Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ireland have eight days to turn things around

'Confidence-hit' Ireland on World Cup rescue mission

Ireland did little to repair the damage done by defeat to Japan but coach Joe Schmidt has nine days to figure out how the team can rediscover their mojo.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 04 Oct 19

Supporters make their way to the game in rainy Kobe

Preview: Ireland's road to redemption starts here

Ireland remain on course to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals but their momentum has been stalled and even victory over Russia will do little to change that.

Rugby • 03 Oct 19

James Ryan made 15 runs and 17 tackles in difficult conditions in Shizuoka

Ireland must get heads up as rugby moves to next phase

Former Ireland players believe there is no sense in Joe Schmidt coming up with a new trick and that the team must stick to the plan, even if the opposition are cracking Schmidt's code.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 01 Oct 19

Clive Woodward: "By modern standards Japan are a small side yet they punch massively above their weight ... we can all learn from them."

Woodward: Rivals should learn from Olympic-level Japan

Speed, agility and fitness have helped Japan take their game to new heights and Saturday's stunning 19-12 victory over Ireland at the Rugby World Cup is proof of how devastatingly effective the hosts can be, according to former England coach Clive Woodward.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 30 Sep 19

CJ Stander: "This is what you want to do when you're growing up, thinking about being part of a World Cup'

Stander desperate to go again and wipe away the pain

CJ Stander has declared himself ready to play his third World Cup match in 11 days when Ireland face Russia in Kobe on Thursday.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 30 Sep 19

RTÉ Rugby World Cup Podcast: Fallout from Japan loss

Ireland's 2019 World Cup campaign has been blown off kilter by a shock loss to hosts to Japan in the humid air of Shizuoka.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 29 Sep 19

Punter v Pundit results: Harrington v O'Sullivan

The results are in after Kellie Harrington went up against Eddie O'Sullivan to offer their predictions for Ireland's Rugby World Cup clash with Japan.

Rugby • 28 Sep 19

It is the fifth time Ireland have lost to World Cup hosts

Ireland freeze on World Cup stage again

Shizuoka now stands beside Lens in 1999 and Cardiff in 2015 as times when Ireland have frozen on the World Cup stage.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

'Is your video analyst playing on the wing?'

World Rugby's limit of 31 players in a World Cup squad has affected Ireland's preparation, according to Ian Madigan.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 29 Sep 19

Johnny Sexton consoles his vanquished team-mates after the upset in Shizuoka

No regrets about Sexton decision, says Ireland boss

Joe Schmidt says he has no regrets about leaving Johnny Sexton out of his plans for Ireland's shock defeat to Japan.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

A dejected Keith Earls reflects on the damage done in Shizuoka

Honest Earls makes no excuses after Ireland loss

Ireland winger Keith Earls insisted he and his team-mates would take defeat "on the chin" after hosts Japan inflicted a 19-12 defeat on Joe Schmidt's men.

Rugby • 28 Sep 19

Joey Carbery is tackled by Ryoto Nakamura (l) and Shota Horie

Joseph and Japan spent years planning Ireland upset

Jamie Joseph revealed Japan spent three years plotting their stunning 19-12 dismantling of Ireland in Shizuoka.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

Conan's World Cup over after foot injury

Jack Conan's World Cup is over after Joe Schmidt confirmed he had broken his foot with Jordi Murphy expected to travel to Japan as cover.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

Schmidt: Ireland now in World Cup 'dogfight'

Joe Schmidt admits Ireland are now in a World Cup "dogfight" after the stunning defeat to Japan.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

Ireland didn't have 'right answers' - Best

Rory Best said Ireland didn't have the "right answers" to the questions posed by Japan as the Rugby World Cup hosts pulled off a monumental shock.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

Ireland wilt as Brave Blossoms pull off huge shock

Japan pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Rugby World Cup history as they stunned Ireland 19-12 in Shizuoka.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

Leinster centre Ringrose shone for Ireland

Ireland ratings v Japan: Ringrose best of a beaten lot

The Brave Blossoms kick-started this World Cup into life by deservedly and convincingly beating Ireland in Shizuoka. Here is how we rated the Irish team.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

Carty one who got away for Roscommon and Irish soccer

Jack Carty excelled at both football and soccer before turning his talents towards rugby, writes Michael Glennon.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 27 Sep 19

'The analysis carried out by Mervin Murphy and his team will be as brutal and as unforgiving as if it was a loss'

Scotland win gives breathing space but focus remains

Our columnist spent the morning of the Scotland match in the company of young fans who expect Ireland to always win, but Joe Schmidt will ensure focus and competition with the squad remains high

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 27 Sep 19

Ireland and Japan have both won their opening games

Preview: No room to relax as Ireland take on Japan

Ireland must make a statement about their World Cup intentions when they take on hosts Japan on Saturday morning.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 27 Sep 19

Jack Carty starts at out-half for Ireland

Ireland can shine without Sexton, says scrum coach

Jack Carty has the ideal chance to prove Ireland can hit top level without Johnny Sexton in Saturday's clash with Japan, according to Greg Feek.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 27 Sep 19

Ryohei Yamanaka in possession against Russia

Japan ready big guns to deal with Irish aerial threat

Japan defence coach Scott Hansen had some simple advice for his back three ahead of an expected barrage of high balls from Ireland in Saturday's Rugby World Cup clash: "Just relax and catch it."

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 27 Sep 19

Jack Conan at this morning's captain's run

Conan injury 'wait and see', says Feek

Ireland fear Jack Conan's foot injury could prove a World Cup setback for the Leinster back-row forward.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 27 Sep 19

Murray looks forward to playing beside laid-back Carty

Connacht fly-half Carty only made his international debut in Italy in February, and now the 27-year-old will make his second Test start against the Brave Blossoms.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 26 Sep 19

Jamie Joseph: "Yes, at times they are illegal, but at all times they are a very strong scrum."

Jamie Joseph doubles down on Irish scrummaging stance

Jamie Joseph has doubled down on Japan's claims that Ireland scrummage illegally.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 26 Sep 19