Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Jones stops short of blaming referee for defeat

Eddie Jones hinted strongly at his frustration with Pascal Gauzere but refused to condemn the French referee as England were dismantled 40-24 by Wales.

Rugby • 27 Feb 21

Women's world number three tennis player Naomi Osaka uses a video camera as she returns to her hotel after a practice session in Australia

Anderson urges tennis players to show more respect

Former US Open and Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson appealed to players at the Australian Open to show more respect for the local community's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic

Tennis • 21 Jan 21

Thiem struggled with his serve in the opening set, facing six break points, but improved as the match progressed under the closed roof of Court Philippe Chatrier

Thiem slow off the mark but into next round in Paris

Third seed Dominic Thiem was not at his best but still had enough firepower to see off Norway's Casper Ruud with a 6-4 6-3 6-1 win and march into the French Open fourth round.

Tennis • 02 Oct 20

Rafael Nadal reacts as he plays against to Belarus' Egor Gerasimov

Nadal and Thiem ease into French Open second round

Rafael Nadal started his quest for a record-extending 13th French Open title with a straightforward 6-4 6-4 6-2 first-round win against Belarusian Egor Gerasimov.

Tennis • 28 Sep 20

Mate Pavic (R) of Croatia and Bruno Soares (L) of Brazil celebrate with the trophy

Pavic and Soares claim US Open men's doubles crown

Croatia's Mate Pavic and Brazil's Bruno Soares captured the US Open men's doubles crown with a 7-5 6-3 win over eighth seeds Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Nikola Mektic of Croatia on Thursday.

Tennis • 10 Sep 20

Serena Williams battled into the US Open semi-finals

Williams survives Pironkova test as Azarenka impresses

Serena Williams was forced to dig deep to secure a 4-6 6-3 6-2 US Open quarter-final victory over the unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova, keeping alive her latest bid for a record-tying 24th grand slam singles title, but she next faces an awesome Victoria Azarenka, who steamrolled Elise Mertens 6-0 6-1.

Tennis • 10 Sep 20

Andy Murray admits he is still feeling apprehensive about travelling to New York

'Apprehensive' Murray mentally ready for US Open

Andy Murray is still feeling "apprehensive" about travelling to New York for the US Open amid the Covid-19 pandemic but the former world number one says he is mentally preparing for the Grand Slam.

Tennis • 27 Jul 20

As things stand the second slam of the year is due to start in September

French Open could be held without fans, say organisers

The French Open, which was postponed to September from May due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, could be held without fans, the organisers of the clay court Grand Slam have said.

Tennis • 11 May 20

Ireland ready for Wales and the weather, says Fogarty

Scrum coach John Fogarty insists Ireland are prepared for the double onslaught of Wales and Storm Ciara.

Rugby • 07 Feb 20

Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates winning match point

Alexander Zverev reaches first grand slam semi-final

Germany's Alexander Zverev is into a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time in his career as he beats Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open

Tennis • 29 Jan 20

England flanker Haskell calls time on his rugby career

England flanker James Haskell is to retire at the end of the season after struggling to overcome a succession of injuries during his year at Northampton.

Rugby • 07 May 19

Wales star Josh Adams signs for Cardiff

Cardiff Blues have announced the signing of Wales winger Josh Adams from Worcester ahead of next season.

Rugby • 19 Mar 19

Ireland failed to shine at the 2007 World Cup in France

IRFU called in British intelligence to combat leaks

A new books claims that the IRFU hired a former British spy to investaige leaks in the aftermath of the 2007 World Cup.

Rugby • 19 Mar 19

Ireland finished the championship on a downer

Soul search needed for Ireland to make RWC repairs

Old problems resurfaced as the reigning champions could find no answers to Wales' power surge, but Joe Schmidt has promised a different Ireland will turn up at the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Tadhg Beirne won his fifth cap and first in the Six Nations

Beirne denies Wales wanted it more

Tadhg Beirne denied that Ireland failed to match Wales' desire as they fell to a comprehensive 25-7 defeat in Cardiff.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Rob Kearney said Ireland were hampered by the conditions

Roof decision possibly a 'mistake', says Schmidt

Rob Kearney said Ireland made a collective call in asking for the Principality Stadium roof to remain open, while Joe Schmidt conceded that it may have been a "mistake".

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Wales celebrate a third grand slam under Warren Gatland

Horror show for Ireland as Wales sail away with Slam

Ireland's 2019 Six Nations defence came to a shuddering halt as they produced one of the worst performances of the Joe Schmidt era and Wales claimed the Grand Slam with ease, beating Ireland 25-7.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Will events conspire to hand England the trophy?

Preview: Born-again Ireland set for baptism of fire

Champions Ireland are set to spoil another Grand Slam bid with rediscovered confidence to play a major part, writes Michael Glennon.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Grand Slam-chasing Gatland says Wales 'have a dream'

Warren Gatland says Wales "have got a dream" after victory over Scotland set up a Grand Slam meeting with Ireland next Saturday.

Rugby • 09 Mar 19

Peter O'Mahony: 'We know we if we stumble against England, we'll be on the back foot'

'Fear factor' driving Ireland, says O'Mahony

With a Grand Slam under their belt Ireland must dig deep to retain their Six Nations title and the fear factor is driving them on, says Peter O'Mahony.

Rugby • 31 Jan 19

Joe Schmidt: 'I don't think for a minute it will be boring'

Schmidt: Expect 'exhilarating, edge of seat' clash

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt laughed off compatriot John Mitchell's "boring" jibe aimed at his side and predicted an "exhilarating" Six Nations clash against England.

Rugby • 31 Jan 19

Naomi Osaka claimed back to back Grand Slam wins in Australia

Osaka: Latest win differs from 'bittersweet' US triumph

With a resilience forged in the strife-torn U.S. Open final, Naomi Osaka clinched her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday, but this time there was no drama that could sour her triumph.

Tennis • 26 Jan 19

'When he talks, the referee listens,' says Eddie Jones of Johnny Sexton

'Sexton has the bat phone to the referee' - Jones

England head coach Eddie Jones has suggested that Johnny Sexton gets preferential treatment from match officials after claiming that the Ireland out-half 'has the bat phone to the referee.'

Rugby • 20 Jan 19

Andy Murray believes the LTA have wasted the chance to build on his success

Murray criticises LTA for failing to build on success

Andy Murray has criticised Britain's Lawn Tennis Association for failing to build on his success and grow the game over the last decade.

Tennis • 16 Jan 19

An imperfect 10 - Sexton says Leinster can get better

New captain Johnny Sexton is adamant Leinster can improve despite last year's unprecedented success.

Rugby • 15 Sep 18