Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Joe Schmidt: 'We are incredibly keen to support the provinces'

Schmidt: Home-focused policy best for Irish rugby

Despite being light in the out-half department ahead of the Scotland clash, Joe Schmidt is adamant that the IRFU's policy of favouring home-based players is for the best.

Six Nations • 03 Feb 17

Ian Madigan in action for his club in France

Schmidt: French connection hurts Madigan's chances

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt revealed that Ian Madigan could yet play for Ireland in the Six Nations, but admitted that being based in France doesn't help the out-half's chances.

Rugby • 25 Jan 17

Ian Madigan should be on the Ireland panel, says Tony Ward

Madigan omission a mistake, says Ward

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made a mistake by not including Ian Madigan in his Six Nations squad, according to Tony Ward.

Rugby • 23 Jan 17

Madigan was impressive from the tee in Bordeaux's win over Ulster

'Settled' Madigan not giving up on Ireland recall

Ian Madigan believes that he has not shown enough good form to warrant an Ireland call-up, but the Bordeaux out-half would not rule out playing some part in the upcoming Six Nations.

Rugby • 22 Jan 17

Paddy Jackson is close to becoming the perfect number 10, says Ulster assistant coach Joe Barakat

Jackson improvement highlighted in Ulster set-up

Paddy Jackson has been backed to prove he has "grown from a boy to a man" in Sunday's Champions Cup shoot-out with international rival Ian Madigan.

Rugby • 15 Oct 16

Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan may face off on Sunday

Pienaar hopeful Jackson can edge Madigan battle

Ruan Pienaar is familiar with the threat that Ian Madigan adds to Bordeaux-Begles but is backing fellow Ireland international Paddy Jackson to edge the out-half battle on Sunday.

Rugby • 13 Oct 16

Rory Best: 'He’s made a big decision to go away and say, "I’m going to go a different avenue to try and become Ireland’s number one No 10", and credit to that.'

Best backs Madigan's call to head for Bordeaux

Ireland captain Rory Best has praised Ian Madigan's decision to move to France in a bid to boost his chances of becoming Ireland's first-choice No 10, but insisted wider fears of an exodus are way off the mark.

Six Nations • 29 Jan 16

'Ian Madigan has always been an independent spirit; he plays that way'

Donal Lenihan: Ireland must keep Madigan in fold

Former Ireland captain Donal Lenihan has warned Joe Schmidt he cannot afford to let Ian Madigan's international career wither on the vine after the announcement of his move to France.

Rugby • 29 Dec 15

Ian Madigan will make the switch to the Top 14 next summer

Ian Madigan to join Bordeaux at end of season

Ian Madigan said the "timing was right" to make the move to Bordeaux after confirming he will join the Top 14 side at the end of the season.

Rugby • 28 Dec 15

Ian Madigan after Ireland's defeat in Cardiff

Ian Madigan blames his miss for Ireland's loss

Ireland out-half Ian Madigan has pointed to his missed penalty attempt on goal just before the final quarter as key to his team's Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 19 Oct 15

The 30-year-old fought tooth and nail to be ready for Ireland's sixth World Cup quarter-final

Ireland back Madigan to step into Sexton's shoes

Distraught Johnny Sexton broke down on realising his groin problem would rule him out of Sunday's quarter-final clash with Argentina.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 17 Oct 15

Ian Madigan gets the nod ahead of Paddy Jackson

Madigan starts at 10 as Schmidt makes 12 changes

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has made 12 changes to his starting team to play Romania with Ian Madigan named at out-half.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 25 Sep 15

Conor Murray (l) is confident that Ian Madigan could step in at scrum-half if needed

Murray confident Ian Madigan can do scrum-half job

Conor Murray has prepared himself to play a role in all of Ireland's World Cup matches, with just two specialist scrum-halves in the Ireland squad, and has confidence in utility back Ian Madigan.

Rugby • 25 Sep 15

Ian Madigan would have no problem slotting in at scrum-half according to Simon Zebo

Zebo: Madigan would have 'no fear' at scrum-half

Ireland have "no fears" of facing Rugby World Cup action with Ian Madigan as a makeshift scrum-half, according to Simon Zebo.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 02 Sep 15

Ian Madigan's versatility could see his inclusion in the squad at the expense of Gordon D'Arcy

Versatile Madigan pleased to showcase talents

Ian Madigan hopes that reiterating his ability to boss a test match backline in Saturday's 28-22 victory over Scotland can boost his World Cup selection claims.

Rugby • 17 Aug 15

Ian Madigan (left) and Jack McGrath (right) have avoided citings for their behaviour against the Barbarians

Jack McGrath and Ian Madigan avoid citings

Ireland duo Jack McGrath and Ian Madigan have not been cited following their respective incidents in the exhibition match against the Barbarians at Thomond Park last night.

Rugby • 29 May 15

Ian Madigan was in fine kicking form for Leinster against Glasgow last weekend

Ian Madigan: Leinster must adapt to beat Bath

The team that adapts best to the return of internationals will emerge victorious from Leinster’s Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Bath, according to Ian Madigan.

Rugby • 31 Mar 15

Jack McGrath said there was still plenty of room for improvement from Ireland

Jack McGrath: Wales will ‘relish’ Irish challenge

Jack McGrath has called on Ireland to “do things differently” in order to beat Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash.

Six Nations • 12 Mar 15

Ian Keatley gives away his boots after the game

Ian Keatley happy to have overcome nerves

Out-half Ian Keatley said he had “thoroughly” enjoyed his Six Nations debut, but admitted he had been nervous before Ireland’s 26-3 win over Italy in Rome.

Six Nations • 08 Feb 15

Ian Keatley will play at number 10 for Ireland against Italy

Schmidt: Picking Keatley is a vote of confidence

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt believes Ian Keatley’s form for Munster this season deserves the reward of starting this Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Test match against Italy in Rome.

Six Nations • 05 Feb 15

Ronan O'Gara, Jonathan Sexton and Ian Madigan all know the pressures of kicking

O'Gara: Kickers play a solitary role within a team

Ronan O’Gara has spoken about the pressures and routines kickers go through during the place-kicking elements of their games.

Rugby • 30 Jan 15

Jamie Heaslip is one of two Irish players nominated

Madigan & Heaslip nominated for Euro player award

Ian Madigan and Jamie Heaslip have been nominated for the EPCR European Player of the Year

Rugby • 28 Jan 15

Rhys Rudduck's broken arm does not require surgical intervention

No surgery necessary for Rhys Ruddock

Leinster have confirmed that Rhys Ruddock does not need surgery on his fractured arm and the clean break should heal in four to six weeks.

Rugby • 16 Dec 14

Ians Keatley and Madigan have been selected along with Johnny Sexton in the Ireland squad

O’Gara tips Keatley as back-up for Sexton

Former Munster and Ireland outhalf Ronan O’Gara has backed Ian Keatley to understudy Johnny Sexton as outhalf in Ireland’s November internationals.

Rugby • 31 Oct 14

Leinster lock Devin Toner grabs the ball in a line out next to Castres' Richie Gray

Toner hails kicking hero Madigan

Leinster lock Devin Toner heaped praise on team-mate Ian Madigan after the centre kicked Matt O’Connor’s side to victory over Top 14 opponents Castres in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Rugby • 27 Oct 14