Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ireland captain Rory Best (L) with David Pocock back in 2016

Australian legend Pocock hangs his boots up completely

Former Australia flanker and captain David Pocock has retired from all rugby and will now concentrate on campaigning for conservation causes and work on rugby development programmes.

Rugby • 23 Oct 20

Justin Tipuric wants a big performance from Wales

Tipuric issues rallying call ahead of Aussie showdown

Justin Tipuric says "it is time to perform" when Wales face a World Cup showdown against Australia that could shape their destiny in the tournament.

Rugby • 26 Sep 19

David Pocock played his first match since March

Pocock makes his return as Wallabies tune up with a win

David Pocock made a successful return as the Wallabies bid farewell to Australia with a hardfought 34-15 victory over Samoa at Western Sydney Stadium on Saturday in their final match before the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 07 Sep 19

Michael Cheika: 'We'll be a little bit unpredictable, that's been a little bit of our theme this year.'

Cheika expects the 'unpredictable' as he unveils squad

An upbeat Michael Cheika said he had no concerns about the fitness of David Pocock after naming the loose forward in his World Cup squad on Friday but the Australia coach would not be drawn on how he planned to use him.

Rugby • 23 Aug 19

David Pocock is back from injury for the Wallabies

Pocock makes welcome return to boost Wallabies

Loose forward David Pocock returned to the Australia squad for next week's test against New Zealand on Friday after missing most of the season through injury in a major boost for the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup.

Rugby • 02 Aug 19

David Pocock is recovering from a leg muscle injury

Aussie captain backs Pocock to play at World Cup

Australia captain Michael Hooper has backed flanker David Pocock to shrug off a calf injury and slot back into the Wallabies in time for their shot at a third Rugby World Cup title.

Rugby • 29 May 19

David Pocock: "I'm looking forward to the challenges the rest of this year holds and also thinking about what comes next."

Pocock finished with Brumbies & focusing on World Cup

Wallabies flanker David Pocock has confirmed that he has played his last match for Super Rugby side the ACT Brumbies and will be focusing entirely on getting fit for the Rugby World Cup for the remainder of the season.

Rugby • 27 May 19

Pocock is considered one of the premier No 8s in world rugby

Pocock, Beale and Ashley-Cooper out of England clash

Australia have been dealt a blow on the eve of their Cook Cup clash with England after David Pocock was withdrawn from the team because of a neck problem.

Rugby • 23 Nov 18

David Pocock (C) of Australia runs with the ball

Australia produce stirring comeback to beat Argentina

Australia staged one of the biggest comebacks in Rugby Championship history to stun Argentina in a 45-34 win.

Rugby • 07 Oct 18

Australia's David Pocock: "Ireland showed really good game management"

Pocock: We weren't good enough to finish it in the end

Australia back row David Pocock praised Ireland's game management as the tourists eked out a series win down under.

Rugby • 23 Jun 18

Henshaw felt Ireland didn't get the rub of the green with referee Marius van der Westhuizen

'We didn't meet our standards against the Wallabies'

Robbie Henshaw says a combination of questionable calls, poor Irish handling and failure to match Australia at the breakdown contributed to the 18-9 defeat in Brisbane.

Rugby • 10 Jun 18

CJ Stander cuts a dejected figure at the end of the 18-9 defeat

Schmidt: We expect to be able to play within the rules

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt says he felt Ireland didn't get the rub of the green from the match officials in the 18-9 defeat to Australia in Brisbane, but praised the clinical nature of the Wallabies.

Rugby • 09 Jun 18

David Pocock (C): "We talk about it to each other. We've got no personal issues. I don't see that being a problem."

Pocock: Folau's views will not split Aussie camp

David Pocock said Israel Folau's beliefs about homosexuality will not split the Australia camp, adding, "you're never going to get everyone on the same page when it comes to issues like that".

Rugby • 06 Jun 18

Folau-Pocock differences won't affect Aussies - Cheika

Australia coach Michael Cheika says he believes that the opposing views of two of his star players will not cause a distraction within the camp ahead of the visit of Ireland.

Rugby • 23 May 18

Poccok is taking a year out from Test rugby following the game against England in Twickenham

Pocock will want to go out on a high - Moore

Stephen Moore has urged his Australia team to send David Pocock into his sabbatical with a victory over England to cherish.

Rugby • 02 Dec 16

David Pocock: 'They played incredibly well, held on to the ball and created pressure.'

Aussie ace admits Ireland were the better side

Experienced Australia back row forward David Pocock paid tribute to Ireland following Saturday night's nail-biting 27-24 win at the Aviva stadium, saying they were clearly the better side.

Rugby • 27 Nov 16

David Pocock: 'Having a year away from the sport will help increase my years in the game I love.'

Pocock to take year out as part of Australia deal

David Pocock has agreed a new three-year deal with Australia that could see him feature at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but he will also spend 12 months away from the sport.

Rugby • 15 Mar 16

Pocock suffered two black eyes and a suspected broken nose in Australia's victory over Argentina

New Zealand won't target Pocock, says Mealamu

New Zealand continue to insist they cannot afford to hatch a plan to nullify turnover king David Pocock in Saturday's World Cup final against Australia.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Oct 15

David Pocock will organise tickets for David Attenborough if he wants to get to the final on Saturday

David Pocock wants 'legend' Attenborough at final

Australia number eight David Pocock has invited "legend" David Attenborough to Saturday's World Cup final against New Zealand at Twickenham.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 27 Oct 15

David Pocock has been a huge presence at the breakdown for Australia during the World Cup

Australia bolstered by return of Pocock and Folau

Australia's chances of toppling Argentina in Sunday's World Cup semi-final improved after David Pocock and Israel Folau were passed fit and named to start at Twickenham.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 23 Oct 15

David Pocock was inspired against New Zealand on Saturday

Cheika's plays pop Kiwis ahead of World Cup

It took Wallabies coach Michael Cheika three matches to get round to it but Australia finally got the back row it had been clamouring for when David Pocock and Michael Hooper started alongside each other in the victory against the All Blacks.

Rugby • 09 Aug 15

Jacques Potgieter's will undergo educational and awareness training after his homophobic comment

Jacques Potgieter fined for homophobic slur

Campaigners against homophobia in sport have welcomed the heavy fine levied against New South Wales forward Jacques Potgieter.

Rugby • 24 Mar 15

David Pocock has not played rugby since knee surgery last March

Pocock warned by ARU after arrest

Former Australia captain David Pocock has been issued with a formal written warning by the Australian Rugby Union after he was arrested on Sunday.

Rugby • 01 Dec 14

David Pocock has been arrested in New South Wales

Pocock arrested at mine protest

Former Wallabies captain David Pocock was arrested on Sunday after chaining himself to a digger with other activists in protest against the biggest coal mine under construction in an Australian national forest.

Rugby • 01 Dec 14

David Pocock receives medical attention after injuring his knee playing for the Brumbies against the Western Force

Fresh agony for Australian Pocock

Australia flanker David Pocock will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery for the second time in 12 months.

Rugby • 06 Mar 14