Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The team huddle will have to be a bit looser this time around

No hugs allowed for Covid-conscious Lions - Gatland

Warren Gatland insists the British and Irish Lions are on heightened alert for the possible danger caused by coronavirus following the recent setback suffered by England's football team.

Rugby • 22 Jun 21

Robbie Henshaw will partner old Connacht team-mate Bundee Aki in the centre

Six Irish in Lions starting side to face Japan

Warren Gatland has named six Ireland internationals in his British & Irish Lions starting team for Saturday's test against Japan at Murrayfield.

Rugby • 22 Jun 21

Tadhg Furlong will be crucial to the Lions at scrum time

Kitshoff ready to do battle with familiar foe Furlong

South Africa prop Steven Kitshoff has a long history with Tadhg Furlong and knows exactly what his powerful Irish counterpart brings to the table as they prepare to square up in one of the key areas of the Lions series next month.

Rugby • 15 Jun 21

Andy Farrell has given Johnny Sexton the summer off

Fit again, Lions-ready but Sexton gets summer off

Andy Farrell has no fitness concerns over Johnny Sexton, Cian Healy or Keith Earls and all three would be available for Lions duty if required.

Rugby • 14 Jun 21

Ronan Kelleher is part of this week's training group

Kelleher called to train with Lions in Jersey

Ronan Kelleher has joined the British and Irish Lions squad as cover as they get set to begin a week of training in Jersey.

Rugby • 13 Jun 21

Benetton will play Sharks or Bulls in the Pro14 Rainbow Cup final

Pro14 SA clash off after Lions players test positive

The Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA match between the Lions and Stormers has been cancelled after a number of positive Covid-19 tests in the Lions squad.

Rugby • 11 Jun 21

Jacques Nienaber referenced Irish weather as part of the reason petrol could be used on open flames

South African coach defends Munster players

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has leapt to the defence of Munster pair Damian De Allende and RG Snyman after they were involved in a "fire pit accident" and expects them to still face the British and Irish Lions this summer.

Rugby • 09 Jun 21

Kyle Sinckler: "For me to be included now has been a massive shock."

Sinckler trying to get head around Lions inclusion

Kyle Sinckler admitted he had written off any hopes of finding a way into the Lions squad after being left out of Warren Gatland's initial selection last month.

Rugby • 07 Jun 21

Eddie Jones: "It is information-sharing but very useful."

Eddie Jones defends Japan trip 'to practise coaching'

England head coach Eddie Jones has defended his April trip to Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath and insisted coaches need to practise coaching during the off-season.

Rugby • 02 Jun 21

Ronan O'Gara spent time as an assistant coach for Ireland's game against the USA in 2017

No need for ROG to serve time with province - Nucifora

Ronan O'Gara would not have to serve time in the Irish system before becoming head coach of the national team, according to David Nucifora.

Rugby • 03 Jun 21

Bundee Aki: 'I was pinching myself, it's a huge honour'

Lions pick Aki 'overwhelmed' by community support

Bundee Aki says the support he's received from Galway and Connacht has been fundamental to his Lions call-up.

Rugby • 02 Jun 21

Rassie Erasmus: "If you look at their forwards, it is a fast, quick pack."

Erasmus expects Lions to go on attack in South Africa

South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is expecting the Lions to play a fast-tempo game and not try to arm-wrestle the world champion Springboks when the teams meet in a three-test series starting in late July.

Rugby • 28 May 21

Conor Murray pictured at the Lions meeting today

All Lions squad members receive first vaccinations

All members of the British and Irish Lions squad have received their first coronavirus vaccinations ahead of the summer tour to South Africa.

Rugby • 26 May 21

Cheslin Kolbe: 'It would definitely be a highlight in my career'

Cheslin Kolbe desperate to have a crack at the Lions

World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe says it would be a career highlight for him to face the Lions this summer.

Rugby • 19 May 21

Murrayfield has been without spectators for over a year

Over 16,000 fans to attend Lions match in Scotland

The British & Irish Lions will play in front of 16,500 spectators in the match with Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday 26 June.

Rugby • 19 May 21

South Africa haven't played since the RWC Final 18 months ago

South Africa in race against time to prepare for Lions

Donal Lenihan has told the RTÉ Rugby Podcast that the hosts of a Lions tour are going to be less well prepared for the series than the touring side for the first time in the professional era.

Rugby • 13 May 21

Donal Lenihan says the Lions tour promises to be an intriguing one given the lack of preparation the Springboks have enjoyed

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: Uncertain market value for players

Hugh Cahill is joined by Wes Liddy, Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman to discuss the Six Nations staying on free-to-air television after the deal between Virgin, RTÉ and the Six Nations.

Rugby • 12 May 21

Tadhg Furlong on making the Lions squad: "It's a mad feeling."

'I was absolutely bricking it... it's a mad feeling'

Tadhg Furlong thought he'd been left out of the Lions squad last Thursday.

Rugby • 12 May 21

South Africa's World Cup success was build on a powerful forward pack and able replacements

Lenihan: Defusing 'bomb squad' key to Gatland pick

Donal Lenihan believes the scars of the Lions' last tour to South Africa informed Warren Gatland's selection with emphasis placed on physicality.

Rugby • 07 May 21

Johnny Sexton misses out on a third tour

Sexton victim of 'good welfare programme' - O'Callaghan

Former Ireland and Lions forward Donncha O'Callaghan believes Johnny Sexton has paid the price for being looked after by a "good welfare programme".

Rugby • 07 May 21

Iain Henderson was on tour with the Lions in New Zealand in 2017

Henderson 'surprised' by Ryan and Sexton Lions calls

Iain Henderson says he was surprised to hear that Johnny Sexton and James Ryan had been left out of the Lions squad for the upcoming tour to South Africa.

Rugby • 07 May 21

Aki Lions pick 'due recognition' says Connacht's Friend

Connacht boss Andy Friend says the inclusion of Bundee Aki in the Lions squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa is "due recognition".

Rugby • 07 May 21

Sexton helped the Lions to a series draw against New Zealand in 2017

Lions boss Gatland worried about Sexton durability

Concerns over Johnny Sexton's durability played a part in his omission from the Lions squad, according to Neil Jenkins.

Rugby • 07 May 21

Alun Wyn Jones confirmed as Lions captain

Alun Wyn Jones has been confirmed as British and Irish Lions captain for the summer tour to South Africa.

Rugby • 06 May 21

Ronan Kelleher will hope to force his way into Warren Gatland's Lions squad

Best: Ronan Kelleher has a really big Lions chance

Rory Best fears Keith Earls may miss out on a Lions place but has backed Leinster hooker Ronan Kelleher to force his way into Warren Gatland's panel with a big showing against La Rochelle this Sunday.

Rugby • 27 Apr 21