Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Joey Carbery is in a battle for fitness for the remainder of the Six Nations

Van Graan casts doubt on Carbery's Ireland availability

Munster coach Johann van Graan has indicated that Joey Carbery is a doubt for the remainder of Ireland's Six Nations campaign due to a hamstring injury incurred in training last week.

Rugby • 26 Feb 19

Ireland and New Zealand remain the top two ranked sides in the world

Wales leapfrog England in rankings; Ireland stay second

Wales have leapfrogged England into third in the latest set of global rankings, with Ireland remaining in second position behind world champions New Zealand.

Rugby • 25 Feb 19

Maro Itoje suffered ligament damage in England's win in Dublin

Jones could give Itoje 'the hurry-up' after Lawes blow

England could fast-track lock Maro Itoje back into their Six Nations squad for their next game against Italy after Courtney Lawes was ruled out of the tournament.

Rugby • 25 Feb 19

Dave Kilcoyne made his first start in the Guinness Six Nations against Italy

Dave Kilcoyne the 10-year overnight sensation

Dave Kilcoyne has revealed how Sunday night planning sessions have sharpened his focus as Ireland's form prop.

Rugby • 26 Feb 19

Henderson: Ireland's title hopes very much alive

Wales' dramatic win over England throws the title race wide open with Ireland meeting France and then travelling to Cardiff in the final two rounds.

Rugby • 25 Feb 19

Johnny Sexton remains the fulcrum of the Irish team for Joe Schmidt

Sexton has to be the fulcrum for Ireland - Schmidt

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt says there is nothing he can do to change how Johnny Sexton plays without affecting Ireland's game.

Rugby • 25 Feb 19

Courtney Lawes will miss the rest of the Six Nations

England Lawes-less for the rest of the Six Nations

England forward Courtney Lawes has been ruled out of the rest of the Guinness Six Nations due to a calf injury.

Rugby • 24 Feb 19

There was no hiding O'Shea's disappointment

O'Shea feted by native press but 'gutted' after loss

The former Ireland full-back was given a round of applause by Italian journalists following his side's spirited display.

Rugby • 24 Feb 19

Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray at the end of Ireland's awkward 26-16 win over Italy in Rome

Schmidt admits Murray and Sexton both upset with form

Joe Schmidt has admitted Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray are angry and grumpy with their personal Guinness Six Nations form.

Rugby • 24 Feb 19

Ultan Dillane and Jack Carty after the game

Player ratings: Dillane impresses on day of frustration

It was a war of attrition for Ireland in Rome. Here's how they rated at Stadio Olimpico.

Rugby • 24 Feb 19

Nervy Ireland scrape past Italy

A nervy Ireland avoided a massive shock as they scraped past Italy 26-16 to keep their slim Six Nations chances alive.

Rugby • 26 Feb 19

Gatland questions England's mentality after victory

Wales boss Warren Gatland questioned England's ability to win the games that matter after his team posted a stunning 21-13 victory over this season's Guinness Six Nations title favourites.

Rugby • 23 Feb 19

Eddie Jones watching the game anxiously from his perch in the Principality Stadium

Eddie Jones laments penalty count as Slam dreams ended

England coach Eddie Jones admitted his side let themselves down in certain areas while his Welsh counterpart Warren Gatland spoke of his pride following Wales's stunning win over the Six Nations favourites in the Principality Stadium.

Rugby • 23 Feb 19

Italy have beaten Ireland just once in the Six Nations

Eternal City offers Ireland chance to find feet

Ireland's slim hopes of retaining their Six Nations title rests on claiming five points when they face Italy at Stadio Olimpico.

Rugby • 24 Feb 19

Recap: Wales gunning for Slam as they derail England

The action is it happened from one of the most highly anticipated encounters in the Six Nations - Wales v England in the Principality Stadium.

Rugby • 23 Feb 19

Johnny Sexton will pull the strings again for Ireland

Italy v Ireland: 3 key battles

How Johnny Sexton fares in the Eternal City is just one of the things to take note of when Ireland continue their Six Nations campaign against Italy, writes Micil Glennon.

Rugby • 23 Feb 19

Ultan Dillane and Sean Cronin are among the starters for Ireland's visit to Rome

Ghiraldini: Ireland not weakened by changes

Italy do not expect to be facing a weakened Ireland in Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash, despite the visitors resting several key figures.

Rugby • 23 Feb 19

Warren Gatland (centre) alongside Huw Bennett and Neil Jenkins at a Wales training session at the Principality Stadium

England accuse Gatland of 'trying to stir the pot'

England have reacted to Warren Gatland's claim that Kyle Sinckler is a "timebomb" by wishing Wales luck if they attempt to exploit his short fuse.

Rugby • 22 Feb 19

Braam Steyn will play at the back of the scrum against Ireland

Italy make five changes as Steyn moves to number 8

Italy coach Conor O'Shea has named five changes to his side to face Ireland in the Six Nations on Sunday, with Braam Steyn moving from flank to take over at number eight from veteran Sergio Parisse.

Rugby • 22 Feb 19

Ultan Dillane is ready to press his case for Ireland after a tough 2018

Dillane eager to stake claim after difficult 2018

No player in a Joe Schmidt squad lacks for motivation, but few Ireland players can be looking forward to tackling the Italians in Rome as much as Ultan Dillane.

Rugby • 23 Feb 19

Finn Russell will miss Scotland's game in Paris on Saturday

Townsend laments Top 14 schedule after Russell injury

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend says players should not have to turn out for their clubs on a Sunday when there is a Six Nations match the following weekend as it gives them too little time to recover from injury.

Rugby • 22 Feb 19

Joe Schmidt is testing out new combinations in rome

Opportunities beckon for chosen few in the Italian job

An away trip to Rome is where Joe Schmidt is testing out new combinations in an Irish side where he claims the "energy levels' have risen in the week after the Scotland game.

Rugby • 22 Feb 19

Sean Cronin will make his first Six Nations start this weekend against Italy

Rare Cronin start as Ireland shuffle pack for Italy

Ireland make four changes to the pack for Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash (kick-off 3pm) away to Italy with the visitors looking to maintain the title challenge.

Rugby • 22 Feb 19

Eddie Jones has claimed that Saturday's encounter is the "biggest game of the Welsh players' lives"

Gatland: Jones is 'taking the mick' in Cardiff build-up

Wales head coach Warren Gatland believes England prop Kyle Sinckler "emotionally, can be a bit of a time-bomb" ahead of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations showdown.

Rugby • 22 Feb 19

Tuilagi started his first international in five injury-hit years against Ireland earlier this month

Tuilagi could miss World Cup if Racing move confirmed

Manu Tuilagi is in discussion with Racing 92 over a lucrative move to France from next season that could potentially make him unavailable for this autumn's World Cup.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

Six Nations 2019

Van Graan casts doubt on Carbery's Ireland availability

Wales leapfrog England in rankings; Ireland stay second

Jones could give Itoje 'the hurry-up' after Lawes blow

Dave Kilcoyne the 10-year overnight sensation

Henderson: Ireland's title hopes very much alive

Sexton has to be the fulcrum for Ireland - Schmidt

England Lawes-less for the rest of the Six Nations

O'Shea feted by native press but 'gutted' after loss

Schmidt admits Murray and Sexton both upset with form

Player ratings: Dillane impresses on day of frustration

Nervy Ireland scrape past Italy

Gatland questions England's mentality after victory

Eddie Jones laments penalty count as Slam dreams ended

Eternal City offers Ireland chance to find feet

Recap: Wales gunning for Slam as they derail England

Italy v Ireland: 3 key battles

Ghiraldini: Ireland not weakened by changes

England accuse Gatland of 'trying to stir the pot'

Italy make five changes as Steyn moves to number 8

Dillane eager to stake claim after difficult 2018

Townsend laments Top 14 schedule after Russell injury

Opportunities beckon for chosen few in the Italian job

Rare Cronin start as Ireland shuffle pack for Italy

Gatland: Jones is 'taking the mick' in Cardiff build-up

Tuilagi could miss World Cup if Racing move confirmed