Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Jonathan Sexton is tackled by Owen Farrell (10) and Elliot Daly (15) of England during the 2019 Six Nations

Donal Lenihan's Six Nations verdicts

Former Ireland captain Donal Lenihan believes both the Irish men and women's sides are facing a tough task to win in England this weekend.

Rugby • 21 Feb 20

The new millennium coincided with a revival in Ireland's rugby fortunes

Quiz: 20 Years of the Six Nations Championship

The Five Nations became Six with the arrival of Italy at the turn of the millennium and the competition has now witnessed 20 installments.

Rugby • 01 Feb 20

Johnny Sexton and Sean O'Brien are two players who might benefit from a change of approach, says Eric Miller

Ireland's gameplan has been figured out, says Miller

Ireland must accept the fact that teams have figured out their game plan and not be afraid to mix in new players before the World Cup, according to Eric Miller.

Rugby • 28 Mar 19

George North leaves the field of play against Ireland last weekend

Wales reveal Jones and North injuries against Ireland

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones suffered knee ligament damage and his team-mate George North broke two bones in his hand during last Saturday's Six Nations game against Ireland.

Rugby • 22 Mar 19

Ireland have struggled since beating New Zealand last November

Ireland 'carrying too much stress', says McIvor

As the post-mortem of Ireland's Six Nations campaign continues, one former international suggests that the players must admit to being under pressure and harness that fact into improved performances.

Rugby • 21 Mar 19

'I won't mention some of the referee's moments for the fear of looking like a bad loser'

Frustrated Schmidt still one of best coaches out there

Whatever tactics were used, Ireland didn't become a poor team overnight, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 20 Mar 19

Alun Wyn Jones is in the running for the Player of the Championship award

Wales dominate shortlist for Player of the Championship

Six Nations Grand Slam winners Wales provide four men on the shortlist for the 2019 Player of the Championship, including captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Rugby • 18 Mar 19

Warren Gatland led Wales to the Grand Slam

Gatland in demand as All Blacks rumours swirl

Warren Gatland's third Six Nations Grand Slam with Wales at the weekend only served to fuel speculation about his future after the World Cup with the New Zealander now boasting a coaching CV that makes him a serious contender for the All Blacks job.

Rugby • 18 Mar 19

Eddie Jones watches on during yesterday's England-Scotland thriller in Twickenham

Jones says England have problems dealing under pressure

Eddie Jones believes England are suffering from a fault line exposed during the 2015 World Cup as he plans to recruit outside help to work on reshaping his players' minds.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Ciara Griffin and Claire Molloy console each other after the game

Panel debate: 'The IRFU needs to step up'

The RTÉ Rugby panel discuss the state of women's rugby in Ireland following the conclusion of a difficult Six Nations campaign.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Lindsay Peat runs at the Welsh defence in Cardiff

Ireland finish Six Nations with sobering Cardiff defeat

Wales leapfrogged Ireland into fourth in the final standings of the 2019 Women's Six Nations table after securing a 24-5 bonus-point victory over Adam Griggs' side in Cardiff.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Farrell was taken off at a crucial period in yesterday's incredible draw at Twickenham

Eddie Jones: 'Owen lost a bit of his edge'

After leading by 31 points, England needed a late George Ford try to rescue a draw in London.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Beibhinn Parsons celebrates her first-half try

Recap: Wales 24-5 Ireland

Wales secure a bonus-point win with a dominant display against Ireland in Cardiff.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Ireland finished the championship on a downer

Soul search needed for Ireland to make RWC repairs

Old problems resurfaced as the reigning champions could find no answers to Wales' power surge, but Joe Schmidt has promised a different Ireland will turn up at the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Finn Russell runs clear to level the game at 31-31

'100% mental' - Eddie Jones reckons with England lapses

Eddie Jones rued mental flaws in an England side which "got out of jail" in a 38-38 draw with Scotland.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Gatland relishing RWC swansong after mighty Grand Slam

Wales boss Warren Gatland hailed players who "will run through a brick wall for you" after they demolished Ireland 25-7 to be crowned Six Nations Grand Slam champions.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Rob Kearney said Ireland were hampered by the conditions

Roof decision possibly a 'mistake', says Schmidt

Rob Kearney said Ireland made a collective call in asking for the Principality Stadium roof to remain open, while Joe Schmidt conceded that it may have been a "mistake".

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Sam Johnson's try put Scotland 38-31 ahead with five minutes left - they trailed 31-0 in the first half

Scotland denied at death after extraordinary comeback

George Ford rescued England with an 83rd-minute try to secure a 38-all draw with Scotland on Saturday after the Scots had come from 31-0 down to lead 38-31 in one of the most remarkable games in Six Nations history.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Ireland fell foul of referee Angus Gardner on numerous occasions in Cardiff

'Hollow' Joe Schmidt rues Irish ill-discipline

Discipline has been the cornerstone of Ireland's success under Joe Schmidt, so the concession of so many penalties in the defeat to Wales rang the alarm bells that bit louder.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Conor Murray was one of the many players in green who struggled against Wales

Ferris: Ireland don't look to be enjoying their rugby

Former Ireland international Stephen Ferris thinks teams have adapted to Ireland's tactical approach and says the body language isn't positive from the men in green.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Italy head coach Conor O'Shea consoles Edoardo Padovani after the game

Another moral victory for Italy but France get the win

Italy's losing sequence in the Guinness Six Nations extended to a record 22 matches but France were pushed all the way before prevailing at the Stadio Olimpico.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Player ratings: Half-backs struggle on grim afternoon

The player ratings after an extremely grim day for Ireland as they were forced to play the role of fumbling extras in a Wales Grand Slam celebration.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Wales celebrate a third grand slam under Warren Gatland

Horror show for Ireland as Wales sail away with Slam

Ireland's 2019 Six Nations defence came to a shuddering halt as they produced one of the worst performances of the Joe Schmidt era and Wales claimed the Grand Slam with ease, beating Ireland 25-7.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Hadleigh Parkes goes over for an early Welsh try

Recap: Wales 25-7 Ireland

Wales dismantle out-of-sorts Ireland at the Principlaity Stadium to secure another grand slam under Warren Gatland

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Will events conspire to hand England the trophy?

Preview: Born-again Ireland set for baptism of fire

Champions Ireland are set to spoil another Grand Slam bid with rediscovered confidence to play a major part, writes Michael Glennon.

Rugby • 16 Mar 19

Six Nations 2019

Donal Lenihan's Six Nations verdicts

Quiz: 20 Years of the Six Nations Championship

Ireland's gameplan has been figured out, says Miller

Wales reveal Jones and North injuries against Ireland

Ireland 'carrying too much stress', says McIvor

Frustrated Schmidt still one of best coaches out there

Wales dominate shortlist for Player of the Championship

Gatland in demand as All Blacks rumours swirl

Jones says England have problems dealing under pressure

Panel debate: 'The IRFU needs to step up'

Ireland finish Six Nations with sobering Cardiff defeat

Eddie Jones: 'Owen lost a bit of his edge'

Recap: Wales 24-5 Ireland

Soul search needed for Ireland to make RWC repairs

'100% mental' - Eddie Jones reckons with England lapses

Gatland relishing RWC swansong after mighty Grand Slam

Roof decision possibly a 'mistake', says Schmidt

Scotland denied at death after extraordinary comeback

'Hollow' Joe Schmidt rues Irish ill-discipline

Ferris: Ireland don't look to be enjoying their rugby

Another moral victory for Italy but France get the win

Player ratings: Half-backs struggle on grim afternoon

Horror show for Ireland as Wales sail away with Slam

Recap: Wales 25-7 Ireland

Preview: Born-again Ireland set for baptism of fire