Person: Guilhem Guirado

14 hours on a flight and cup quarters are still up in the air

It is fascinating from a collisions point of view watching Ma’a Nonu, pictured, and Mathieu Bastareaud. How will Munster check them, asks Ronan O’Gara

Fri, 30 Mar, 2018

Toulon sweat on Guirado

Toulon coach Fabien Galthie is hopeful that French captain Guilhem Guirado will be fit for Saturday’s Champions Cup showdown against Munster at Thomond Park.

Tue, 27 Mar, 2018

Cian Healy gutted to let the lads down

Devastation is a strong word to use in a mere sporting context, but it is one Cian Healy opted for yesterday as he contemplated the three-week ban handed to him in December for an ugly incident in Leinster’s Dublin defeat of Exeter Chiefs.

Fri, 02 Feb, 2018

Simon Easterby dismisses fears of more French cheap shots

Ireland won't fear any repeat of the cheap shots shipped in the Stade de France two years ago when they return to the French capital for the first time since for this year’s Six Nations opener.

Tue, 30 Jan, 2018

France squad struggling with gastroenteritis outbreak ahead of Ireland opener

Meanwhile, Joe Schmidt has no injury concerns ahead of the trip to Paris.

Mon, 29 Jan, 2018

Toulon suffer defeat in Bath

Anthony Watson scored two sparkling tries in front of England boss Eddie Jones as Bath produced some champagne rugby to down French heavyweights Toulon.

Sat, 16 Dec, 2017

Raphael Lakafia and Racing pair boost French squad

France have called up Stade Français back-row Raphael Lakafia to replace Damien Chouly ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland.

Tue, 21 Feb, 2017

Ben Youngs calls for rebuilding Twickenham into a fortress

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.

Sat, 04 Feb, 2017

Ireland v New Zealand - Autumn International

Yes, there is honour in defeat

Now that was a test match. Saturday’s game in Lansdowne Road had everything — mesmerising skills, unrelenting physicality, and unwavering commitment.

Mon, 21 Nov, 2016

Luke Fitzgerald return boosts Leinster hopes

Luke Fitzgerald will return to action as Leinster play out the most eagerly anticipated derby against Connacht in their history in Galway on Saturday.

Tue, 22 Mar, 2016

Three key issues that will decide intriguing Scotland finale

The Hardie boys smell a famous victory... 

Sat, 19 Mar, 2016

Greig Laidlaw wants to finish on a high

Scotland 29 France 18: Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw has urged his team to finish their Six Nations campaign with a flourish in Dublin.

Mon, 14 Mar, 2016

In-form Wales go top as France flop

Wales 19 France 10: Wales moved to the top of the RBS 6 Nations by beating France 19-10 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Sat, 27 Feb, 2016

Sean O’Brien ruled out of Ireland's clash with England

Ireland props Cian Healy and Mike Ross will join Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squad this week but the head coach has confirmed Sean O’Brien is definitely out of the February 27 clash with England at Twickenham.

Tue, 16 Feb, 2016

Joe Schmidt admits Ireland's Six Nations dream is almost over

Joe Schmidt has admitted Ireland have only a "very, very outside chance" of now retaining their Six Nations title.

Mon, 15 Feb, 2016

Plenty for Ireland to stew over and little time to find recipe before England clash

France 10 Ireland 9: With a Six Nations championship defence all but over after two outings, Ireland’s ambitions no longer concern three titles in-a-row but how to avoid a third successive game without winning.

Mon, 15 Feb, 2016

Sean O’Brien and Dave Kearney to miss England trip

Ireland look set to be without Sean O’Brien and Dave Kearney for their Twickenham clash with England in two weeks as Joe Schmidt’s injury list lengthened further on a bruising day in Paris.

Mon, 15 Feb, 2016

Guy Noves tells his young side to stay grounded

France coach Guy Noves has urged his young team to keep themselves grounded after winning their opening two Six Nations matches.

Mon, 15 Feb, 2016

Rory Best: We missed a massive opportunity

Rory Best admitted Ireland blew a "massive opportunity" for victory in France that could well end their hopes of a third consecutive RBS 6 Nations title.

Sat, 13 Feb, 2016

Ireland lose by the slimmest of margins in France

Ireland's five-match unbeaten run against France came to a punishing end as Guy Noves' side edged home a tight Six Nations encounter at Stade de France today.

Sat, 13 Feb, 2016

Ireland v Wales - RBS Six Nations Rugby Championship 2016

Three key issues as Ireland seek to capitalise on French weaknesses

Donal Lenihan looks ahead to Ireland's clash with France.

Sat, 13 Feb, 2016

How France and Ireland compare

FRANCE

Sat, 13 Feb, 2016

Bernard Jackman: Experimental French side sure to cause Joe Schmidt a few problems

I wonder what Guy Noves must be thinking this week as he prepares to pit himself against Joe Schmidt for the first time in international battle.

Thu, 11 Feb, 2016

Leinster boss Leo Cullen ‘disappointed’ as prop Healy faces two weeks out for striking

Following an independent disciplinary hearing in London yesterday, Leinster prop Cian Healy was handed a two-week suspension for striking Toulon’s Guilhem Guirado in the province’s European Rugby Champions Cup encounter with the Top 14 outfit on December 13.

Fri, 01 Jan, 2016

Sean O’Brien’s three-year deal boosts Leinster

There was no fluttering of eyelids to foreign suitors this time.

Wed, 23 Dec, 2015

RC Toulon v Leinster - European Rugby Champions Cup - Pool 5 Round 3

Leo Cullen backs misfiring Leinster and Johnny Sexton to bounce back

Leo Cullen has backed Jonathan Sexton and the rest of his Leinster team to turn the corner after three European defeats that leave them all but out of the Champions Cup reckoning ahead of Toulon’s visit to the Aviva Stadium tomorrow. 

Fri, 18 Dec, 2015

The game looks up for Leinster

Toulon 24 Leinster 9: Leinster’s falling stock gathered pace on the European market on the shores of the Mediterranean yesterday evening with a third straight Pool 5 loss all but condemning the three-time champions to an early exit come January.

Mon, 14 Dec, 2015

We’ll need Sexton at his influential best

The issues and decisions that will impact tomorrow’s tournament-defining clash with France...

Sun, 11 Oct, 2015

Ponderous French crack Canucks as Ireland loom

France 41 Canada 18: Another comfortable margin on the scoreboard for France, but doubts hang over Philippe Saint-Andre’s side ahead of their final Pool D encounter with Ireland on Sunday week after a workmanlike defeat of Canada in stadium:mk last night.

Fri, 02 Oct, 2015