Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Rory Best: "These moments are made special by your team by your family and by so many people."

'This place has been unbelievably special for me'

An emotional Rory Best thanked Joe Schmidt for "transforming the game" in Ireland as he made a tearful farewell to the Aviva Stadium after Saturday's defeat of Wales.

Rugby • 07 Sep 19

'Undervalued Rory is the glue that keeps us together'

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

Rugby • 06 Sep 19

Ireland training yesterday at Carton House

Farrell says Ireland 'closer' after squad named

Andy Farrell has said Ireland naming their World Cup squad six days ahead of plans has handed Joe Schmidt's men a boost for the Japan tournament.

Rugby • 06 Sep 19

Sexton relieved after avoiding 'nightmare' thumb op

Johnny Sexton says he was "blessed" that a thumb injury didn't turn out to be more serious with the World Cup on the horizon.

Rugby • 03 Sep 19

Best back in line for Cardiff clash but no-one safe

Joe Schmidt says that the issue of Rory Best's captaincy is not on his agenda but added that "no roles have been finalised for the World Cup."

Rugby • 28 Aug 19

Rory Best (l) and Niall Scannell at training on Tuesday morning

Ireland to make changes for Wales as deadline looms

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says he will make a number of personnel switches for this weekend's game against Wales as he looks to finalise his World Cup squad.

Rugby • 27 Aug 19

Ross Byrne starts for Ireland against England

Byrne has a big chance against England, says Best

Ireland captain Rory Best believes that Ross Byrne has the perfect chance to prove his World Cup credentials, should he conjure a composed and confident showing against a potent England side this weekend

Rugby • 23 Aug 19

Ireland take on Italy this Saturday, live on RTÉ2

Best sees new hunger in Irish team after Six Nations

Rory Best has challenged Ireland to justify their 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam at this year's World Cup.

Rugby • 07 Aug 19

Rory Best played his final game for Ulster

McFarland sorry Best didn't get a fitting send-off

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland admitted to being disappointed that his side were unable to offer a fitting farewell to Rory Best and Darren Cave.

Rugby • 18 May 19

The Ireland internationals will say goodbye to Ravenhill

Best returns for Ravenhill farewell against Connacht

Ulster's Rory Best and Darren Cave are set to make their final appearances at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday after being named in the squad to face Connacht in the Pro14 quarter-final.

Rugby • 03 May 19

Andy Friend: "I've loved it this season. I think we're a team that's building."

'We're growing' - Friend eyes another Ravenhill raid

Connacht are the only side to have beaten Ulster on their own patch this season. Now head coach Andy Friend is plotting another huge victory in Belfast and a place in the Pro14 play-off semi-finals.

Rugby • 30 Apr 19

Rory Best will bow out after the Japan-hosted tournament

Ireland & Ulster captain Best to retire after World Cup

"This feels like the right time for me to go out on my terms," said Ulster and Ireland captain Rory Best, who has confirmed that he will retire after the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Rugby • 19 Apr 19

Rory Best wants to play again this season

Best aims to be back this season and hails McGrath move

Rory Best is hoping to return to action with Ulster before the end of the season, after suffering an ankle injury in Saturday's Champions Cup defeat against Leinster.

Rugby • 03 Apr 19

Will Addison (L), Joe Schmidt and Rory Best with Ireland fan Jennifer Malone

'There are many shades of Joe... that's his skill'

Rory Best believes Joe Schmidt's true coaching acumen lies in his man management.

Rugby • 15 Mar 19

Rory Best said the team's thoughts were with the victims

Best sends Ireland squad sympathies to Christchurch

Captain Rory Best has passed on the Ireland squad's sympathies to the victims and families of those affected by the Christchurch attack, calling the massacre "really tragic".

Rugby • 15 Mar 19

Best: Performance has to improve in Cardiff

Irish captain Rory Best said that Ireland will have to improve upon their performance if they are to win in the Millennium Stadium next week and deny Wales a grand slam.

Rugby • 10 Mar 19

Rory Best: 'Joe said he didn't want me to keep going without him'

Rory Best set to retire after World Cup

Ireland captain Rory Best has admitted he expects to retire after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 09 Mar 19

Ireland's swagger, confidence and belief all missing

Ireland who reached such magnificent heights in last season's campaign and produced a near flawless performance against New Zealand just three months ago, look a shadow of that team, writes Michael Glennon.

Rugby • 26 Feb 19

"Mentally and emotionally we took a big step forward this week."

Victory over Scotland 'a big step forward', says Best

Rory Best insists Ireland took a giant leap "mentally and emotionally" in their patchy 22-13 Guinness Six Nations win in Scotland.

Rugby • 10 Feb 19

Joey Carbery shone for Ireland in Murrayfield

Ireland reaping rewards of Carbery's Munster move

Joey Carbery's move to Munster is paying off dividends for Ireland, according to Rory Best.

Rugby • 09 Feb 19

Rory Best: "Sometimes you get so fixated with making sure that you know where to go that you actually almost become a little bit hesitant."

'We were quiet... but there's an edge now' - Rory Best

Rory Best says he felt something was wrong ahead of the loss to England but that there is an extra "edge" to training ahead of tomorrow's game against Scotland.

Rugby • 08 Feb 19

Rory Best gives his opinion to the referee

Rory Best calls on Ireland to prove their character

Ireland captain Rory Best is adamant that the defeat to England will not have a lasting negative effect on the team after a disappointing night at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 02 Feb 19