Johnny Sexton ready to hit the ground runningIreland outhalf is ‘itching’ for action following first proper pre-season in two yearsThu Aug 20 2015 - 01:00
Gerry Thornley: Mercurial French major obstacle to Irish World Cup hopesDespite failing to defeat Ireland in four years, winning the group is not beyond Les BleusTue Aug 18 2015 - 13:06
Gerry Thornley: Error-strewn victory gives much to ponderThree leaked tries, 23 missed tackles, as Ireland come from behind three times to winMon Aug 17 2015 - 09:41
Audition for World Cup places ensures intensitySchmidt looking for solid set-piece as platform to examine player combinationsSat Aug 15 2015 - 12:14
Schmidt confident his old pal Vern Cotter will improve Scotland’s fortunesTwo coaches, who together delivered glory for Clermont, set to renew acquaintancesSat Aug 15 2015 - 06:00
Jack Conan handed debut as Schmidt makes 14 changesOpportunity knocks for likes of Zebo, Madigan, Tuohy and Kilcoyne to seal squad placeFri Aug 14 2015 - 08:49
Injured Andrew Trimble ruled out of Scotland gameWinger’s right foot ‘a source of concern’ as Madigan set to start at outhalf on SaturdayWed Aug 12 2015 - 01:00
Paul O’Connell: Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the YearIreland captain enjoying preparation for his fourth World Cup campaign with IrelandTue Aug 11 2015 - 20:30
Impressive Darren Cave would love another chance to shineUlsterman lays down marker with strong try-scoring performance against WalesTue Aug 11 2015 - 01:08
Tommy O’Donnell out of Rugby World Cup with dislocated hipMunster openside ruled out of tournament after injury sustained in Wales warm-up winMon Aug 10 2015 - 13:27
Tommy O’Donnell’s injury clouds Cardiff winIreland muddied its selection waters whereas disjointed Welsh clarified theirsMon Aug 10 2015 - 07:57
Slick Ireland show their greater strength in depthImpressive display bore hallmarks of a squad well-coached by Joe SchmidtMon Aug 10 2015 - 01:00
Felix Jones sees good points but concedes there is work to be doneTommy O’Donnell injury a poignant reminder of how best laid plans can go wrongMon Aug 10 2015 - 01:00
Ireland ease to impressive warm-up win over ragged WalesO’Donnell and Trimble injuries mar dominant showing from Schmidt’s men in CardiffSat Aug 08 2015 - 17:11
Joe Schmidt keeping cards close to chest as he looks to pare down squadIreland coach admits waters still unclear with backroom staff meeting every daySat Aug 08 2015 - 06:00
Ireland back to business with first warm-up match against WalesWorld Cup hopefuls get opportunity to seize moment in front of capacity crowdFri Aug 07 2015 - 23:59
Gerry Thornley: Opportunity knocks for Ireland fringe playersStrong performance against Wales outfit will be impossible for Joe Schmidt to overlookFri Aug 07 2015 - 08:00
Joe Schmidt’s aim will be to keep alarm bells quiet ahead of World CupIreland’s warm-up matches don’t always offer clear indicator of performanceThu Aug 06 2015 - 01:02
Gerry Thornley: Irish players get last chances in warm-upsJoe Schmidt and Warren Gatland discuss policy to avoid mistakes of World Cup 2007Wed Aug 05 2015 - 01:13
Warren Gatland turns up heat in advance of World Cup warm-upsWales are training hard and building team spirit as final preparations are being madeWed Aug 05 2015 - 01:00
Leinster appoint Kurt McQuilkin on interim basisFormer Ireland centre will join province for two months as defence coachSun Jun 07 2015 - 22:28
Ireland getting better at being favourites, but France have more scope to improveIreland are less gifted than the class of 2007, but they may enjoy a better World CupTue Jun 02 2015 - 07:45
Running of Glasgow too much for MunsterMunster played into Glasgow’s hands with an aimless kicking gameMon Jun 01 2015 - 12:02
Foley looking for a top-class replacement for O’ConnellCoach feels Munster have made progress this season despite the final defeat by Glasgow and a need to manage big games betterMon Jun 01 2015 - 00:32
Game of inches likely as battered Pro12 rivals square offMunster, with departing O’Connell on board, may have edge on Scottish opponentsSat May 30 2015 - 02:30
Pro12 final is fitting finale in CJ Stander’s stand-out seasonSouth African says he wants to win today’s match for the Munster fans and ‘for Paul’Sat May 30 2015 - 01:00
Paul O’Connell to sign two-year deal with ToulonIreland captain to confirm next week that he will join European champions after the World CupFri May 29 2015 - 12:29
Joe Schmidt looks for advice as he tries to decide World Cup squadIreland boss admits even selecting a 46-man party for mid-June is proving a headacheFri May 29 2015 - 12:00
Andrew Smith hoping to bow out of Munster with a flourishAustralian centre has been in fine form after returning from two months out with a knee injuryFri May 29 2015 - 10:04
Joe Schmidt plays down Jack McGrath incidentPossible citing for Ireland prop an issue after narrow defeat to the BarbariansThu May 28 2015 - 23:49
Barbarians claim spoils against Ireland in error-strewn affairJack McGrath will face nervous wait over yellow card for kneeingThu May 28 2015 - 22:14
Chris Henry hoping Baa Baas test can ease pain of Glasgow defeatFlanker delighted to be back in the Ireland mix following his health scare late last yearThu May 28 2015 - 01:24
Ireland v Barbarians: chances to impress are running outGame will neatly set the stage for Joe Schmidt to pick his World Cup squadThu May 28 2015 - 01:24
Fitting farewell for Gopperth as he faces his former team-matesWasps-bound Kiwi takes his leave after helping the Baa Baas take on IrelandThu May 28 2015 - 01:00
Joe Schmidt ‘as surprised as anyone’ over Matt O’Connor’s sackingIreland coach insists departure of coach was a decision taken solely by LeinsterWed May 27 2015 - 14:23
Paul O’Connell departure won’t be a distraction, vows FoleyMunster coach reminds men that Pro12 final is about playing game, not the occasionWed May 27 2015 - 01:00
Shane Jennings thrilled to be leading out the Baa Baas against IrelandVeteran Leinster flanker looking forward to a special occasion in LimerickWed May 27 2015 - 01:00
Ruan Pienaar purges pain of Glasgow loss by joining happy BarbariansUlster scrumhalf says Pro12 defeat hurt more than any other during his time at provinceWed May 27 2015 - 01:00
Rugby authorities must hold referees accountable for blundersConnacht paranoia over getting sharp end of stick was certainly bolstered at KingsholmTue May 26 2015 - 07:45
Connacht left with deep sense of injustice after Poite blundersPat Lam’s men cruelly denied in extra time after heroic effort at KingsholmMon May 25 2015 - 08:48
Paul O’Connell bids farewell to Thomond in typically dramatic fashionMunster book place in Pro12 final with lock the ultimate team man to very endMon May 25 2015 - 07:40
Connor Murray remains a major doubt for Pro12 finalMunster coach Anthony Foley staying ‘hopeful’ scrum-half will be fit for Glasgow clashMon May 25 2015 - 01:00
Munster claim final spot after dramatic win over OspreysTMO calls back last-minute try for Welsh side at Thomond ParkSun May 24 2015 - 13:54
Paul O’Connell’s possible swansong is reason enough to inspire MunsterOspreys will arrive without fear but grizzled home side have the tools to subdue themSat May 23 2015 - 12:44
Ian Keatley starting to reap reward after investment in hard slogMunster outhalf has matured into confident pivot for a side keen to re-assert credentialsSat May 23 2015 - 12:40
Ex-Wallabies coach Robbie Deans tipped for Leinster postDeans among shortlist drawn up to replace Matt O’Connor, whose reign ended yesterdayFri May 22 2015 - 15:30
Matt O’Connor could never escape long shadow of Joe SchmidtLeinster fans glad to see coach gone have been spoilt by golden generation of playersFri May 22 2015 - 12:41
Gerry Thornley: Drop in standards is what signalled the end for Matt O’ConnorAustralian has already been linked with the Queensland RedsThu May 21 2015 - 14:36
Relieved Donnacha Ryan happy to be fighting fit with MunsterBig Ospreys semi-final clash another chance to impress Ireland coach Joe SchmidtThu May 21 2015 - 01:00
Anthony Foley hopes fans bring Thomond Park x-factorOnly 12,000 tickets have been sold ahead of do-or-die clash with OspreysWed May 20 2015 - 01:00
