Sacked dual-code international Israel Folau has launched a bid to raise €1.84m from the public to fight his legal case against Rugby Australia.

The sacking of rugby star Israel Folau for expressing his religious beliefs could end up in the Supreme Court and could have wide-ranging implications, writes TP O’Mahony.

Gareth Thomas had to stop and gather himself more than once today. His voice faltered. It choked with emotion. Who knows how many times his nerves were betrayed by an subconscious impulse to tug at his right ear?

An Irish rugby star has written an open letter to Israel Folau saying: “don’t judge me – I’m just like everyone else.”

Connacht and Ireland player Bundee Aki has taken to Instagram to address "mistakenly" liking the controversial post by Israel Folau.

In a statement, European Professional Club Rugby said: “EPCR does not condone the entry of a spectator to the field of play.

Peter Jackson gets over the gain line, behind the headline

A Rugby World Cup final referee has called for respect in the wake of the homophobia issues that have hit the sport.

Tiger Woods and Israel Folau are extraordinary, almost once-in-a-lifetime sports superstars.

A former teammate of Israel Folau has said it is time for the player "to be moved on".

Rugby Australia and New South Wales have said their position regarding Israel Folau is "unchanged" following a meeting with the fullback.

Israel Folau faces an uncertain future in sport after it was announced his Australia and New South Wales contracts are set to be terminated due to discriminatory remarks made on social media.

Australia full-back Israel Folau has been banned for one match for contact in the air during last Saturday's third Test defeat by Ireland.

Australia 16 Ireland 20

Ireland signed off from their Grand Slam season with one last high as they edged a tense decider 20-16 in Sydney to claim a first series win in Australia since 1979.

It is remarkable to think it is only a little more than six months since Jordan Larmour announced himself to the rugby world with a brilliant solo try for Leinster at Thomond Park.

Simon Lewis looks at the areas where Ireland improved in the second test against Australia. 

Three key areas Ireland need to address to keep series alive, writes Donal Lenihan

Australia 18 Ireland 9

“It’s not going to be an issue, because it’s not going to be ongoing. You can interpret it how you like.”

I see that Australian sportsman Israel Folau got himself in hot water over the last few weeks with remarks about gay people.

Australia full-back Israel Folau has avoided sanction by Rugby Australia for his controversial comments on homosexuality.

Israel Folau has addressed his views on homosexuality following the backlash to his divisive social media comments, while revealing how his switch from rugby league to AFL left him “emotionally broken”.

Australian rugby star Israel Folau has agreed “to think about” the impact of his anti-gay comments on social media after a meeting with officials yesterday — but he did not commit to stop making them.

Australia's Player of the Year Israel Folau has caused controversy over his views on "God's plan for gay people".

Australia claimed their first win of the 2017 Rugby Championship as they beat Argentina 45-20 in Canberra.

Brendan O’Brien picks out the major turning points from Ireland’s battling win.

One last push. The bodies may ache more than usual after that punishing Test against the All Blacks but Ireland have a chance to finish the year on a high against Australia this Saturday and Andrew Trimble believes the players will not lack for motivation.

Australia coach Michael Cheika has rested most of his top names for tomorrow’s clash with France as the test is the only one on the tour that is not part of the Wallabies’ grand slam bid.

Former Leinster star Ben Te’o has revealed how he considered declaring for Ireland before opting to pursue an international career with Six Nations rivals England.

Australia cruised to a 12th successive victory over woeful Wales as they ran their hosts ragged at the Principality Stadium.

Michael Cheika is reluctant to heed fresh calls to shift Israel Folau to the centres as the Wallabies travel to Wellington striving to arrest their worst losing streak in more than a decade.

The odds are stacked against Australia as they head into Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final with arch rivals New Zealand, but coach Michael Cheika is refusing to contemplate defeat.

When New Zealand and South Africa clash, all bets are off.

England held their nerve in the face of a second-half fightback by Australia to end a frustrating autumn with a vital 26-17 victory at Twickenham.

Simon Zebo goes into this evening’s match between Ireland and Australia knowing he and his team-mates are facing some of the best players in the game.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has seen Michael Cheika make his mark on teams in Dublin, Paris and Sydney, and the one constant he expects to have been passed on to the Wallabies by their new boss is a collective work ethic.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said Ireland faced a tough task preparing for next week’s match aginst Australia, especially as the side has a new manager.

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