Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Huw Jones scoring late on in last year's Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium

Easterby urges Ireland to be wary of dangerous Scotland

Ireland's interim coach Simon Easterby believes Guinness Six Nations rivals Scotland are capable of being one of the most dangerous sides in world rugby.

Rugby • 04 Feb

Late English tries keep Easterby grounded for Scotland

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby made his frustration clear after they allowed England pick up a losing bonus-point in Saturday's 27-22 win.

Rugby • 03 Feb

Bundee Aki scores Ireland's third try of the game

Easterby delighted as Ireland 'find a way' to win

Simon Easterby praised his side's determination as they made a winning start to their Guinness Six Nations title defence.

Rugby • 01 Feb

Johnny Sexton (c) chats to Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty at Ireland training last week

Sexton adding 'bigger picture' perspective to Ireland

Johnny Sexton's presence in the Ireland camp is benefitting coaches as well as players, according to Simon Easterby.

Rugby • 31 Jan

Sexton adding 'bigger picture' perspective to Ireland

Johnny Sexton's presence in the Ireland camp is benefitting coaches as well as players, according to Simon Easterby.

Rugby • 30 Jan

Simon Easterby talks to Sam Prendergast at training in Portugal

Easterby expects long-term Prendergast v Crowley battle

Simon Easterby expects Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley to "compete for a long time" after naming the Leinster out-half to start against England.

Rugby • 30 Jan

Simon Easterby talks to Sam Prendergast (r) at training in Portugal

Prendergast-Crowley to 'compete for a long time'

Simon Easterby expects Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley to "compete for a long time" after naming the Leinster out-half to start against England.

Rugby • 30 Jan

Simon Easterby (left) is interim head coach of Ireland for the Six Nations

Three burning questions for Easterby's Six Nations

With Ireland looking to win a third Six Nations title in a row, expectation is high, and with England first up at Aviva Stadium next Saturday, there is no time for Simon Easterby to ease into the role.

Rugby • 25 Jan

Simon Easterby: 'If we're being chased down, that's because we have set some good standards'

Excited Easterby eyes shot at Six Nations history

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby says that his team are more motivated by improving, rather than worrying about the strength of the chasing pack as they seek another successful Six Nations championship.

Rugby • 21 Jan

Caelan Doris: 'It's about our evolution and about improving'

Doris dismisses Ireland favourites' tag

Captain Caelan Doris acknowledges back-to-back champions Ireland must improve and evolve in order to continue their recent domination of the Guinness Six Nations.

Rugby • 21 Jan

Ireland won three of four games in the Autumn Nations Series

First Ireland squad under Easterby along expected lines

Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has named his squad for the Guinness Six Nations with just one uncapped player, Leinster's Jack Boyle, included.

Rugby • 15 Jan

Ben Murphy will be hoping to be in today's Ireland squad

Jackman backs Connacht's Murphy for Ireland call

RTÉ rugby analyst Bernard Jackman is not expecting too many big surprises when Simon Easterby names his Six Nations squad today, but feels that Connacht's Ben Murphy is in line for a call-up.

Rugby • 15 Jan

'Even small things can be problematic in coaching when you're not the one in control'

Challenges await as Easterby steps into Farrell's shoes

Simon Easterby is due to name his first full Irish squad on Wednesday amidst Andy Farrell's Irish sabbatical for his role with the Lions. How much autonomy does he have over the selection and how much is he playing to Farrell's tune, asks Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 14 Jan

Ireland defence coach Simon Easterby (L) and head coach Andy Farrell

Farrell expects 'seamless' transition to Easterby

Andy Farrell expects a "seamless" transition in the Ireland camp during his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby • 29 Nov 24

Nando Parrado (c) following his trek out of the mountains

Andes crash survivor talk 'inspirational' for Ireland

The Irish rugby squad were given an "inspirational" speech by Nando Parrado, one of the Uruguayan rugby players who survived the 1972 Andes plane crash portrayed in the movie Alive.

Rugby • 01 Nov 24

Johnny Sexton (l) at Ireland training last year with Andy Farrell and Jack Crowley (r)

Sexton not limited to out-half tips in Ireland set-up

Johnny Sexton's remit in Ireland camp won't be limited to mentoring the out-halves, according to Simon Easterby.

Rugby • 31 Oct 24

Sexton not limited to out-half tips in Ireland set-up

Johnny Sexton's remit in Ireland camp won't be limited to mentoring the out-halves, according to Simon Easterby.

Rugby • 01 Nov 24

Rónan Kelleher at Ireland training in Portugal on Thursday

Kelleher boost for Ireland ahead of New Zealand visit

Hooker Rónan Kelleher is on course to be fit for Ireland's Test match against New Zealand on Friday week.

Rugby • 31 Oct 24

Simon Easterby: 'If we can produce the type of players we got last time then we will be more than happy'

Autumn Tests, Six Nations spots up for grabs - Easterby

Simon Easterby can point to Joe McCarthy and Jack Crowley as prime examples of what an Emerging Ireland tour can produce and he hopes that some of his 33-man squad step up the plate.

Rugby • 18 Sep 24

Simon Easterby will be the interim Ireland head coach for the Six Nations

Easterby: No 'closed book' on Ireland coaching ticket

Simon Easterby, who will take over in the Ireland hot seat after the autumn internationals, hasn't ruled out recruiting from outside the Irish system in the search for a defence coach.

Rugby • 18 Sep 24

Easterby: No 'closed book' on Ireland coaching ticket

Simon Easterby, who will take over as Ireland head coach after the autumn internationals, hasn't ruled out recruiting from outside the Irish system in the search for a defence coach.

Rugby • 19 Sep 24

Simon Easterby will take charge for next year's Six Nations and the 2025 summer tour, details of which are yet to be confirmed

Easterby named interim Ireland head coach

Simon Easterby will assume the role of Ireland men's interim head coach from December to allow Andy Farrell concentrate on the 2025 Lions Tour, the IRFU has confirmed.

Rugby • 17 Sep 24

Ireland's Caelan Doris and South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit speak to referee Luke Pearce during Saturday's first Test

Easterby backs Doris over referee communication

Simon Easterby has given his backing to Caelan Doris, after the Ireland vice-captain's communication issues with referee Luke Pearce last week.

Rugby • 11 Jul 24

Jamie Osborne is one of the Irish players who picked up a knock in last week's first Test

Injury problems ease for Ireland ahead of second Test

Ireland's injury worries appear to be easing ahead of Saturday's second Test against South Africa in Durban, with Andy Farrell set to have a full squad of players to choose from.

Rugby • 11 Jul 24

Emerging Ireland beat the Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas in 2022

IRFU confirms Emerging Ireland trip to South Africa

The IRFU has announced it will send an Emerging Ireland squad to South Africa in September for a three-game tournament in Bloemfontein.

Rugby • 12 Jun 24