Place: Franklin’s Gardens

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

columnists

Brendan O'Brien: Is Ross Byrne the most underappreciated rugby player in Ireland?

Joey Carbery’s wretched situation also lends itself to another theory: That Ross Byrne is the most underappreciated player on this island right now.

rugby

Ward pays tribute to legacy of Tullow man O’Brien

After Sean O’Brien singlehandedly flew the flag for the club during the past decade, Tullow RFC now have a new favourite son in the shape of Ireland U20s prop Charlie Ward.

rugby

Ireland and Munster rocked by Joey Carbery wrist injury

There was no mention of the injury to Carbery in a medical update issued by Munster at 6.14pm last night, but confirmation was forthcoming an hour and a half later after news of the problem emerged online.

Leinster v Scarlets - Guinness PRO14 Final

rugby

Saints won’t spoil Leinster party

rugby

Great at No. 8: Doris determined to seize chance

rugby

Expect the unexpected this weekend in Europe

Leinster’s Welsh strongman embracing fresh challenge

Robin McBryde was a baby at birth in Bangor...

Tue, 10 Dec, 2019

Ronan O'Gara: Munster’s Saturday sweet spot, balls and all

It's 20 years since Munster did that number on Francois Pienaar’s Saracens at Thomond Park.

Fri, 06 Dec, 2019

Trying to fit all the pieces is Leinster’s most immediate challenge

For Leinster this week it will be a case of out with the new and in with the old. More or less, anyway.

Tue, 03 Dec, 2019

Poite and Gauzère to take charge of Munster and Connacht's back-to-back Champions Cup fixtures

Romain Poite will take charge of Saracens' visit to play Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday week as the referees for the back-to-back Champions Cup games were announced.

Wed, 27 Nov, 2019

The French doors which Irish provinces must unlock

The Irish provincial video analysts will be busily plugging into footage of the French Top 14 ahead of this season’s European Champions Cup. All four representatives have been handed French assignments over the next three months - with Connacht getting a double helping.

Fri, 15 Nov, 2019

Conor Oliver is tackled by Gavin Thornbury 6/1/2018

Johann Van Graan facing Paris poser for back row, says CJ Stander

CJ Stander believes Johann van Graan will have headaches finalising his back-row trio for next Sunday’s all-important European Champions Cup game against Racing 92.

Tue, 09 Jan, 2018

Injured Tommy Bowe ruled out of clash with Harlequins

Tommy Bowe, injured in Sunday’s Champions Cup win at Harlequins, is out of Friday’s return leg with the Premiership side in Belfast.

Wed, 13 Dec, 2017

So much for the dearth of options at out-half

To think we used to worry about the lack of depth at out-half in Ireland.

Sat, 07 Oct, 2017

Lealiifano determined to help Ulster lift silverware

Ulster’s new Wallaby signing Christian Lealiifano swept into Belfast this week and promised to help direct the side to some long-awaited silverware.

Fri, 25 Aug, 2017

Pat Lam era ends with pride and regrets

Northampton Saints 21 Connacht 15: He came into the post-match press conference in charge of Connacht for the last time and less than 10 minutes later Pat Lam departed as the new coach of Bristol.

Mon, 22 May, 2017

Joe Schmidt opts for eight rookies

Joe Schmidt has thrown the gauntlet down to Ireland’s World Cup 2019 hopefuls to cope with Japan’s unique rugby conditions and also challenged a string of second-row forwards to fill the remaining vacancy on next month’s tour.

Wed, 17 May, 2017

Ian Madigan set for lucrative Bristol move

Ireland fly-half Ian Madigan is set to sign for Bristol in a big-money switch from Bordeaux-Bègles that looks set to continue the playmaker’s exile from Test rugby.

Mon, 06 Mar, 2017

Disingenuous Dylan Hartley a dangerous disgrace

This probably comes across as premature given we’re still over a week out from the first round of games, but you can take it as read that, regardless of what happens between now and March 18, the worst day of the Six Nations has already come and gone as far as the six captains and coaches are concerned.

Fri, 27 Jan, 2017

Robbie Henshaw relishing role at centre stage

There were no bolts from the blue when Leo Cullen named his XV to take on Northampton this evening and yet Robbie Henshaw was taken aback by one standout feature on the teamsheet circulated among the media.

Sat, 17 Dec, 2016

Dylan Hartley's six-week ban ‘about right’ says Leo Cullen

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has described the six-week ban handed down to Dylan Hartley this week as “about right”.

Sat, 17 Dec, 2016

Harrison leaps to defence of banned Dylan Hartley

Northampton Saints flanker Teimana Harrison has leapt to the defence of Dylan Hartley, who was banned for six weeks yesterday following his red card against Leinster, with Harrison insisting his teammate “is not a prick”.

Thu, 15 Dec, 2016

Josh van der Flier’s faith justified as young guns step up to the plate

Turns out the kids are alright, but then Josh van der Flier told us that last Christmas.

Wed, 14 Dec, 2016

Sean Cronin: Dylan Hartley dismissal may galvanise Northampton

Sean Cronin didn’t hesitate in labelling Dylan Hartley’s rush of blood to the head last Friday as “rash” and “stupid” but the Leinster hooker has warned that the incident and fallout from it could have a galvanising effect on a struggling Northampton side this weekend.

Tue, 13 Dec, 2016

Joey Carbery a joy to watch, says boss Cullen

No Johnny Sexton. But no panic either.

Fri, 09 Dec, 2016

Leinster clash will feel like derby, says Munster old boy JJ Hanrahan

JJ Hanrahan can remember exactly where he was when he heard the news about the tragic death of Anthony Foley.

Thu, 08 Dec, 2016

French opposition first up for Irish provinces

All four Irish provinces will kick-off their Champions Cup campaigns against French Top 14 teams in October. 

Sun, 21 Aug, 2016

Saracens v Ulster Rugby - European Champions Cup - Pool One - Allianz Park

Saracens keep stars under wraps

CHAMPIONS CUP: YOUR TEAM-BY-TEAM WEEKEND GUIDE

Sat, 23 Jan, 2016

England blow as Gloucester wing Jonny May set to miss Six Nations

England wing Jonny May appears set to miss the entire RBS 6 Nations with the knee injury sustained in Gloucester’s Aviva Premiership draw with Harlequins.

Fri, 01 Jan, 2016

Dan Carter offloads in a tackle from Courtney Lawes 18/12/2015

Little to impress Eddie Jones as Northampton Saints lack spark

Northampton 9 Racing 92 9: Northampton’s England contingent failed to make an impression as Eddie Jones resumed his busy pre-Christmas scouting tour of the Aviva Premiership clubs last night.

Sat, 19 Dec, 2015

Racing is developing something like the old Munster team ethos...

I DIDN’T anticipate a boost at 6am on Wednesday morning but that’s what I got from reading Conor Murray’s quotes on his Munster future. That was pleasing, writes Ronan O’Gara. 

Fri, 18 Dec, 2015

Jim Mallinder keeps faith in Northampton Saints to turn around Racing defeat

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder is keeping faith in his side’s ability to turn around their 33-3 defeat in Paris and beat Racing 92 in their return Champions Cup clash.

Fri, 18 Dec, 2015

JJ Hanrahan is the one that got away for Munster

I DON’T think anyone was blowing kisses or throwing bouquets when JJ Hanrahan left Munster, writes Ronan O'Gara.

Fri, 11 Dec, 2015

Ford hails ‘fantastic’ Bath display

Champions Cup

Mon, 19 Jan, 2015

JJ Hanrahan exit a body blow for Munster

Munster’s position as one of European rugby’s movers and shakers came under renewed pressure yesterday as the province lost its fight to keep rising homegrown star JJ Hanrahan.

Thu, 08 Jan, 2015

COMMENT: Munster supporters left to wonder as homegrown star Hanrahan exits stage

It should have been a day when the retention of Ian Keatley for another two seasons was celebrated by Munster supporters, along with the commitment shown by three up and coming players, writes Simon Lewis.

Thu, 08 Jan, 2015

Munster confirm JJ Hanrahan to move to Northampton

“We are extremely disappointed to announce that we will lose the services of a home-grown talent such as JJ.”

Wed, 07 Jan, 2015

Hartley hearing set for Tuesday

England and Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley’s latest Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing will take place in London on Tuesday.

Mon, 22 Dec, 2014

Treviso just don’t belong at this level

They now call it the Champions Cup and if the title sounds a touch grandiose, well the vast majority have been champions of something at some stage or other.

Mon, 15 Dec, 2014

Leinster blood runs cold

Harlequins 24 Leinster 18

Mon, 08 Dec, 2014

Madigan needs time in No 10 jersey

Obviously I’m biased but, for me, it wasfantastic to see all the old Munster values and traditions were still there.

Fri, 31 Oct, 2014

North proves to be Saints' one-man bonus point

George North’s quartet of tries reinvigorated Northampton’s European campaign, but the 34-6 victory over the Ospreys came at a cost with England centre Luther Burrell departing early through injury.

Sat, 25 Oct, 2014

Scarlets deny Toulon bonus point

Champions Cup: Toulon were made to battle hard by Scarlets before starting their Champions Cup defence with a 28-18 victory at Stade Felix Mayol.

Mon, 20 Oct, 2014

Breakdown key for Munster in must-win game

New competition, new Munster and a new approach.

Sat, 18 Oct, 2014

O’Brien: You have to move on quickly

Seán O’Brien insists there will be no nostalgia around the Leinster squad as they fine-tune their preparations before next weekend’s Pro12 kick-off.

Sat, 30 Aug, 2014

Ireland power past Fiji to set up clash with old foes England

Ireland 38 Fiji 0

Wed, 11 Jun, 2014

Kearney: Reds will use Ireland grievances

Munster would be crazy not to use their small representation in Ireland’s Six Nations squad as motivation when they meet Leinster in the RaboDirect Pro12 this weekend, according to Rob Kearney.

Tue, 25 Mar, 2014

Burrell expects the unexpected from wily O’Driscoll

In a quiet media room inside Twickenham yesterday afternoon Andy Farrell attempted to explain why the Lions coaching staff that he was a part of dropped Brian O’Driscoll for the Third Test against Australia last summer.

Wed, 19 Feb, 2014

Hartley a reformed character, says Best

England and Ireland. Triple Crown at stake. Grand Slam still in the offing.

Tue, 18 Feb, 2014

Strauss returns to give Leinster further boost

Sean O’Brien’s signature may have dominated the news agenda yesterday but a memorable morning for Leinster was capped just hours later when news of Richardt Strauss’s return to action was confirmed.

Fri, 17 Jan, 2014

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