Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The Aviva Stadium was sold out on Sunday

Players not deaf to the infamous Lansdowne hush

Some Ireland players admit that they do feel when there's a lull in the crowd as happened during Ireland's win over Italy.

Rugby • 15 Feb 24

Joe McCarthy makes a big hit on Italy's Paolo Garbisi

Gridiron fan McCarthy's 'man & ball' mantra paying off

Ireland lock Joe McCarthy is fast becoming the breakthrough star of the Six Nations after another impressive outing in the win over Italy

Rugby • 13 Feb 24

Doris 'speech before the game was outstanding'

Man of the match James Lowe hailed the performance of Caelan Doris after the Leinster forward led Ireland for the first time against Italy.

Rugby • 12 Feb 24

James Lowe was named player of the match at the Aviva

Squad competition puts Ireland in 'great place' - Lowe

James Lowe says Ireland are in a "great place" with massive competition among the squad as Andy Farrell's men made it two wins from two at the start of their Six Nations defence.

Rugby • 11 Feb 24

Andy Farrell walks the pitch ahead of the comprehensive victory over Italy

Farrell content with win but predicts tough test ahead

Andy Farrell was pleased with his side's victory over Italy having secured back-to-back wins to kick-off this Six Nations championship, however, the Ireland head coach believes that the campaign is really just starting.

Rugby • 11 Feb 24

Ireland had far too much for a limited Italy side

Ireland stay on course after six-try hammering of Italy

Ireland scored six tries as they demolished a poor Italy outfit at the Aviva Stadium to stay on course for a Six Nations championship.

Rugby • 11 Feb 24

Caelan Doris at the captain's run in Dublin on Saturday morning

Doris excited by new-look Ireland ahead of Italy clash

Skipper Caelan Doris says he's excited about a new-look Ireland team and wants to "back up" the opening Six Nations win over France.

Rugby • 10 Feb 24

Ireland beat Italy 34-20 when the sides met in last year's championship

Ireland too far advanced for much Italy worry

Italy are due a Six Nations scalp soon, so the saying goes, but it's unlikely to come against Ireland this afternoon.

Rugby • 11 Feb 24

Caelan Doris played at number 8 against France

Farrell 'excited' to give Doris the reins

With Peter O'Mahony ruled out through injury, Caelan Doris will become the 110th Ireland Test match skipper when he leads the side out against Italy on Sunday.

Rugby • 10 Feb 24

Andy Farrell was pleased with Ireland's preparation this week

Farrell: It would be wrong for us to waste a week

The manner of the win against France won't cause any complacency in the Ireland side, says Andy Farrell.

Rugby • 10 Feb 24

Doris to captain Ireland as Farrell makes six changes

Caelan Doris will captain Ireland for Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy as Andy Farrell makes six changes to his side.

Rugby • 10 Feb 24

Lorenzo Cannone will miss Sunday's game due to a knee injury

Blow for Italy as Cannone ruled out of Ireland clash

Italy's preparations for Sunday's Guinness Six Nations meeting with Ireland have been dealt a further blow with number 8 Lorenzo Cannone ruled out due to a knee injury.

Rugby • 08 Feb 24

Oli Jager at Ireland training on Wednesday

Ireland 'tapping' into Jager experience - Kelleher

The arrival of Oli Jager into the Ireland set-up has been "unbelievably helpful", according to Rónan Kelleher.

Rugby • 07 Feb 24

The Ireland squad training in Blanchardstown on Wednesday morning

Ireland expect fully fit squad ahead of Italy clash

Ireland expect to have a fully fit squad to pick from for Sunday's Six Nations match against Italy, with Garry Ringrose back in contention after missing the win over France.

Rugby • 07 Feb 24

Jack Conan: 'That was a snippet of how good we can be'

Conan: France win should put hangover talk to bed

Jack Conan believes Ireland's win over France will put all talk of a World Cup hangover to bed.

Rugby • 08 Feb 24

Ireland beat Italy 33-17 when the sides met in a World Cup warm-up in Dublin last August

Six Nations: Ireland v Italy - All you need to know

Team news, TV and radio coverage, weather forecasts and everything else you need to know ahead of Ireland v Italy in the Guinness Six Nations.

Rugby • 10 Feb 24

Ireland had three Six Nations novices in their starting line-up against Les Bleus

Ireland urged to stick with winning side against Italy

Ireland boss Andy Farrell should stick with a winning formula for Sunday's Six Nations clash with Italy, according to Jerry Flannery and Stephen Ferris.

Rugby • 05 Feb 24

Andy Farrll (l) and Peter O'Mahony address the media after the game

Farrell admits 'feelgood factor' but cools Slam talk

Andy Farrell believes talk of leading Ireland to successive Grand Slam titles is premature as he attempts to build on the "feelgood factor" created by a resounding Six Nations victory over France.

Rugby • 05 Feb 24

Six Nations recap: Italy 24-27 England

Relive all the action from Stadio Olimpico as Italy hosted England in round one of the 2024 Six Nations.

Rugby • 03 Feb 24

Smith out of England's Six Nations opener with injury

England are reeling from the loss of Marcus Smith for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Italy because of a calf problem.

Rugby • 31 Jan 24

Lucu in for recovering Dupont as France face Italy

Maxime Lucu will start at scrum-half to deputise for Antoine Dupont as coach Fabien Galthie stuck with his premium side for France's final Rugby World Cup Pool A game, a knockout-style clash against Italy on Friday.

Rugby • 04 Oct 23

Dane Coles runs over for New Zealand's 13th try of the night

New Zealand hit Italy with 14-try mauling

New Zealand lit the touchpaper on their Rugby World Cup campaign with a 14-try hammering of Italy.

Rugby • 30 Sep 23

Antoine Dupont won't return for France's final pool match against Italy

France's Dupont still in race to make quarter-final

Antoine Dupont's recovery is going well and the France captain's condition will be assessed when he returns to the squad this weekend, Les Bleus' health manager said.

Rugby • 29 Sep 23

Sam Whitelock will beat Richie McCaw's caps record if he comes off the bench

Whitelock set to break All Blacks record against Italy

Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax and Jordie Barrett will all make their return from injury for New Zealand in Friday's key Rugby World Cup Pool A clash against Italy, with Sam Whitelock set to win a record 149th cap off the bench.

Rugby • 27 Sep 23

Caelan Doris scored two tries for Ireland

Injury scare for Conan as Ireland ease past Italy

Ireland began their Rugby World Cup warm-up series with a 33-17 victory over Italy, but a Jack Conan injury in the first half could be a concern for head coach Andy Farrell.

Rugby World Cup • 05 Aug 23