Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ireland are to be pooled with England this Autumn

Ireland set for eight-team tournament at end of year

Ireland are set to take part in an eight-team tournament at the end of the year which will feature the other members of the Six Nations plus Japan and Fiji.

Rugby • 27 Jul 20

Enable is bidding for a 12th Group One success

Enable to face three Ballydoyle runners in King George

Enable will face a trio of Aidan O'Brien-trained runners when she bids for an unprecedented third victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Racing • 23 Jul 20

Will there be an Olympics in Japan in 2021?

Only 17% of Japanese think Olympics 'can be held'

A wide-ranging survey conducted by the Japan News Network (JNN) found that 77% of those questioned said that the Tokyo Olympics "cannot be held" next year.

Paris 2024 • 06 Jul 20

Ireland fans during their pool defeat to hosts Japan

World Rugby lauds economic success of Japan RWC

The Rugby World Cup held in Japan last year was the most economically successful World Cup to date, attracting some 242,000 international visitors and adding €2.5 billion to the country's GDP.

Rugby • 24 Jun 20

USA won the 2019 edition which was hosted by France

Japan withdraws bid to host 2023 Women's World Cup

Japan is withdrawing its bid to host the 2023 Women's World Cup, just days before football's world governing body holds a vote to determine the successful candidate.

Soccer • 22 Jun 20

Kenki Fukuoka: "My greatest desire is to live without regret."

Japanese winger Fukuoka chooses studies over Olympics

Winger Kenki Fukuoka, who helped Japan reach the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals last year, has said he will not be available for the rugby sevens tournament at the Tokyo Olympics as he will be studying for medical school.

Rugby • 15 Jun 20

"I am extremely excited and honoured to take on this new challenge and chapter in my career," says Kruis

England and Saracens lock Kruis heading to Japan

England lock George Kruis will end a 12-year association with Saracens at the end of the 2019-20 season and head to Japan after agreeing a switch to Panasonic Wild Knights in the Top League.

Rugby • 25 May 20

Bach has agreed with Japan's stance on the delayed Games

2021 is 'last option' for Tokyo Games - IOC president

Olympics chief Thomas Bach says 2021 is the "last option" for holding the delayed Tokyo Games, stressing that postponement cannot go on forever.

Paris 2024 • 21 May 20

Wayne Pivac is not hopeful about his side's summer tour

Wales boss fears All Blacks games will be cancelled

Wales are continuing to prepare for their mid-year tour to Japan and New Zealand but with the sporting world still paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic, head coach Wayne Pivac is not confident it will go ahead.

Rugby • 30 Apr 20

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori (L) and John Coates (top on screen)

Focus on 'must-haves' over 'nice-to-haves' for Olympics

Postponing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will provide a welcome boost to the coronavirus-hit Japanese economy next year, a senior International Olympic Committee official has claimed.

Paris 2024 • 16 Apr 20

England were slated to play Japan on 4 July in Oita and 11 July in Kobe.

England could move Japan tour back to October

England's tour of Japan which is scheduled for July could be postponed to October due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Bill Sweeney said on Friday.

Rugby • 10 Apr 20

OFI CEO Sherrard: Tokyo 2020 'likely to be postponed'

Olympic Federation of Ireland CEO Peter Sherrard has said he believes that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are likely to be postponed.

Paris 2024 • 23 Mar 20

Jamie Joseph had been linked with the vacant New Zealand job

Joseph commits to Japan for four more years

Jamie Joseph has renewed his contract as coach of Japan until the end of 2023 after leading the side to their first Rugby World Cup quarter-final last month.

Rugby • 18 Nov 19

Kenki Fukuoka scores a try in the World Cup game in September

Ireland to welcome Japan to Dublin in 2020

After their shock defeat to Japan at the World Cup, Ireland will get the chance to make amends next year when the countries clash in Dublin in November.

Rugby • 03 Nov 19

Joe Schmidt is greeted by a fan as the squad returned from Japan

Schmidt holds hands up on World Cup failure

Joe Schmidt says he takes responsibility for Ireland's World Cup failure and conceded that things could have been done differently.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 22 Oct 19

South Africa overcame a gritty Japan side in the quarter-final

Japan's fairytale ends as Springboks march on to semis

A powerful South Africa ended the hopes of millions of Japanese rugby fans when they ground down the host nation 26-3 in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Tokyo Stadium on Sunday.

Rugby • 20 Oct 19

One change as Japan prepare for historic quarter-final

Japan have made one change to the starting line-up for Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa, with Ryohei Yamanaka replacing the injured William Tupou at fullback.

Rugby • 18 Oct 19

Kenki Fukuoka and Kotaro Matsushima have lit up the World Cup with their flair

Springboks wary of threat posed by Japanese speedsters

South Africa have to shut down two high speed Japanese 'Ferraris' if they are to prevail in the World Cup quarter-final on Sunday, according to Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.

Rugby • 15 Oct 19

George Ford played against Japan last November at Twickenham

England's Ford believes Japan can shock the Springboks

England fly-half George Ford believes Japan can advance deeper into the World Cup if they maintain the stunning form shown in progressing to the knockout phase.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 14 Oct 19

The panel (left to right): Bernard Jackman, Fergus McFadden and Eddie O'Sullivan.

Can Ireland find inspiration to haunt the All Blacks?

The Rugby World Cup quarter-final many feared has come to pass, but is a clash with New Zealand all that bad from an Ireland perspective?

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 14 Oct 19

Japan have been a breath of fresh air at the World Cup

The rise and rise of New Zealand-esque Japan

Japan have been the story of this World Cup so far, charming neutrals with a loose, attractive brand of rugby that's carried them into the quarter-finals. The RTÉ Rugby Podcast analyse their rise.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 15 Oct 19

Japan's Kenki Fukuoka celebrates scoring his sides third try

Ireland to face All Blacks as Japan hold off Scots

Rugby World Cup hosts Japan held on for a 28-21 victory over Scotland at Yokohama, which booked their place in the quarter-finals and means Ireland will face reigning champions New Zealand in the last eight.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 13 Oct 19

IRFU dismiss claims in newspaper article over fixtures

The IRFU have called on a journalist to withdraw allegations he made about them in an article on Sunday.

Rugby • 13 Oct 19

Rugby World Cup recap: Japan 28-21 Scotland

Japan advance to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup for the first time after an, at times, brilliant performance against Scotland at Yokohama.

Rugby • 13 Oct 19

Scotland have the chance to knock out hosts Japan

Scotland versus Japan gets the go ahead

The final game in Ireland's Pool at the Rugby World Cup, Pool A, will be decided on the pitch after the decision was taken to play the Japan versus Scotland clash at Yokohama.

Rugby • 13 Oct 19