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Tadhg Furlong 14/7/2026

'We had a lot of making up to do': Eden Park looms as Furlong and Ireland look to keep building

The countdown is on for Ireland ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship in Auckland, where Farrell’s men are chasing history as they attempt to do the unthinkable.

Ireland Rugby Squad Training

Rob Kearney: 'We still have to improve on a lot of areas if we want to be in with a chance'

Andy Farrell file photo

Andy Farrell: Eden Park challenge? Where else would you rather be?

England Training - Hill Dickinson Stadium - Friday July 10th

No start for Henry Pollock as unchanged England side named for Argentina clash

Sport Top Picks

Josh Neill 13/7/2026

Ireland U20 head coach Browne rings the changes for Italy clash

Browne's side now take on Italy at AIA Arena in Kutaisi seeking back-to-back victories, with Josh Neill set to lead Ireland out as captain.

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Ireland v New Zealand - Autumn Nations Series

Rob Kearney: No danger of Ireland losing hard-won respect from All Blacks

Ireland won a three-game series 2-1 in New Zealand four years ago.

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Japan v Italy - Nations Championship

World Rugby bans Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada for two games over referee comments

In an interview after Italy's 47-17 thrashing in the Nations Championship, Quesada said referee Luc Ramos was 'super poor'

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Ireland Rugby Media Conference

Andy Farrell: Dave Rennie has brought a bit of All Blacks steel back

In total, Farrell has brought in nine new faces, most of whom beat the Wallabies 33-31 in the opening game on tour in Sydney earlier this month, but they have regained the services of Robert Baloucoune.

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Dave Rennie 16/7/2026

Dave Rennie: All Blacks 'genuinely respect' Ireland ability

Rennie did his best to talk down the looming nervy Nations Championship fixture.

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Ireland Rugby Media Conference

Rob Baloucoune desperate to take All Blacks opportunity with both hands

Ireland have not yet lost a Test in which Baloucoune has been involved. That’s not a bad record given he’s played eight Tests, but just as impressive is his tryscoring rate, including the three tries he scored from four Tests earlier this year

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Sean Jansen 14/7/2026

Farrell brings in nine new faces for All Blacks clash, Baloucoune starts while Jansen makes bench

Replacement loose-head prop Jeremy Loughman also returns via the bench after his concussion against the Wallabies

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

NRL Rd 16 - Roosters v Sharks

Michael Cheika interview: 'I've had no contact from anyone in Rugby Australia'

The former Leinster head coach, now at the NRL's Sydney Roosters, had an old friend from Dublin in for a catch up and some coaching insights

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Jamison Gibson-Park 14/7/2026

Jamison Gibson-Park set for ‘massive challenge’ inhome from home

Gibson-Park might now be one of the world’s best halfbacks, but when he left the Shaky Isles following the 2016 Super Rugby season that was by no means the case.

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

New Zealand All Blacks Captain's Run

German history-maker Segner eyeing All Blacks chance against Ireland

Segner only arrived in New Zealand as a 15-year-old after falling in love with the game as a 10-year-old.

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

A general view of SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh during the game 3/2/2024

Confirmed: Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh to host Munster's Champions Cup clash with Racing 92

The fixture is subject to Central Council approval but without disruption to that weekend’s potential county hurling finals.

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

Sean Jansen with his first cap after making his debut for Ireland 11/7/2026

Sean Jansen says playing against birth nation New Zealand 'would be a dream'

Indeed, Jansen has rocketed into contention to face his countrymen after delivering an eye-catching debut for Ireland last weekend in their 36-20 win over Japan in Newcastle

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

Daniel Ryan celebrates scoring a try with Christopher Barrett 13/7/2026

Ireland dig deep to beat Fiji in Junior World Championship

Daniel Ryan got Ireland off the mark after eleven minutes with a superb kick and chase from the Connacht and former St Michael’s winger to score his fifth try of the tournament

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

Ireland v New Zealand - 2023 Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final

New Zealand v Ireland in the Nations Championship: Kick-off time, TV details and everything you need to know

But Andy Farrell’s side come into this match with a decent bit of momentum having beaten Japan and Australia recently

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

RUGBYU-NZL-ITA

All Blacks boss Rennie pumps Leinster links for Ireland info

Rennie is looking for any little edge to keep the All Blacks’ 32-year, 51-Test winning streak alive at the Auckland venue.

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

Japan v Ireland - 2026 Nations Championship Round 2

'At the time I took it personally': Japan boss Eddie Jones gets a stir out of Ireland newbies

While Sam Illo won’t ever forget his debut, he said he hoped to put himself in the mix to play the All Blacks next week in their season finale.

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

Jacob Stockdale is tackled by Jack Cornelsen 11/7/2026

Andy Farrell: Let's deliver 'performance of our lives' in Auckland

Farrell admitted he had more than half an eye on the All Blacks’ 47-17 win over Italy.

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

Ireland v Argentina - World Junior Rugby Championship Pool C

Boost for Irish U20s as red card rescinded ahead of Fiji tie

Winger Charlie Molony was harshly given a second yellow for an aerial contest in the 73-22 win over the USA.

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Andy Farrell during the warm up 11/7/2026

Why Andy Farrell should prioritise finding gold over historic All Blacks win

There has to be a bigger picture at play, and that should be doing everything to unearth another Ireland star or two before next year’s World Cup

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Blair Murray,Tomos Williams,Santiago Carreras

Wales fail to build on strong start in Nations Championship defeat to Argentina

An early try from Dewi Lake gave Steve Tandy’s side an early lead but the Pumas quickly responded with the first two of their five tries

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

TOPSHOT-RUGBYU-NATIONS-RSA-SCO

Battling Scotland fall short as South Africa hold on for victory in Pretoria

Having seen off England, France and Argentina in impressive fashion already this year, Gregor Townsend’s resurgent side made the Springboks fight to the end for their victory

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Fiji v England - Nations Championship 2026 - Hill Dickinson Stadium

Henry Pollock scores hat-trick as England end losing run with demolition of Fiji

Steve Borthwick’s men bounced back from the 45-21 mauling by South Africa that opened their Nations Championship with an 11-try rout of dismal opposition who saw Simione Kuruvoli sent off for kicking Ellis Genge in first-half overtime

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Andy Farrell during the warm up 11/7/2026

'It flattered us': Andy Farrell 'relieved' as Ireland secure bonus-point win over Japan

Farrell said that regardless of whether they had won or lost, the fact he broadened the Irish base by handing four players their debuts and got more minutes into several others was the most important thing

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Harry Hocking tackles Jack Conan 11/7/2026

Ireland player ratings v Japan: Breakdown monster Jack Conan did what he always does

Michael Cleary takes a closer look at how Ireland performed during their victory over Japan

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Takuro Matsunaga tackles Jacob Stockdale 11/7/2026

Ireland's second-string overcome Japan to maintain unbeaten start to Nations Championship

“We had to fight hard for that one,” said acting Irish skipper Tadhg Beirne

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Australia v France - Nations Championship

Wallabies extend losing streak after being blown away by France in Nations Championship

A second half blitz from a rampant French side saw them storm to a 42-26 win at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

New Zealand v Italy - Nations Championship

Will Jordan breaks Howlett try-scoring record as All Blacks hammer Italy

Deployed on the right wing rather than fullback under new coach Dave Rennie, the New Zealand finisher has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season.

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Australia v Ireland - 2026 Nations Championship Round 1

Rónan Kelleher holds hunger to perform - Japan are next up

Consistent, dogged and deceptively powerful, the 28-year-old has had a ding-dong battle with Dan Sheehan for starting honours for both Leinster and Ireland.

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Ireland Rugby Captain's Run

Japan challenge key to Farrell's quest for depth a year out from World Cup

Andy Farrell certainly bought into the need for the selected players, including new faces Sean Jansen, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Bryn Ward, to impress.

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

A general view of SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh during the game 3/2/2024

Cork PSHC final may be moved if Munster's Páirc date with Racing 92 is signed off

URC champions Leinster begin their search for a fifth title away at ASM Clermont Auvergne the same day,while Connacht start at home to Saracens.

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

Ireland Rugby Squad Training

Farrell urges Frawley to grab opportunity 'with both hands'

The Connacht-bound 10 will line out against Japan on Saturday.

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

Ireland Rugby Squad Training

'Still moving alright for an old man': Stuart McCloskey living the dream in career twilight

Ten years on from his debut against England, there’s no doubt that McCloskey is playing some of the best rugby of his career.

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-LA ROCHELLE-STADE FRANCAIS

The sky won't fall in if Ronan O'Gara goes to Leinster as provincial lines are being blurred

We have come a long, long way when someone like Peter O’Mahony, another Munster legend, can ponder the possibility in unemotional tones.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

England v Wales - Guinness Men's Six Nations - Allianz Stadium Twickenham

Steve Borthwick focused on Fiji as criticism of England head coach grows

Borthwick understands the scrutiny of his position amid England’s five-Test losing run

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Peter OMahony Joins Virgin Media Televisions Rugby Panel for Six Nations Coverage

Peter O'Mahony: There are a couple of big steps Munster must take to get where they want to go

'There is a lot going on in the club, a lot of things that need to be sorted out, and I hope the summertime is being used well to reflect'

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

David Humphreys 7/7/2026

IRFU may get more involved in coaching recruitment after Munster’s Randle controversy

Randle was announced in mid-May to be linking up with Clayton McMillan at Munster until the deal was called off due to a wave of backlash

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Sonny Tonga'uiha tackles Matthieu Jalibert 4/7/2026

Team news: Jalibert at full-back for France, Carter gets All Blacks wing nod

England have given starts to Henry Slade and Guy Pepper in Saturday’s clash with Fiji at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

TOPSHOT-RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-LA ROCHELLE-BORDEAUX

Peter O'Mahony: Ronan O'Gara being in the mix for Leinster a 'logical' move for the IRFU

IRFU performance director David Humphreys spoke this week about the possibility of O’Gara, a bona fide Munster legend, being in the frame for the Leinster posting.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-MONTAUBAN-PERPIGNAN

Munster seal Kieran Brookes signing, tie down Michael Ala’alatoa to new deal

Brookes has signed a two-year deal and will add to a pool of tightheads that will also include fellow new signing Jack Aungier.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Scotland v France - Guinness Men's Six Nations - Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium

Finn Russell makes Scotland return against South Africa

The talismanic stand-off sat out last weekend’s campaign-opening victory in Argentina as he completed his recovery from a calf injury that caused him to miss the last three games of Bath’s season.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

David Humphreys 27/1/2025

Leinster and the rest: Irish rugby chief David Humphreys on the game's key issues

Whether it be Stuart Lancaster staying at Connacht, moving on from James Lowe, Leinster 'tax' paying for development in other three provinces, Andy Farrell's post 2027 management or the women's game, there's plenty for the former Ireland out half to be.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

England v Japan - Autumn International - Allianz Stadium

Eddie Jones: 'We expect to dominate the Irish scrum'

As Andy Farrell made sweeping changes to his side from the one that edged the Wallabies 33-31, Jones made just one change to the side that upset Italy 27-10.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Australia v Ireland - 2026 Nations Championship Round 1

Tadhg Beirne captains rotated Ireland for Japan clash

Despite Japan toppling Italy 27-10, Farrell has used the second Test on tour as an opportunity to test his wider squad depth.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Leinster v La Rochelle - Investec Champions Cup

IRFU chief David Humphreys: Ronan O'Gara will be candidate for Leinster top job

Munster fans would likely spit out their coffee at the thought of seeing O’Gara swap the red for Leinster’s blue.

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Japan Captain's Run - Nations Championship

Ireland wary of Japan’s ‘player of the future’ Ryunosuke Ito

The 21-year-old playmaker enjoyed an incredible debut for Japan last weekend, guiding the Brave Blossoms to an outstanding 27-10 victory over Italy in just his second professional game.

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

South Africa Press Conference - 2026 Nations Championship

Will anyone stop the Springboks completing a Rugby World Cup three-peat?

Anyone out there with the physical firepower to stop the Springboks when the world’s leading sides converge on Australia next year?

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

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