Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Johnny Sexton scored two tries to set Ireland on their way

14-man Ireland crush Samoa to book quarter-final spot

Ireland are through to a World Cup quarter-final after seeing off Samoa in Fukuoka and securing a bonus-point in the 47-5 win.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Typhoon Hagibis has already cause extensive damage in Japan

World Rugby to make call on Japan-Scotland by midnight

World Rugby say they aim to make a decision on whether Scotland's storm-threatened clash with Japan on Sunday can go ahead as early as possible.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Typhoon Hagibis is playing havoc with the Rugby World Cup

World Rugby respond to Scottish protests over Japan tie

Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson says he will not allow Scotland to become the World Cup's "collateral damage", while World Rugby have said they are disappointed with the comments.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 11 Oct 19

Scotland drop McInally for storm-threatened Japan clash

Gregor Townsend has dropped his captain Stuart McInally for Scotland's typhoon-threatened clash with Japan after opting to start Fraser Brown at hooker.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 11 Oct 19

Preview: Last chance for Ireland to rediscover mojo

Ireland have one last chance to gain some momentum ahead of a possible Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

All Blacks coach Hansen: Cancelling it was a no-brainer

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said cancelling Saturday's World Cup match against Italy due to Typhoon Hagibis was a "no-brainer" but he also had sympathy for the Azzurri after they were denied a chance to play for a place in the quarter-finals.

Rugby • 11 Oct 19

Rugby World Cup Podcast: Ireland brace for Storm Samoa

Conor Murray joins the podcast to discuss the view from the Ireland camp ahead of their crucial clash with Samoa.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

Conor Murray: 'Mentally there's just a buzz'

'I know how good this team can be' - Murray

Conor Murray believes Ireland can produce the goods should they qualify for a World Cup quarter-final.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

Storm a 'distraction' says Schmidt but players focused

Ireland can't allow themselves to become too distracted by the typhoon threatening the Scotland-Japan match and his team's chances of topping the pool, says Joe Schmidt.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

Scotland could go out if they don't beat Japan

Scotland-Japan decision to be made Sunday morning

Scotland are set to ride into storm-hit Yokohama after World Cup chiefs delayed a decision on scrapping Sunday's crucial clash with Japan until the morning of the game.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

Joe Schmidt names his team at 8am on Thursday morning

Schmidt must solve selection puzzle for Samoa

Joe Schmidt has to balance a need to protect players and to get the job done against Samoa.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19

'The Samoans tackle technique is one of the most dangerous aspects of their game'

Samoan raw power can spell danger for Ireland

Ireland will face a physical and determined Samoan side on Saturday, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19

Iain Henderson: "All we can hope for now is that it comes to fruition over the weekend."

'The knockouts have started a week earlier' - Henderson

Ireland's defeat by Japan has thrust Joe Schmidt's men into knockout rugby a week early at the World Cup, admits Iain Henderson.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19

Pool A permutations: What Ireland need to progress

Scotland's big win over Russia complicates an complicated qualification system but here is what Ireland need to do.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 11 Oct 19

Scotland hammer Russia to set up Japan decider

George Horne scored a hat-trick as Scotland ran in nine tries in a 61-0 bonus-point thrashing of Russia to set up a crunch Pool A showdown with host nation Japan for a place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19

Rassie Erasmus' side will face Ireland or Japan

Erasmus 'nervous' about the prospect of facing Ireland

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus admits that he is 'nervous' about the prospect of facing Ireland in the Rugby World Cup as his side wait to discover their quarter-final opponents.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19

Rassie Erasmus: "There is some stiff opposition but I think we have got a good chance."

'I think we've got a chance': Erasmus playing it cool

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus refused to get carried away with his side's prospects after securing their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19

John Barclay is tackled by Ireland's Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier on the 22 September

Barclay eager to lay down a marker against Russia

John Barclay found himself relegated to Scotland's second-string after his Ireland horror show but hopes a stormer against Russia in Shizuoka could seal a return to Gregor Townsend's top team for Sunday's crucial World Cup showdown with Japan.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 08 Oct 19

As it stands. Scotland play Russia on Wednesday

World Cup permutations: What Ireland need to progress

A win of any kind for Ireland against Samoa would guarantee qualification from Pool A.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 07 Oct 19

Recap: Japan v Samoa

Relive all the action as Japan produced a stunning performance to secure a bonus-point win.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 05 Oct 19

Kotaro Matsushima got that all-important score for the hosts

Japan claim bonus-point win to edge closer to quarters

Kotaro Matsushima scored a bonus-point try deep into injury time as Japan moved to the brink of their first Rugby World Cup quarter-final with a 38-19 Pool A victory over Samoa at the City of Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

Rugby • 07 Oct 19

Joey Carbery had to pull out of the Russia game with an ankle issue

Ferris concerned about Ireland's match-fitness levels

Stephen Ferris believes Ireland are carrying too many injuries and some of the players are simply not match-fit.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 05 Oct 19

Michael Leitch and his team-mates celebrate the win over Ireland

Two skippers leading the charge for Japan against Samoa

Japan attack coach Tony Brown believes having "two captains" will help their World Cup hopes.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 04 Oct 19

Down time - Ireland's players should take some time to smell the flowers

Ferris: Ireland in danger of 'rugby overload'

Ireland's players need to spend a few days outside of the rugby bubble to decompress following a sticky spell on the road in Japan, Stephen Ferris said on the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 04 Oct 19

RTÉ Rugby World Cup Podcast: From Russia with love

Stephen Ferris reflects on Ireland's win over Russia that did little to build momentum for a quarter-final tilt.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 04 Oct 19