Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

'No matter what way Ireland line up they should always be good enough to beat Japan.'

This Ireland team should have no issues in Shizuoka

Ireland will be wary of a fired-up Japan but this side should be far too strong for the host nation.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 26 Sep 19

Recap: Your morning sports updates

Read back on all the latest sports news from this September Thursday morning.

Other sport • 26 Sep 19

Japan prop Yusuke Kizu claimed Cian Healy "steps out" and illegally angles in at scrummages

Japan jibe will give Healy extra motivation - Schmidt

Joe Schmidt has tipped Cian Healy to prove a big point in Saturday's World Cup clash against Japan after the hosts accused the Ireland prop of illegal scrummaging.

Rugby • 26 Sep 19

Jack Carty will start only his second game for Ireland

Carty gets nod as Schmidt makes four changes for Japan

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has put his faith in Connacht's Jack Carty to start at out-half for Saturday's crucial World Cup clash with Japan.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 26 Sep 19

Joe Schmidt has long been a fan of Carbery

Testing times - Carbery ready to make step up

Joey Carbery has never started a Six Nations match for Ireland. He is likely to be named tomorrow to start his first tournament game for Ireland, against hosts Japan on Saturday morning.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 25 Sep 19

The Munster man is ready to roll in Japan

Earls physically ready to 'suck a bit of diesel'

Keith Earls is straining at the leash to make his first appearance at this Rugby World Cup and says he's ready to face Japan on Saturday.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 25 Sep 19

Farrell keen to show he's more than crash-ball merchant

The Munster centre has been enjoying the slagging from his Ireland team-mates, who have joked that Farrell's talents only extend as far as his power running game.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 25 Sep 19

Brave Blossoms assistant coach Tony Brown

Japan assistant coach criticises refereeing standards

The former All Black also had praise for his fellow Kiwi Joe Schmidt ahead of their sides' Pool A clash on Saturday.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 25 Sep 19

Backstreet Boys have been inspiring sports teams since 1993

Believe Japan when they say they train in that way

Japan have revealed the Backstreet Boys' biggest hit as the soundtrack to their World Cup campaign.

Rugby • 24 Sep 19

Ireland won all ten of their scrums against Scotland

Ross: Scrum comments show Japan are worried

Noise from the Japan camp about the Irish scrum is a sign that they are worried, according to former Ireland prop Mike Ross.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 24 Sep 19

Six-day turnarounds have always been a bugbear of Joe Schmidt

Joe Schmidt's possible Ireland XV for Japan showdown

Joe Schmidt and Ireland must deal with a six-day turnaround when they take on Japan and changes are surely on the cards.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 24 Sep 19

Jonathan Sexton was withdrawn after 57 minutes against the Scots

Ireland 'hopeful' on Sexton - Aki and O'Mahony back

The Ireland rugby squad say they remain hopeful Johnny Sexton will train fully on Thursday and will be available for selection for Saturday's World Cup clash with Japan.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 24 Sep 19

Cian Healy is the focus of accusations from Japan

Japan accuse Ireland of illegal scrummaging tactics

Japan have accused Cian Healy of illegal scrummaging tactics, cranking up the tension ahead of Saturday's World Cup clash with Ireland.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 24 Sep 19

The Japan team bow after their victory over Russia

Hosts hoping rugby gets even bigger in Japan

Ireland are next on the menu for Japan, who won't lie down for Joe Schmidt's side.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 24 Sep 19

Japan famously beat South Africa at RWC2015

Murphy warns over Japan shock potential

Ireland don't need to look too far past what happened in the last World Cup to brace themselves for Japan, according to Jordi Murphy.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 23 Sep 19

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: Mood swings after Ireland victory

Ulster forward Jordi Murphy talks to the RTÉ Rugby podcast in the aftermath of Ireland's win over Scotland

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 23 Sep 19

Japan made hard work of their victory over Russia

Japan coach concerned by unforced errors

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph admitted the World Cup hosts need to cut out the mistakes after battling to a 30-10 victory over Russia in the tournament opener at Tokyo Stadium.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 20 Sep 19

Kotaro Matsushima (L) breaks away to score Japan's fourth try

Matsushima sparkles as Japan grind down dogged Russia

Japan launched Asia's first Rugby World Cup with a victory the host nation craved as they beat Russia 30-10 at Tokyo Stadium in Ireland's Pool A.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 20 Sep 19

Japan 30-10 Russia: recap

The 2019 World Cup has been officially opened and up hosts Japan had to work hard for victory over a battling Russian side. See how it unfolded here.

Rugby • 20 Sep 19

Vasily Artemyev leaves the Terenure boys trailing in his wake during a Leinster Schools Senior Cup match in 2006

Russia's former 'Rock star hoping to create disarray

Russia plan to spoil Japan's big day by bringing "chaos" to the opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and they'll be captained in their quest by a Blackrock College old boy.

Rugby • 19 Sep 19

Chris Farrell: "Bundee and CJ in particular have done so much for not only Irish rugby but their provinces."

Farrell passionately defends Ireland's foreign legion

Chris Farrell has mounted a staunch defence of Ireland's World Cup-bound project players, insisting Jean Kleyn has followed CJ Stander and Bundee Aki's example in committing heavily to his adopted homeland.

Rugby • 13 Sep 19

Michael Leitch: "It almost gets to the point where you are a pressure junkie where you want to be pressured."

Japan captain Leitch: 'Winning World Cup is the target'

Japan captain Michael Leitch is a man who welcomes pressure and believes he performs best under it, which is a good thing considering the weight of expectation on his considerable shoulders going into a World Cup on home soil.

Rugby • 10 Sep 19

Clean bill of health for Ireland as Earls passed fit

Keith Earls has been passed fit for the World Cup with the IRFU confirming that the all of the squad named last Monday are set to travel to Japan.

Rugby • 09 Sep 19

Makazole Mapimpi of South Africa barges past Yu Tamura to score his side's first try

Springboks hammer Japan in final World Cup warm-up

A hat-trick of tries from Makazole Mapimpi led South Africa to a comfortable 41-7 victory over Ireland's pool rivals Japan in their final World Cup warm-up match, laying down a tournament marker and gaining revenge for defeat four years ago.

Rugby • 06 Sep 19

Luke Thompson is in line for his fourth World Cup

38-year-old Thompson named in Japan World Cup squad

Luke Thompson was handed the chance to play at a fourth Rugby World Cup on Thursday after being included in Japan's squad for the tournament the Asian nation will host from next month.

Rugby • 29 Aug 19

Japan

This Ireland team should have no issues in Shizuoka

Recap: Your morning sports updates

Japan jibe will give Healy extra motivation - Schmidt

Carty gets nod as Schmidt makes four changes for Japan

Testing times - Carbery ready to make step up

Earls physically ready to 'suck a bit of diesel'

Farrell keen to show he's more than crash-ball merchant

Japan assistant coach criticises refereeing standards

Believe Japan when they say they train in that way

Ross: Scrum comments show Japan are worried

Joe Schmidt's possible Ireland XV for Japan showdown

Ireland 'hopeful' on Sexton - Aki and O'Mahony back

Japan accuse Ireland of illegal scrummaging tactics

Hosts hoping rugby gets even bigger in Japan

Murphy warns over Japan shock potential

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: Mood swings after Ireland victory

Japan coach concerned by unforced errors

Matsushima sparkles as Japan grind down dogged Russia

Japan 30-10 Russia: recap

Russia's former 'Rock star hoping to create disarray

Farrell passionately defends Ireland's foreign legion

Japan captain Leitch: 'Winning World Cup is the target'

Clean bill of health for Ireland as Earls passed fit

Springboks hammer Japan in final World Cup warm-up

38-year-old Thompson named in Japan World Cup squad

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