Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Paul O'Connell (l) on John Plumtree: 'He's a fairly laid-back guy and very experienced - he was great'

O'Connell: Plumtree exit won't impact on tour

Ireland's Paul O'Connell insists the decision by forwards coach John Plumtree to return to New Zealand will not impact on their tour of Argentina.

Rugby • 03 Jun 14

Munster's Paul O'Connell is the only Irishmmen on the ERC Player of the Year longlist playing this weekend

O'Connell to push ERC credentials versus Toulon

Munster's Paul O'Connell is the only ERC European Player of the Year nominated Irishman in action this weekend.

Rugby • 24 Apr 14

Paul O'Connell is rested following his Heineken Cup heroics, but Simon Zebo starts for Munster

O’Connell rested as Munster ring changes

Paul O’Connell has been rested from a much-changed Munster side for their Pro12 clash with Glasgow in Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

Rugby • 11 Apr 14

Paul O'Connell described Toulouse as 'an incredible team with incredible players'

O’Connell: Toulouse ‘a massive uphill task’

Paul O’Connell has suggested that Munster face a massive challenge if they are to beat Toulouse in Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Rugby • 03 Apr 14

Paul O'Connell said Ireland created, but did not take, a lot of chances

O’Connell: We let England off the hook

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell was left to rue what he described as “silly errors” after Ireland failed to maintain a period of dominance in their 13-10 defeat to England.

Six Nations • 23 Feb 14

Joe Schmidt barks instructions to his team on the training pitch at Carton House on Thursday

Schmidt: Keeping same XV not straightforward

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has said that picking an unchanged starting XV for Saturday’s clash with England was not a straightforward decision.

Six Nations • 20 Feb 14

Paul O'Connell: 'We would have been disappointed if we weren't two wins out of two at home'

O'Connell 'surprised' by victory margin

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell was delighted to see his side make it two wins out of two in the Six Nations with a 26-3 victory over Wales.

Six Nations • 08 Feb 14

O'Connell: 'the confidence he gives to people around him as well, even to the forward pack is massive for the team'

O'Connell: Hard to imagine life without O'Driscoll

Paul O'Connell cannot imagine life without Brian O'Driscoll, but is relieved Ireland do not have to find out what it will be like until next season.

Rugby • 01 Feb 14

Paul O’Connell: 'We need the crowd to realise they have big role to play for the team'

Frustrated O’Connell issues Ireland’s call

Captain Paul O’Connell has called upon Ireland fans to get behind the national team in the same manner as they do for the provinces.

Six Nations • 24 Jan 14

Paul O'Connell: 'I got a good break after the Lions tour, we've had some very tough games in the last few months'

O’Connell dismisses talk of Lions fatigue

Ireland will not suffer any Lions tour fatigue in the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations, according to captain Paul O'Connell.

Six Nations • 22 Jan 14

Paul O'Connell has signed up with Munster until 2016

O'Connell extends Munster contract

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell has signed a new two-year contract with the IRFU, which will see him remain at Munster until at least June 2016.

Rugby • 20 Jan 14

Paul O'Connell will start against Ulster tonight

PRO 12 teams: Ulster v Munster

Captain Peter O'Mahony and Paul O'Connell have been named in the Munster side to face Ulster in tonight’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby at Ravenhill, kick off 7.05pm.

Rugby • 03 Jan 14

Gordon D'Arcy has been named alongside Brendan Macken in the centre for Leinster

Pro12 teams: D'Arcy & Macken start for Leinster

Gordon D'Arcy and Brendan Macken to start in the centre for Leinster against Scarlets.

Rugby • 29 Nov 13

Paul O'Connell admits Ireland are still coming to terms with the demands of their new manager

O'Connell admits Ireland are still adapting

Captain Paul O'Connell admits Ireland have been far too slow to adapt to Joe Schmidt's coaching methods.

Rugby • 17 Nov 13

Paul O'Connell: 'They are certainly a better team and they have a different philosophy'

Australia have improved since Lions - O'Connell

Ahead of his first Ireland start in 18 months, captain Paul O'Connell has warned that Australia are a totally different proposition to the side who lost to the Lions in the summer.

Rugby • 14 Nov 13

Ireland forwards coach John Plumtree: 'Today was the first time he trained but whether he can do 80 or not I’m not sure'

O'Connell back in training for Samoa showdown

Ireland forwards Paul O'Connell, Sean O'Brien and Cian Healy trained fully with the Irish squad in Carton House today.

Rugby • 05 Nov 13

Paul O'Connell will sit out a week of Ireland training with a calf injury

O’Connell hopes to return to training next week

Ireland and Munster lock Paul O’Connell will miss training this week as he attempts to recover from a calf injury in time for the November internationals taking place at Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 30 Oct 13

O'Connell hailed as 'one of the best'

Paul O'Connell was tonight hailed as "one of the best" after injury effectively ended his British and Irish Lions career in a cruel and premature fashion.

Rugby • 25 Jun 13

It's a third Lions tour for Paul O'Connell

O'Connell: 'Savage competition' for Test places

Paul O'Connell believes there is "savage competition" for places in the British and Irish Lions squad as the countdown continues towards next Saturday's first Test against Australia.

Rugby • 17 Jun 13

Paul O'Connell has shown top form since returning from injury

Lions coach lauds 'proven warrior' O'Connell

Lions forwards coach Graham Rowntree expects Sam Warburton to be galvanised by the presence of "proven warrior" Paul O'Connell on the tour to Australia.

Rugby • 22 May 13