Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

'Introducing internationals such as Iain Henderson and the record breaking Herring, as well as debutant Scott Wilson, turned the game in Ulster's favour'

Getting basics right is still key to winning or losing

After a disappointing defeat against Connacht, Ulster exacted their interprovincial revenge on Munster in Belfast on Friday night.

Rugby • 14 Nov 23

'One or two knock ons crept in throughout the aerial bombardment and unfortunately for England, the South African subs bench had a much more influential effect on the game than their own'

South Africa set up clash of styles against New Zealand

South Africa will play New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final, a clash of styles according to RTÉ Rugby columnist Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 24 Oct 23

'This isn't just a loss, it's the end of a four-year cycle, and at least two years of that cycle was spent with confident anticipation towards this World Cup'

The doom and gloom of starting a new four-year cycle

Jonny Holland is full of praise for New Zealand, and also examines the difficulty of starting a World Cup cycle under such a cloud.

Rugby • 17 Oct 23

'There should also be someone slightly detached from the group that has an extensive breakdown on every potential outcome'

Ireland must focus on job first, permutations later

Ireland know what they have to do against Scotland, writes Jonny Holland, but they also need to make sure they know exactly what they need in the event that the game goes down to the wire.

Rugby • 03 Oct 23

'It's advantage Ireland from a psychological perspective'

Ireland changed the picture to outmanoeuvre Springboks

Ireland were not perfect, but smart tactical tweaks helped them battle past South Africa in a World Cup blockbuster.

Rugby • 26 Sep 23

'Andy Farrell has gained a lot of trust with how he manages the squad'

Physicality of modern game means rotation is everything

Ireland will require some good luck on the injury front at the upcoming World Cup in France, but squad depth will also be absolutely crucial if Andy Farrell's men are to go deep at the tournament.

Rugby • 29 Aug 23

'There are some players that are a lot less disposable than others'

Sexton ban possible blessing as warm-ups take toll

As the warm-up matches take their toll on players, Jonny Holland reflects on a funny period for Rugby World Cup hopefuls.

Rugby • 15 Aug 23

World Cup shadowboxing has begun in earnest

World Cup preparations still at shadowboxing stage

As teams begin the final stages of fine-tuning themselves ahead of the World Cup, it can be dangerous to read too much into what we're currently seeing on the rugby pitch.

Rugby • 08 Aug 23

Andy Farrell named his 42-man Rugby World Cup squad

End of season was unlikely to swing RWC squad - Holland

Jonny Holland says it's no surprise that Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has stuck with what he knows in his World Cup training squad.

Rugby • 31 May 23

'Graham Rowntree is now a successful head coach and has found a way to bring this dormant giant back to winning ways'

Munster future bright as old and new hands deliver

Their unlikely URC triumph was just rewards for some long-serving Munster players but the youth of the team and the coaching staff provides great hope that more success could be on the way.

Rugby • 30 May 23

Jonny Holland reflects on what could be a landmark win for Munster

Munster are nearly back but need to complete the job

Jonny Holland says that Munster are nearly back to winning ways, but they are one more win from being there.

Jonny Holland • 16 May 23

'It's hard not to look at every collision and physio involvement without a small bit of dread'

Hard to avoid feeling of dread as collisions hit home

As the World Cup nears, Jonny Holland looks at every collision involving an Irish player in a different light.

Rugby • 09 May 23

'La Rochelle's firepower will cause Leinster problems if they can keep their discipline'

Leinster-La Rochelle rematch promises fitting crescendo

After two one-sided semi-finals, the final of the Champions Cup is the crescendo that we've all been waiting for.

Rugby • 02 May 23

'Play-off games bring a different energy compared to regular-season games'

Mistakes cost more in play-offs as URC hits quarters

All four Irish provinces remain in the hunt for the URC title and at least one will go through to the semi-finals.

Rugby • 25 Apr 23

More exposure to Springboks players and the style of game that their teams play will normalise the phenomenon that is South African rugby in elite competitions

South African familiarity a boost for World Cup hopes

Jonny Holland says the more Irish players play against South African sides at club level, the greater the boost it is for Ireland.

Rugby • 04 Apr 23

'If Irish rugby can fund everything below the professional game, the international game will be better for it'

IRFU missing a trick as women's team lose ground

The heavy defeat in Wales suggests Ireland are losing ground as the game goes professional and while the IRFU are making progress, Jonny Holland believes greater investment at all levels is crucial.

Rugby • 28 Mar 23

'The biggest learning watching Ireland at the weekend is that two inside-centres don't make a centre partnership'

Aki's defensive lapses evident in win over Italy

Jonny Holland runs a coach's eye over Ireland's Six Nations win against Italy and looks forward to the clash with Scotland on Sunday week.

Rugby • 28 Feb 23

'Ireland will be heavy favourites going into this game but Italy have the ability to cause trouble. A tough challenge awaits'

Don't expect wholesale squad rotation for Italian job

You can guarantee that Andy Farrell won't be blotting his Six Nations copybook because of an over eagerness to change the squad, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 21 Feb 23

'Italy and Ireland play similar styles of rugby with their pods of three forwards in the middle of the pitch and a lot of movement behind this from their backs'

Italy chaos hints at Irish blueprint for France clash

Ireland are no strangers to moving the play and will follow a similar blueprint against France in a Six Nations showdown between the top two sides in the world rankings, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 07 Feb 23

Jonny Holland: 'Wales in Cardiff is a tough start for Ireland, but one that can springboard them to a greater success this year'

Big Irish calls at centre, back three and on the bench

Ireland's team has a settled look to it, but Jonny Holland says the biggest calls will be made at centre, midfield and among the replacements.

Rugby • 31 Jan 23

'Ireland may be the top-ranked team in the world but they became so without having to face France in the November series'

Ireland biggest threat to France's Six Nations crown

Ireland's fixture schedule gives them a great chance of dethroning France but don't expect a Grand Slam in a what will be a hugely competitive Six Nations, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 24 Jan 23

'Rugby in those conditions is a different game'

La Rochelle-Ulster was a chess match played in a storm

A tactical and strategic battle played out in the eye of a Stade Marcel-Deflandre storm on Saturday - and Ulster almost judged it to perfection.

Rugby • 17 Jan 23

Europe means big calls and tough conversations in store

Team selections for European games generally tell us who the coach really regards as his best starting XV and the fallout can be difficult to manage, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 10 Jan 23

'When you take the attacking maul threat away from Ulster, they're beginning to look very average'

Munster turn corner as Ulster struggle for confidence

Ulster versus Munster was a battle of two teams trying to find their identity and ignite their season, according to RTÉ Rugby columnist Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 03 Jan 23

Munster closing gap but Leinster leading by example

Graham Rowntree gave an emotionally charged, and slightly negative response after Munster lost once more to their rivals, Leinster, in Thomond Park.

Rugby • 27 Dec 22