Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Joey Carbery has started five of his 18 Ireland appearances

Jackman: Great chance for Carbery to be 'quarterback'

Bernard Jackman believes that Joe Schmidt's World Cup preparations would be best served by giving outhalf Joey Carbery the No 10 jersey against Italy on Sunday.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

Chance for Scots second string to step up - Townsend

Gregor Townsend believes opportunity knocks for Scotland in Paris despite his side being denied the services of a string of top stars.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

Ian McKinley: "In this five-year rollercoaster, Italy have been there when I needed them the most and shown a huge amount of faith in me."

'Playing against your mates, it's always special'

Ian McKinley faces his native Ireland for the first time in a Six Nations game this weekend. It will be another special reunion.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

Only four Welsh players have retained their place from the XV that took to the field against Italy

Anscombe keeps hold of 10 jersey to face England

Gareth Anscombe will start at out-half for Wales in Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash against England at the Principality Stadium.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

Jack Nowell starts on the right wing in Cardiff

England bring back Nowell for crucial Wales showdown

Jack Nowell has been restored to the right wing for England's Guinness Six Nations title clash with Wales in place of the injured Chris Ashton.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

Jack Conan would win his 13th cap for Ireland if he is selected to start in Rome

Jack's back and looking to stay in Ireland XV

Jack Conan says getting 80 minutes against Scotland was a memorable day in green as he looks to cement his place in the Irish back row.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

George North: "The boys know what is at stake."

North braced for huge battle with 'exceptional' English

Wales winger George North expects England's "exceptional" tactics in both attack and defence to cause them problems in their Six Nations clash but are prepared to take them on in Cardiff on Saturday.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

Conor O'Shea is yet to lead Italy to victory in the Six Nations

Bradley: O'Shea doing a fantastic job in Italy

Zebre head coach Michael Bradley insists that anyone involved in the game can see the great job Conor O'Shea is doing with Italy as the Azzurri continue their journey in search of a Six Nations win.

Rugby • 20 Feb 19

Bundee Aki will win his 15th Ireland appearance if selected to play against Italy

Aki happy to blend into the background

Among all the shuffling in the Irish midfield through injuries, one player has remained a constant. Bundee Aki however does not consider himself a leader in Joe Schmidt's group.

Rugby • 21 Feb 19

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: When in Rome

Michael Bradley shares an Italian perspective on Conor O'Shea's work with the national team.

Rugby • 26 Feb 19

No half measures as Ireland's golden pair feel the heat

One of the most decorated half-back partnerships in Test rugby is coming under pressure from increased competition.

Rugby • 20 Feb 19

Chris Farrell trained fully at Carton House today

Beirne, Farrell & Henshaw raring to go for Ireland

Ireland have announced a clean bill of health ahead of the Six Nations trip to Italy, with Robbie Henshaw, Chris Farrell, Tadgh Beirne and Iain Henderson all providing Joe Schmidt with a timely and welcome boost.

Rugby • 20 Feb 19

John Terry dropped in to the England training base on Tuesday

John Terry gives England's Slam-chasers Welsh pep talk

England's rugby team got an extra dose of motivation ahead of Saturday's Six Nations encounter with Wales when they received a pep talk by former soccer captain John Terry.

Rugby • 20 Feb 19

The citing complaint against Iain Henderson was not upheld at a disciplinary hearing

Iain Henderson cleared to play in Rome after hearing

Ireland lock Iain Henderson has been cleared to play in the weekend's Six Nations clash in Rome after a citing complaint made against the player following his province's game against Ospreys was not upheld at a Pro 14 disciplinary hearing this afternoon.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Maro Itoje tackles Robbie Henshaw in Dublin

England's Itoje ruled out for Wales showdown

England have confirmed that Maro Itoje will miss Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales because of knee ligament damage.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Sean O'Brien is not ready to call it a day with Ireland yet

O'Brien hopes to continue Irish career despite move

Sean O'Brien hopes he can extend his Ireland career beyond the World Cup despite trading Leinster for London Irish after the autumn's global battle in Japan.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Leigh Halfpenny could be in line to play a part against England on Saturday

Halfpenny and Biggar in contention for Wales

Leigh Halfpenny is in training with Wales ahead of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations showdown against England.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Garry Ringrose injured his hamstring against England

Ringrose and Marmion out for Italy but Beirne in frame

Garry Ringrose and Kieran Marmion will miss Ireland's Six Nations clash with Italy on Sunday but Chris Farrell, Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson are all in the running to play in Rome.

Rugby • 19 Feb 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

'I'm telling you it's not the case (that they are sanctioned)'

Brunel says dropping Parra & Lopez 'a sporting choice'

France have dropped scrum-half Morgan Parra and fly-half Camille Lopez for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Scotland

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Robbie Henshaw will stay put until 2022 at least

Henshaw extends Ireland and Leinster contract

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw has signed a new central contract that will see him remain with Leinster until end of June 2022.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Simon Berghan grabs a hold of Bundee Aki

Scots prop Berghan believes Cockerill has given edge

Scotland prop Simon Berghan feels his Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill has given his game the edge he needs when he faces the French pack on Saturday.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Henderson cited and now a doubt for Rome trip

The Ulster lock had been out for three months following surgery on a thumb injury.

Rugby • 18 Feb 19

Sexton will be driving Ireland's attack against Italy

Ireland's stuttering attack to get back into gear

On RTÉ2's Against the Head our experts broke down Ireland's performances in 2019 to date and identified the attack as a key area which has misfired.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Dan Biggar looks like being fit for Saturday's Six Nations encounter between Wales and England

Biggar getting better ahead of Wales and England clash

Wales have issued a positive update on fly-half Dan Biggar ahead of next Saturday's Guinness Six Nations showdown against England.

Rugby • 18 Feb 19

Six Nations 2019

Jackman: Great chance for Carbery to be 'quarterback'

Chance for Scots second string to step up - Townsend

'Playing against your mates, it's always special'

Anscombe keeps hold of 10 jersey to face England

England bring back Nowell for crucial Wales showdown

Jack's back and looking to stay in Ireland XV

North braced for huge battle with 'exceptional' English

Bradley: O'Shea doing a fantastic job in Italy

Aki happy to blend into the background

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: When in Rome

No half measures as Ireland's golden pair feel the heat

Beirne, Farrell & Henshaw raring to go for Ireland

John Terry gives England's Slam-chasers Welsh pep talk

Iain Henderson cleared to play in Rome after hearing

England's Itoje ruled out for Wales showdown

O'Brien hopes to continue Irish career despite move

Halfpenny and Biggar in contention for Wales

Ringrose and Marmion out for Italy but Beirne in frame

Sergio Parisse to miss Ireland match with concussion

Brunel says dropping Parra & Lopez 'a sporting choice'

Henshaw extends Ireland and Leinster contract

Scots prop Berghan believes Cockerill has given edge

Henderson cited and now a doubt for Rome trip

Ireland's stuttering attack to get back into gear

Biggar getting better ahead of Wales and England clash