Shock, anger, and confusion on Twitter as Ireland fall to shock defeat

Simon Lewis reports from Shizuoka

Joe Schmidt is expecting an upturn in refereeing standards and consistency following the officials’ very public dressing down by World Rugby this week.

This delicately poised Test series in Australia represents the best possible preparation Ireland could have hoped for a year out from the World Cup, writes Donal Lenihan.

This is as good as it gets for the players and supporters, writes Simon Lewis.

Donal Lenihan looks at three challenges that will decide Ireland’s day of destiny.

From Eddie Jones’ crass comments to World Rugby’s removal of assistant referee Marius van der Westhuizen, there has not been a dull moment in the build-up to Ireland’s bid for Grand Slam glory at Twickenham.

Eddie Jones has been left embarrassed after footage emerged of the England head coach referring to Ireland as the “scummy Irish” and Wales as a “little shit place”.

Forget the hype surrounding this St Patrick’s Day Grand Slam showdown with England at Twickenham, Ireland boss Joe Schmidt will boil this Saturday’s Six Nations finale down to its very essence — us against them.

The British & Irish Lions will have to smarten up at scrum time and focus on painting better pictures for referees following the frustrations in defeat to the Highlanders.

The key moment, talking point and key man from the Lions fourth game in New Zealand.

Ben Youngs has urged England to continue rebuilding Twickenham into a fortress as they stand on the brink of a team-record 15th successive Test victory.

Wales recorded their first victory since March as they ended a run of five successive Test match defeats by eclipsing Argentina at the Principality Stadium.

South Africa produced a brilliant second-half performance to come from 16 points down and force their three-Test series to a decider in Port Elizabeth next week.

The key moment, talking point and key man of the game.

Devin Toner wants Ireland to stop being the nice guys of the Six Nations.

Ireland U20s were denied a semi-final berth at the IRB Junior World Championship as hosts South Africa scored a bonus-point win over England to top their pool last night.