The Irish Times

Tadhg Furlong sidesteps barrage of praise as memories of Paris keep him grounded

Irish prop does not believe scrum battle will necessarily decide outcome against France

Thu Feb 10 2022 - 06:00

O’Gara and Prendergast park friendship as La Rochelle and Racing 92 face off

O’Gara looking to take La Rochelle to a first Top 14 final against his former club

Fri Jun 18 2021 - 06:00

Simon Zebo’s ankle injury unlikely to hobble fully focused Racing

Connacht, Munster and Ulster face three French sides hungry for Champions Cup

Wed Jan 08 2020 - 06:00

Leinster earn their place among Europe’s finest after outmuscling Racing

McGrath says being forced to grind out victory in Champions Cup made it extra special

Mon May 14 2018 - 06:40

Leinster keep their cool as they seek glory in Basque country

It will be a tight final against Racing, but province can prove they are Europe's best

Sat May 12 2018 - 06:00

Final against Racing biggest game of Furlong’s Leinster career

Tight-head says representing Wexford on the Leinster team means a massive amount

Fri May 11 2018 - 06:00

Even without Machenaud, Racing will make formidable foes

Parisians are in good shape as they prepare to face Leinster in Sunday’s finals in Bilbao

Wed May 09 2018 - 06:00

Gordon D’Arcy: Racing will not live with Leinster for 80 minutes

Parallels with 2009 abound and leaders from that campaign should give side the edge

Wed May 09 2018 - 05:30

Racing start leaves Munster cast adrift in Bordeaux

Munster flourish comes too late as French side set up final date with Leinster

Sun Apr 22 2018 - 18:06

Can Jacques Brunel fix France’s ‘mess’ before Ireland clash?

Les Bleus enter contest on back of seven winless matches but are boosted by new coach

Sat Jan 27 2018 - 08:30

France finally run clear of Italy in second half

Les Bleus secure bonus-point win in Rome to consign Italy to wooden spoon

Sat Mar 11 2017 - 16:27

Guy Noves makes four changes for France’s clash with Italy

Fullback Scott Spedding among those dropped after third round defeat to Ireland

Thu Mar 09 2017 - 14:53

Ireland tough it out to claim win in another French slugfest

Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton help Joe Schmidt’s side control full-on encounter

Sat Feb 25 2017 - 19:40

France make three changes to starting XV for Aviva visit

Prop Rabah Slimani, flanker Bernard Le Roux and wing Yoann Huget come in

Thu Feb 23 2017 - 11:23

Ireland braced for different France – a well-rested outfit

Sexton and Kearney battling for fitness but van der Flier’s Six Nations looks to be over

Mon Feb 20 2017 - 10:33

Mathieu Bastareaud returns to injury-hit France squad

Powerful Toulon centre in the frame for the opener against England at Twickenham

Mon Jan 23 2017 - 17:36

European knockout rugby returning to Thomond Park after Racing 92 win

CJ Stander again to the fore as Munster see off Ronan O’Gara’s visiting Racing team

Sat Jan 21 2017 - 19:46

A result is not beyond Munster – but perhaps a win is

Rassie Erasmus’ side begin Champions Cup quest with considerable challenge of Racing

Sat Oct 15 2016 - 22:00

Gordon D’Arcy: No Racing certainty but Munster will be up against it

Rassie Erasmus’s side need to offer more variety than they displayed against Leinster

Wed Oct 12 2016 - 05:00

Devin Toner: Whole pack must shoulder blame for scrum woes

Ireland lock defends props as he prepares for another physical encounter with England

Tue Feb 23 2016 - 17:13

Gerry Thornley: Ireland see title slip from grasp after Paris defeat

Joe Schmidt unable to hide anger as France turn game around in second half

Mon Feb 15 2016 - 07:27

Six Nations: Ireland aim to subdue Stade de France bear pit

Joe Schmidt’s aiming to beat France four times in row and good start will be half battle

Sat Feb 13 2016 - 12:23

France line up Ireland for ‘double hit’ with new props

Guy Noves backs Jefferson Poirot and Uinio Atonio to cause Irish pack problems

Thu Feb 11 2016 - 16:45

Tadhg Furlong willing to take chance in Ireland’s frontrow

Prop bedding in well to international set-up but not willing to take anything for granted

Thu Feb 11 2016 - 01:00

No sign of revolution as France scrape past Italy

A Sergio Parisse inspired Italy push Les Bleus to the death in Six Nations opener in Paris

Sat Feb 06 2016 - 16:18

Noves brings in Vakatawa from leftfield

Sevens star will start on the wing when France take on Italy in Six Nations

Thu Feb 04 2016 - 13:01

Dan Carter and Racing frontrow excel as Glasgow rolled over

French side keep up unbeaten record in Champions Cup

Sat Jan 09 2016 - 15:54

All Blacks send ominous warning with awesome display of power

New Zealand set up Springbok semi-final with nine-try rout of demoralised France side

Sun Oct 18 2015 - 15:47

Liam Toland: All hail Ireland’s work on training ground

Joe Schmidt’s players knew jobs inside-out and performed them to maximum effect

Mon Oct 12 2015 - 08:08

Ireland v France: Leaders fall but others rise up and inspire

Sexton and O’Connell departures fail to halt unstoppable Irish momentum

Sun Oct 11 2015 - 23:01

France's Racing Metro cohort vow to hunt down Johnny Sexton

‘It is imperative to go after him, to tire him so that he finds it tough to make the calls’

Wed Oct 07 2015 - 21:26

French World Cup team finds strength in diversity

Players from ethnic minorities will play key role for Les Bleus in tournament challenge

Fri Sept 18 2015 - 20:00

Gerry Thornley: Six Nations XV, team of the tournament

Six Irish make team of tournament joined by players from France, England and Wales

Tue Mar 24 2015 - 13:24

Dylan Hartley lays down marker for England against France

Stuart Lancaster’s side determined to win silverware ahead of World Cup

Fri Mar 20 2015 - 23:15