Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

'It's similar with other older members of the squad. If he leaves them out for one campaign, it could well be their last'

Tough calls ahead for Farrell in Six Nations part II

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has a few big calls to make as the Six Nations moves towards the business end.

'The question now is how does the head coach use the rest of the tournament?

How Farrell builds on Paris loss vital for Ireland

How Ireland head coach Andy Farrell approaches the final three games of the championship will be an interesting tell, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 15 Feb 22

France are going to be the best litmus test for where the Irish team are at

France will be a proper test of Irish faith in attack

Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales bore all the hallmarks of head coach Andy Farrell's attacking philosophy and while bigger tests await, Ireland appear to be very much on the right track.

Rugby • 08 Feb 22

'For Ireland's ambitions to continue forward, you'll need a couple of breakthroughs in this year's competition'

Ireland need more 'breakthroughs' to bolster momentum

The Six Nations is back this weekend. With the normality of full crowds restored, and with Irish expectations climbing back towards their peak, it promises to be a highly enjoyable competition, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 01 Feb 22

Munster showed a definite change in ambition in Thomond Park on Sunday

Offloading in vogue as Munster join the party

An accurate offloading game makes rugby a better spectacle to watch but as spectators we must understand what drives it and when it is appropriate, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 25 Jan 22

'It's becoming more evident that Tadhg Beirne has to be in Farrell's side'

Andy Farrell must gamble on youth as Six Nations looms

Andy Farrell has some decisions to make before he names his Six Nations squad on Wednesday, says Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 17 Jan 22

'Neither side should be overly proud of their performance'

Sub-standard derby fare worrying for Ireland

The Connacht and Munster tussle didn't impress our columnist Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 04 Jan 22

"The bragging rights and direct competition for places ahead of the upcoming Six Nations camps gives the festive fixtures added spice."

Premiership provides contrast in interpros' absence

Irish rugby was forced into a weekend of rest due to Covid-19 cases in Ulster and the continuing concern in Leinster, but the situation was different in the Premiership, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 28 Dec 21

'The law variations that are continuously evolving are doing something to keep the players fitter and healthier, although I don't know if the injuries will stop. It is one of the most fascinating parts of the game, dangerous, but definitely interesting'

Henderson latest victim of high-risk breakdown battle

Iain Henderson is the latest player to be injured when competing at the breakdown. Law variations are helping but Jonny Holland - whose own career was ended in a breakdown - does not think you can remove all risk from the games most fascinating area.

Rugby • 21 Dec 21

'Costello has reinvigorated that link between the AIL, academy players and the senior set-up in Munster'

Benefit of AIL clear to see after Munster sting Wasps

While all four Irish provinces claimed European wins at the weekend, Munster's success stood out for Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 14 Dec 21

RTÉ Rugby podcast: Munster plans & Kelleher interview

Ireland hooker Rónan Kelleher is the special guest on the RTÉ Rugby podcast this week.

Rugby • 01 Dec 21

'It would also allow the fringe players or non-selected players in the squad to get back in the mix'

Irish Wolfhounds return couldn't come at better time

Plans to get the Irish Wolfhounds, formerly known as the Irish 'A' team, back into competitive fixtures in the 2022 season couldn't come at a better time for Irish rugby, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 30 Nov 21

'The positivity is firmly back in Irish rugby which can now be used as a springboard to push on'

Complacency the risk as Ireland take huge strides

Ireland impressed with the gameplan during a fruitful November window but building on it will be key heading into the next phase of the World Cup cycle, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 23 Nov 21

'Nearly everyone could get a mention for the positive impact they had on the game'

Relentless Ireland turn tables on All Blacks

New Zealand simply couldn't live with Ireland's high intensity - and that is something we've rarely seen before, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 16 Nov 21

'The All Blacks will remember losing in Dublin during their last visit and will no doubt use it in the week ahead'

Experienced heads need to drive it against New Zealand

To win back the fringe supporters and to keep building their confidence and momentum, it's imperative that Ireland put it up to New Zealand, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 09 Nov 21

All Blacks' USA exhibition didn't sit right with me

Jonny Holland discusses the All Blacks' 104-14 demolition of a USA team missing first choice players and how such a fixture does not bring any tangible benefits to international rugby.

Rugby • 26 Oct 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

The European teams in the United Rugby Championship will need time to get up to speed on new laws

Trial and error required with new laws for provinces

The opening weekend of the United Rugby Championship was first chance to assess new rules in northern hemisphere, but teams will need time to adapt, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 28 Sep 21

"Leinster are known for using 55 or so players every year and barely giving up any points, which shows their strength in depth."

South African sides shorn of stars face URC test

After the chaos wreaked by the pandemic, rugby is resuming with a more recognisable league structure, even if the new competition format will be providing something very different for teams and fans, with the South African sides in the URC facing a major challenge this side of Christmas.

Rugby • 24 Sep 21

"There is loads of rugby to come, but it won't be as tense as that Lions series for another while yet."

Lions loss was tense but focus needs to switch from TMO

The Lions chipped away and gave us a series that was tied up until the final minute of play. Now, hopefully, we can all return to dissecting rugby analysis involving players actions much more than that of the TMO, referees and coaches.

Rugby • 10 Aug 21

'ROG couldn't get La Rochelle over the line, but we saw a lot in him on Saturday that we wouldn't have seen as a player'

O'Gara embodies the transition from player to coach

Much like his playing days, Jonny Holland is sure there were a lot of learnings for Ronan O'Gara after first loss in a Champions Cup final, with plenty of success ahead.

Rugby • 25 May 21

Is familiarity starting to bread contempt in the Rainbow Cup?

Error-strewn interpros a consequence of long season

The Rainbow Cup delved further into the unpredictable last weekend in the third of three interprovincial rounds in a row.

Rugby • 18 May 21

"In both games, discipline dictated a lot of the exchanges."

It's meaningless but teams can still use Rainbow Cup

It was another weekend of interprovincial action in the season-extending Rainbow Cup and while the results mean nothing, the lack of pressure could see teams develop new approaches for next season.

Rugby • 11 May 21

'The manner in which La Rochelle went in to the second half is worrying for both Leinster and Irish rugby in general'

La Rochelle second-half salvo worrying for Irish rugby

The manner in which La Rochelle went in to the second half of the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final on Sunday is worrying for both Leinster and Irish rugby in general, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 04 May 21

"It'll be the role of the louder extroverts to bring the group back together"

Tangible action now required after heavy loss to France

France left a friendly reminder that there's a difference between semi-professional and amateur, but Ireland can't allow negative thoughts to get in the way with Italy to come this weekend, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 20 Apr 21