Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

RTÉ Rugby pod: Ireland squad reaction, URC semi recap

Neil Treacy is joined by Eddie O'Sullivan and Fiona Hayes to give their take on the 40-man squad named by Andy Farrell for Ireland's summer tour of New Zealand.

Rugby • 15 Jun 22

Andy Farrell named a 40-man squad for the tour of New Zealand

Farrell not worried about trophyless four provinces

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he's not reading too much into the Irish provinces' disappointing end to the rugby season, ahead of the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Rugby • 15 Jun 22

Ireland were 29-20 winners when the sides met in Dublin in November

Five uncapped players in Ireland squad for NZ tour

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named five uncapped players in his squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Rugby • 17 Jun 22

The All Blacks performing the haka at the Aviva Stadium last November

Vote clears way for private equity investment in NZ

A special general meeting of New Zealand Rugby in Auckland voted in favour of a private equity investment from US firm Silver Lake on Thursday, the final step in the approval process for a groundbreaking deal.

Rugby • 02 Jun 22

Ireland have confirmed two additional matches on the summer tour

Ireland to play Māori All Blacks on summer tour

Ireland have confirmed two mid-week fixtures against the Māori All Blacks on this year's summer tour in addition to the three Test series against New Zealand.

Rugby • 16 May 22

Joeli Vidiri in action for New Zealand against England at Eden Park back in 1998.

Former All Blacks & Fiji star Joeli Vidiri dies aged 48

Former New Zealand winger Joeli Vidiri, who also represented Fiji, has died aged 48.

Rugby • 25 Feb 22

TJ Perenara looks set to start at scrum-half for New Zealand on Saturday

Perenara looking forward to Gibson-Park reunion

New Zealand scrum half TJ Perenara says he's looking forward to being reacquainted with Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park this Saturday when the sides meet at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 09 Nov 21

Ken Owens had been named in the Wales team to face New Zealand before being ruled out with a back injury

Further Welsh injuries with Owens to miss NZ clash

Depleted Wales' difficult build-up to their Autumn Nations Series opener against New Zealand has shown no sign of abating after another key player was ruled out.

Rugby • 28 Oct 21

Wales coach Wayne Pivac will be without a number of key players for the meeting with New Zealand

Wales coach Pivac defends timing of All Blacks fixture

Wales boss Wayne Pivac has described facing New Zealand as "the ultimate challenge" ahead of his team's Autumn Nations Series opener.

Rugby • 14 Oct 21

Gatland signed a four-year contract with the Chiefs in 2019

Warren Gatland set for new role at Chiefs

Warren Gatland will move from head coach to director of rugby when he makes his return to Super Rugby's Chiefs next season.

Rugby • 28 Sep 21

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said: "We haven't agreed to this schedule and are disappointed at the announcement."

All Blacks demand change to Rugby Championship schedule

New Zealand Rugby has broken ranks with its southern hemisphere partners and demanded a change to the Rugby Championship schedule in Australia, complaining that the All Blacks will be forced to spend Christmas in quarantine upon arriving home.

Rugby • 24 Sep 20

The NZR Board have pointed out the success of the Super Rugby Aotearoa

New Zealand Rugby looks to establish new competition

The board of New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has committed to establishing a new professional team competition in 2021 with eight to 10 sides, including a Pacific Island squad.

Rugby • 17 Jul 20

Beauden Barrett in action against Ireland at the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Beauden Barrett to spend 2021 season in Japan

Beauden Barrett will miss Super Rugby next year and play for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan's Top League.

Rugby • 03 Jul 20

New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson told Radio New Zealand the positive outlook was 'breathing a huge amount of life into the game'

NZ could allow fans back into stadiums by next week

Professional sport in New Zealand could welcome fans back to stadiums as early as next week with the government set to decide whether to lift all social distancing restrictions imposed to due the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rugby • 03 Jun 20

Defending Super Rugby champions The Crusaders will be back in action next month

Professional rugby to return in New Zealand next month

New Zealand's five Super Rugby teams will play each other in a 10-week domestic competition from 13 June, bringing comfort to "Kiwis doing it tough".

Rugby • 11 May 20

The cutbacks will apply to Super Rugby players, including All Blacks, the women's Black Ferns and the sevens programmes

All Blacks accept 50% pay freeze

The All Blacks and Black Ferns have accepted a 50% freeze as New Zealand's players' association said it was preparing for the nightmare scenario of no more professional rugby this year.

Rugby • 16 Apr 20

'I'm really happy about Barrett being at 15 because I don't think he's going to get his hands on the ball as much'

O'Sullivan: This New Zealand team have weaknesses

Eddie O'Sullivan believes the selection of Beauden Barrett at full-back rather than out-half is a positive for Ireland ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final meeting in Tokyo Stadium.

Rugby • 17 Oct 19

All Blacks star Williams hits out at media criticism

New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams has voiced his disappointment after local media suggested the Auckland Blues star is 'under pressure' for a place in Steve Hansen's World Cup squad.

Rugby • 01 Aug 19

All Blacks great Colin Meads dies aged 81

All Blacks great Colin Meads has died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81, New Zealand Rugby has announced.

Rugby • 20 Aug 17

Sonny Bill Williams will not wear the logos of banks, alcohol or gambling companies

Sonny Bill Williams takes religious stance on sponsors

New Zealand World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams will not have to wear Auckland Blues' kit that includes specific logos.

Rugby • 12 Apr 17

Paula Fitzpatrick will start at blindside flanker for Ireland

Fitzpatrick to start at blindside for Ireland

The Ireland team to play New Zealand in the second round of the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup has been named, with Paula Fitzpatrick starting at number six the only change.

Rugby • 05 Aug 14

New Zealand Rugby