Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

World Rugby wants to see lower tackling in the game

World Rugby hopes to address injuries with rules trial

World Rugby is set to trial new tackle rules, aimed at reducing instances of concussion in the game, while the plan to reduce the number of substitutes has failed to receive backing.

Rugby • 08 Aug 19

The tackle accounts for 76 per cent of all concussions, with 72 per cent occurring to the tackler

New rugby tackle and kick rules set to be trialled

World Rugby's Law Review Group has recommended trials for a new 50:22 kick and for reducing tackle height to the waist.

Rugby • 28 Jun 19

SANZAAR rue Nations Championship abandonment

Southern hemisphere rugby powers expressed their disappointment at the loss of the "golden opportunity" offered by the Nations Championship, the potentially transformative test competition which World Rugby abandoned.

Rugby • 20 Jun 19

World Rugby needs unanimous support from the 10 unions that make up Europe's Six Nations and the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship to progress its Nations Championship blueprint.

World Rugby sets deadline for Nations C'ship decision

Global rugby chiefs face a deadline of Friday to back or shun World Rugby's Nations Championship plan.

Rugby • 18 Jun 19

The proposed rule, based on an existing Rugby League regulation, would award a line-out to a team that kicks from their own half if the ball bounces in play before crossing the touch line in the opposition 22

Jackman backs radical new lineout proposal

Bernard Jackman believes the radical lineout proposals being considered by World Rugby would improve the safety of the game and also make it more exciting.

Rugby • 21 Mar 19

Ireland's Jonathan Sexton kicks for touch against Argentina last November

World Rugby ponders radical new line-out law

World Rugby is considering introducing a rule whereby teams that kick from their own half to the opponents' 22 would get possession at the line-out, with the aim of reducing collisions.

Rugby • 21 Mar 19

World Rugby's €5.8b defence of Nations Championship

World Rugby has launched a defence of its under-fire Nations Championship concept, insisting the proposed annual tournament can earn the sport €5.86 billion in 12 years.

Rugby • 14 Mar 19

World Rugby have come out in defence of their Nations Championship plans

World Rugby defend their Nations Championship plans

World Rugby has made a strong defence of its plans to launch a global Nations Championship after Johnny Sexton led criticism for the new competition.

Rugby • 06 Mar 19

The Rugby World Cup could be without Samoa

Pacific Islanders threaten Rugby World Cup boycott

Top Pacific Islands stars will vote on whether to boycott the 2019 World Cup over World Rugby's controversial World League plans.

Rugby • 01 Mar 19

World Rugby look set to press ahead with their World League plans

World Rugby 'surprised' by reaction to league plans

World Rugby have expressed their 'surprise' at the player backlash to their newly proposed 12-team World League.

Rugby • 28 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

'World Rugby's view is the game has never been safer'

World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper spoke to RTÉ Sport about the challenges and opportunities the sport faces in a huge year.

Rugby • 19 Feb 19

Five-a-side rugby tournament to launch in summer

World Rugby has given its approval for a new five-a-side version of the sport with an international tournament likely to be held in London this year, according to a report in the Times.

Rugby • 05 Feb 19

World Rugby's executive committee will host the meeting on Tuesday

Crunch meeting looms for mooted World League

Plans to launch a World League will reach a pivotal phase next week when the chief executives of all tier one rugby nations gather in Los Angeles to discuss the proposal.

Rugby • 26 Jan 19

Johnny Sexton poses with the World Rugby Player of the Year award

Sexton, Schmidt & Ireland clean up at World awards

Johnny Sexton was crowned the World Rugby Player of the Year, Joe Schmidt the Coach of the Year and Ireland the Team of the Year in an unprecedented treble for Irish rugby.

Rugby • 26 Nov 18

New Zealand celebrate their 2017 world cup final win over England in Belfast

New Zealand to host 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup

Ireland staged a successful edition in 2017 and now the tournament moves to the southern hemisphere for the first time.

Rugby • 14 Nov 18

'The subtleties of an openside flanker's game are being lost because of the fact that there are too many eyes on the game'

Limiting screen time can allow artful spoilers flourish

This weekend will see referees wrest back control from Television Match Officials and may allow for more creative bending of the rules - particularly at the breakdown.

Rugby • 09 Nov 18

Jonathan Sexton could become the first Irishman in 17 years to win the award

Sexton makes shortlist for World Rugby Player of Year

Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton has made the five-man shortlist for the World Rugby Player of the Year award.

Rugby • 02 Nov 18

Samoa have competed at the last seven World Cups

Samoa, Tonga and Fiji want more say in rugby governance

Lobby group PRPW have launched their 'Seats At The Table' campaign in a bid to highlight the growing influence of Pacific Islands players across the global game.

Rugby • 08 Aug 18

Peter O'Mahony was taken out by Israel Folau

Folau handed one-match ban; Australia to appeal

Australia fullback Israel Folau has been handed a one-match ban by World Rugby for aerial challenges during the national team's defeat by Ireland last Saturday, although Rugby Australia are set to appeal the decision.

Rugby • 27 Jun 18

New laws aimed at lowering the tackle level will be trialled

World Rugby to trial new low tackle laws

World Rugby is to trial two new low tackle laws to combat the risk of head injuries.

Rugby • 25 May 18

Russia will go to Japan for the Rugby World Cup

Russia into Rugby World Cup as Romania are punished

Ireland will face Mark McDermott's Russia in next year's Rugby World Cup after World Rugby announced that Romania had been found guilty of fielding ineligible players during the European qualifying tournament.

Rugby • 15 May 18

Referee Vlad Iordachescu was at the centre of some very controversial decisions

Players send warning to World Rugby over 'integrity'

World Rugby must take more control over global tournaments or risk damaging the sport's integrity, the umbrella organisation that represents national player associations has warned.

Rugby • 16 Apr 18

World Rugby reveal steps to review World Cup qualifier

World Rugby is to set up an emergency dispute committee to review the controversial World Cup qualifier between Spain and Belgium.

Rugby • 05 Apr 18

Bill Beaumont: 'Just because it went to France doesn't mean there's humiliation whatsoever.'

'A humiliation? I don't think so'

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont denied being humiliated after the global game voted against the recommendation and France was named host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 15 Nov 17