Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Jack Crowley of Ireland reacts during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Lenihan: Element of the unknown for Ireland in Chicago

Donal Lenihan previews Ireland's Test against New Zealand at Chicago's Soldier Field.

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Canada's Sophie de Goede celebrates scoring her sides fourth try during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Semi Final match between New Zealand and Canada at Ashton Gate on September 19, 2025 in Bristol, England. (Photo by B

Canada end New Zealand's run to storm into RWC final

Canada stormed into the World Cup final with a conclusive 34-19 victory at Ashton Gate but were forced to weather a second-half storm from defending champions New Zealand.

Rugby • 19 Sep

New Zealand's wing Braxton Sorensen-McGee dives to score a try during the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final between New Zealand and South Africa at Sandy Park, Exeter, southwest England, on September 13, 2025.

Sorensen-McGee stars as Black Ferns reach semis

Teenage wing Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored two tries as defending champions New Zealand survived a first-half scare to defeat South Africa 46-17 in their Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Sandy Park

Rugby • 13 Sep

New Zealand suffer worst-ever Test result

South Africa shrugged off a litany of injuries to humiliate New Zealand 43-10 in Wellington on Saturday, subjecting the All Blacks to their worst-ever Test defeat in a Rugby Championship stunner.

Rugby • 13 Sep

New Zealand hold off South Africa in Eden Park battle

New Zealand stayed firm at their Eden Park fortress to claim an attritional 24-17 win over South Africa in a heavyweight clash between the world's top two rugby sides on Saturday.

Rugby • 06 Sep

New Zealand's full back Braxton Sorensen-McGee (R) sores a try during the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool C match between New Zealand and Japan at Sandy Park, Exeter, southwest England, on August 31, 2025.

WRWC: Kiwis cruise past Japan ahead of Ireland clash

New Zealand eased into the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after a comprehensive 62-19 victory over Japan in Exeter.

Rugby • 31 Aug

Brodie McAlister of New Zealand dives towards the try line to score against France - July 2019

New Zealand defeat France to complete series sweep

Replacement hooker Brodie McAlister scored a late try in a memorable test debut for New Zealand to seal a 29-19 win over France in Hamilton and complete a 3-0 series sweep.

Rugby • 19 Jul

Jordie Barrett of New Zealand scores a try during the International Test match between New Zealand All Blacks and France

All Blacks hold off depleted France in Dunedin

Jordie Barrett scored a try and Beauden Barrett kicked to perfection as the All Blacks overcame three cancelled tries to claim a nervous 31-27 win over France in the series-opener in Dunedin on Saturday.

Rugby • 05 Jul

The All Blacks and Ineos have reached a sponsorship settlement

All Blacks and Ineos reach sponsorship settlement

Manchester United co-owner Ineos and New Zealand Rugby have announced a settlement has been reached in their sponsorship contract dispute.

Rugby • 01 Apr

New Zealand players in party mood after booking their ticket to the finals in North America

New Zealand crush New Caledonia to claim World Cup spot

New Zealand qualified for the 2026 World Cup as veterans Michael Boxall and Kosta Barbarouses scored in a second-half burst to beat New Caledonia 3-0 in Auckland.

Soccer • 24 Mar

Kathryn Mullan with Elena Neill after the shootout (Image: WORLDSPORTPICS RODRIGO JARAMILLO)

Shootout pain for Ireland in FIH Nations Cup final

Ireland suffered shootout heartbreak in the final of the FIH Women's Hockey Nations Cup as New Zealand triumphed.

Hockey • 03 Mar

Naomi Carroll scored the only goal of the game

Ireland beat New Zealand to make it two wins from two

Ireland made it two wins from two in their FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup pool after beating New Zealand 1-0 in Santiago, Chile.

Hockey • 26 Feb

New Zealand Rugby accuses INEOS of sponsorship breaches

Manchester United co-owner Ineos has been accused of failing to honour a sponsorship agreement with New Zealand Rugby.

Rugby • 11 Feb

New Zealand's greyhound racing industry has faced criticism for not doing enough to protect the welfare of the animals

New Zealand plans to ban greyhound racing from 2026

The New Zealand government has proposed banning greyhound racing from 2026, saying the percentage of dogs injured in races remained significantly high.

greyhound racing • 10 Dec 24

'Ireland's bench had penalties, confusion in lineouts, knock-ons and real momentum breaking moments that stopped them from mounting a response'

Lack of impact off bench telling in loss to All Blacks

Errors in the final quarter and a lack of a telling impact off the bench were key in Ireland's loss to New Zealand, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 12 Nov 24

Josh Van der Flier acknowledges the Aviva faithful after a disappointing Ireland display against New Zealand

'No excuses' from Van der Flier and Porter

Josh van der Flier was keen not to use rustiness as an excuse, following Ireland's flat performance in their 10-point home loss to New Zealand on Friday night.

Rugby • 09 Nov 24

Scott Robertson's New Zealand side face France in Paris next Saturday night

Robertson energised by All Blacks' efficiency

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson said his side showed their most astute game management since he took charge at the start of this year in Friday's clinical 23-13 win Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 09 Nov 24

Sam Monaghan in Six Nations action against Italy earlier this year

Monaghan eyeing New Zealand rematch at World Cup

Ireland co-captain Sam Monaghan is looking forward to going head-to-head with world champions New Zealand on rugby's biggest stage next year.

Rugby • 18 Oct 24

New Zealand flanker Sam Cane (L), who earned his 100th cap, and head coach Scott Robertson with the Bledisloe Cup

Clarke doubles up as New Zealand reel in Wallabies

Winger Caleb Clarke scored two tries as New Zealand beat the Wallabies 33-13 on Saturday to round out the Rugby Championship with a third win and snap their six-year victory drought in Wellington.

Rugby • 28 Sep 24

Jordie Barrett is set to spend six months with Leinster

Leinster fears allayed with Barrett back in 4-6 weeks

Jordie Barrett is a doubt for New Zealand's autumn Test against Ireland after suffering a knee injury but is expected to link up with Leinster at the end of the international window.

Rugby • 24 Sep 24

Scott Barrett raises the Bledisloe Cup after New Zealand's win over Australia

All Blacks fend off Australia fightback in thriller

New Zealand scored four tries in the first 25 minutes and held off a late Australian fightback with 13 men to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship thriller at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

Rugby • 21 Sep 24

Eben Etzebeth has played in every South Africa Test against the All Blacks since 2012

Etzebeth out as Du Toit starts for Boks against NZ

Eben Etzebeth will miss South Africa's crunch Rugby Championship meeting with New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday, with Pieter-Steph du Toit named for a rare appearance at second row due to the Springboks' lock shortage.

Rugby • 27 Aug 24

RG Snyman should be fit to face the All Blacks

Springboks get fitness boost ahead of New Zealand tests

South Africa have beefed up their squad with several World Cup winners for the two Rugby Championship home tests against old foes New Zealand, and also offered a recall to lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg to boost their second row options.

Rugby • 20 Aug 24

Caleb Clarke got over the line for New Zealand in the 24th minute

All Blacks exact revenge on Argentina

New Zealand rode a first-half try blitz to a 42-10 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday to avenge last week's shock loss to the Pumas in Wellington.

Rugby • 17 Aug 24

Norm Hewitt made 23 appearances in total for New Zealand

Former All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt dies at 55

Former New Zealand hooker Norm Hewitt, whose fiery haka standoff with England's Richard Cockerill became a part of rugby folklore, died on Tuesday at the age of 55 after a battle with motor neurone disease.

Rugby • 16 Jul 24