Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ireland's miracle play must not paper over cracks

We shouldn't get carried away with miracle win in Paris as it came at the end of a disappointing performance, writes Michael Glennon.

Rugby • 05 Feb 18

Jonathan Sexton getting in some kicking practice at the Stade de France

Sexton: 'We have to be ready to see different pictures'

For Jonathan Sexton it's very much a case of stepping into the unknown for Ireland when they take on France in Saturday's Natwest Six Nations clash at the Stade de France.

Rugby • 03 Feb 18

Conor Murray has been recognised as the stand-out Munster man, receiving a nomination for the 2018 award

Leinster quartet, Murray and Beirne nominated for award

Five Ireland-based players have been nominated for the 2018 European Player of the Year, including four Leinster players and Munster's Conor Murray.

Rugby • 24 Jan 18

Jonathan Sexton: 'It wasn't even the collision, it was just where I got it.'

Sexton tackles media coverage over HIA confusion

Jonathan Sexton believes there's "confusion" over the sensitive issue of Head Injury Assessments (HIAs) and again played down any suggestion his tackling technique leaves him more open to damaging impacts.

Rugby • 09 Jan 18

Could Joey Carbery's future lie outside Leinster?

Carbery may have to leave Leinster warns O'Sullivan

RTÉ rugby analyst Eddie O'Sullivan believes that Joey Carbery may have to leave Leinster if he's to get playing experience in the fly-half position.

Rugby • 21 Nov 17

Sexton suffered a string of injuries playing in France

Sexton experience is reason for home-based selections

Johnny Sexton has never had the same "resilience" since his ill-fated stint in France and that's why Ireland choose not to select overseas-based players, according to Joe Schmidt.

Rugby • 02 Nov 17

Timeline of Jonathan Sexton's record-breaking Leinster career

Captain Jonathan Sexton surpassed Felipe Contepomi as Leinster's all-time top-scorer. Here RTÉ Sport takes a look back on some of the significant milestones among those 1,234 points.

Rugby • 08 Oct 17

Timeline of Sexton's record-breaking Leinster career

In keeping with his storybook provincial career, captain Jonathan Sexton surpassed Felipe Contepomi as Leinster's all-time top-scorer during a blockbuster Pro14 derby victory against Munster at Aviva Stadium. RTÉ Sport looks back on the significant milestones among those 1,234 points.

Rugby • 07 Oct 17

Sexton is relishing the chance to play alongside Owen Farrell

Sexton targets place in Lions history in second test

Johnny Sexton believes it would be "one of the greatest Lions performances" if they secure Test series glory against world champions New Zealand.

Rugby • 30 Jun 17

Sexton and Leinster were left to rue their poor start

Sexton admits first-half mistakes cost Leinster

Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton admitted his team made too many first-half mistakes to win their Champions Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne.

Rugby • 23 Apr 17

Paul O'Connell (L) gave Jonathan Sexton some words of wisdom in his injury battle

Sexton talks cramming, injury & key advice from Paulie

Advice from Paul O'Connell, cramming for the French game and proving the doubters wrong once again - Jonathan Sexton has revealed his journey back to the field of play as he looks to lead Ireland to a crucial Cardiff victory under the Friday night lights.

Six Nations • 10 Mar 17

Conor Murray (L) and Jonathan Sexton are the fulcrum of Ireland's attack

Edwards wary of 'world-class' Sexton and Murray

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards says his team will be paying particular attention to the threat posed by formidable Irish half-back pair Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray when the sides meet on Friday night.

Rugby • 07 Mar 17

Murray & Sexton class denies gallant French

Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton stamped their class all over a pulsating Aviva Stadium showdown with France to keep Ireland's championship hopes alive with a 19-9 win.

Six Nations • 25 Feb 17

Paddy Jackson and Jonathan Sexton are vying for the number 10 jersey

Jackson must get nod over Sexton, says Varley

Paddy Jackson must start against France, regardless of whether or not Jonathan Sexton is fit, according to Damien Varley.

Six Nations • 16 Feb 17

Madigan was impressive from the tee in Bordeaux's win over Ulster

'Settled' Madigan not giving up on Ireland recall

Ian Madigan believes that he has not shown enough good form to warrant an Ireland call-up, but the Bordeaux out-half would not rule out playing some part in the upcoming Six Nations.

Rugby • 22 Jan 17

Robbie Henshaw going over for Leinster's first try

Sexton injured as Leinster settle for away draw

Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton limped off with a calf injury midway through the first half as Leinster strengthened their hold on home advantage in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup after a 24-24 draw with Castres.

Rugby • 21 Jan 17

Johnny Sexton suffered a hamstring injury in the Aviva Stadium defeat to New Zealand

Nucifora calls for patience on Sexton fitness

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora has said Johnny Sexton will be given all the time he needs to fully recuperate and is confident a patient approach to the outhalf's hamstring woes will ultimately reap rewards.

Rugby • 22 Dec 16

Ireland will face the All Blacks for the 29th time this weekend

Relentless All Blacks braced for Irish challenge

Ireland and New Zealand will both look to the nail-biting 2013 encounter for motivation as Joe Schmidt’s side go in search of an unlikely win.

Rugby • 14 Nov 16

Kearney was a try scorer when the sides last met in 2013

Kearney recalled to tackle All Blacks

Joe Schmidt has recalled Rob Kearney to the Ireland team to face New Zealand on Saturday with Leinster team-mates Garry Ringrose and Joey Carbery poised to make their Test debuts in Chicago.

Rugby • 04 Nov 16

Sexton celebrates after scoring a try against Munster at the Aviva Stadium

Sexton admits draw would have been fair on Munster

Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton said a draw would have been a fair result for Munster after they lost 16-13 to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 02 Apr 16

Sexton went off injured in the game against France

Johnny Sexton in Ireland team to play Argentina

Johnny Sexton has convinced Ireland to pitch him into Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, despite lingering concerns over a groin injury.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 16 Oct 15

Jonathan Sexton: "I maybe took the foot off the gas a little bit"

VIDEO: Jonathan Sexton on a World Cup mission

Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton believes he underperformed in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and is grateful for the chance to make amends in this autumn's tournament.

Rugby • 11 Aug 15

Ronan O'Gara backed Johnny Sexton to perform on his return from injury

O’Gara: Expect a ‘very hungry’ Sexton to perform

Ronan O’Gara has said that Johnny Sexton has used his injury-enforced time off the field well, and that he is “ready to perform” in Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France on Saturday.

Six Nations • 12 Feb 15

Johnny Sexton is 'itching to go', says Richie Murphy

O'Brien and Sexton priming well for France clash

Sean O'Brien is in contention to play against France after proving his fitness in this morning's training session, while Johnny Sexton is "itching to go".

Six Nations • 10 Feb 15

Ian Keatley gives away his boots after the game

Ian Keatley happy to have overcome nerves

Out-half Ian Keatley said he had “thoroughly” enjoyed his Six Nations debut, but admitted he had been nervous before Ireland’s 26-3 win over Italy in Rome.

Six Nations • 08 Feb 15