Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Johnny Sexton won't be a target for Romania, insist their coach

No plan to target Sexton, says Romania coach

Romania insist they will not target "world-class" Ireland captain Johnny Sexton on his comeback from almost six months on the sidelines.

Rugby • 08 Sep 23

Sexton has kicked 975 points for Ireland

Sexton confident goal-kicking not affected

It's not going to matter tomorrow but Johnny Sexton and Andy Farrell have been in discussions about the Ireland out-half's goal-kicking.

Rugby • 08 Sep 23

Andy Farrell has named close to a full-strength team

'Full steam ahead' - Farrell expects Ireland to deliver

Andy Farrell says he expects a "fantastic" performance from Ireland when they open their Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania on Saturday.

Rugby • 07 Sep 23

Sexton returns to the Ireland side following a six-month layoff.

Sexton starts as Ireland name strong team for Romania

Johnny Sexton has been named to start in Ireland's Rugby World Cup meeting with Romania on Saturday, with head coach Andy Farrell picking close to a full-strength side for the Pool B opener in Bordeaux.

Rugby • 07 Sep 23

Van der Flier outside the Town Hall in Tours - where Ireland are based for their World Cup adventure

Normality now for Van der Flier after World recognition

Josh van der Flier feels his team-mates have "long forgotten" about his status as World Player of the Year.

Rugby World Cup • 06 Sep 23

Jonny Holland: 'Andy Farrell is an expert at building that narrative and capturing the squads imagination on their path. His biggest challenge awaits'

Farrell could opt to play Sexton in every pool game

Jonny Holland looks at how Ireland head coach Andy Farrell might manage his squad in the early rounds of the RUgby World Cup.

Rugby • 05 Sep 23

Johnny Sexton talking to reporters at Dublin Airport

'All systems go' as Ireland depart for France

Skipper Johnny Sexton said it's "all systems go" as Ireland departed for the Rugby World Cup in France.

Rugby • 01 Sep 23

Jack Crowley has worked hard to progress up the Ireland ladder

Fast-tracked Crowley on course for World Cup shot

Few players have come further faster up the Ireland ranks than Jack Crowley and the Innishannon man is set to play a huge role in the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 03 Sep 23

Sexton will captain Ireland at his fourth and final Rugby World Cup

Delay in disciplinary process left Sexton 'frustrated'

Johnny Sexton says that he will be hugely motivated to hit the ground running when he finally makes his return in Ireland's World Cup opener against Romania in just under two weeks.

Rugby • 28 Aug 23

'You make mistakes, you say sorry and hold your hands up and that's what I've done'

Sexton regrets 'mistake' which led to summer suspension

Johnny Sexton admits he instantly regretted the heated exchange with referee Jaco Peyper which caused him to miss three Rugby World Cup warm-up matches through suspension.

Rugby • 27 Aug 23

Johnny Sexton

The World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, Sexton is about to play in his fourth World Cup at the age of 38.

profiles • 19 Oct 23

Ross Byrne (l) and Jack Crowley are jostling in the out-half pecking order

Deputy out-half picture no clearer for Farrell

Andy Farrell may have hoped to get more clarity on who is his back-up out-half, but Ross Byrne's outing against England is unlikely to have swayed the head coach one way or the other.

Rugby • 22 Aug 23

Sexton won't be available for selection until the opening game of the Rugby World Cup

O'Connell on Sexton ban: 'I'd say it's a worry for him'

Paul O'Connell says he doesn't doubt Johnny Sexton's ability to quickly find his form at the Rugby World Cup, but admits the Ireland captain will be feeling the pressure to hit the ground running.

Rugby • 01 Aug 23

Johnny Sexton will be suspended for Ireland's first three warm-up games

O'Brien: Sexton ban won't affect RWC preparation

Jimmy O'Brien says Ireland's Rugby World Cup preparations won't be affected by Johnny Sexton's three-game suspension.

Rugby • 20 Jul 23

Johnny Sexton will be available to return for Ireland's opening Rugby World Cup game against Romania

Sexton ban far from ideal as Farrell forced to rethink

With Johnny Sexton set to miss Ireland's Rugby World Cup warm-up games due to suspension, Neil Treacy looks at how Ireland's RWC preparations have been impacted.

Rugby • 17 Jul 23

Johnny Sexton will miss Ireland's warm-up games with Italy, England and Samoa

Ireland captain Sexton slapped with three-match ban

Johnny Sexton has been given a three-match ban which rules him out of Ireland's Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, but he is free to play in their tournament opener against Romania on 9 September.

Rugby • 17 Jul 23

Sexton appeared before the disciplinary committee this afternoon

Decision on Sexton hearing due in the coming days

Johnny Sexton will have to wait even longer to discover whether or not he is to incur a suspension, after a prolonged disciplinary hearing today.

Rugby • 13 Jul 23

Sexton has been in camp with Ireland since 19 June

Sexton set to learn disciplinary fate on Thursday

Johnny Sexton faces a disciplinary hearing on Thursday that could see the outcome impact Ireland's World Cup preparations. The Ireland captain had a misconduct complaint lodged against him following his behaviour towards match officials in the wake of Leinster's Champions Cup final defeat.

Rugby • 12 Jul 23

Johnny Sexton pictured following Leinster's defeat to La Rochelle

Sexton hearing not affecting Ireland camp - Ringrose

If Johnny Sexton is worried about the possibility of serving a ban then he's not showing it, according to Garry Ringrose.

Rugby • 05 Jul 23

Sexton will appear before an independent disciplinary committee next month

Sexton to face disciplinary board over final conduct

The EPCR have confirmed that Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will appear before a disciplinary committee next month, in relation to his conduct after the Champions Cup final at the Aviva Stadium in May.

Rugby • 29 Jun 23

Johnny Sexton helped Ireland to Grand Slam glory in the spring

Jackman: No risk of Sexton being banned for World Cup

Bernard Jackman said talk of Johnny Sexton potentially missing the Rugby World Cup due to suspension is "outlandish" and predicted the situation would likely be resolved with a fine.

Rugby • 13 Jun 23

Johnny Sexton is on course to take part in his fourth World Cup

Sexton: Ireland must 'learn World Cup lessons'

No team has more material to work with when it comes to figuring out what went wrong in the knockout stages of World Cups than Ireland.

Rugby • 03 Jun 23

Johnny Sexton and Stuart Lancaster are coming to the end of their time with Leinster

Sexton and Lancaster send-offs driving Van der Flier

Josh van der Flier says winning a fifth star would be a fitting tribute to Johnny Sexton and Stuart Lancaster, who depart Leinster at the end of the season.

Rugby • 17 May 23

Johnny Sexton will focus on recovery ahead of the World Cup in September

RWC the target as Sexton confirms no Leinster swansong

Johnny Sexton has confirmed that he will step away from rugby following his retirement after the World Cup and given further details about the next chapter in his life.

Rugby • 10 Apr 23

Ross Byrne is likely to start for Leinster against Ulster

McFarland: Ulster take no boost from Sexton absence

Ulster face a monumental task to knock out Champions Cup favourites Leinster on Saturday but Dan McFarland doesn't think their task will be made any easier with the absence of Johnny Sexton.

Rugby • 27 Mar 23