Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Samoa's Ala'alatoa unconvinced by Nations Cup proposal

Samoa captain Michael Ala'alatoa isn't convinced that the newly-proposed Nations Cup will help close the gap on Tier One countries.

Rugby • 25 Oct 23

Rikiya Matsuda (CL) celebrates after Michael Leitch (CR) scored Japan's second try

Japan boost knockout hopes by holding off 14-man Samoa

Japan boosted their chances of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the second successive time as they beat Samoa 28-22 in Toulouse.

Rugby World Cup • 29 Sep 23

Emiliano Boffelli scored Argentina's only try as they overcame Samoa

Boffelli leads Argentina to vital win over Samoa

Emiliano Boffelli was the difference-maker as Argentina survived a late charge to beat Samoa and reignite their World Cup campaign.

Rugby World Cup • 23 Sep 23

Cheika wants discipline not magic from Pumas

Argentina coach Michael Cheika said he was not looking for anything magical from his Pumas team when they try to get their World Cup campaign back on track against Samoa on Friday.

Rugby • 20 Sep 23

Samoa hooker Sama Malolo bagged a brace of tries

Samoa record bonus-point win over Chile

Samoa opened their account at the Rugby World Cup after storming to a 43-10 bonus-point victory against Chile at Stade de Bordeaux.

Rugby • 16 Sep 23

The Irish eventually go the job done to preserve their unbeaten run

Ireland struggle past Samoa in final RWC warm-up

Ireland will head to the Rugby World Cup off the back of a record 13th consecutive win, after a scrappy 17-13 win against Samoa in Bayonne.

Rugby • 26 Aug 23

Rob Kearney was set to play his final senior game

Barbarians match called off due to Covid cases

The Barbarians' clash with Samoa due to be played at Twickenham this afternoon has been called off after a number of positive Covid-19 cases in the Baa-Baas squad.

Rugby • 27 Nov 21

'I do believe this Irish team has a little bit more in the tank'

Ferris: Irish performances so far won't be good enough

Stephen Ferris argues that none of Ireland's pool displays would be good enough to win a prospective quarter-final against either New Zealand or South Africa.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Best: 'The boys rolled up their sleeves'

Ireland captain Rory Best has been delighted with his side's reaction to their shock loss against Japan.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Clean bill of health for Ireland ahead of quarter-final

Ireland have a clean bill of health following their World Cup win over Samoa, head coach Joe Schmidt has said.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Ireland ratings v Samoa: Sexton and Stander stand out

Talisman Johnny Sexton and number 8 CJ Stander were the best for Ireland as 14 men dominated Samoa to progress to the quarter-finals.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Bundee Aki was sent off for a high tackle

Hopeful Schmidt: 'Hard to argue' with Aki red

Joe Schmidt says Bundee Aki's sending off is "hard to argue" with as he prepares a team for a World Cup quarter-final clash with New Zealand or South Africa.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Johnny Sexton scored two tries to set Ireland on their way

14-man Ireland crush Samoa to book quarter-final spot

Ireland are through to a World Cup quarter-final after seeing off Samoa in Fukuoka and securing a bonus-point in the 47-5 win.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Ireland players put through their paces in the captain's run ahead of their clash with Samoa

Ireland v Samoa: All You Need to Know

All you need to know about Ireland's final World Cup Pool A encounter where Samoa provide the opposition.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 11 Oct 19

Down-time will have reinvigorated Ireland

Ireland have continually shown an ability to bounce back from setbacks but they are not in knock-out territory, writes Fiona Coghlan.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

'If we play New Zealand or South Africa in the quarter-finals and beat them, playing poorly with one dimensional rugby, will it matter? Will we care?'

Russia was tough but I foresee four tries versus Samoa

Nobody is kidding themselves that Ireland impressed against Russia, but qualification is the name of the game and our columnist is positive Ireland can secure a bonus-point in over Samoa.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 11 Oct 19

Preview: Last chance for Ireland to rediscover mojo

Ireland have one last chance to gain some momentum ahead of a possible Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 12 Oct 19

Bundee Aki will come face-to-face with some close friends

No special treatment on the pitch for Aki, say Samoa

Ireland's final pool match at the Rugby World Cup will be special for Bundee Aki as he faces friends in the Samoa team but the inside centre can expect no favours out on the field, Samoa's captain Jack Lam said.

Soccer • 11 Oct 19

Rugby World Cup Podcast: Ireland brace for Storm Samoa

Conor Murray joins the podcast to discuss the view from the Ireland camp ahead of their crucial clash with Samoa.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

Conor Murray: 'Mentally there's just a buzz'

'I know how good this team can be' - Murray

Conor Murray believes Ireland can produce the goods should they qualify for a World Cup quarter-final.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

The clash against Samoa will be a big one for Bundee Aki

Aki to set the tone for Ireland against Samoa

Bundee Aki has been backed to set Ireland's emotional tempo against Samoa this weekend.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

Opposition in 60 seconds with Greg O'Shea: Samoa

Greg O'Shea look at Ireland's opposition this weekend in the Rugby World Cup, all summed up in 60 seconds.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 11 Oct 19

Storm a 'distraction' says Schmidt but players focused

Ireland can't allow themselves to become too distracted by the typhoon threatening the Scotland-Japan match and his team's chances of topping the pool, says Joe Schmidt.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

Robbie Henshaw last played against Wales in Dublin

Henshaw fit for Ireland as big guns back to face Samoa

Robbie Henshaw has been named in the Ireland team to face Samoa on Saturday, while a number of other big-name players return for the crucial World Cup clash.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 10 Oct 19

Joe Schmidt names his team at 8am on Thursday morning

Schmidt must solve selection puzzle for Samoa

Joe Schmidt has to balance a need to protect players and to get the job done against Samoa.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19