Irish Rugby

Sign in

#Irish Rugby

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Charlie O'Shea kicks a penalty during the Pinergy Boys Schools U19 Munster Senior Cup final. Pic: Dan Linehan</p>

rugby

O'Shea starts at out-half as Ireland under-20s side named for Junior World Championship opener

Munster out-half Tom Wood is kept in reserve.

<p>Jean Kleyn: I started here 10 years ago. Of the people I started with, the only fella left next season is Jack O'Donoghue' Pic: Darren Stewart, Inpho</p>

S rugby

Jean Kleyn interview: Munster need to stick to one plan and go with it. Uncertainty is doubt

<p>Leinster head coach Leo Cullen during the URC grand final match against Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile</p>

rugby

Leo Cullen's exit: time feels right for change at Leinster

RUGBYU-NZL

rugby

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie puts store in skipper Ardie Savea

Leo Cullen during the post match press conference 19/6/2026

rugby

Leo Cullen to leave Leinster at end of 2026/27 season

Super Rugby Pacific Rd 10 - NSW Waratahs v Chiefs

rugby

Munster's punt on Will Harrison: This much we know

James Lowe 17/6/2026

Leo Cullen on James Lowe exit: 'It's the nature of the business we're in'

The failure to keep James Lowe for another year, up to next year’s World Cup, has caused shockwaves in the game here

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

Jack Crowley is tackled by Sione Tuipulotu and Finn Russell 14/3/2026

Jack Crowley absence untimely for him and for Ireland’s World Cup ambitions

On Wednesday it was confirmed that he will miss Ireland’s summer tour to Australia and New Zealand. Cruel, and untimely.

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

Jack Crowley leaves the pitch after the match 21/2/2026

Jack Crowley ruled out as Andy Farrell names Ireland squad for Australia and New Zealand tour

The Munster out-half hasn’t played since mid-April due to what was a mystery leg injury

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Leinster Rugby Awards Ball 2026

Tommy O'Brien's importance even greater as James Lowe plays his last game in Dublin

Lowe’s departure is the headline act in a summer of change. For O’Brien, his exit will resonate.

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Jack Crowley during the warm up ahead of the match 14/3/2026

Andy Farrell expected to play strong hand with squad for summer tour

The first name to look out for here will be Jack Crowley’s. The No.10 hasn’t played since suffering something of a mystery leg problem in mid-April.

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Ireland v Australia - Quilter Nations Series 2025

Australia face selection headache for Ireland Test, says ex-Munster coach Laurie Fisher

While most in Australia have lamented the fact that Joe Schmidt is moving on in July, Laurie Fisher said it could ultimately be a positive

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Jack Crowley during the warm up ahead of the match 14/3/2026

Blow for Ireland as Jack Crowley's availability for summer tests thrown into doubt

Speaking as Munster coaches wrapped up their post-season reviews, McMillan also addressed in an interview with Examiner Sport the ongoing search for a world-class tighthead prop

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Tom Wood kicks a conversion 20/2/2026

Browne names Ireland U20 squad for World Rugby Junior World Championship

Ireland have been drawn in Pool C alongside Argentina, England and USA for this summer’s tournament

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

James Lowe celebrates after the match 6/6/2026

James Lowe Leinster exit confirmed: 'not everyone gets their fairytale ending'

The New Zealand native said the decision to leave Leinster was made with a "heavy heart"

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

IRFU representatives meet the Minister for Health

Former IRFU chief executive Philip Browne dies aged 66

Current IRFU CEO Kevin Potts said the "scale of Philip’s contribution to Irish rugby cannot be overstated".

Mon, 08 Jun, 2026

Evan Roos tackles Caelan Doris 6/6/2026

Leinster scramble over the line against scrappy Stormers and into URC final

Leo Cullen's side will welcome the Bulls to Croke Park on Friday week.

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-MONTAUBAN-LA ROCHELLE

Ronan O'Gara: This project was dying in my arms. Now it’s alive and kicking

This may be one of life’s few jobs where you want to keep postponing your summer break. All we want from Saturday is not to finish it on vacation. Missing out on the play-offs in back to back seasons looks good on no-one’s curriculum vitae

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Andy Farrell Contract Announcement

Andy Farrell excited by the unknown with Ireland

"Six Nations and then into the World Cup. What a year. What an 18 months that's going to be," said Farrell, who has signed a new contract which runs until the 2031 World Cup

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Fergus Slattery

Tributes pour in for Irish legend Fergus Slattery, who 'represented rugby at its purest'

Blackrock RFC's Slattery was one of the greatest players to ever play for Ireland

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald is tackled by Shona Campbell 17/5/2026

Irish involvement in Premiership Women's Rugby expansion could open new frontier

Welsh, Scottish and Irish unions are interested in being part of the PWR expansions, and English clubs have also said they are.

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

Tommy O'Brien, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne during a water break 23/5/2026

S Donal Lenihan: Leinster didn't know what hit them in Bilbao blitz

Overall it proved a thoroughly demoralising weekend of action from an Irish perspective.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Credit unions, IRFU, and An Post top list of Ireland's most reputable organisations

Credit unions, IRFU, and An Post top list of Ireland's most reputable organisations

Credit unions came top of 100 companies and organisations, with Elon Musk's X down at 100th

Thu, 21 May, 2026

Stuart McCloskey is presented with the Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year award on behalf of the Ireland's Tripl

Stuart McCloskey and Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald claim top prizes at rugby awards

For both winners, the recognition they received from the representative body for Ireland’s professional rugby players marked the completion of their individual career journeys.

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Peter O'Mahony celebrates after the game 23/9/2023

Dial 10 for advice: O'Mahony on setting up Crowley call to legend Sexton

The young Munster out-half was the first pretender to ask for the Leinster talisman's advice, he said.

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Aoife Wafer makes a break 9/5/2026

Six Nations: Ireland back on track with win over Wales

The victory moves Scott Bemand's side up to third in the Six Nations standing.

Sat, 09 May, 2026

Ireland Women's Rugby Captain's Run

Ciara Griffin: Closing the gap but Ireland’s next step is turning pressure into points

Scott Bemand's side take on Wales on Saturday night.

Sat, 09 May, 2026

Aoife Wafer and Alan O’Connor during the warm up 25/4/2026

Alan O’Connor wants to build on Ireland's forward foundations

Alan O’Connor is Ireland forwards coach for the duration of this Championship and he would love for his stint to extend beyond this window.

Thu, 07 May, 2026

Ulster v Leinster - United Rugby Championship

Keenan pens two-year IRFU extension, Cahir signs for Connacht

Since joining Leinster on a short-term deal in September, Jerry Cahir has made 14 appearances, including one off the bench in the Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon

Tue, 05 May, 2026

A view of the pitch before the game 10/2/2023

UCC awarded AIL play-off win after match abandoned following cardiac incident

UCC were leading 31-12 against Shannon when Sam O'Sullivan suffered a cardiac incident. The UCC second row was taken to hospital where he continues to make progress

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Martyn Vercoe 20/8/2025

Inside Munster: Martyn Vercoe explains team manager role, player culture and season challenges

New Munster team manager outlines behind-the-scenes role, squad bonding methods and belief amid pressure for URC play-off qualification

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

Energia AIL Finals Media Event

Clontarf put AIL Division 1A title on the line against Dublin rivals St Mary’s College

For club captain and hooker Dylan Donnellan the opportunity is one not to be relished

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

Energia AIL Finals Media Event

UL Bohs' drive undimmed as they target three consecutive AIL titles

"I think everyone’s really aware of how tough it is and how hard it is to maintain the standards that we do," said UL Bohs backrow Chloe Pearse

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

Robyn O’Connor celebrates with Aoife Dalton, Béibhinn Parsons and Emily Lane after she scores her sides 4th try of the match 18/

Patient Robyn O’Connor the latest gem in exciting Ireland pipeline

The Old Belvedere wing has had to wait for her opportunity at Test level having signed a central professional contract with the IRFU in 2024.

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Edwin Edogbo after the match 18/4/2026

Munster confirm contract extension for Edwin Edogbo

The extension will keep the 23-year-old second row at Munster until at least 2027

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Ulster v Leinster - United Rugby Championship

Sam Prendergast shines again for Leinster after two months in the shadows

“Yeah, and he just kept his head down working away,” said his lead coach Leo Cullen.

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Letters to the Editor: Croke Park should be for Gaelic games

Letters to the Editor: Croke Park should be for Gaelic games

'Now... anyone who plays rugby or soccer with a provincial or national side, or with Leeds or Manchester United etc, has the same opportunity as our hurlers or footballers'

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Leinster Rugby Squad Training

Leinster follow Ireland in delving deep into loosehead stocks

Six days on from their helter skelter victory over Edinburgh, Leinster face Sale in the Champions Cup quarter-finals

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Jamie Benson 21/2/2025

Ulster sign Irish-qualified out-half Jamie Benson from Harlequins

Benson said an ambition to play international rugby was part of his decision to leave Harlequins and join Ulster

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

England A v Australia A - International Friendly

Aussie prop De Lutiis ends Ireland speculation after 'stressful' fortnight

The Queensland Reds said Massimo De Lutiis, who is Irish qualified, turned down an offer from the IRFU and Ulster

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

Ireland v Scotland - U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship

Ireland U20s ready for Junior World Championship after Six Nations Triple Crown success

Ireland’s game was humming by round five as the Scots were beaten 47-14 and the squad will travel to Georgia at the end of June with their head coach encouraged by his team’s development across the Six Nations.

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

Rob Carney is tackled 15/3/2026

S Donal Lenihan: Munster’s future may well depend on developing their cohort of emerging talent

While it will take Munster some time to develop a cohort of their emerging talent to be ready to compete at next level, I can’t escape the feeling it will prove a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Vodacom Bulls v Munster - United Rugby Championship

Provinces look to Europe again on back of mixed fortunes

Clayton McMillan’s Munster side has now been beaten in nine of its last 13 matches across both competitions.

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Super Rugby Pacific Rd 11 - Reds v Blues

IRFU set to up chase for 'Australia’s strongest' rugby prospect

Prop Massimo De Lutiis has been linked Down Under to an Ireland switch.

Mon, 30 Mar, 2026

Ireland v Scotland - Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship

England deny Farrell talks as RFU stops short of delivering full backing for Borthwick

“We’re not in a dialogue, we’re not in a discussion with him at the present," RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said regarding Ireland head coach Andy Farrell

Fri, 27 Mar, 2026

Scott Bemand 25/3/2026

'Young girls can now dream about playing at the Aviva': Scott Bemand on growth of the women's game

Interest in women’s rugby is at an all-time high following last summer’s World Cup

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Joe Schmidt 25/7/2025

‘They call me Grandpa Joe’: Joe Schmidt in a hurry as clock ticks down on Wallabies reign

Australia rugby’s outgoing boss celebrates the high points, ‘not end points’, as he prepares to guide the side in three Tests before handing over the keys

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

Leinster Rugby Squad Training

Cullen expresses hope Rónan Kelleher can maintain strong Six Nations form on Leinster return

While he only started once during the spring international window Kelleher saw game time in all five fixtures Ireland played in the 2026 edition of the Championship

Fri, 20 Mar, 2026

Tom Farrell and Craig Casey 10/3/2026

McMillan praises Irish internationals for fronting up to testing two-game South African tour

Lock Tom Ahern, flanker John Hodnett and centre Alex Nankivell have all recovered from injury to start while hooker Diarmuid Barron and Academy flanker Seán Edogbo also come into the starting XV

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026

Robert Baloucoune leaves the field 14/3/2026

Rob Baloucoune set to miss rest of Ulster's season with elbow injury

Meanwhile, Ulster and Connacht have welcomed back several internationals for their URC Interpro clash at Affidea Stadium on Friday night.

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026