Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

'Undervalued Rory is the glue that keeps us together'

Rob Kearney believes Rory Best's Ireland captaincy has been "undervalued".

Mike Haley was one of two uncapped players named by Joe Schmidt in his 44-man training squad

Lenihan 'surprised' by Mike Haley's Irish inclusion

Joe Schmidt's decision to select uncapped Mike Haley in his 44-man Ireland World Cup training squad has raised eyebrows in some quarters, including those of Donal Lenihan.

Rugby • 29 May 19

Rob Kearney (l) may face competition from Jacob Stockdale

Aspiring full-back Stockdale welcomes Kearney deal

They might be potential rivals for the Ireland full-back slot but Jacob Stockdale was delighted that Rob Kearney is sticking with Leinster for another year.

Rugby • 29 May 19

Rob Kearney will continue his stay with Leinster

Kearney puts pen to paper on one-year extension

Rob Kearney has agreed a contract extension that will see him continue his Ireland and Leinster career until the end of the 2019-2020 season.

Rugby • 29 May 19

Rob kearney had been linked with a move to France

Kearney close to signing new IRFU deal

Rob Kearney is close to signing a new one-year deal with the IRFU to keep him with Leinster post the World Cup.

Rugby • 27 May 19

Johnny Sexton: "We can say we've been to four finals in two seasons and won three."

Sexton hails Leinster's character

Johnny Sexton hailed Leinster for bouncing back from the lowest day of their careers to reclaim the PRO14 title.

Rugby • 26 May 19

Rob Kearney's contract is up after the World Cup in Japan

Nucifora on Kearney: 'Everyone has decisions to make'

IRFU high-performance director David Nucifora has hinted that Rob Kearney may be set for pastures new after the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Rugby • 24 May 19

Cian Kelleher: 'I'm incredibly excited to get back to my home province'

Kelleher back at Leinster, Kearney future still unclear

Leinster have confirmed that winger Cian Kelleher is back at the province and one of 21 players to have signed new contracts for the 2019/20 campaign, but Rob Kearney's future remains in doubt.

Rugby • 22 May 19

Josh van der Flier as forced off with a knee injury

Schmidt hopeful Van der Flier & Kearney will make Wales

Joe Schmidt hasn't ruled Josh van der Flier or Rob Kearney out of contention for next week's game against Wales but is less hopeful about Robbie Henshaw's chances.

Rugby • 10 Mar 19

Larmour will start at full-back for Ireland

Larmour to start as late replacement for Ireland

Jordan Larmour has been named to start as a late replacement for Ireland ahead of their Six Nations clash with France.

Rugby • 10 Mar 19

Kearney on Italy performance: "A lot of us, myself included, made mistakes during the game that were probably uncharacteristic and unforced"

Kearney: Ireland 80 minutes from top of the world

Rob Kearney believes Ireland are close to finding their best form but admits that many of their difficulties so far have been psychological issues.

Rugby • 06 Mar 19

Rob Kearney: 'When you're at home watching on TV you're pretty helpless'

Kearney felt 2018 form would stand to him

Ireland full-back Rob Kearney says he understands why he was dropped for the England game but believed that his performances over the last 18 months might have kept him in the team.

Six Nations • 18 Feb 19

Chris Farrell (L) and Rob Kearney (R) have been drafted in for the Scotland clash

Five new faces for Scotland as Schmidt rings changes

Rob Kearney and Sean O'Brien are among five personnel changes for Ireland as Joe Schmidt has changed a third of his team for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash against Scotland.

Rugby • 07 Feb 19

Rob Kearney earned the most recent of his 87 caps in November's victory over New Zealand

Schmidt set to name Kearney & Roux in team for Scotland

Rob Kearney is expected to return at full-back for Ireland's Guinness Six Nations trip to Scotland on Saturday.

Rugby • 07 Feb 19

Rob Kearney could come into the Ireland team to play Scotland

O'Brien, Kearney and Roux primed for Ireland starts

With at least three enforced changes to make for Scotland, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will have to shuffle the pack for the trip to Murrayfield

Rugby • 05 Feb 19

Robbie Henshaw may have got the jump on Rob Kearney for a starting jersey

Henshaw in line for full-back slot against England

Robbie Henshaw is being considered for a surprise switch to full-back for Ireland's Six Nations opener against England on Saturday.

Six Nations • 30 Jan 19

Jack Conan and Jack McGrath were back with the Irish squad at the Carton House team base today

Quartet rejoin Ireland squad ahead of England clash

Ireland have the full complement of a 38-man squad at Carton House today as preparations continue for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations opener with England.

Rugby • 28 Jan 19

Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen was all smiles after Leinster's win over Toulouse

Cullen unable to hide his pride after Leinster triumph

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was in a buoyant mood after his side made light of some high-profile absentees to record an emphatic 29-13 bonus-point win over Toulouse in pool one of the Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 12 Jan 19

Larmour: I'll learn from that and I won't do it again

Jordan Larmour isn't prepared to bide his time and wants to win a starting spot with both Leinster and Ireland.

Rugby • 04 Jan 19

Rob Kearney is back in the reckoning for Leinster

Leinster to welcome back Kearney, McGrath and Daly

Leinster have been handed a timely injury boost with the news that Rob Kearney and Jack McGrath are in contention to face Ulster in the Guinness Pro14 on Saturday.

Rugby • 31 Dec 18

Devin Toner has credited Joe Schmidt as a significant influence on his career

Toner: It's because of Joe Schmidt I am where I am

Johnny Sexton is often viewed as Joe Schmidt's most trusted lieutenant, but Devin Toner would give his provincial and international team-mate a decent run for his money.

Rugby • 03 Dec 18

Rob Kearney: "The IRFU have great contingency plans in place, and Joe will have helped a great deal with that."

Rob Kearney: Joe will leave us in a better place

Rob Kearney believes Joe Schmidt will do everything in his power to set Ireland up for a sustained period of success after he leaves.

Rugby • 26 Nov 18

Dan Leavy will continue rehabilitation on a neck injury with Leinster

Neck injury for Leavy as Schmidt releases front-liners

Joe Schmidt has released eight players from his Ireland squad for the final November international this weekend, while there have been injury updates on Dan Leavy, Seán O'Brien and Peter O'Mahony.

Rugby • 19 Nov 18