Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Leinster go into their game with Montpellier on the back of a derby win over Munster

Donal Lenihan's Champions Cup preview

RTÉ rugby analyst Donal Lenihan expects tough games for the Irish provinces involved in the Champions Cup this week and warned that Leinster and Munster have plenty to do as they take on French teams.

Rugby • 14 Oct 17

Lenihan: A good weekend for Pro14 organisers

Victories at the weekend for the Cheetahs and Beneton Treviso were good for the Guinness Pro14 says RTÉ's rugby analyst Donal Lenihan.

Rugby • 26 Sep 17

Could Jacob Stockdale start against South Africa?

Lenihan wants Irish youth to get their chance

RTÉ rugby analyst Donal Lenihan is hoping to see some of Ireland's young guns get their chance in the big games of the November international series.

Rugby • 12 Sep 17

Donal Lenihan: 'Willie was an outstanding player, an outstanding person.'

'One of the iconic figures' - Lenihan

Donal Lenihan has described Willie Duggan as an icon of Irish rugby, "an outstanding player, an outstanding person" and an enormous influence on the sides he graced.

Rugby • 28 Aug 17

Willie Duggan has passed away at the age of 67.

A larger than life character in Irish rugby

Renowned for his exploits on the pitch, Willie Duggan was also loved for his off-field character.

Rugby • 28 Aug 17

Warren Gatland speaking to his players in training

Lenihan: Warren Gatland criticism has touched a nerve

Donal Lenihan believes criticism of Warren Gatland's style of play shouldn't have come as a surprise to the Lions camp and expects New Zealand media to drum up tension throughout the tour.

Rugby • 06 Jun 17

Against The Head discusses McElroy's dramatic removal

The Ireland U20s begin their World Championship mission in Georgia against Italy this Wednesday, but their preparation was thrown into chaos last Thursday when hooker Tadgh McElroy was removed from the panel.

Rugby • 30 May 17

Munster are seeking a first trophy in six years

Against the Head: Munster will aim to strangle Scarlets

The Against the Head panel were in agreement that Munster must stick to the tactical blueprint that served them so well against Ospreys if they are to defeat Scarlets in Saturday's Guinness Pro12 final.

Rugby • 23 May 17

The Against The Head panel (l-r) Eddie O'Sullivan, Bernard Jackman and Donal Lenihan

What went wrong for Connacht this season?

The Against The Head panel discuss a difficult campaign for the Westerners.

Rugby • 09 May 17

Ruan Pienaar played his last game for Ulster on Saturday

No point moaning & groaning over Pienaar exit - Lenihan

Donal Lenihan has said Ulster's "moaning and groaning" over Ruan Pienaar's impending exit damaged their performances, and believes the IRFU made the right call over talented South African.

Rugby • 09 May 17

Munster's Andrew Conway and Isa Nacewa of Leinster battle for possesion in the sides' December meeting

Lenihan: Future still bright for Leinster and Munster

Donal Lenihan believes that Munster and Leinster will bounce back to meet in the Pro12 final despite both exiting European competition last weekend.

Rugby • 25 Apr 17

Munster square up to Saracens at the Aviva Stadium

Lenihan predicts a Leinster win and a Munster loss

Donal Lenihan is predicting a win for Leinster but defeat for Munster in this weekend's European Champions Cup semi-finals.

Rugby • 22 Apr 17

Munster players celebrate CJ Stander's try against Toulouse

Lenihan: Munster up against best team left

Donal Lenihan believes Munster face a tougher test in Dublin than Leinster do in France as the provinces look to set up an all-Irish Champions Cup final.

Rugby • 06 Apr 17

Jonathan Sexton (L) and Garry Ringrose will be aiming to create tries for Leinster

Lenihan: Shootout on cards between Leinster and Wasps

Donal Lenihan believes Leinster's meeting with Wasps at the Aviva Stadium could be the pick of this weekend's Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Rugby • 01 Apr 17

Michael Swift, Marcus Horan and Donal Lenihan believe Ireland will win in Wales

Mission to Cardiff: Against The Head panel fancy Irish

It's do or die in Cardiff for Ireland this Friday night as they look to set up a championship decider with England with victory over a wounded Wales team.

Six Nations • 07 Mar 17

Ireland have never played a Friday night game in the Six Nations

Wounded Wales more dangerous than England, Lenihan

Ireland must be wary of a wounded Wales side when the sides clash under the Friday night lights next week, according to Donal Lenihan.

Rugby • 02 Mar 17

Action from last year's France v Ireland clash in Paris

Lenihan: France are playing for the jersey again

Donal Lenihan believes a better prepared France side will offer a stern test to Ireland when the sides meet at Aviva Stadium in the RBS 6 Nations on Saturday afternoon.

Rugby • 21 Feb 17

Johnny Sexton (L) and Paddy Jackson are likely to battle it out for the starting 10 jersey against France

Jackson or Sexton? - Against The Head on key call

Former Ireland international Isaac Boss believes Johnny Sexton would offer greater physicality against France, but says that in-form Paddy Jackson could well retain the out-half jersey.

Rugby • 14 Feb 17

Huge investment - but no return in Scotland

Speaking on Against The Head, RTÉ analyst Bernard Jackman felt that despite the amount of work and investment Ireland put in against Scotland, Joe Schmidt's side were too "sloppy" at crucial moments.

Rugby • 07 Feb 17

Ireland are undefeated against Scotland since 2013

Scotland v Ireland – The expert's verdict

Some of Ireland's internationals past and present are backing an away win at Murrayfield, while a former Scottish international believes Vern Cotter's side can cause an upset in Edinburgh.

Rugby • 04 Feb 17

Joe Schmidt and Paddy Jackson at Tuesday's training

Lenihan: Jackson best placed to replace Sexton

While accepting that Johnny Sexton's absence is a blow for Ireland ahead of their Six Nations opener against Scotland, RTÉ analyst Donal Lenihan feels that his likely replacement Paddy Jackson is well placed to step in at Murrayfield.

Six Nations • 31 Jan 17

JJ Hanrahan left Munster in the summer of 2015

Lenihan: I'd love to see Hanrahan's Munster return

Former Ireland international Donal Lenihan believes JJ Hanrahan would be a huge signing for Munster if the Irish province can entice the Kerry native back from Northampton Saints.

Rugby • 29 Dec 16

Victory over Australia capped a memorable 2016 for Ireland

Lenihan hails 'phenomenal' Irish achievement

Former Ireland international Donal Lenihan believes that beating the Southern Hemisphere's 'Big Three' in the same year is a key moment in Ireland's development, and that Joe Schmidt's team are now among the top three sides in the world.

Rugby • 28 Nov 16

O'Halloran made his international debut on the South African tour

Lenihan: New-look Ireland must match Chicago high

Donal Lenihan believes a much-changed Ireland will have enough motivation against Canada to match their historic win in Chicago, as players stake their claims for squad places against Australia and New Zealand.

Rugby • 08 Nov 16

Joe Schmidt has signed a two-year contract extension with Ireland

Lenihan: Schmidt re-appointment a game changer

Donal Lenihan says the contract extension signed by Joe Schmidt is “brilliant for Irish rugby” and feared the Ireland head coach would leave his current role.

Rugby • 25 Oct 16