Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Provinces asked to do more with less as URC returns

As a new United Rugby Championship season begins, Jonny Holland writes that the provinces are being asked to do more with less resources.

Rugby • 23 Sep

Room for improvement as Ireland make WRWC history

When you score your highest World Cup tally and open your account with tries from both the pack and the backline, you'll take the victory with areas to improve on, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 28 Aug

'The rugby population in Australia was highly insulted by some of the narrative around their nation'

Australia's 'why' prevented Lions series whitewash

Australia's 'why' was too strong for the Lions to whitewash them in a fascinating and competitive series, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 05 Aug

'These laws are obsolete and aren't adhered to, so why are they written at all? No wonder there's constant debate after the event, especially after a win in this manner'

The Lions have dated and disregarded law book to thank

By the letter of the law, the British and Irish Lions should not have won Saturday's second Test, but the problem is those laws have been consistently ignored in the modern game, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 29 Jul

Red hot Curry and Beirne set out Lions stall

A dominant first half led the Lions to a straightforward victory in the first Test match against Australia, with Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry leading the way, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 22 Jul

'I'd assume a few calls will surprise people, maybe it won't be as Irish as some expect'

Farrell could spring surprise Lions selections

There are a number of tight calls in Andy Farrell's selection ahead of the Lions opening Test against Australia, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 15 Jul

Momentum can carry Leinster past Bulls to happy ending

Leinster will have one more shot at silverware this season as they take on the Bulls in a clash of the two hemispheres.

Rugby • 10 Jun

'Pollock showed something absolutely unique. His energy is almost as impressive as his confidence. His athleticism is frightening.'

Nothing abstract about Pollock's impression for Saints

The Champions Cup semi-finals served up two major surprises as Northampton Saints and Bordeaux Begles rewrote the script to advance to the final in Cardiff.

Rugby • 06 May

'It was a well-deserved win and a cleverly executed game strategy from Dwayne Peel and his Scarlets team'

Clever Scarlets expose underbelly of weakened Leinster

Dwayne Peel and Scarlets had a clear plan to disrupt Leinster on Saturday and it worked very effectively as the Welsh region gave their play-off hopes a massive shot in the arm with an unexpected victory.

Rugby • 29 Apr

Johnny Holland: 'Champions Cup winners are generally well-disciplined and as strong on the defensive side of the game as they are in attack. That can't currently be said about Bordeaux'

Bordeaux require defensive focus to challenge for title

Bordeaux Begles overpowered Munster to take their place in the Champions Cup semi-final. However they need to sort out flaws in defence if they're to have a serious say in this competition.

Rugby • 15 Apr

Munster face a Bordeaux side riding high in the Top 14 at Stade Chaban Delmas on Saturday afternoon

Munster will require another magnifique French effort

More Munster magic in the Champions Cup saw Ian Costello's side topple La Rochelle in the Stade Marcel Deflandre, but it will take another monumental effort to upset Bordeaux this weekend.

Rugby • 08 Apr

'Are we continuously finding ways to make the jackal safer instead of just removing the jackal itself?'

Time to call it a day for the jackal?

While Munster and Connacht played out a tight-fought and historical interprovincial match in MacHale Park, Cian Prendergast sustained a head knock that reminds us rugby union still has an unacceptably high injury rate.

Rugby • 01 Apr

'The identification of talent doesn't seem to be an issue. Utilising the talent can be a slower process'

Good time for Irish rugby to wipe slate clean

After a very underwhelming finish to the Six Nations defence, it feels like a good time for Ireland to go through an extended break, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 18 Mar

It's hugely frustrating that the shot at history has been lost

No need for panic but we need to see a response in Rome

The French backs ran riot in the second half but the victory was founded on physical dominance

Rugby • 11 Mar

'The training ground is something that feels like a necessity for O'Mahony'

France have potential to spoil trio's Aviva send-off

The Irish rugby landscape has changed dramatically in the last two decades. From wooden spoons to Grand Slam expectations, this weekend could be another monumental timestamp in the history of the country's success.

Rugby • 04 Mar

'If we are to make the game safer, then sometimes a player will suffer the consequences of their unintended actions'

Ridiculous 20-minute red card cost Wales famous win

Jonny Holland felt that mitigation could have been used in Garry Ringrose's red card against Wales, but once it was issued, it showed the frailties of the 20-minute red card.

Rugby • 26 Feb

'Wales will be a very sticky challenge this weekend, but I wouldn't expect them to give Ireland much of a fright either'

New-look Wales unlikely to frighten Ireland too much

While the changes in the Welsh camp will no doubt make Cardiff a trickier spot for Ireland to travel to in Round 3, Jonny Holland can still only see one outcome.

Rugby • 18 Feb

'Ireland's focus now will be to get the danger back in their attack and solve some of the problems they faced in the Autumn Nations Series'

Ireland must rediscover attacking edge for England test

A historic third Six Nations championship quest begins at home to England on Saturday, but well-placed optimism can't give way to complacency, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 31 Jan

'The gulf between the top teams and the rest of the pack is more obvious than ever'

Champions Cup knockout stages look lopsided and diluted

Ulster are among the teams that really shouldn't be in the knockout stages of a competition that's supposed to about pitting the best of the best against each other, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 21 Jan

'Even small things can be problematic in coaching when you're not the one in control'

Challenges await as Easterby steps into Farrell's shoes

Simon Easterby is due to name his first full Irish squad on Wednesday amidst Andy Farrell's Irish sabbatical for his role with the Lions. How much autonomy does he have over the selection and how much is he playing to Farrell's tune, asks Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 14 Jan

'La Rochelle's ability is obvious, and the power can be unstoppable'

Prendergast can expect serious La Rochelle examination

La Rochelle will be up against it when they take on Leinster this Sunday, but they still have a love for the Champions Cup, and will be eyeing what would be a huge scalp to kick their season on.

Rugby • 07 Jan

'With some medium-term patience and a small bit more fortune, Ulster could well be on their way back to where they belong'

Harnessing the vibrancy of youth key for Ulster

The Ulster rebuild under Richie Murphy is showing promise, with the combination of home-based players and the positive vibes around Murphy's man-management skills boding well.

Rugby • 31 Dec 24

'This is the last development opportunity for Farrell (and his stand-in Simon Easterby) ahead of the Six Nations before players are released back to their clubs for URC and European action'

The fringe candidates worth Farrell's first preference

Jonny Holland identifies the squad players who could benefit from getting Andy Farrell's vote at the ballot box this week.

Rugby • 26 Nov 24

'I'm not sure if we need Sam Prendergast to start a Test match as physically daunting as this one...Fijian physicality is something that might do more harm than good'

Farrell has frustrations but not with either debutant

While Ireland have issues to work out before the end of the Autumn Nations Series, Jonny Holland was impressed by the performances of Irish debutants Thomas Clarkson and Sam Prendergast against Argentina.

Rugby • 19 Nov 24

Farrell has frustrations but not with either debutant

While Ireland have issues to work out before the end of the Autumn Nations Series, Jonny Holland was impressed by the performances of Irish debutants Thomas Clarkson and Sam Prendergast against Argentina.

Rugby • 18 Nov 24