Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Griffin signs off on a high as Ireland edge past Japan

Ciara Griffin scored two tries on her final appearance as Ireland beat Japan 15-12 at the RDS.

Rugby • 20 Nov 21

Ireland wave to the crowd after last week's win

Preview: Japan the visitors as Ireland aim to turn page

Ireland are looking to end a difficult 2021 on a high with victory over Japan.

Rugby • 20 Nov 21

Bevan Rodd starts as part of an inexperienced English front row

Autumn series: England, Wales, Scotland name teams

England will face the feared South African pack with a depleted front row while Wales welcome back Josh Adams for Australia and Scotland have made seven changes for Japan.

Rugby • 18 Nov 21

'The All Blacks will remember losing in Dublin during their last visit and will no doubt use it in the week ahead'

Experienced heads need to drive it against New Zealand

To win back the fringe supporters and to keep building their confidence and momentum, it's imperative that Ireland put it up to New Zealand, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 09 Nov 21

James Lowe scored his second Irish try in seven appearances at the weekend

Lowe ready to tackle 'best friends' and native NZ

Ireland winger James Lowe is already relishing the prospect of locking horns with some of his best friends as he prepares to face his native New Zealand for the first time.

Autumn Nations Series • 08 Nov 21

Ireland conceded just one try against Japan

Farrell happy with defence but NZ to provide real test

Ireland coach Andy Farrell was pleased with his side's defensive effort against Japan.

Rugby • 07 Nov 21

Conan enthused by back row progression

Ireland's Jack Conan believes that their thumping 60-5 win over Japan at the Aviva Stadium was another reminder of the strong back row options available to Andy Farrell and his coaching team.

Rugby • 06 Nov 21

Johnny Sexton: 'It's a special day and that's a special memento'

Samurai warrior Sexton basks in 'special moment'

Johnny Sexton celebrated his 100th Ireland cap with a 11 points off the tee, a try and a Samurai sword.

Rugby • 06 Nov 21

As it happened: Ireland crush Japan at Aviva

Felive all the action from the Ireland's Autumn Nations Series clash with Japan.

Rugby • 06 Nov 21

Fans outside the Aviva prior to the Wales game in 2020, the last full house at the stadium

Businesses eye demand for flags, pints and chips

Ireland's match with Japan marks the first time there will be no limits on crowds at a major event since lockdown.

Rugby • 06 Nov 21

RTÉ Rugby podcast: Questions raised over Ireland bench

The panel discuss the Ireland team to play against Japan on Saturday.

Rugby • 04 Nov 21

Johnny Sexton is in line for his 100th cap

Sexton set for 100 club as Ireland team named

Johnny Sexton is set for his 100th cap for Ireland as Andy Farrell names his team to play Japan this afternoon.

Rugby • 04 Nov 21

Furlong (l) trains alongside Healy (2r) and Porter (r)

Furlong backs old dog Healy to learn new trick

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but Cian Healy has been backed to make the most of his latter day positional switch.

Rugby • 03 Nov 21

Iain Henderson in action against Japan in 2019

Henderson: Ireland prepared for Japan's shock and awe

Iain Henderson says Ireland will be well prepared for Japan's shock-and-awe brand of rugby.

Rugby • 03 Nov 21

Johnny Sexton, aged 24, on his Ireland debut in 2009

99 not out - Sexton set to join Irish centurions

Set to win his 100th Ireland cap on Saturday, Johnny Sexton concedes he never thought it a likely milestone.

Rugby • 03 Nov 21

The expectation is that Farrell will have to go very strong because of the quality of opposition

Autumn selections to hint at Farrell's World Cup plans

Picking and dropping players is harder than it looks, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 02 Nov 21

Mack Hansen has caught the eye of Andy Farrell

Hansen earns Ireland call-up ahead of Japan clash

Connacht's Mack Hansen has been called up to the Ireland squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Japan at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 01 Nov 21

Japan's Gu Jiwon carries during their defeat to Australia

Japan gear up for Ireland Test with Aussie defeat

Japan's last run out before their European tour that begins in Dublin was a rallying 32-23 defeat to Australia in Oita.

Rugby • 23 Oct 21

Jamie Joseph's side have four games to play in the autumn

Ten uncapped players in Japan squad for Autumn series

Japan coach Jamie Joseph has named 10 uncapped players in his 37-man squad for Autumn internationals against Ireland, Australia, Portugal and Scotland.

Rugby • 12 Oct 21

Andy Farrell's side face four matches in four weeks starting at the end of October

Ireland boss Farrell assembles 50 for training camp

Andy Farrell is holding a training camp for 50 players as Ireland gear up for their Autumn Nations Series.

Rugby • 18 Sep 21

Ireland have won just two of the 32 Tests they have played against the All Blacks

Japan, New Zealand and Argentina coming to Ireland

Ireland will host autumn internationals against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced.

Rugby • 12 Jul 21

Will it be a spectator-less Games in Tokyo?

Japan considering barring all fans at Games - reports

Japan's government is floating proposals that would ban fans from all events at this month's Olympics, the Mainichi newspaper reported on Wednesday, as officials scramble to address public concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.

Olympics • 07 Jul 21

Craig Casey came on with two minutes to go against Japan

Craig Casey taking curtailed cameo in his stride

Craig Casey got two minutes of game-time on his second Ireland cap in the win over Japan but was heartened to see familiar faces in 3,000-strong Aviva Stadium crowd.

Rugby • 12 Jul 21

'We know what he's capable of doing and it's just about how quickly we can get him up to that speed'

Catt eager to get Carbery back up to speed after return

Ireland attack coach Mike Catt is satisfied with Joey Carbery's performance in Saturday's win over Japan as the Munster out-half made his first international appearance since the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 06 Jul 21

Ireland's players acknowledge the fans at the Aviva Stadium after the final whistle

Jackman: Ireland performance shows work still to do

Bernard Jackman feels Ireland still appear to be a work in progress in facets flagged up by the post-2019 Rugby World Cup review and feels Gavin Coombes could have been given more game-time against Japan on Saturday.

Rugby • 05 Jul 21