Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Bernard Lemaitre (right) is seething art EPCR

Toulon 'treated like a Kleenex' - club president

Toulon president Bernard Lemaitre has launched a scathing attack on the European Professional Club Rugby and threatened to boycott the Champions Cup after a positive Covid-19 test saw Leinster handed a walkover victory against his side.

Rugby • 03 Apr 21

Hugo Keenan is expecting a big battle when Toulon travel to Dublin for their Champions Cup clash with Leinster

Hugo keen to make European mark against Toulon

Hugo Keenan is poised to make just his fourth European appearance on Friday night when Leinster host Toulon.

Rugby • 30 Mar 21

Luca Bigi succeeds Sergio Parisse as Italy captain

Zebre hooker Luca Bigi will take over the captaincy of the Italy rugby team from long-time incumbent Sergio Parisse ahead of the 2020 Six Nations

Rugby • 20 Jan 20

Sergio Parisse will make his international exit in Rome

Parisse set for Six Nations farewell in Rome

Italy star Sergio Parisse looks set to end his long Test career in Rome during this season's Guinness Six Nations Championship.

Rugby • 07 Jan 20

Sergio Parisse will miss his side's clash with Canada

O'Shea explains Parisse absence from Italy side

Italy head coach Conor O'Shea has defended his decision to rest captain Sergio Parisse as they look to make it two wins out of two in the Rugby World Cup against Canada.

Rugby • 25 Sep 19

Sergio Parisse is set for his final World Cup as a player

O'Shea wants World Cup swansong for Parisse

Conor O'Shea hopes Italy can help captain Sergio Parisse go out on a high in what is set to be the veteran forward's Rugby World Cup swansong.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 21 Sep 19

Sergio Parisse won't play against Ireland

Sergio Parisse to miss Ireland match with concussion

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss Sunday's Six Nations match with Ireland after suffering a concussion while playing for his club at the weekend.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Try scorer CJ Stander is congratulated by team-mates

Nine-try Ireland demolish feeble Italy in Rome

CJ Stander and substitute Craig Gilroy both claimed hat-tricks as Ireland bounced back from last weekend's RBS 6 Nations defeat to Scotland with a nine-try 63-10 thrashing of Italy in Rome.

Six Nations • 11 Feb 17

Ireland fan Dave Sheehan with a bride and groom at the Spanish Steps in Rome

Italy v Ireland - 5 key areas

Ireland must see off Italy in Rome to get their Six Nations campaign back on track after their 27-22 defeat to Scotland on the opening weekend.

Six Nations • 11 Feb 17

Andries Van Schalkwyk is recalled to the Italian team this weekend

O'Shea shuffles Italian pack for Ireland visit

Italy made four changes to their team for the Six Nations match against Ireland in Rome on Saturday, with lock Andries Van Schalkwyk and flanker Simone Favaro returning to the starting lineup.

Rugby • 09 Feb 17

O'Shea tasted defeat in his first game in charge of Italy in the Six Nations

Parisse pleased with O'Shea's Italian impact

Italian captain Sergio Parisse says the enthusiasm of head coach Conor O'Shea has been infectious and has had an immediate impact on the Azzurri.

Rugby • 09 Feb 17

Sergio Parisse touch and go to face Ireland

Italy talisman Sergio Parisse faces a battle to recover from a neck injury in time to face Ireland in Rome on Saturday.

Six Nations • 07 Feb 17

Ross Moriarty in action for Wales against South Africa during last November's international

Wales new-boy ready for Italy's veteran

Ross Moriarty is relishing the chance to go head-to-head with one of world rugby's greatest players when Wales launch their Six Nations campaign on Sunday. The Welsh youngster will be up against Italy legend Sergio Parisse.

Six Nations • 04 Feb 17

Italy captain Sergio Parisse (L) and coach Conor O'Shea pose with the Six Nations Trophy

O'Shea keeps faith with Italy's Bok slayers

Italy head coach Conor O'Shea has included 10 of the starting line-up that accounted for South Africa in November for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales.

Rugby • 01 Feb 17

Conor O'Shea takes charge of his first Six Nations campaign with Italy

Wales wary of 'master motivator' Conor O'Shea

Conor O'Shea has been described as "a master motivator" ahead of his coaching bow in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Six Nations • 30 Jan 17

Sergio Parisse is banned for the Tonga game

Parisse banned for Italy's clash with Tonga

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss Saturday's home test match against Tonga after being banned for three weeks by the French club leagues.

Rugby • 24 Nov 16

Sergio Parisse: 'Nobody expects us to win tomorrow, and yet we're talking about a lot of pressure on Ireland'

Parisse laughs off 'pressure' on Irish suggestion

Sergio Parisse has laughed off suggestions Ireland are under greater pressure for victory than Italy in today's Six Nations showdown.

Six Nations • 12 Mar 16

Parisse must still pass one final fitness test on Friday

Geldenhuys hails Parisse ahead of Ireland clash

Sergio Parisse would be lauded as the world's best number eight if he were an All Black, says Italy lock Quintin Geldenhuys ahead of Sunday's clash with Ireland.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 02 Oct 15

Italy have a strong set-piece regardless of whether Parisse is there or Ghiraldini, says Greg Feek

Feek: Ireland can't worry about Italy stars

Ireland must focus on disrupting Italy’s set-pieces regardless of whether their top players win their fitness battles, says scrum coach Greg Feek.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 01 Oct 15

Sergio Parisse could be fit to face Ireland next weekend

Ireland aware of threat of returning Parisse

Ireland expect the returning Sergio Parisse to crank up the challenge when they face Italy on Sunday. The Italian captain has recovered from a calf injury.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 15

Samuela Vunisa vowed not to try to emulate Parisse's lynchpin style

Vunisa to draw inspiration from 'hero' Parisse

Samuela Vunisa has said he will draw World Cup inspiration from replacing "hero" and injured Italy captain Sergio Parisse for Saturday's Twickenham clash with France.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 18 Sep 15

Sergio Parisse has won 113 caps for Italy

Italy's Parisse battling to be fit for World Cup

Italy talisman Sergio Parisse faces a World Cup fitness fight after having fluid drained from his left leg.

Rugby • 08 Sep 15

Ian Keatley got the nod ahead of Ian Madigan

Italy's Parisse surprised at Ian Keatley inclusion

Sergio Parisse has admitted Ireland caught Italy on the hop by handing Ian Keatley his Six Nations debut this weekend.

Six Nations • 06 Feb 15

Sergio Parisse will lead Italy against England after recovering from injury

Parisse returns to lead Italy against England

Sergio Parisse returns to captain Italy in their final RBS 6 Nations match against England at a sold-out Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday.

Six Nations • 13 Mar 14

Sergio Parisse's absence will be seen as a massive boost for Ireland

Parisse injured for Italy's trip to Dublin

Italy captain Sergio Parisse has been ruled out of his side's clash with Ireland at Aviva Stadium in the RBS 6 Nations.

Six Nations • 06 Mar 14