Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan of Ireland after defeat to France in 2026 Six Nations

O'Sullivan: Statement performance must follow the noise

Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan says it's important that Ireland block out the noise that followed on from their showing in Paris, insisting that a statement performance is required in their second Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy on Saturday.

Rugby • 12 Feb

3 July 2025; Head coach Andy Farrell during a British & Irish Lions team announcement at The Intercontinental Sydney by OHG in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Steve Christo/Sportsfile

O'Sullivan: Farrell risking scrutiny with 'green tour'

Former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has warned Lions boss Andy Farrell of the pitfalls of selecting "10 or 11 Irish guys" in the test series, especially if it ends in defeat.

Rugby • 11 Jul 25

Munster take on the Sharks in Durban in the quarter-final

O'Sullivan still not impressed by Munster's defence

Eddie O'Sullivan believes Munster's knockout mentality means they're capable of causing chaos in the URC play-offs, but says he remains unconvinced by their defence following last week's win against Benetton.

United Rugby Championship • 21 May 25

Leinster were 38-29 winners when the sides last met in December

Jackman: No obvious weakness in Leinster's game

Bernard Jackman says there is no obvious weakness in Leinster's game for Ulster to exploit, if they want to pull off a shock in Saturday's Champions Cup Round of 16 meeting at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 29 Mar 23

Ireland's defence was 'problematic' in Rome

'Ringrose is the glue' - O'Sullivan on Irish defence

Eddie O'Sullivan believes Ireland's patchy performance in Rome on Saturday highlighted the importance of Garry Ringrose to the team's defensive shape.

Rugby • 27 Feb 23

Ross Byrne and Garry Ringrose during what proved a mixed second half against Wales

O'Sullivan: Licence to thrill bonding Ireland's attack

Eddie O'Sullivan feels Ireland have found an impressive balance between structure and enterprise in attack but believes second-half issues that cropped up against Wales will need to be addressed before the upcoming showdown with France.

Rugby • 06 Feb 23

Eddie O'Sullivan and Donal Lenihan preview Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales

O'Sullivan: Farrell faces crucial call at inside centre

Eddie O'Sullivan says that Ireland head coach Andy Farrell faces a crucial call at inside centre for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Wales.

Rugby • 30 Jan 23

Joey Carbery scored one of Munster's five tries against Edinburgh

O'Sullivan: Munster's predictability has disappeared

Eddie O'Sullivan said Munster are becoming a much tougher team to defend against as Mike Prendergast's attacking influence begins to bear fruit.

Rugby • 06 Dec 22

Donal Lenihan pinpoints 'the shining light' for Munster amid a tough start to the season while Eddie O'Sullivan explains how Saturday's game against Ulster could be a 'watershed'

O'Sullivan: Long road back if Munster lose to Ulster

Eddie O'Sullivan says Munster's interprovincial derby against Ulster could be a watershed game in their season.

Rugby • 25 Oct 22

Connacht are bottom of the URC without any points from three games

'No evidence Connacht have solved defensive problems'

Eddie O'Sullivan fears that Connacht's failure to fix their defensive issues during the summer could send their season into a tailspin.

Rugby • 04 Oct 22

O'Sullivan previously coached Buccaneers in the late 1990s

O'Sullivan returns to coaching with Buccaneers

Former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan is set to return to the game as head coach of Buccaneers.

Rugby • 22 Jun 22

Ireland were 29-20 winners against New Zealand when the sides met in November

Ireland 'in a good place' ahead of NZ tour - O'Sullivan

Eddie O'Sullivan says he hasn't lost confidence in Ireland's chances of success in New Zealand this summer, despite a poor end to the season for all four provinces.

Rugby • 15 Jun 22

Larmour has scored six tries in his last six games

'He's definitely found his mojo' - Larmour key v Bulls

Jordan Larmour's recent form will make Leinster wonder what might have been, according to Eddie O'Sullivan and Fiona Hayes.

Rugby • 08 Jun 22

Ulster have more to lose in quarter-final - O'Sullivan

Eddie O'Sullivan believes Ulster's need is greater than Munster's in Friday night's United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Kingspan Stadium.

Rugby • 02 Jun 22

Munster host Leinster at 7pm on Saturday

Wind blowing in Munster's favour - O'Sullivan

Home advantage against Leinster and Munster's more lightly raced players may tip the scales in their favour, according to Eddie O'Sullivan.

Rugby • 31 Mar 22

Ireland players celebrate their fourth try at Twickenham.

Eddie O'Sullivan unimpressed with 'rudderless' Ireland

Despite a bonus-point win over England at Twickenham, the performance was "poor" and "rudderless" according to former head coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

Rugby • 12 Mar 22

'He's very physical, even though he doesn't look it - he's very slight looking - but he really hits hard,' O'Sullivan said of Baloucoune

O'Sullivan: Baloucoune has 'edge' to win starting spot

Eddie O'Sullivan believes Ulster's Robert Baloucoune has the "extra weapon" to really own one of the wing positions for Ireland in the upcoming Six Nations.

Rugby • 31 Jan 22

Leinster's Scott Penny is tackled by Mick Kearney, left, and Stuart McCloskey of Ulster

O'Sullivan: Ulster used best blueprint to beat Leinster

Eddie O'Sullivan believes Ulster's performance at the RDS on Saturday saw them use a template that gives teams the best chance of beating Leinster.

Rugby • 30 Nov 21

James Lowe celebrates his early try for Ireland

O'Sullivan: All Blacks got taste of their own medicine

Former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has said that New Zealand got a taste of their own medicine as the All Blacks fell to a 29-20 defeat at a rocking Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 13 Nov 21

Eddie O'Sullivan: "It will come down to our defence like when we beat them the last time."

O'Sullivan pinpoints opportunities to test NZ defence

Eddie O'Sullivan believes Ireland will have opportunities to trouble New Zealand but expects the Irish defence to be the biggest factor in deciding the fate of Saturday's fixture.

Rugby • 08 Nov 21

The men's Six Nations is still on track to go ahead as planned

O'Sullivan: Losing Six Nations would be 'catastrophic'

Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan says the cancellation of the men's Six Nations would be a "hammer blow" to the sport financially.

Rugby • 16 Jan 21

Jacob Stockdale endured a tough night against France

O'Sullivan questions Stockdale's future at full-back

Eddie O'Sullivan says Andy Farrell has a big decision to make at full-back following Jacob Stockdale's "nightmare" performance against France.

Rugby • 06 Nov 20

Johnny Sexton was made Ireland captain at the start of the Six Nations

Sexton reaction undermined Farrell, says O'Sullivan

Johnny Sexton undermined head coach Andy Farrell with his reaction to being replaced in their Six Nations defeat to France, believes Eddie O'Sullivan.

Rugby • 04 Nov 20

Declan Kidney took over 12 years ago today

On this day: Declan Kidney takes the reins

Declan Kidney had big boots to fill when he replaced the departing Eddie O'Sullivan as Ireland rugby union coach on this day in 2008.

Rugby • 07 May 20

Ireland won a Test series in Australia two years ago

Summer tour an opportunity for Farrell, says O'Sullivan

The postponement of Ireland's Six Nations matches has interrupted Andy Farrell's first season as head coach but there may be a silver lining, says Eddie O'Sullivan.

Six Nations • 13 Mar 20

Eddie OSullivan