Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Hartley was dismissed for the third time in his career last weekend

O'Driscoll: Big decision for Jones on Hartley

Brian O'Driscoll says it will be interesting to see how England head coach Eddie Jones reacts to Dylan Hartley's latest disciplinary issue with the Six Nations looming on the horizon.

Rugby • 12 Dec 16

Van der Flier gives chase to JJ Hanrahan in the 37-10 win over Northampton

Van der Flier hoping history doesn't repeat itself

When it comes to atoning for disappointment, Josh van der Flier is acutely aware that Saturday's opponents Northampton have history when it comes to the back-to-back European games.

Rugby • 13 Dec 16

Dylan Hartley was only on the field for six minutes before being sent off

Leinster's Cronin shutting out Hartley 'noise'

Leinster hooker Sean Cronin refused to get drawn into the Dylan Hartley debate, as the England captain is left facing yet another suspension.

Rugby • 12 Dec 16

Joey Carbery injured his ankle in the Champions Cup win over Northampton

O'Brien and Byrne poised for starts, Sexton update

Ross Byrne looks certain to replace Joey Carbery for Saturday's return clash with Northampton as Leinster's out-half injury crisis deepens, while there was positive news for Seán O'Brien.

Rugby • 12 Dec 16

Referee Jérôme Garcès shows a red card to Dylan Hartley

Saints boss has no sympathy for sinner Hartley

Jim Mallinder offered no consolation to Dylan Hartley after the England captain lasted just six minutes off the bench as Northampton were dominated 37-10 by Leinster at Franklin's Gardens.

Rugby • 10 Dec 16

Seán O'Brien in action against the All Blacks last weekend

O'Brien out of Wallabies clash, Payne passed fit

Seán O'Brien has failed a late fitness test and will feature in the Ireland team to face Australia, but Jared Payne will start as selected against the Wallabies.

Rugby • 26 Nov 16

Peter O'Mahony could feature for Ireland against Australia

Ireland may make late changes for Australia clash

Sean O'Brien and Jared Payne are late doubts for Ireland's final autumn Test against Australia in Dublin on Saturday.

Rugby • 26 Nov 16

Schmidt right to start Sean O'Brien, says Jackman

Joe Schmidt made the right call in retaining Sean O'Brien for Saturday's clash with New Zealand despite Josh van der Flier's superb display in Ireland's win over the All Blacks in Chicago, according to Bernard Jackman.

Rugby • 18 Nov 16

Sean O'Brien is the only change to the Ireland side that beat New Zealand two weeks ago

O'Brien to start for Ireland against New Zealand

Flanker Sean O'Brien has retained his place in the Ireland side that takes on New Zealand on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, but there is no place in the squad for Peter O'Mahony.

Rugby • 17 Nov 16

Seán O'Brien in action against the All Blacks in 2013

Ward: O’Brien decision key against All Blacks

Tony Ward believes Joe Schmidt’s selection at openside flanker for the visit of the All Blacks on Saturday will be one of the key decisions when he names his starting team later this week.

Rugby • 14 Nov 16

Garry Ringrose will make his debut against Canada

Ireland development faces Canadian test

By the time referee Marius van der Westhuizen blows the full-time whistle at the Aviva Stadium tonight, eight players may have made their Test bows. The stage is set for the latest crop of Ireland internationals.

Rugby • 12 Nov 16

Garry Ringrose (l) and Robbie Henshaw are centre partners at Leinster

Schmidt plays down Henshaw-Ringrose expectations

Joe Schmidt has insisted Garry Ringrose's Test debut will not automatically usher in a brand-new Ireland centre pairing dynasty with Robbie Henshaw.

Rugby • 10 Nov 16

Peter O'Mahony and Sean O'Brien have an opportunity to earn starts against New Zealand

O'Brien and O'Mahony can earn NZ places

Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien will channel their frustration at missing out on Ireland's historic win over New Zealand in the right way, according to coach Joe Schmidt.

Rugby • 10 Nov 16

Sean O'Brien: 'They surprised us a little bit with a few different things'

O'Brien targets Canada to win back place for NZ

Sean O'Brien learned of Ireland's win over New Zealand from the pilot flying the Leinster side home from Italy on Saturday evening and now says he is fully focused on impressing against Canada on Saturday.

Rugby • 08 Nov 16

O'Halloran made his international debut on the South African tour

Lenihan: New-look Ireland must match Chicago high

Donal Lenihan believes a much-changed Ireland will have enough motivation against Canada to match their historic win in Chicago, as players stake their claims for squad places against Australia and New Zealand.

Rugby • 08 Nov 16

Former Knockbeg College student Tom Daly will make his Leinster debut in Italy

Daly set for Leinster debut among seven changes

Leo Cullen will hand Ireland 7s captain Tom Daly his debut in Saturday’s Guinness Pro12 visit to Zebre (KO 5.05pm) with Seán O’Brien selected in an unchanged backrow.

Rugby • 04 Nov 16

Josh van der Flier may get a chance in Illinois

Van der Flier set for 'massive' All Blacks Test

It’s not a headache Joe Schmidt would have complained about but the absence of Peter O’Mahony, Iain Henderson and Sean O’Brien makes his selection for the New Zealand game less complicated.

Rugby • 31 Oct 16

Carbery in line for debut, as Jackson misses out

Leinster's inexperienced fly-half Joey Carbery could make his Test debut when Ireland attempt to stop New Zealand extending their record match-winning streak in Chicago on Saturday.

Rugby • 31 Oct 16

Sean O'Brien hasn't played for Leinster in more than nine months

Sexton and O'Brien return to face Montpellier

Sean O'Brien will make his long awaited return from injury in Leinster's Champions Cup clash with Montpellier today, while Johnny Sexton has also been passed fit to start.

Rugby • 23 Oct 16

O'Brien in line for Leinster return in France

Sean O’Brien is in line for a recall when Leinster travel to Montpellier this weekend.

Rugby • 18 Oct 16

Sean O'Brien could even feature against Castres

Sean O'Brien set for imminent Leinster return

Leinster backs coach Girvan Dempsey has revealed Sean O’Brien is set for an imminent return with the province, while Fergus McFadden has suffered a setback with his quad injury.

Rugby • 10 Oct 16

O'Brien will travel to the UK for surgery on his hamstring

Sean O’Brien ruled out of South Africa tour

Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien is set to undergo surgery in the UK and has been ruled out of the rest of Leinster's season and the national side's summer tour to South Africa.

Rugby • 19 May 16

Eddie O'Sullivan reckons that CJ Stander (l) is ahead of Sean O'Brien (r) in the pecking order

VIDEO: O'Sullivan - I'd drop O'Brien for Stander

Former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan reckons CJ Stander has done enough to earn a starting place against South Africa – at the expense of Sean O’Brien.

Six Nations • 22 Mar 16

Schmidt on Johnny Sexton: 'It’s very much just a stiff neck and shoulder'

Schmidt upset with 'pundits' making medical calls

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says he is disappointed with "external pundits" commenting on possible injuries as Sean O’Brien and Dave Kearney were ruled of the game against England.

Six Nations • 15 Feb 16

Sean O'Brien is now among Ireland's senior players

O'Brien: Irish leaders must fill O'Connell void

Sean O'Brien admits one of Ireland's toughest Six Nations challenges will be to "fill the void" left by talismanic captain Paul O'Connell's Test retirement.

Six Nations • 02 Feb 16

Seán OBrien

O'Driscoll: Big decision for Jones on Hartley

Van der Flier hoping history doesn't repeat itself

Leinster's Cronin shutting out Hartley 'noise'

O'Brien and Byrne poised for starts, Sexton update

Saints boss has no sympathy for sinner Hartley

O'Brien out of Wallabies clash, Payne passed fit

Ireland may make late changes for Australia clash

Schmidt right to start Sean O'Brien, says Jackman

O'Brien to start for Ireland against New Zealand

Ward: O’Brien decision key against All Blacks

Ireland development faces Canadian test

Schmidt plays down Henshaw-Ringrose expectations

O'Brien and O'Mahony can earn NZ places

O'Brien targets Canada to win back place for NZ

Lenihan: New-look Ireland must match Chicago high

Daly set for Leinster debut among seven changes

Van der Flier set for 'massive' All Blacks Test

Carbery in line for debut, as Jackson misses out

Sexton and O'Brien return to face Montpellier

O'Brien in line for Leinster return in France

Sean O'Brien set for imminent Leinster return

Sean O’Brien ruled out of South Africa tour

VIDEO: O'Sullivan - I'd drop O'Brien for Stander

Schmidt upset with 'pundits' making medical calls

O'Brien: Irish leaders must fill O'Connell void