Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Johnny Sexton score 24 points against Romania, including two tries

Ireland have no plans to rest skipper Sexton - Easterby

Ireland intend to give veteran captain Johnny Sexton as many minutes as he can manage during the Rugby World Cup.

Jonathan Sexton's 99 steps to the brink of history

As Johnny Sexton prepares to become the seventh player to earn his 100th cap for Ireland, we look back on an international career that began 12 years ago this month in Donnybrook.

Rugby • 05 Nov 21

'As an ex-player, it's really easy to say that's collisions are part of the game and you can understand the player that is flying in to make an impact for his team'

Contrasting calls on high tackles a huge frustration

Former Munster player Jonny Holland looks at two similar high-challenge incidents at the weekend that were dealt with differently by the match officials.

Rugby • 19 Oct 21

Billy Burns, Joey Carbery, Ross Byrne, Harry Byrne and Ben Healy are among the contenders for Johnny Sexton's long term replacement

Succession planning when the ruling 10 refuses to budge

Exactly two years out from the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, have Ireland made any real progress with their out-half succession plan?

Rugby • 14 Oct 21

'Rugby is a progressive sport and the officials are trying to change the game for the better, but it needs to be done with clarity and certainty around key areas of the game'

Fear and confusion in rugby's laws and interpretations

Players have to make decisions every time there's a different referee, based on the pattern of their penalty count in the last number of weeks, writes Johnny Holland.

Rugby • 13 Apr 21

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell (L) with Johnny Sexton

Farrell calm over Sexton's long-term Ireland plans

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said "conversations" are ongoing with Johnny Sexton regarding his international future after the outhalf hinted earlier this week he may not be part of the squad for the 2023 World Cup.

Rugby • 25 Feb 21

Ireland are playing the Six Nations favourites on Sunday

Ferris: Farrell needs to mix things up for French visit

Stephen Ferris tells RTÉ's Game On that he'd like to see Andy Farrell mix things up a bit for the Six Nations visit of France to Dublin on Sunday.

Rugby • 12 Feb 21

Johnny Sexton is attended to by the Irish rugby medical team at Cardiff

Doctor apologises to Sexton for '30 concussions' claim

The French doctor who suggested Jonathan Sexton had suffered up to 30 concussions in his rugby career has apologised to the Irish captain and said there was no reason for him not to face France if he comes through return-to-play protocols.

Rugby • 10 Feb 21

Jonathan Sexton is available for Ireland

Fit-again Sexton wants Ireland to move up a level

Johnny Sexton has declared himself fit to play for Ireland against Wales in their Six Nations opener in Cardiff on Sunday.

Rugby • 03 Feb 21

Quinn Roux impressed, despite his late call-up

Player ratings: Dominant Ireland bounce back

An encouraging performance for Ireland although early intensity wasn't reflected on the scoreboard but there were still a few individual displays that caught the eye. Here's how we rated the players.

Rugby • 13 Nov 20

Johnny Sexton had words of praise for Jacob Stockdale

Sexton backs Stockdale to get back in the groove

Johnny Sexton expects Jacob Stockdale to put a difficult night in Paris behind him when Ireland welcome Wales to the Aviva Stadium on Friday for their opening Autumn Nations Cup clash.

Rugby • 09 Nov 20

Jonathan Sexton: "We'd only be inviting the best of the best - and we had to of the best, Bono and Paul O'Connell!"

Sexton ready for main stage after Paulie & Bono show

Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton is ready to take to the stage at Twickenham after a week of taking inspiration form Paul O'Connell and Bono.

Rugby • 21 Feb 20

'Everyone in the dressing room would love to be captain of Ireland. It's a special thing'

Sexton relishing chance to make 'difference' as captain

Johnny Sexton is relishing the prospect of making a difference as Ireland captain in the upcoming Six Nations as the Andy Farrell era begins in earnest

Rugby • 30 Jan 20

Rob Kearney and Keith Earls have been ruled out of the World Cup opener against Scotland

No Kearney or Earls as Ireland team to play Scots named

Rob Kearney and Keith Earls have been ruled out of Ireland's World Cup opener against Scotland on Sunday (kick-off 8.45am) with Andrew Conway and Jordan Larmour named to start in Yokohama.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 20 Sep 19

Sexton and Carbery both 'on track' for French showdown

Joe Schmidt hopes out-halves Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery will both be fit for Ireland's Guinness Six Nations clash with France in Dublin.

Rugby • 01 Mar 19

No half measures as Ireland's golden pair feel the heat

One of the most decorated half-back partnerships in Test rugby is coming under pressure from increased competition.

Rugby • 20 Feb 19

Sexton meets the fans at an open day at the Aviva Stadium on Friday

Johnny Sexton passed fit to face Italy

There were fears that the out-half and current World Player of the Year was set for a spell on the sidelines after failing a HIA against Scotland.

Rugby • 15 Feb 19

A fit Sexton (R) is the first name on Schmidt's teamsheet

Sexton making 'good progress' ahead of Slam defence

Joe Schmidt gave a positive update on Jonathan Sexton's fitness as he named his squad ahead of the Grand Slam defence

Rugby • 16 Jan 19

Jonathan Sexton was frustrated by some of the refereeing decisions

Sexton disappointed with Leinster's poor discipline

Leinster captain Jonathan Sexton said that he was disappointed with his side's discipline during the Pro 14 loss to Munster at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 04 Jan 19

Johnny Sexton poses with the World Rugby Player of the Year award

Sexton, Schmidt & Ireland clean up at World awards

Johnny Sexton was crowned the World Rugby Player of the Year, Joe Schmidt the Coach of the Year and Ireland the Team of the Year in an unprecedented treble for Irish rugby.

Rugby • 26 Nov 18

Perfect 10: Sexton's hard-fought ascent to top of game

Johnny Sexton is favourite to win World Rugby's Player of the Year award tonight, but as Michael Glennon details here, Sexton's route to the summit has not been without setbacks

Rugby • 24 Nov 18

Jonathan Sexton could become the first Irishman in 17 years to win the award

Sexton makes shortlist for World Rugby Player of Year

Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton has made the five-man shortlist for the World Rugby Player of the Year award.

Rugby • 02 Nov 18

Leo Cullen said Johnny Sexton is "hugely excited" to take the captaincy

Johnny Sexton named new Leinster captain

Johnny Sexton has taken over the Leinster captaincy from the retired Isa Nacewa.

Rugby • 07 Aug 18

Johnny Sexton spent two years at Racing before coming back

'Uncontrollable' Sexton and his testy past with France

The Zlatan Ibrahimovic of rugby - as one anonymous former teammate called him - can add a fourth European crown to his glittering trophy cabinet. But there is some animus between him and his former club

Rugby • 10 May 18

CJ Stander: "In the first six phases you think, 'do I still have enough left in me?'"

'You go to a dark place' - Stander knows price of glory

The warm glow of Saturday's incredible Six Nations defeat of France still flickers in the Irish camp, but CJ Stander knows major improvements must be made to prevent Grand Slam dreams going up in smoke.

Rugby • 05 Feb 18