Person: Isaac Boss

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

rugby

John Cooney relishing Mathewson and Madigan's arrivals

Ireland scrum-half John Cooney is relishing the arrivals of new signings Alby Mathewson and Ian Madigan at Ulster and the strength they will add to the northern province’s push for silverware.

columnists

Schmidt is playing by the rules of a small world

If there’s one thing we’ve learned through Trump and Brexit and any number of other modern misadventures then it must be the depressing truth that facts and logic come a distant second to raw emotion and an indignant sense of righteousness.

rugby

Murray won’t rest on laurels

Conor Murray’s name would be among the first on most people’s Ireland World Cup squad but memories of his own ascent to the 2011 tournament are keeping the scrum-half on his toes during the team’s training camps.

sport

New Year, new opportunity for Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park

rugby

Luke McGrath looking to get over bad memories of Wasps

rugby

McCarthy ready to step up as opportunity knocks

Returning John Cooney now firmly rooted in Ulster

When Ruan Pienaar left Ulster in the summer, reluctantly and tearfully, supporters feared a void at scrum-half.

Sat, 23 Dec, 2017

Kieran Marmion’s time to shine after four years of progress

As trips to North America go, Kieran Marmion’s four years ago wasn’t bad.

Tue, 06 Jun, 2017

Why we should be thankful for this weekend in the 2017 Champions Cup

Let’s park logic and bookmakers’ predictions for a moment and allow ourselves the luxury of contemplating a scenario come tea-time on Sunday whereby both Munster and Leinster are confirmed as finalists for the 2017 Champions Cup.

Fri, 21 Apr, 2017

France holds no fears for Leinster's Luke McGrath

Two minutes to go, four points to the good and the noise of over 51,000 people ringing in your ears.

Wed, 19 Apr, 2017

John McKee favourite to come in for Pat Lam

Fiji coach John McKee has emerged as a contender to succeed Pat Lam as Connacht coach.

Fri, 20 Jan, 2017

Sin bin lesson can fire Luke McGrath

Jonathan Sexton couldn’t resist. Confined to the stands for the afternoon last Saturday with a bad hammy, he was joined for a 10-minute spell by Luke McGrath after the scrum-half had illegally dragged down a maul and got himself sent to the bold step.

Thu, 20 Oct, 2016

Jason Holland offers old foes Leinster a shot of Jamison Gibson-Park

Jason Holland spent over a decade serving Munster’s cause on and off the field before returning home to coach in New Zealand, but it seems the southern province’s cult hero has been instrumental in giving old rivals Leinster a bit of a leg up of late.

Tue, 20 Sep, 2016

Ireland skipper Rory Best leads players’ awards shortlist

Ireland captain Rory Best and fellow internationals Robbie Henshaw, Jack McGrath, and CJ Stander have been nominated by their fellow professionals for this year’s Zurich Irish Rugby Players’ Awards.

Fri, 22 Apr, 2016

Leo Cullen wary of Glasgow Warriors threat

Leinster coach Leo Cullen has made eight changes for tonight’s Guinness Pro 12 fixtures against Glasgow Warriors (Scotstoun Stadium, 7.35pm).

Fri, 18 Mar, 2016

Peter Jackson: ‘Project’ players an unfair ploy

For a small town, Enniskillen has given birth to more than its share of international sportsmen, amongst them Olympic gold medal sprinter Robert Kerr, champion heavyweight boxer Gordon Ferris and ex-Celtic goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

Mon, 14 Mar, 2016

Ireland big guns return to action for Leinster

Cian Healy, Mike Ross, and Josh van der Flier have been released from Irish camp to participate in Leinster’s important Pro12 fixture with battling Zebre at the RDS tonight (7.30pm).

Fri, 12 Feb, 2016

Leinster ring the changes for Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade

With more than 30 players missing through international duty and injury, Leinster have made 12 changes to their starting line-up for tonight’s Guinness Pro12 encounter with Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade (7.05pm).

Fri, 29 Jan, 2016

Leo Cullen makes 12 changes to Leinster team for Dragons encounter

With most of the province’s established stars in the Ireland camp preparing for the Six Nations, a number of younger players are being given a chance to shine in tomorrow’s PRO12 game.

Thu, 28 Jan, 2016

Joe Schmidt's new and not so new contenders

The Squad

Thu, 21 Jan, 2016

Joe Schmidt turns to steady hand Rory Best

No words from the head coach, just a small bracketed ‘c’ next to Rory Best’s name to signal his appointment as the next captain of Ireland.

Thu, 21 Jan, 2016

Injury puts Cian Healy in doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations opener

Leinster’s Cian Healy looks a major doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against Wales after undergoing surgery this week.

Thu, 07 Jan, 2016

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

Leinster up for it but Toulon have the edge

Looking back at Leinster’s 24-9 loss in Toulon last Sunday, it still seems remarkable to think the province remained so competitive throughout despite the fact their out-half was below par, they lost the penalty count 17-7 and three of their players visited the sinbin.

Sat, 19 Dec, 2015

Leinster’s Rob Kearney eager for another shot at ‘beatable’ Toulon

Last Sunday’s defeat to Toulon has placed Leinster on the brink of a pool stage exit from the European Rugby Champions Cup, but returning Blues full-back Rob Kearney is pleased that they have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with the Top 14 giants at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday.

Wed, 16 Dec, 2015

Tomás O’Leary won’t give up on Ireland recall

It was 16 years or so ago when word emerged from Christian Brothers, Cork that an exceptional talent was about to burst on the Munster rugby scene.

Fri, 04 Dec, 2015

Mike Ford tells Leinster not to lose hope of qualifying

Dai Young was adamant after Wasps’ win in Dublin that Leinster weren’t done in Pool Five of the European Champions Cup.

Mon, 23 Nov, 2015

There’s nowhere to hide for Leo Cullen’s Leinster

Win or bust. It could almost serve as the official motto for rugby’s European Cup this past 20 years such are the fine margin from the first day to the last, but rarely have Leinster found themselves in such a precarious position so early in the competition.

Sat, 21 Nov, 2015

Irish provinces digging in to keep up with deep European pockets

QUITE how Ireland’s World Cup hangover will be reflected in the upcoming rounds of the Champions Cup remains to be seen.

Wed, 11 Nov, 2015

Leo Cullen rings the changes for Warriors clash

Ahead of the visit of Pro12 champions Glasgow Warriors to the RDS tonight, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made seven changes to the side that suffered a 25-14 reversal away to Scarlets last week.

Fri, 23 Oct, 2015

Ireland call-ups disrupt Leinster preparations

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made five changes to his starting line-up as he aims to guide his new charges to a third consecutive Guinness Pro12 triumph against the Scarlets this evening (7.35pm kick-off).

Fri, 16 Oct, 2015

NUMBER CRUNCH: Do the stats back Ireland's scrum-half decision?

All the signs have been there: the pre-tournament contract extension, the ominous warm-up performances, the stalled momentum…

Wed, 16 Sep, 2015

Depleted Leinster can still call on experienced squad for Edinburgh

Despite being short 17 players following World Cup squad announcements, Leo Cullen is able to call on plenty of experience for his opening Guinness Pro12 encounter as head coach of Leinster against Edinburgh in Meggetland tonight (7.35pm).

Fri, 04 Sep, 2015

Ian Madigan gives us emergency option, explains Joe Schmidt

Ian Madigan has spent the last year working behind the scenes to prepare to cover scrum-half for Ireland at the Rugby World Cup.

Wed, 02 Sep, 2015

Will Joe Schmidt’s bold approach pay?

Joe Schmidt has never been one to shirk the difficult decisions. If anything, he has a reputation for being direct and letting players know exactly where they stand and what is expected of them.

Wed, 02 Sep, 2015

Andrew Trimble misses out as Joe Schmidt’s World Cup squad is revealed

Joe Schmidt’s hopes of a grand unveiling of his World Cup squad today were scuppered after his 31-man panel apparently leaked across the media last night.

Tue, 01 Sep, 2015

Schmidt gets World Cup nudge from Kieran Marmion

Munster 12 Connacht 28: Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion could hardly be blamed for feeling more than a little aggrieved last week when he was released back to Connacht by Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt without having had a reasonable chance to press his claims for a place in Ireland’s World Cup squad.

Sat, 22 Aug, 2015

Connacht’s Marmion hoping to impress Ireland boss Schmidt

Kieran Marmion is determined to make the most of what could be his last audition for a place in Joe Schmidt’s 31-man World Cup Ireland squad when he plays for Connacht against Munster tonight.

Fri, 21 Aug, 2015

VIDEO: Jittery audition for Cup hopefuls

Ireland 28 Scotland 22: Though a myriad of questions remain to be answered, Saturday’s run against the Scots seemed to confirm that, for some, it all but marked the beginning of the end of their World Cup ambitions.

Mon, 17 Aug, 2015

Watch Joe Schmidt give his view of Ireland's performance; player ratings

Joe Schmidt has said his Ireland side were "tested on a number of levels" today against Scotland.

Sat, 15 Aug, 2015

Leinster kill off Edinburgh’s European hopes

Edinburgh 23 Leinster 36

Mon, 18 May, 2015

Matt O’Connor bids to raise lowly Leinster spirits

“Business as usual” was the message yesterday as Matt O’Connor and Jamie Heaslip discussed Leinster’s Guinness PRO12 meeting with Benetton Treviso tonight, but the reality is that no-one can recall when the balance sheet looked so grim.

Fri, 08 May, 2015

‘Keep youth from crime’

A youth justice charity has called on the Government to commit resources to divert young offenders from crime and to support their families.

Wed, 06 May, 2015

‘We’re proud of everyone, it just wasn’t to be today’

Three-time champions they may be, but you tend to forget that yesterday was virgin territory for more than a few of those men wearing blue yesterday.

Mon, 20 Apr, 2015

Leinster star Jack McGrath happy to be back in blue

Over the past two seasons, Leinster prop Jack McGrath had made a rapid progression on both club and international stages.

Fri, 10 Apr, 2015

Reasons for Ireland to be fearful in rugby World Cup

With that tantalising World Cup clash between Ireland and France cemented in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but watch the respective performances of Clermont Auvergne and Leinster over the weekend in the context of that crucial Pool D encounter.

Wed, 08 Apr, 2015

Barbarians rugby clash is a chance for Ireland to experiment

Ireland’s World Cup to do list:

Tue, 24 Mar, 2015

Gordon D’Arcy suffers the cruellest cut from Ireland rugby squad

Gordon D’Arcy’s Ireland career appears at an end after the 81-cap Test veteran was excluded from Joe Schmidt’s squad for the remaining rounds of the Six Nations.

Tue, 10 Mar, 2015

Leinster welcome back Cian Healy

Scarletts v Leinster

Sat, 07 Mar, 2015

Murphy the only change for Ireland clash with England

Joe Schmidt has named Jordi Murphy in Ireland's Six Nations side to face England at the Aviva on Sunday.

Fri, 27 Feb, 2015

Leinster reshuffle again for Ospreys clash

For the second game in succession, Leinster coach Matt O’Connor has opted to make seven changes to his starting line-up.

Fri, 27 Feb, 2015

Puzzles hub