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#Irish Rugby

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>STAR TURN: Ireland's Aoife Wafer makes a break. Pic: INPHO/Nick Elliott</p>

rugby

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.

<p>SAFE HANDS: Linda Djougang during an Ireland Women's Rugby captain's run at Pirrie Park in Belfast. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile</p>

rugby-columnists

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

<p>Ireland's Aoife Wafer and Alan O’Connor during the warm up before Ireland's meeting with France. Pic: ©INPHO/Dave Winter</p>

rugby

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

Ulster v Leinster - United Rugby Championship

rugby

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

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

rugby

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

Martyn Vercoe 20/8/2025

rugby

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

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

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

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

Scott Bemand 4/9/2025

Bemand extends stay as Ireland head coach through to 2029 World Cup

Ireland open their Six Nations campaign against England on April 11

Wed, 18 Mar, 2026

Edwin Edogbo 14/2/2026

Rugby fans who engage in racial abuse could be denied access to games

Last month, Munster Rugby's Edwin Edogbo made his international debut for Ireland against Italy in the Six Nations rugby clash in Dublin

Wed, 18 Mar, 2026

Ireland v Scotland - Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship

S Donal Lenihan: Why this could be Ireland’s best Six Nations never won under Andy Farrell

Ireland’s Six Nations campaign revealed new depth, emerging talent and resilience despite missing out on the title

Wed, 18 Mar, 2026

Watch: St Munchin's 'buzzing' to be back in Munster Schools Senior Cup decider

Watch: St Munchin's 'buzzing' to be back in Munster Schools Senior Cup decider

Munchin's head coach Andrew O'Byrne speaks to John Keogh about the challenge of facing Pres in Wednesday's decider.

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Ireland Rugby Contract Extensions Announcement

Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier sign IRFU contract extensions

"You cannot underestimate the outstanding contributions of these four players to Irish Rugby over many years," said Andy Farrell.

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Ireland v Scotland - Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship

The good and the bad from the Six Nations: Best player, breakout star and most ridiculous moment

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien go through the highs and the lows from the 2026 Six Nations.

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Robert Baloucoune leaves the field 14/3/2026

Andy Farrell's Ireland profits from reduced reliance on Leinster core

What this Six Nations told us is that it may never be too late for a player to wedge his way into World Cup contention.

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Tommy O'Brien celebrates with Ciaran Frawley, Craig Casey and Ronan Kelleher after he score his sides sixth try of the match 14/

S Ronan O'Gara: The Farrell factor with players is Ireland's point of difference

There is an argument from the Six Nations that everyone left town with something encouraging and maybe France most of all, but they still conceded 96 points in their last two games against Scotland and England

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

Watch: PBC Cork gearing up for Munster Schools Senior Cup decider with St Munchin's

Watch: PBC Cork gearing up for Munster Schools Senior Cup decider with St Munchin's

Ger Burke will be aiming to add another title to the Pres roll of honour this week.

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

Bobby O'Callaghan 26/2/2026

Join the Irish Examiner for livestream coverage of Munster senior cup schools rugby finals

Subscribers can access all the boys and girls finals.

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

Tom Wood celebrates with his father Keith after the game 15/3/2026

'A really good feeling, compared to last year' - Ireland U20s rise from wooden spoon to Triple Crown

Just as Andy Farrell’s senior squad rebounded from a heavy loss in Paris last month, the U20s completed a trophy-winning comeback to make it a second Triple Crown of the weekend with a big victory over their Scottish counterparts aside in a dominant performance at Virgin Media Park.

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

Caelan Doris lifts the Triple Crown Trophy 14/3/2026

Anything seems possible for Ireland now after stunning Scots display

Andy Farrell can take immense encouragement from the way his team responded to it's nightmarish start to their 2026 campaign.

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

Tadhg Beirne catches the ball from a lineout 6/3/2026

S Donal Lenihan: Ireland's forwards have the capacity to decide Dublin Six Nations finale

So many contests still come down to the quality of ball delivered by the real heroes — at least in my mind — up front.

Sat, 14 Mar, 2026

Ireland v Wales - U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship

'Strong defence has to be top of the requirement list for Sunday' says Ireland U20 star Daniel Ryan

The Connacht academy wing from Leinster schools heavyweights Blackrock College has been in flying form for his country, scoring tries in each of Ireland’s three consecutive victories since their opening-round loss in France

Sat, 14 Mar, 2026

Johnny Sexton chats with Roy Keane 9/8/2023

The Roy Keane effect: Why Ireland’s rugby greats looked to the Cork football icon

The former Manchester United captain’s relentless standards inspired Munster and Ireland rugby players searching for a competitive edge

Sat, 14 Mar, 2026

Ireland v Wales - Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship

Farrell still getting the very best out of his Ireland veterans

James Lowe, Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park, thirtysomethings all, have all been given the Farrell treatment over the past six weeks and bounced back with excellent performances.

Fri, 13 Mar, 2026

Ireland Rugby Captain's Run

Doris declares there are 'no second chances' against Scotland with Triple Crown on the line

The No.8 also believes Ireland will need to reach the same high levels they produced in round three against England if they are to beat Scotland

Fri, 13 Mar, 2026

Zac Lomax Media Opportunity

Suddenly, Australia have the shape of something intriguing

Still raw after their first winless tour of Europe in 67 years last season, the Wallabies suddenly have a host of stars aligning to spark their World Cup quest

Fri, 13 Mar, 2026

Robert Baloucoune 10/3/2026

Baloucoune can look back on Six Nations as massive personal gain - despite Rhys Carré

A try-scoring, man of the match performance at Twickenham as Ireland completed a record away win over England in round three added to a first Six Nations try on his championship debut the previous weekend in the home victory over Italy

Fri, 13 Mar, 2026

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

Andy Farrell: 'Darcy Graham and Scotland feel we're there for taking — and rightly so'

The Scots haven’t beaten Ireland in eleven meetings but they come to Ballsbridge on the back of three straight wins since an opening day loss in Rome

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

Ireland v Wales - Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship

Six Nations: Ryan ruled out as Farrell makes four Ireland changes for Scotland clash

James Ryan has been ruled out of Saturday’s Six Nations battle with Scotland with a calf injury.

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

The Irish team celebrate after Jamie Osborne scores a try 6/3/2026

No Grand Slam (again) no bad thing for a Six Nations alive with possibility

No Triple Crown should be sniffed at, and certainly not a Championship.

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Ireland v South Africa - Quilter Nations Series 2025

Ireland's November Nations Championship fixtures confirmed

Ireland will play Argentina, Fiji and South Africa as part of the Northern Series with another game at the finals weekend in London concluding their November fixtures

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Jack Crowley and Paul O'Connell 10/3/2026

S Donal Lenihan: Something for everyone as six nations jostle for final word

Given the way this crazy championship has evolved, whatever you consider the most unlikely scenario, put your house on that materialising.

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Ireland Rugby Squad Training

'It’s adding to the occasion' - Ireland ready for Triple Crown challenge against confident Scotland

Ireland assistant coach Andrew Goodman admitted there had been Irish roars as events at Murrayfield unfolded last Saturday afternoon.

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026