Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Gregor Townsend (left) has come under scrutiny due to the Lions' shortcomings in attack

Townsend in the spotlight for Lions' lack of bite

Bernard Jackman and Donal Lenihan pointed the finger at Gregor Townsend for the British and Irish Lions' lack of attacking spark and warned South Africa will run out comprehensive winners in Saturday's series decider unless Warren Gatland changes tact.

Rugby • 05 Aug 21

Rassie Erasmus aired his concerns about the officiating in an hour-long video on Thursday

Lenihan: Latest 'Rassie rant' plays into Lions' hands

Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman join the RTÉ Rugby Podcast to discuss South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus' latest online criticisms of the officiating on the Lions tour.

Rugby • 29 Jul 21

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: Focus on Gatland's first Test team

Hugh Cahill, Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman are back and raring to preview the first Test between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby • 22 Jul 21

The Lions tour is being hit hard by Covid-19

Lions tour 'bordering on farce', says Lenihan

Former Lions coach and player Donal Lenihan believes that the Lions current tour of South Africa is descending into farce as Covid-19 plays havoc with the fixture schedule.

Rugby • 09 Jul 21

South Africa haven't played since the RWC Final 18 months ago

South Africa in race against time to prepare for Lions

Donal Lenihan has told the RTÉ Rugby Podcast that the hosts of a Lions tour are going to be less well prepared for the series than the touring side for the first time in the professional era.

Rugby • 13 May 21

Donal Lenihan says the Lions tour promises to be an intriguing one given the lack of preparation the Springboks have enjoyed

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: Uncertain market value for players

Hugh Cahill is joined by Wes Liddy, Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman to discuss the Six Nations staying on free-to-air television after the deal between Virgin, RTÉ and the Six Nations.

Rugby • 12 May 21

Donal Lenihan with his manager's report from the 2001 tour

'Shambolic' - Lenihan laments lingering Lions problems

Donal Lenihan speaks to the RTÉ Rugby Podcast about his view on the continued organisational issues affecting the British & Irish Lions and how in his view little has changed in the 20 years since he authored his manager's report from the 2001 tour.

Rugby • 28 Apr 21

Ireland team-mates Conor Murray and James Ryan in action for Munster and Leinster on Saturday

Leinster in 'position of strength' ahead of La Rochelle

RTÉ Rugby analyst Donal Lenihan discusses Munster's win over Leinster, the latter's selection strengths ahead of their semi-final against La Rochelle and the impact of new law trials in the Rainbow Cup.

Rugby • 27 Apr 21

Adam Griggs' Ireland are set for their first competitive match in nearly six months

Donal Lenihan on Women's Six Nations and Champions Cup

Ireland begin their Women's Six Nations away to Wales, while Leinster must plan without James Ryan and Garry Ringrose for their trip to Exeter in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup - Donal Lenihan sets the scene.

Rugby • 09 Apr 21

Leinster are favourites to overcome Toulon

Preview: Donal Lenihan on Champions Cup round of 16

Leinster and Munster both face French opposition in the Champions Cup round of 16, but RTÉ analyst Donal Lenihan believes they will encounter very different challenges.

Rugby • 02 Apr 21

Munster and Leinster clash in a mouthwatering Pro14 final

Donal Lenihan: Munster can just about get over the line

RTÉ rugby analyst Donal Lenihan is backing Munster to end a long wait for a trophy in Saturday's Pro14 decider.

Pro14 • 26 Mar 21

Garry Ringrose in action against Sam Johnson of Scotland

Lenihan: Ireland's off-the-cuff approach not working

Ireland's off-the-cuff attacking approach has led to confusion and errors and doesn't appear to be working, according to Donal Lenihan.

Six Nations • 15 Mar 21

Rob Herring (left) tackles Scotland's Blade Thomson during the Autumn Nations Cup

Lenihan tips Ireland to revert to type against Scotland

Donal Lenihan is expecting Ireland to adopt a tried and tested template against Scotland in their Six Nations clash on Sunday.

Six Nations • 12 Mar 21

Johnny Sexton says he is close to agreeing a new contract with the IRFU

Sexton's pre-World Cup exit talk 'not surprising'

Johnny Sexton's admission that his international career could be finished before the 2023 World Cup is "not surprising", according to Donal Lenihan.

Rugby • 24 Feb 21

CJ Stander, right, and Hugo Keenan in action against France

Is Ireland's incoherent attack lost in translation?

Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman discuss the roots of Ireland's issues in attack between the coaches' blueprint and the players' execution on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast ahead of Ireland's clash against Italy.

Rugby • 25 Feb 21

Garry Ringrose is tackled by France's centre Gael Fickou

How tactics are holding Ireland's key players back

The RTÉ Rugby Podcast looks in-depth at the tactical issues impacting Ireland particularly in the attacking phase of play during the opening two Six Nations games.

Rugby • 16 Feb 21

Jonathan Sexton, right, and Harry Byrne ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup match between Ireland and Scotland last December

Is provincial focus hampering Ireland's conveyor belt?

Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman discuss the structural issue of the Irish provincial system which means some young talents are not getting enough experience in meaningful matches compared to their French counterparts.

Rugby • 11 Feb 21

It's just over a year since the provinces last met in Thomond

Lenihan: Munster tide turning as another derby looms

Donal Lenihan gives Munster a slight nod to finally end their poor run against Leinster.

Rugby • 22 Jan 21

The Heineken Champions Cup looks set for a drastic restructure this year

Champions Cup format: Lenihan warns against 'disaster'

Donal Lenihan has warned that if the EPCR decide to jump straight to the semi-finals of their European competitions it would be "a disaster".

Rugby • 14 Jan 21

Munster go to Connacht for a mouthwatering derby on Saturday night

Lenihan: Munster hold edge against buoyant Connacht

Donal Lenihan believes Munster will have the extra firepower needed to overcome Connacht on Saturday and continue their progression towards the Guinness Pro14 final.

Rugby • 08 Jan 21

Tactical substitutions were not allowed in rugby before 1996

Springloading replacements 'destroying' rugby - Lenihan

Donal Lenihan says that the modern trend of springloading forward replacements is "destroying" rugby.

Rugby • 30 Dec 20

Northampton have indicated they will send "youngsters" to face Leinster at the weekend

Lenihan wants Champions Cup sanctions against clubs

Donal Lenihan has called on Heineken Champions Cup organisers to sanction teams who field weakened sides in the competition.

Rugby • 16 Dec 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

In reference to Ireland, England coach Jones had said, 'I heard someone calling them the United Nations'

'Jones jibes like water off a duck's back for Ireland'

England head coach Eddie Jones' jibes will be like "water off a duck's back" for Ireland, according to former international Donal Lenihan.

Rugby • 20 Nov 20