Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

'Leinster's forward power does most of the damage'

Leinster in rude health as provinces prepare for Europe

Leinster showed that they have many strings to their bow ahead of the start of their Champions Cup campaign, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 12 Nov 19

'Rassie managed Munster in its most difficult period to date with the passing of Axel Foley and he took it is his stride'

Rassie's back to basics approach is anything but basic

Having seen his own rugby career come to an end under the sympathetic gaze of Rassie Erasmus, Jonny Holland has a sense of how the Springboks coach transformed this team into World Cup winners

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 05 Nov 19

"England went out to do a job and put it up to New Zealand very early on."

Maybe the game needs England to go all the way

Jonny Holland casts his eye over two very different Rugby World Cup semi-finals and asks: would the game be better for an English win in the final?

Rugby • 29 Oct 19

'The reality of the Irish performances is that they simply weren't good enough'

Lack of development cost Ireland dearly in the end

Ireland's game didn't develop enough over the last year or two to give Rory Best and Joe Schmidt the send-off that they truly deserved, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 21 Oct 19

'Schmidt showed a new way of beating New Zealand last year'

Schmidt's keep-ball tactics won't be enough this time

Many of Ireland's players have experience of beating New Zealand, something that has not always been the case.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 17 Oct 19

'The Samoans tackle technique is one of the most dangerous aspects of their game'

Samoan raw power can spell danger for Ireland

Ireland will face a physical and determined Samoan side on Saturday, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19

"There's still time to get things right and this team is capable of a huge performance"

Time running out for Ireland to produce at World Cup

The potential is still in this Ireland team but they're running out of time to show it at the World Cup, according to Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 04 Oct 19

'No matter what way Ireland line up they should always be good enough to beat Japan.'

This Ireland team should have no issues in Shizuoka

Ireland will be wary of a fired-up Japan but this side should be far too strong for the host nation.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 26 Sep 19

'The difference between the sides was in defence'

Ireland to rest key players with one eye on quarters

With Ireland shipping injuries because of the intensity they brought to the defence, head coach Joe Schmidt may shuffle his pack.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 23 Sep 19

'Scotland have been chopping and changing a bit more and their starting combinations haven't all been together in the last couple of games'

Scots World Cup prep may not leave them fully primed

Given the lack of quality opposition they played in their warm-up games and question marks over their best XV, there is a chance that Scotland may be somewhat under cooked for Sunday's World Cup opener against Ireland.

Rugby • 18 Sep 19

'The return of some key players will help the controlled game plan that we are used to seeing from Ireland'

Ireland turning corner at right time for World Cup

Ireland may have turned a corner just in time for the opening round of the World Cup in Japan following their win over Wales at the Aviva stadium last weekend.

Rugby • 12 Sep 19

'I'm not all too convinced that an extra couple of inches is the key'

Schmidt's list divisive as ante up for Wales clash

With the premature announcement of the Ireland rugby squad it seems as though public opinion is divided, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 04 Sep 19

'Sparring is over, if Ireland are to get up to speed and achieve something in this World Cup it's time to start landing punches'

Byrne kicking one plus but time for sparring is over

It was not entirely doom and gloom at Twickenham in Jonny Holland's book, but Ireland's World Cup campaign needs to crank into gear this weekend.

Rugby • 28 Aug 19

'Of course you want your front row to be confrontational, but England cross the line too easy, very similar to their coach'

Keeping up with Jones' settled England crew a big ask

Our rugby columnist believes England will provide a stern test for Ireland this weekend, but feels Eddie Jones' side may lack the discipline required for a World Cup bid.

Rugby • 28 Aug 19

"We saw in Ireland's win against the All Blacks in November that they clearly wanted to hold on to the ball for longer periods of the game."

Irish tactic comes with risks but rewards could be huge

Ireland have adopted an interesting kicking strategy that may only be fully finetuned for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Rugby • 14 Aug 19

'You could fill the team with Leinster players alone and be pretty competitive'

Good fits and characters important in Ireland selection

It is no surprise to see that Leinster topped the numbers in the Irish selection, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 29 May 19

'If Munster can make the right appointment with investment in a Stuart Lancaster figure they can find success once again'

Munster under pressure to trim squad but coach is vital

The biggest investment Munster need now is in a coach and not a marquee player or two, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 22 May 19

'Munster will have to bring an attitude and intensity that is good enough to beat Leinster at home'

Munster must prepare for ominous Leinster backlash

Another mouth-watering inter-provincial Guinness Pro14 clash is ahead of us this weekend as Munster travel to Leinster in the semi-final stage of the competition.

Rugby • 15 May 19

Success gives insight into dedication of Cullen and Co

Our columnist tasted his first triumph as a coach in Sunday's AIL final and the mixture of emotions left him wondering how Leo Cullen and others do it season after season.

Rugby • 08 May 19

'When people say winning isn't important they either haven't experienced it fully or aren't telling the truth'

Helping your team win is a feeling hard to replicate

As he prepares to help Cork Con's bid to win another All Ireland League title, coach Jonny Holland reminisces on the intangibles.

Rugby • 03 May 19

Leinster set the pace to leave rivals running on empty

Jonny Holland explains why Munster were left chasing their tails in the Champions Cup semi-finals, while Leinster set a pace that their opposition could not live with.

Rugby • 30 May 19

'Munster really miss Carbery's flair and creativity'

All eyes on the Irish out-halves in Champions Cup

Two Irish teams will be in Champions Cup action this week with contrasting news regarding their first choice out-halves writes Jonny Holland