Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Stuart McCloskey has missed the last two games due to ankle and knee issues

Ulster given timely McCloskey fitness boost

Stuart McCloskey could become available for Ulster this week in a big boost for Richie Murphy's side ahead of Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Ospreys in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 15 Oct 24

The Aviva Stadium was sold out on Sunday

Players not deaf to the infamous Lansdowne hush

Some Ireland players admit that they do feel when there's a lull in the crowd as happened during Ireland's win over Italy.

Rugby • 15 Feb 24

Stuart McCloskey won his 16th cap against Italy

McCloskey: It takes a while to get over your own ego

Stuart McCloskey faces stiff competition to keep his place in the Ireland team but says he's really enjoying Andy Farrell's helping hand.

Rugby • 12 Feb 24

Stuart McCloskey is looking to continue Ulster's impressive record against Harlequins

Only a win will do as Ulster plan attack on The Stoop

For the second year in a row Ulster arrive into the final round of pool games in the Investec Champions Cup needing a win to keep their campaign alive.

Rugby • 20 Jan 24

'Laboratory' tests do the trick for Ulster

It may be that necessity is the mother of invention, but Dan McFarland says Ulster had always planned to use their special op moves in the win over Racing 92.

Rugby • 18 Dec 23

Stuart McCloskey admits he considered calling it a day last summer

McCloskey savouring special time after staying on

Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey revealed he had considered retiring from international rugby as he savoured the special memory of making a World Cup debut in front of his newborn son.

Rugby • 08 Oct 23

Stuart McCloskey

McCloskey made his Ireland debut in the 2016 Six Nations match against England at Twickenham and has picked up 13 caps since.

profiles • 06 Sep 23

Healy ruled out as World Cup squad announced

Cian Healy has been excluded from Ireland's squad for the Rugby World Cup due to the injury sustained against Samoa on Saturday.

Rugby • 27 Aug 23

Stuart McCloskey, Joe McCarthy, Cian Prendergast, Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale are among those who are on the fringe of the squad

Decision time - The tough RWC calls Farrell has to make

With Andy Farrell set to name his Irish Rugby World Cup squad on Sunday afternoon, Neil Treacy looks at some of the tough calls that will need to be made, and makes his prediction for the 33-man squad.

Rugby • 26 Aug 23

Dan Sheehan is on course for the World Cup

Sheehan sprained ligaments but on course for World Cup

Andy Farrell says he expects Dan Sheehan to be fit for Ireland's World Cup campaign after receiving a positive update on the hooker's foot injury.

Rugby • 24 Aug 23

Gavin Coombes and Stuart McCloskey are under pressure to make Ireland's squad

Jackman: McCloskey and Coombes could miss out on squad

Bernard Jackman believes Stuart McCloskey and Gavin Coombes may fall victim to a numbers game when Andy Farrell names his Irish Rugby World Cup squad later this month.

Rugby • 09 Aug 23

Stuart McCloskey has made the most of his opportunity

Maybe I just didn't fit Joe's eye - McCloskey

The suggestion in many of the questions Stuart McCloskey was asked at Wednesday afternoon's press conference inferred that he would keep his place in the Ireland team when it is named for the match against France.

Rugby • 08 Feb 23

Stuart McCloskey has started Ireland's last four matches

McCloskey considered Ulster exit while in Ireland exile

Stuart McCloskey had to wait seven years between his first and second Six Nations appearances and the Ireland centre revealed he considered moving abroad during his international exile.

Rugby • 06 Feb 23

Furlong has been ruled out after a late injury

Furlong ruled out of Wales clash after late injury

Ireland's preparations for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales have hit a major bump, after Tadhg Furlong was ruled out at the last minute.

Rugby • 02 Feb 23

Eddie O'Sullivan and Donal Lenihan preview Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales

O'Sullivan: Farrell faces crucial call at inside centre

Eddie O'Sullivan says that Ireland head coach Andy Farrell faces a crucial call at inside centre for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Wales.

Rugby • 30 Jan 23

McCarthy featured for the non-cap Ireland XV this summer

Farrell: McCarthy has 'earned the right' for his debut

Andy Farrell says Joe McCarthy's potential Test debut this week is a just reward for his work in recent months.

Rugby • 17 Nov 22

Stuart McCloskey suffered the injury in the 28th minute of Saturday's win against South Africa

'I thought I broke my forearm' - McCloskey's relief

Stuart McCloskey says he thought he had suffered a broken arm in Saturday's 19-16 win against South Africa, but now looks set to return within a week for this weekend's visit of Fiji.

Rugby • 09 Nov 22

Conor Murray was forced off injured during his 100th appearance for Ireland

Murray to miss Fiji and Australia games due to injury

Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray has been ruled out of their autumn internationals against Fiji and Australia due to a groin injury.

Rugby • 07 Nov 22

Stuart McCloskey during Friday's captain's run at the Aviva

McCloskey replaces injured Henshaw for Boks clash

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw has been ruled out of Saturday's autumn international against South Africa and will be replaced by Stuart McCloskey.

Rugby • 04 Nov 22

McCloskey has scored two tries in five games this season

McCloskey: 'I feel like I'm just getting better'

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey says he's playing the most consistent rugby of his career, as he looks to add to his six Ireland caps next month.

Rugby • 21 Oct 22

Stuart McCloskey again impressed in Ulster's win over Connacht

Jackman: Six caps for McCloskey is not fair value

Bernard Jackman says Stuart McCloskey's six Ireland caps "is not fair value" for his performances with Ulster after the centre began the season in impressive fashion.

Rugby • 20 Sep 22

Andy Farrell was encouraged by Ireland's second-half fightback

Farrell pleased Ireland went down fighting at Eden Park

Andy Farrell said Ireland will take heart from their second-half performance against New Zealand as they regroup ahead of next Saturday's second Test in Dunedin.

Rugby • 02 Jul 22

Jordi Murphy is set for an Ulster return

Murphy fit again as McCloskey derides Italy 'farce'

The Ireland back row hasn't played with the province since May with a foot and knee injury but his return is now imminent according to skills coach Newby

Rugby • 28 Feb 22

Iain Henderson, John Cooney and Stuart McCloskey all missed the weekend win against Northampton Saints

Henderson, Cooney and McCloskey fitness remains unclear

Ulster may have to do without Iain Henderson, John Cooney and Stuart McCloskey once again for Saturday's Champions Cup pool A meeting with Clermont Auvergne at Kingspan Stadium.

Rugby • 18 Jan 22

Ethan McIlroy (left), Nathan Doak (centre) and Stuart McCloskey (right) have all signed new contracts

McCloskey, Doak and McIlroy all sign new Ulster deals

Stuart McCloskey, Nathan Doak and Ethan McIlroy are the latest Ulster players to sign new contracts at the province, joining six others who put pen to paper this week.

Rugby • 23 Dec 21