Joe Marler’s attempt to emulate Vinny Jones’ notorious ‘nut-cracker’ grab at a teenaged Paul Gascoigne (Wimbledon v Newcastle, February 1988) exposes the England prop to the risk of a 12-week ban at the very least.

The Covid-19 outbreak may herald the end of the era when steadily rising international trade buttressed global peace, writes Jeffrey Frankel

It is quite ironic that in the days since the Government was given a major thumbs down in general election, the economic news continues to improve.

Phil Hogan, the European trade commissioner, has warned that Europe’s ties with the UK will undergo a “massive” change when the post-Brexit transition period ends — regardless of whether both sides reach a trade deal by their year-end deadline.

The FEI has announced that show jumpers from Qatar and Sri Lanka will not be allowed compete at this year’s Olympic Games

Eugene Magee, Ireland's most capped men's hockey player, has announced his retirement.

Ronan O'Gara has tried to put himself in the Ireland boss’s shoes this week and he knows all too well that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to team selection.

The UK’s departure from the EU last Friday was a tame enough affair in the end.

Munster have made a major statement of intent for the coming season after confirming the signings of South African World Cup winners Damian de Allende and RG Snyman.

Last December’s UK general election was really only about one thing: Brexit.

Brexit uncertainty will likely continue to weigh on the British economy but “the handbrake” on growth may come off if the UK strikes some sort of interim trade deal this year, a leading London consultancy has forecast.

Hockey Ireland have conceded there's no further avenue of appeal they can pursue over the Irish men’s video nasty in the Olympic qualifiers last October in Vancouver.

The US still imports the kind of crude pumped in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and any disruption to the region’s oil exports would drive prices up at American pumps, writes Julian Lee.

Iran has admitted its military accidentally shot down the Ukrainian passenger plane amid heightened tensions with the United States over the killing of senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

After the devastation of October’s Olympic qualifiers, John Jackson is grateful for a quick return to an Irish shirt and attempt to heal some of the wounds from Vancouver.

The UK’s departure from the EU will be less fractious if its policies stay close to EU policy, but if it prioritises deals with, say, the US, disputes will be inevitable, writes John Bruton.

Ireland will start their Olympics campaign against South Africa.

CEO of the biggest private construction company in the UK, Ray O’Rourke is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that the UK leaving Europe will bring, writes Michael Clifford

It's 18 months since Jack O'Donoghue damaged ACL and MCL ligaments in his knee when competing at a ruck for Munster against Leinster in a Guinness PRO14 semi-final.

Ireland’s women will meet the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, India and South Africa in the group stages of the Olympic Games following confirmation of the final entrants on Saturday.

Munster’s South African influence looks like deepening still further with reports that World Cup winners — centre Damian de Allende and lock RG Snyman — are to join the province

A bumper weekend of sports success for Irish women will “inspire the next generation of players and might even change opinion” towards female sport, says Mary O’Connor

Ireland women's hockey team created history on Sunday night as they qualified for the Olympics for the first time, after their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Canada.

Head coach, Sean Dancer, has already had to turn his attention to their second and now, winner takes all, encounter at 7pm this evening, again at Energia Park.

Shirley McCay says she is “not one for the spotlight” but there is something extra special about the big stage that awaits her 300th international cap today in Ireland’s Olympic qualifier against Canada at Energia Park (7pm, live on RTÉ2).

The Irish women’s date with destiny edges ever closer with the Energia Park stage all set for their Olympic qualifier showdown with Canada.

The Green Machine were already celebrating their ticket as their Canadian hosts seemingly had run out of time in their bid to reel in a two-goal deficit.

Conor Harte says elements are combining perfectly to rekindle the “no excuses” mantra in the Irish men’s team just in time for this weekend’s Olympic qualifiers in Vancouver.

Rookie Irish men’s coach Mark Tumilty admits the experience of his assistant Jason Lee will prove crucial ahead of their two-legged Olympic qualifier against Canada.

Featuring a battle of the airlines, X Factor, premature rumours of an international demise, and much more.

Hammer the hammer.

Hansen was in typically mischievous mood when he set the scene on Monday.

“The safety of all involved in Rugby World Cup 2019 is our primary consideration and fans are advised not to travel to Kamaishi or the venue, which will be closed.”

Three areas where Ireland need to deliver...

Rassie Erasmus isn't a man for one kind word when a few dozen can be spread lavishly, like honey on toast.

Perspective has never been far away on this trip, wonderful though it has been.

Joe Schmidt is hoping Ireland’s long lead-in to their final pool game will help his team put in the performance tomorrow that will take them into the World Cup quarter-finals.

Around the same time that Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe was breaking down the facts and figures of his Budget, the South Africans were crunching numbers and opponents of their own when hammering Canada 66-7 in Kobe.

The vibes around Ireland’s World Cup adventure are not good. Defeat to Japan and the unimpressive win against Russia have given new life to the theory that this team’s peak is in the past, even as they look to the future and a bid for rugby’s summit.

The prospect of an Ireland versus South Africa World cup quarter-final remains a possibility after the Springboks did their bit by beating Italy 49-3 in Shizuoka on Friday.

This becomes a delicate balancing act now. There are some very smart people in the Irish backroom team with Joe Schmidt, but this is mostly about the Irish players and the World Cup. You can see the confidence is skin deep at the moment, it’s not in their bones.

Patience has been paramount for John Ryan with Ireland.

There mighn’t be action on the field at the Rugby World Cup on the first day of October, but that doesn’t mean players and coaches aren’t stepping up to the mic. Here’s what the various camps have been saying.

Well, well, well. There was a buzz around the Springbok camp with the news that Japan had beaten Ireland 19-12 just before South Africa were due to kick-off against Namibia.