James Ryan was a "split-second thing that went wrong" and has added his voice to calls for a more nuanced punishment for accidental collisions.

Rugby • 02 Apr 22