Person: Mathieu Raynal

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

rugby

No space for slow start against expansive Welsh

Whichever way you viewed Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations opening-round win over Scotland seven days ago, there is little arguing with the verdict that Andy Farrell’s players simply have to do better this afternoon against Wales.

rugby

Rugby veteran but captaincy novice — how Sexton is learning on the job

It was only last week that Andrew Conway was asked whether, in light of the changes in the Ireland coaching ranks and the different lessons for players to learn, you could teach old dogs new tricks.

rugby

CJ Stander holds the line while others cross it on social media

Three minutes to go at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland are seven points up on the Scots in last Saturday’s Six Nations opener but camped along their own try line when Hamish Watson makes another surge for the in-goal area and hero status with it.

rugby

Escape to victory against Scots not a good look for the new Ireland

rugby

The game in 60 seconds: A tale of two captains as Ireland edge Scotland

rugby

Munster give nod to the future in dead-rubber win: the game in 60 seconds

Match officials for Six Nations announced

World Rugby has announced the match official appointments for the men’s Six Nations 2020 as the road to Rugby World Cup 2023 begins in earnest for the world’s top referees.

Wed, 04 Dec, 2019

In 60 seconds: Furlong and Ryan tries crucial as Ireland beat Wales to top world rankings

Having trailed 10-7 at half-time, Ireland started the second period with intent with two tries before the hour mark

Sat, 07 Sep, 2019

French referees appointed for Irish provinces' European quarter-finals

French referees will take charge of the Irish provinces' Champions and Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Fri, 15 Feb, 2019

Youngs injury the only fallout for 7-try England

England’s quest for an unprecedented hat-trick of Six Nations titles was launched by a 46-15 victory over Italy that produced a late flurry of tries.

Mon, 05 Feb, 2018

England terrier Ben Te’o ‘fox-hunts’ Azzurri

Ben Te’o has been instructed to go “fox-hunting” when England launch their NatWest 6 Nations title defence on Sunday.

Sun, 04 Feb, 2018

Peter Jackson's New Year wish list: Time for change and a return to the good old days

"Subs have been running roughshod all over the place, like a herd of buffalo".

Mon, 01 Jan, 2018

Munster’s Herculean heroes tame pumped-up Tigers

Munster’s visit to Welford Road was always going to prove the most challenging of the reverse fixtures against a clearly hurting trio of Aviva Premiership clubs after their Champions Cup whitewash by the Irish provinces last weekend, writes Donal Lenihan.

Mon, 18 Dec, 2017

Match in 60 seconds: Munster break Leicester hearts to top Champions Cup pool

The key moment, talking point and key man from an intense game at Welford Road.

Sun, 17 Dec, 2017

Johann van Graan determined to slash Munster's penalty count in Leicester return

Johann van Graan has called on his Munster side to reduce the penalty count when they go into the Tigers’ den at Welford Road on Sunday.

Thu, 14 Dec, 2017

Laid-back Toner still hitting the heights

Devin Toner may reach for the sky but horizontal seems to be the default mode.

Thu, 23 Nov, 2017

Unconvincing Wales struggle to keep Georgia at bay for win

Wales huffed and puffed their way to an unconvincing 13-6 victory over Six Nations wannabes Georgia after being pushed to the limit.

Sat, 18 Nov, 2017

Misses and errors kick in teeth for Neil Jenkins

If anyone should be worried about missed penalty kicks from the Lions it is skills coach Neil Jenkins.

Thu, 15 Jun, 2017

Match in 60 seconds: How the Lions lost again on their tour of New Zealand

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

Tue, 13 Jun, 2017

Graham Henry hails ‘best in the world’ Conor Murray as Lions roar

Though Conor Murray left Christchurch yesterday with a dislocated finger, there was also the sense the Lions’ momentum has been restored with a significant victory. 

Mon, 12 Jun, 2017

Match in 60 seconds: Lions win 12-3 against Crusaders

The British and Irish Lions have won 12-3 against the Crusaders in Christchurch

Sat, 10 Jun, 2017

No fairy tale ending for Pat Lam as brave Connacht lose at Northampton

Northampton kept alive their hopes of playing in the European Champions Cup next season with a hard-fought 21-15 victory over Connacht in the second play-off at Franklin's Gardens.

Sat, 20 May, 2017

Leicester Tigers v Glasgow Warriors - European Champions Cup - Pool 1 - Welford Road

Glasgow could be Munster's quarter-final opponents, and they embarrassed Leicester

Glasgow cruised into the European Champions Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history after humiliating Leicester 43-0 at Welford Road.

Sat, 21 Jan, 2017

Plenty to keep European chiefs busy over Christmas

It hasn’t proved an easy transition for the new tournament organisers, European Professional Club Rugby, since the two main competitions were revamped after the end of the 2013-14 season. Now in their third year at the helm, the board is struggling to meet the improved commercial targets originally set, while things on the field haven’t been seamless either.

Wed, 21 Dec, 2016

Ireland v Australia - Autumn International

Ireland are reaping rewards for keeping discipline, says CJ Stander

Three games, 11 penalties conceded. Green may be their colour but Ireland have been whiter than white in the eyes of Mathieu Raynal, Jaco Peyper, and Jerome Garces this month. If the national team doesn’t have an official washing-up supplier, then now would be a damn good time for the IRFU to go to market.

Mon, 28 Nov, 2016

Jordi Murphy celebrates scoring their first try 5/11/2016

Ireland V New Zealand - the moments that mattered

7th minute: Power play

Mon, 07 Nov, 2016

Connacht in good heart for big double date with Wasps

Zebre 7 Connacht 52: Two rounds played in the Champions Cup and only three teams in Europe have chalked up two wins. No surprise that Saracens and Clermont Auvergne have begun in such stellar fashion, but Pat Lam’s men are beginning to show that their historic PRO12 win might not be a one-hit wonder.

Mon, 24 Oct, 2016

Argentina v Australia - Rugby Championship - Twickenham Stadium

Australia's win over Pumas eases pressure on Cheika

Samu Kerevi's two-try brace drove Australia to 33-21 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina at Twickenham, to ease pressure on boss Michael Cheika.

Sat, 08 Oct, 2016

Magnificent defensive display sees 14-man Racing 92 and Ronan O’Gara claim title

Racing 29 Toulon 21: An incredible 14-man defensive stand added to some ice-cool kicking allowed Racing 92 and former Ireland icon Ronan O’Gara to secure their first Top 14 title in 26 years.

Sun, 26 Jun, 2016

Boks come from behind to beat Ireland and set up series decider

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.

Sat, 18 Jun, 2016

One-week ban rules CJ Stander out of next Test

CJ Stander was last night handed a one-week suspension, leaving him out of this Saturday’s second Test with South Africa.

Tue, 14 Jun, 2016

CJ Stander to learn fate today after ‘harsh’ red card

CJ Stander’s fate for the rest of Ireland’s tour of South Africa was due to be decided in Johannesburg this morning after his mandatory judicial hearing was adjourned after sitting for five hours in Cape Town yesterday.

Mon, 13 Jun, 2016

This victory signals a new beginning for Ireland

There are few more stunning backdrops to an international rugby stadium than the one that greets you on your arrival at Newlands Stadium. Nestled to the rear of the imposing, rugged features that define Table Mountain, it sets the scene perfectly for what lies ahead. This is South Africa, this is Springbok rugby.

Mon, 13 Jun, 2016

Joe Schmidt believes mix and match side can shock Boks

South Africa v Ireland

Fri, 10 Jun, 2016

Billy Holland scare mars Irish win

Georgia 12 Emerging Ireland 45: Billy Holland had to discard his crutches to lift the trophy at Avchala Stadium after succumbing to a captain’s curse in Tbilisi.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2015

JJ Hanrahan hits all the right notes in Ireland victory

Tbilisi Cup

Mon, 15 Jun, 2015

England’s Mike Brown set to miss big Aviva Six Nations clash

England’s full-back Mike Brown is almost certain to miss Sunday’s pivotal Six Nations clash in Dublin as he has still not recovered from a head injury suffered against Italy.

Tue, 24 Feb, 2015

Connacht led at half time, but lost 33-24 to Exeter Chiefs

European Challenge Cup Pool 2

Mon, 19 Jan, 2015

Foley: We must deal better with breakdown against Sarries

European Champions Cup Pool 1

Tue, 21 Oct, 2014

Foley focus on shortcomings after latest great escape

Sale 26 Munster 27

Mon, 20 Oct, 2014

This will work wonders for Munster morale

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Different tournament, same drama. Munster are simply incapable of doing things the easy way.

Mon, 20 Oct, 2014

Last-gasp drop goal gives Munster another European miracle

A 40-metre drop goal from Ian Keatley in the last action of a gripping European Champions Cup clash completed a remarkable comeback from Munster against Sale.

Sat, 18 Oct, 2014

Jackson points way

Glasgow Warriors 8 Ulster 19

Sat, 20 Oct, 2012

Big match refs will adhere to current law trials

Referees officiating in the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions will adhere to the law trials in operation in the Aviva Premiership, the Top 14 and the RaboDirect PRO12 competitions.

Mon, 01 Oct, 2012