The match takes place on Saturday evening. England take on world champions France in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening at the Al Bayt Stadium. Here is what you need to know about the crucial game, including kick-off time, TV details and team news. You can also follow the match live in our hub […]

3 years ago

“Yeah, of course I would, yeah.” Ronan O’Gara has confirmed to SportsJOE that he is on a three-man shortlist for the role of England head coach, with the job commencing after the 2023 World Cup. The former Munster, Ireland and Lions star, who is currently coaching Stade Rochelais in France’s Top 14 league, had previously […]

3 years ago

“I don’t want to take away from it… but they care about winning.” On Sunday, in Monaco, Josh van der Flier was named World Rugby Player of the Year, joining Johnny Sexton and Keith Wood as Ireland players to win the top individual prize in the men’s game. Jamie Heaslip, who was nominated for the award […]

3 years ago

Well said, by all three. We are four days into the 2022 World Cup, and FIFA are doing their best (or worst) to keep themselves in the headlines, Over on ITV, Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Karen Carney all stuck the boot in. Fifa have been accused of ‘blackmailing’ several of the teams that were […]

3 years ago

“I think he felt he was pushed into a corner.” Rio Ferdinand could not bring himself to say an overly critical word about Cristiano Ronaldo, after his Manchester United exit was confirmed, but did say the man himself may not have approved of his recent, want-away actions. United released a statement, on Tuesday, saying that […]

3 years ago

One imagines French rugby pundits, and supporters, have their own version, too. The World Rugby Dream Team of the Year was announced at a snazzy awards ceremony in Monaco, on Sunday, and four Ireland stars made the cut. Decided upon by rugby luminaries such as Richie McCaw, Thierry Dusatoir, Ugo Monye, Fiona Coghlan, Drew Mitchell, […]

3 years ago

How the referee waved play on, after this collision, is baffling. Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais was inconsolable after he completely knocked out his teammate during a mid-air collision, in injury time of his team’s famous win over Argentina. Al-Owais raced from his goal-line to claim a ball that was lofted towards the back-post, in […]

3 years ago

We’ll start off with just three words for you all… Patrick Mahomes II. With another week almost in the bag, we got a Sunday day filled with some cracking matches and late drama, as the cream of the NFL continues to rise to the top. One of the most compelling games, this week, was the […]

3 years ago

“What a message that would have sent.” Roy Keane had to wait until Day Two of the 2022 World Cup, in Qatar, but he hit the ground running with a strong take on an armband fiasco. The former Manchester United and Ireland captain was at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, in Al Rayyan, for ITV’s coverage […]

3 years ago

“That, to me, is just nuts.” Sunday night in Monaco saw four Ireland stars make it into the World Rugby ‘Dream Team of the Year’ and big awards go to a Dubliner and a Wicklow man. Josh van der Flier was named World Rugby Player of the Year, while Terry Kennedy won Men’s Sevens Player […]

3 years ago

No offence to Sam Whitelock and Pablo Matera, but they are in someone else’s spots. The selection of a World Rugby Dream Team of the Year was done by a group of rugby legends, but that still will not satisfy everyone. On behalf of two snubbed players, it has left us extremely dissatisfied. World Rugby […]

3 years ago

What an incredible 2022 it has been for the Wicklow native. At 1am on Saturday night (Sunday morning), Andy Farrell, Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier headed off to the airport for an extremely red-eye flight to Monaco, for the World Rugby Awards. After a two-year break, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, […]

3 years ago

‘Not seeing Johnny Sexton in the warm-up… ‘ So began the murmurs and tweets at Aviva Stadium, on Saturday evening, as kick-off against Australia drew closer. Jack Crowley, for a lad that was supposed to be on the replacements bench, was suddenly getting a lot of quiet words and back-slaps. Sexton had been out, earlier […]

3 years ago

“He’s back up and running again.” Bundee Aki would have been hating the fact that he had to miss out on all the final training drills, captain’s runs and the match-day experiences for Ireland, in the Autumn Nations Series. A poor clear-out attempt on Stormers’ winger Seabelo Senatla, followed by an on-pitch rant at the […]

3 years ago

The Munster outhalf ended up wearing Johnny Sexton’s actual No.10 jersey. There was concern at Aviva Stadium, about 25 minutes before kick-off in the Bank of Ireland Nations Series clash between Ireland and Australia. Johnny Sexton, the Ireland captain, was nowhere to be seen, and Paul O’Connell was grabbing Jack Crowley and Ross Byrne for […]

3 years ago

“I totally disagree. We’re not doctors!” There was a moment of controversy during Australia’s 13-10 defeat to Ireland, at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, as scrumhalf Nic White returned to the field of play after taking a knock to the head, and looking shaky in the aftermath. White looked to have been stunned after diving at […]

3 years ago

IRELAND 13-10 AUSTRALIA Ireland welcomed a Wallabies side to Dublin that are desperate for a victory after pushing France close, only to lose to Italy. Our Ireland player ratings show how tough a night it was for the world No.1 side. In the end, it took a late penalty from Ross Byrne – a guy […]

3 years ago

“It’s the nature of the beast.” It is Thursday afternoon and, mere minutes before the IRFU share the team news for Ireland vs. Australia, Peter O’Mahony sits in an Aviva hoodie and discusses past battles with the Wallabies. The Munster captain is coming up on his 89th Test cap – he would be named at […]

3 years ago

“100 caps for your country is remarkable.” When battle commences at Twickenham, on Saturday evening, England captain Owen Farrell will be officially part of the 100-cap club. Farrell and Brodie Retallick, of New Zealand, will both be making their 100th Test appearances when both sides go at it in the Autumn Nations Series. Both sides […]

3 years ago

“I usually try to find some underdog story, but we are so ready, so well prepped and drilled that we have that absolute belief that we are going to win it.” On Friday night at Manchester Central, James Simpson backed up that ‘absolute belief’ talk to help England to Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup victory. […]

3 years ago

Your sporting test before the weekend gets too crazy… with more sport! Over on JOE, the Friday Pub Quiz is somewhat of a religion, at this stage, with tens of thousands of you playing it each week. To satisfy that thirst for quizzes, we’re starting The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz, and popping it up here […]

3 years ago

Ireland are looking to end their Test year on a high. Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face Australia, on Thursday afternoon, as he seeks to end the calendar year as World No.1. Ireland have followed out on their summer series win over the All Blacks by defeating South Africa and Fiji, in […]

3 years ago

“I don’t follow the records. The records follow me.” Although we could never imagine Roy Keane uttering such a phrase, as Cristiano Ronaldo did during his Piers Morgan interview, the former Manchester United teammates share something big in common. Back in 2005, during an in-house interview for United’s MUTV, Keane was so scathing of his […]

3 years ago

“Let’s just take them game by game.” Jamie Heaslip has full transitioned from player to pundit, at this stage, but he is still as game-focused as he ever was. The former Leinster, Ireland and Lions No.8 hung up his boots in 2018 after an illustrious career, and has moved into the world of business, technology, […]

3 years ago

“I always knew the day would come when this chapter of my life would have to close.” Michael Murphy – one of the stand-out players of his footballing generation – has announced he is retiring from the inter-county game. The Donegal forward, who won Sam Maguire in 2012, five Ulster titles and claimed three All Star […]

3 years ago

“My wife looked at me and said, ‘We’ve got to move here!’“ Will Skelton smiles as he recalls the sea-food fare laid out for himself and his wife, Kate Gardiner, when the couple met the president of Stade Rochelais to discuss a potential move. Skelton headed to La Rochelle in 2020 after trophy-winning stints at […]

3 years ago

A huge honour for the Ireland stars, but some odd omissions here. Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier are among a four-man shortlist for World Rugby Player of the Year. The Leinster and Ireland stars are part of a four-man shortlist for an award that will be handed out, in person, at an awards […]

3 years ago

Expect the big boys to return, but there could be a new-look centre partnership. On Thursday, Andy Farrell will name his final Ireland team of 2022. His side are Triple Crown champions and beat New Zealand in an away Test Series, but he will be conscious that defeat to Australia, next weekend, would take a […]

3 years ago

FULHAM 1-2 MAN UNITED Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were selected to lead the line for Manchester United, at Craven Cottage. Our full match match coverage and Man United Fulham player ratings are below. Both sides were eager to go into the World Cup break on a high. In the end, Alejandro Garnacho was the […]

3 years ago

“Oh my God, they’re hitting people with hurls!” The shocked reaction of a supporter watching from the covered stand at the far side of Parnell Park from where a mass brawl broke out in a Leinster Hurling club clash. The all-out melée started between players from Wexford’s Oulart-the-Ballagh and Dublin’s Naomh Barróg, and spilled over […]

3 years ago

Like an old pro, already. “Different,” was how Tadhg Furlong described his first experience of captaining Ireland at Test level. The Leinster tighthead was Ireland captain for their 35-17 victory over Fiji, and he got some useful minutes under his belt as he prepares for next week’s visit of Australia, and a tough winter stretch […]

3 years ago

“Arms folded, abuse thrown! They are having their say!” Seamus Coleman was visibly distraught, at full-time in the Vitality Stadium, as Everton supporters hurled abuse, and some jerseys, at he and his beaten teammates. The Everton captain was one of a few Toffees that tried to talk down incensed fans in the ground’s ‘away’ section […]

3 years ago

Down in Munster, this lad has been spoken about for years. All of Innishannon, Bandon and the entire county of Cork, for that matter, would have been hoarse shouting, today, as Jack Crowley became Ireland international No.1139. The 22-year-old Munster star replaced his teammate, Joey Carbery early in the second half of a home win […]

3 years ago

“The less said in the dressing room, straight away, about the game, the better” Andy Farrell is one win away from equalling a home stand record of Joe Schmidt, but he was not in a great mood after Ireland’s latest victory. Ireland defeated Fiji 35-17, at Aviva Stadium this afternoon, but they struggled at times […]

3 years ago

IRELAND 35-17 FIJI From an Irish perspective, it was far from pretty but their forward pack did enough to eventually put an indisciplined Fiji side to bed. Our Ireland player ratings have a few highlights, though. Ireland found themselves 7-0 down after only three minutes as Fiji spread the ball wide and Kalaveti Ravouvou finished […]

3 years ago

MUNSTER 28-14 SOUTH AFRICA ‘A’ Can someone at Munster Rugby please promise us they’ll never try media train Paddy Patterson?! The Munster scrumhalf made hay while the likes of Craig Casey and Conor Murray were involved with Ireland, and inspired his side to another famous win over a touring side. Munster ran in three first […]

3 years ago

Tadhg Furlong will lead Ireland out for the first time in his illustrious Test career. Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face Fiji at the Aviva Stadium, in the Bank of Ireland Nations Series, this Saturday from 1pm. Furlong will lead an Ireland XV that has several changes, and more on the bench, […]

3 years ago

“We’re biased, of course!” Saturday in the world of Test rugby at it was a case of déjà vu – Josh van der Flier and Ardie Savea getting man-of-the-match accolades, the Springboks throwing their weight around, Australia enduring late heart-break and Damian Penaud proving his class. While Ireland got their Bank of Ireland Nations Series […]

3 years ago

“It could be me only time!” Many of us doubted we would see Tadhg Furlong against Fiji, this weekend, when he did not emerge for the second half of a brutal, unrelenting match against the Springboks. The Leinster tighthead had been an injury doubt, heading into the game, but was able to play the first […]

3 years ago

“It was like his soul had left his body and he was playing as two men, on the pitch.” In theory, it was a simple task (and ask) – name the first five Ireland players you would have on your team-sheet. In practice, the House of Rugby crew got an insight into how tough Andy […]

3 years ago

“It just shows you how special this group is.” Conor Murray may have only got to play 34 minutes of Ireland’s latest big Test match win, but he has been left with memories of a whole week that will last a life-time. 11 years after making his Test debut as part of World Cup warm-ups, […]

3 years ago

“You know what side of the fence I’m on.” Graeme Souness insists he abhors the type of abuse James McClean gets when he plays his club football, at grounds across England, but his advice ‘to get on with it’ was never going to go down well. The former Liverpool and Rangers players, and boss, was […]

3 years ago

Injuries and the need to give players, and combinations, game-time will influence the final tea, selection. Andy Farrell will reassemble his Ireland team at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Abbotstown, on Monday, and start plotting for the next game of the Bank of Ireland Nations Series. South Africa proved to be just as tough […]

3 years ago

Fine margins, says he. Ireland and South Africa both emptied themselves into the task of winning a Test match, at Aviva Stadium, on Saturday night. Rassie Erasmus was watching closely, as was the person that supplies him with video edits to share on his social media channels. The reigning world champions, who were fortunate to […]

3 years ago

That’s what teammates are for. On Friday, at the Captain’s Run in Lansdowne Road, Conor Murray emerged from the tunnel holding the hand of uncapped Leinster back, Jimmy O’Brien. The Munster man, who made his 100th cap on Saturday, was having a laugh with his inter-pro rival, and easing his way into the world of […]

3 years ago

The ‘Team of Us’ vibe lasted a few, precious minutes. Jamie Heaslip teamed up with his old Ireland teammates, on Saturday, as part of the Amazon Prime coverage of a Bank of Ireland Nations Series classic at Aviva Stadium. Ireland defeated the world champion Springboks 19-16 in a tight, pulsating game and reaffirmed their position […]

3 years ago

“Ireland are an amazing team.” The Autumn Nations Series might not be the same hill of beans as a World Cup, but Siya Kolisi and his South Africa side fought their rear ends off to try claim it. The Springboks came into this evening’s game against an Ireland side that are ranked number one in […]

3 years ago

“Apologies to anyone that might have heard that, over the ref mic.” Ahead of Ireland’s first home tilt against South Africa in five years, Stephen Ferris set the scene about a man he knew would have a big say in matters – Peter O’Mahony. The former Ulster, Ireland and Lions flanker crossed paths with O’Mahony […]

3 years ago

The former Ireland fullback was not having it. In fairness to Joe Molloy, he would not have been the only person thinking it. Rob Kearney had his doubts about whether Ireland could win, tonight, but not about what this side are capable of. Ireland defeated world champions South Africa, 19-16, at Aviva Stadium to consolidate […]

3 years ago

IRELAND 19-16 SOUTH AFRICA Ireland sent a big message to world champions South Africa with a hard-fought win at Aviva Stadium. Our Ireland South Africa player ratings are full of home heroes. The first half was as brutal, gritty and thankless as you could get. Ireland went into an early lead but were pegged back, […]

3 years ago