Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Sam Prendergast has started all three games for Ireland in this Six Nations

'Hiding' Prendergast in defensive line not an option

Noel McNamara and Bernard Jackman believe Ireland should trust in Sam Prendergast's defence for Saturday's crucial Guinness Six Nations meeting with France at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 05 Mar

The view from France with Noel McNamara

Neil Treacy and Bernard Jackman are joined on the RTÉ Rugby podcast by Bordeaux-Begles attack coach Noel McNamara to preview Saturday's Guinness Six Nations meeting between Ireland and France.

Rugby • 05 Mar

Departing Sharks head coach Sean Everitt (left), and attack coach Noel McNamara (right)

McNamara to remain at Sharks despite coaching change

Noel McNamara will remain in his role at the Cell C Sharks, despite the departure of head coach Sean Everitt.

Rugby • 29 Nov 22

Noel McNamara led Ireland U20s to a Grand Slam in 2019

McNamara leaves Leinster for assistant role with Sharks

Noel McNamara is leaving his role as Leinster Academy manager to become an assistant coach with South African side Sharks.

Rugby • 23 Jun 21

Kieran Campbell takes the reins from Noel McNamara

Leamy part of Kieran Campbell's Ireland U20s set-up

Ulster Academy manager Kieran Campbell has been confirmed as the new Ireland under 20 head coach, with Denis Leamy coming in as defence coach.

Rugby • 13 Jan 21

McNamara ramps up Ireland U20s for English mission

Noel McNamara has made four changes to his Ireland Under-20 team ahead of Friday night's crunch Six Nations showdown with England at Franklin's Gardens.

Rugby • 19 Feb 20

Ireland U-20 head coach Noel McNamara and players Brian Deeny, left, and Mark Hernan in attendance during the launch of RTÉ's Six Nations Coverage at the RTÉ Television Centre

Noel McNamara names Ireland U-20 team to face Scotland

Ireland Under-20 head coach Noel McNamara has revealed his starting team to face Scotland in the 2020 Six Nations opener on Friday night.

Rugby • 30 Jan 20

Head coach McNamara clear in vision for Irish future

Head coach Noel McNamara on the role of the Under-20s squad in the greater scheme of Irish rugby and the pride at Caelan Doris' start for the seniors this weekend.

Rugby • 29 Jan 20

David McCann will captain the Irish side

37 players included in Ireland Under-20 squad

Noel McNamara has named a 37-man Ireland Under-20 squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship, with seven players from last year's Grand Slam-winning panel included for the 2020 season.

Rugby • 20 Jan 20

Ireland U20s drawn with holders France in World C'ship

Noel McNamara's Ireland Under-20s have been drawn in the same pool as France, Argentina and Japan for this summer's World Championship.

Rugby • 14 Jan 20

Noel McNamara is staying on as Ireland U20 head coach

Noel McNamara to stay on as head coach of Ireland U20s

Noel McNamara has confirmed he is staying on as head coach of the Ireland Under-20s for another campaign.

Rugby • 21 Nov 19

Ireland name side to take on England

Ireland Under-20 head coach Noel McNamara has named his side to face England on Tuesday in their opening game of the World Rugby Under-20 World Championships.

Rugby • 04 Jun 19

The Ireland team won all five games in the Six Nations

Ireland U20 squad for World Championships named

Ireland Under-20 head coach Noel McNamara has confirmed the 28-man squad to travel to Argentina for the World Championships.

Rugby • 29 May 19

Ireland U20s celebrate with their trophy

'We always felt we were capable of a Grand Slam'

Ireland U-20s head coach Noel McNamara says his team believed from the start of the campaign that they could win a Grand Slam.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Head coach Noel McNamara says it is important to let players at U20 grade make mistakes and learn from them

History beckons, but past makes McNamara wary of future

A grand slam is just 80 minutes away for Noel McNamara's Ireland U20 side, but a look back to the last Irish team to do so provides a cautionary tale.

Rugby • 15 Mar 19

Out-half Harry Byrne missed the win over France through injury

Byrne the only change for grand slam chasing Ireland

U20 head coach Noel McNamara has made just one change in personnel as the grand slam chasing Ireland face Wales on Friday night on Colwyn Bay (kick-off 7.05pm).

Rugby • 13 Mar 19

Byrne blow for Ireland U20s ahead of French showdown

Ireland Under-20 manager Noel McNamara has made two changes to his team to face France tonight in Irish Independent Park in Cork.

Rugby • 08 Mar 19

Ireland celebrating their recent Six Nations defeat of England at Musgrave Park

Ireland U20s get England & Aussies in World C'ship pool

Noel McNamara's Grand Slam-chasing Ireland Under-20s have been housed in a daunting World Championship pool, which see them kick off the tournament against England.

Rugby • 28 Feb 19

Ireland Under-20s huddle together after their win against Scotland

McNamara's U20s 'constantly looking for improvements'

Ireland Under-20 head coach Noel McNamara said his side are still looking for improvements as they aim to keep their Grand Sam dream alive against Italy on Friday evening (6pm Irish time).

Rugby • 20 Feb 19

Ireland's Liam Turner is backed up by Cormac Foley and David Hawkshaw

Impressive Under-20s come through storm

Ireland's Under-20s made it two Six Nations wins from two with an impressive dismissal of Scotland on Friday night.

Rugby • 12 Feb 19

McNamara makes one change for Scotland game

The Ireland Under-20s face Scotland in the second round of the Six Nations on Friday and head coach Noel McNamara has made one change to the side that defeated England 35-27.

Rugby • 06 Feb 19

Clontarf centre David Hawkshaw will captain the squad

McNamara names U20 squad for Six Nations

Ireland U20 head coach Noel McNamara has named his squad for the upcoming Six Nations, with just five players with previous experience among the 40 players selected.

Rugby • 19 Jan 19

Noel McNamara is heading for New Zealand

IRFU send U20 coach McNamara on 3-month NZ placement

Ireland Under-20s head coach Noel McNamara has been sent on a three-month placement with Kiwi outfit North Harbour as part of an IRFU initiative to take coaches "out of their comfort zone" and aid their development.

Rugby • 14 Aug 18

Scottish players celebrate their victory over Ireland in the World Rugby U20 Championship

Ireland U20's braced for 'massive' relegation decider

Ireland head coach Noel McNamara says it will be a challenge for his team to bounce back for Sunday's relegation play-off with Japan in the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Rugby • 13 Jun 18

Ireland fell to a narrow defeat against France

McNamara makes five changes as Irish U20s target Boks

Noel McNamara has made five changes to the Ireland U20 side who just fell short against France as he targets victory over South Africa to get their World Championships back on track.

Rugby • 02 Jun 18