Time to dust ourselves off, bite down on that mouthguard and go again. The 2024 Six Nations is upon us, and we have you covered for all the biggest moments, best scores, hottest talking points, press conference quotes, pundit reactions, and more. Click on the key point you want to read about, or just keep […]

2 years ago

“He’s just thriving. It’s quite clear to see.” It is too early to be poring over the record books just yet but a try (or two) against Wales and we may see Dan Sheehan feature in a lot more Six Nations headlines and stories. The championship record try-scoring tally is eight tries in four ‘Five Nations’ […]

2 years ago

IRELAND 31-7 WALES Ireland made it three from three in the 2024 Six Nations with a win over Wales, in Dublin. Our live hub of the match (below) has all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland player ratings. Ireland raced into a 17-0 lead, at half-time, but Wales rallied after the […]

2 years ago

Seven changes to the starting XV. Seven more on the bench. Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face Wales in their Six Nations third round clash (Saturday, 2:15pm kick-off). His Ireland side toppled France 38-17 in the opening game of the 2024 championship and beat Italy 36-0 in their last game out. IRELAND […]

2 years ago

“Agree with that.” Match Official Mic’d Up is the Premier League’s new initiative to bring greater transparency to the VAR process, and how big in-game decisions are made. So far this season, we have seen PGMOL referee chief Howard Webb appear on Sky Sports and TNT Sports to talk through the VAR review process over […]

2 years ago

“He touched everyone’s hearts.” First we had Stevie Mulrooney tug our anthemic heart-strings with his ‘Ireland’s Call’ rendition, now we have the legendary Dáire Gorman making a special visit to Bundee Aki, Andy Farrell and all at the Ireland camp. Gorman, from Monaghan, has the rare condition, known as Crommelin Syndrome, and is a full-time […]

2 years ago

“I do apologise to him.” Kalvin Phillips has been offered a better late than never apology from his boss at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola. Back in December 2022, Phillips was not long back from the World Cup, with England, when Guardiola offered an update on his availability. At this stage, the midfielder had only made […]

2 years ago

From ‘Bull’ Hayes to Mike Ross, then on to Wexford’s finest. For the past 24 years, Irish rugby has been blessed to have three brilliant tighthead props. John Hayes, Mike Ross and Tadhg Furlong have 239 Test caps for Ireland, between them, another nine for the British & Irish Lions and have played big roles […]

2 years ago

Two Munster men link up with the squad. Andy Farrell has named his revised Ireland squad for the third round of the 2024 Six Nations. After two opening wins, Ireland welcome Wales to Aviva Stadium this Saturday (2:15pm kick-off). The IRFU press release reads, “Prop Oli Jager has joined the squad and Thomas Ahern has […]

2 years ago

“It was said for effect.” Back in 2020, as he was trying to make a name for himself as a pundit, Chris Ashton took an unfair cut off James Lowe. Four years on, his tune has changed completely. James Lowe had a fine start to his Test career, with Ireland, in late 2020 but was […]

2 years ago

“He sets such a high standard for himself. He wants to take this number 10 jersey.” It is probably a good thing that Jack Crowley missed a few conversions against Italy or the hype train may already have been a steam-toting dot in the distance. The first year of Crowley in the Ireland senior set-up […]

2 years ago

“Everyone knows [the kits] create a notorious clash every year.” Ireland have Wales next up in the 2024 Six Nations and high numbers of rugby fans are set to be discommoded again. At present, one in 12 men and one in 200 women (in Ireland and across the UK) have colour-vision deficiency, also known as […]

2 years ago

“Capuozzo looked like a guy just out of his confirmation suit. Ridiculously small.” Italy went up against a much-changed but fully focused Ireland team, in round two of the Six Nations, and got sent packing in emphatic fashion. The likes of Ange Capuozzo, Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney all got dinged up by an Irish […]

2 years ago

“I really don’t know how we got here, but I know it really has to change.” Neil McManus sat opposite Andrew Trimble, inside the Cushendall club-house of Ruairí Óg, and spoke from the heart about the cultural, political and religious divides that still play such a big role across Northern Ireland. Trimble, who played rugby […]

2 years ago

The United boss had carte blanche with his first few signings but the situation has changed. When Erik ten Hag took over at Old Trafford, he had a huge say in that first tranche of Manchester United transfers – incomings and outgoings. Although he only officially took over on July 1st 2022, the Dutchman had […]

2 years ago

“We had to do it.” In his 47 Test matches as head coach of Ireland, Hugo Keenan has played 38 times and started each time. Andrew Porter has played 38 times for Farrell’s Ireland, too, but only 32 were starts. The only Ireland teammates that come close to Keenan’s usage rate are Josh van der […]

2 years ago

Agreement on four players, in three separate selections. The second round of the 2024 Six Nations is in the bag and only two teams are still on for a potential Grand Slam. France survived a late TMO call against Scotland, England had a comeback win over Wales and Ireland beat Italy 36-0. “Once they went […]

2 years ago

“He tested that hip out.” In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Kansas City Chiefs came out victorious, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime. Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes got their third ring, but the win did come with some controversial flash-points. The 49ers, looking to avenge a 2020 Super Bowl […]

2 years ago

Doing that No.14 jersey proud. With Mack Hansen in attendance at Aviva Stadium – wearing a jersey that gave a nod to Johnny Sexton – Munster winger Calvin Nash performed admirably in his latest stint at No.14. Nash impressed the Ireland coaches in their World Cup preparations, last summer, but missed out on the final […]

2 years ago

“Harry, immense?” Scott McTominay was the Manchester United match-winner, at Villa Park, but his post-match interview saw him lean into that super-sub role. When Erik ten Hag replaced Marcus Rashford for McTominay, not long after Aston Villa had equalised in their Premier League encounter, many felt the Dutchman was trying to shore up midfield and […]

2 years ago

‘Give it to Lowe, ffs Quinny!’ James Lowe delivered another attacking masterclass for Ireland in their 36-0 win over Italy, at Aviva Stadium. Lowe ended up with a try – his 13th for Ireland – and made 116 metres off 13 carries, which included four clean breaks. His missile of a left boot was key, […]

2 years ago

“There is an isle.” One of the best Irish plays in recent decades is returning to the stage for a run that coincides nicely with the 2024 Six Nations. Alone It Stands, written by Breen and first performed in 1999, theatre groups across the land, and further afield (London, New York, Auckland, Sydney). The most […]

2 years ago

IRELAND 36-0 ITALY Ireland made it two from two with a thumping win over Italy, in Dublin. Our live hub of the match (below) has all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland ratings. Andy Farrell’s side got their Six Nations defence off to a record-breaking start as they demolished France 38-17 […]

2 years ago

Ireland will be looking to build on their opening night win over France. Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team to face Italy, on Friday afternoon, for the Six Nations second round clash against Italy. After his Ireland team toppled France 38-17 in the opening game of the 2024 championship. We’ll have all the team news […]

2 years ago

Such was Ireland’s position of strength that this one passed many viewers by, at home and at Stade Velodrome. Ahead of the Six Nations opener between Ireland and France, Gabriel Clarke of ITV had a sit-down with Peter O’Mahony and got some great answers out of him. At the championship launch, a week prior, O’Mahony […]

2 years ago

A Tottenham defender has registered the fastest match speed this season. Sky Sports has revealed the top five fastest players in the Premier League for the 2023/24 season, so far. Two Ireland internationals made the cut, while Anthony Gordon and Amadou Onana just missed out. During a Monday Night Football segment on the players clocking […]

2 years ago

Four changes, but it could be five if Calvin Nash’s injury is as bad as it looked. With six minutes to go in Marseille, this impressive Ireland team won themselves a lineout inside the France 22 and the realisation struck that victory was all but assured. France had done their best to stay in the […]

2 years ago

Merciless ratings from the French rugby ‘bible’. France were sorely missing Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Anthony Jelonch and a few others, but Ireland had some fresher faces in their XV, too. While almost everyone agreed that the winner of Friday’s night Six Nations opener in Marseille was red-hot favourite to win the title, there was […]

2 years ago

FRANCE 17-38 IRELAND Joe McCarthy justified all the faith shown in him by Andy Farrell, his coaches and his Ireland teammates as he moshed some big French operators on an historic night in France. The Leinster lock was given the No.5 jersey, ahead of James Ryan and Iain Henderson, when Ireland took on the 2022 […]

2 years ago

FRANCE 17-38 IRELAND Andy Farrell’s Ireland side put all the Six Nations trophies they won in 2023 on the line, as they kicked off their 2024 campaign in Marseille. Our live hub of the match (below) had all the biggest moments, talking points, best scores and full Ireland ratings after an historic result. IRELAND RATINGS […]

2 years ago

“The kid who can do no wrong, wins again!” Luke Littler was warned, ahead of his Premier League Darts debut, by Michael van Gerwen that he was in ‘with the big boys’. After the first quarter final stage of the new season, the teenager had avenged a world championships defeat, while MVG was on his […]

2 years ago

The Ireland international would have stepped straight in as a starter, too. Liverpool have rejected a €17.5 million bid from Nottingham Forest for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, on the final day of the January transfer window. Forest are 16th in the Premier League table but only two points clear of the relegation zone. They have conceded […]

2 years ago

“What a man to do extras… a young man eager to learn and perform, and impress.” Peter O’Mahony was on the stump, at Stade Velodrome, for Joe McCarthy, Calvin Nash and Jack Crowley. Given that they are the fresh(er) faces in Ireland’s crack squad, the Leinster lock and the Munster pair were go-to players to […]

2 years ago

“It’s kind of a drive to get back out there again.” Ahead of an Andy Farrell squad announcement when his only big dice rolls were to include three, young ‘training panellists’, Will Connors was pleased to find himself back in the conversation. He did not make the final selection, but getting close was a sure […]

2 years ago

“We can laugh at ourselves, ya know? We found Ronan O’Gara in top form when discussing his recent, rousing speeches, Jack Crowley getting the Irish 10 jersey and a ‘key weapon’ for France in the Six Nations. O’Gara has proved he can mine some added comedy from one of his most famous dressing room speeches […]

2 years ago

“It’s something that you have to completely rephrase.” Ronan O’Gara took some time out, earlier this year, to record a version of his infamous Cork/French team-talks, but his focus is straight back on life with La Rochelle. The reigning European champs are experiencing a middling 2023/24, so far, but have reached the Round of 16 […]

2 years ago

These are the men tasked with coming home from Marseille with a big win. Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face France, on Wednesday afternoon, for the Six Nations opener, at Stade Velodrome, on Friday evening. With Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls retired, and some big names injured, there were inevitable changes from […]

2 years ago

“I must have got the green light!” It is Ireland squad announcement day [January 17] and, for Andrew Porter, it is one full of surprises. The Leinster prop is only discovering how big of a part he will play in the new Netflix rugby documentary, and that he made the cut for Andy Farrell’s Six […]

2 years ago

“One more year, ONE MORE YEAR!” The campaign may have worked for Brian O’Driscoll, in the past, but Johnny Sexton was not for turning, once his mind was made up. Andy Farrell is perfectly placed to speak on his legacy. The former Ireland captain retired at the World Cup, having led his country on a […]

2 years ago

The latest blip did not go down well with management, or many of the players. Marcus Rashford has reportedly been disciplined by Manchester United, but is expected to be available for selection for the club’s next game, against Wolves, on Thursday. The England international was pictured out in Belfast on two nights, last week, and […]

2 years ago

Although plenty will claim to be indifferent, a heap of Manchester United fans will be delighted the German is packing up. Jurgen Klopp will leave his role as manager of Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, and the Premier League will be the worse for it. Back in 2012, Alex Ferguson met up […]

2 years ago

“I know that there are kids out there – the ones who run for my car, after games, for pictures and autographs – they’ve never experienced a different manager here.” After nine years on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp will leave his role as manager of Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season. He marked his […]

2 years ago

“The thought came up, ‘I am not sure I am here then anymore’ and I was surprised myself by that.” Jurgen Klopp will leave his role as manager of Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season. The German revealed the decision has been brewing a while, but it has only come to light, with […]

2 years ago

End of a trophy-laden era. Liverpool FC has announced that Jurgen Klopp will step down as manager of the club at the end of the season. The German has ‘informed the club’s ownership of his wish to leave his position when the 2023-24 campaign comes to a close’ It has been confirmed that Klopp’s assistants, Pepijn […]

2 years ago

“That ability, to do that, is superb.” Felix Jones, fresh off helping South Africa to back-to-back World Cup wins, is settling in as England’s defence coach, ahead of the 2024 Six Nations. The 36-year-old was highly sought-after, following his four-year stint with the Springboks. Steve Borthwick was able to recruit Jones and Kiwi coach Andrew […]

2 years ago

Get planning, and get booking. The EPCR has confirmed the dates, kick-off times, venues and TV broadcast details for the Champions Cup Round of 16. Leinster and Munster reached the competition’s knock-out stages, with Ulster and Connacht dropping down to the Challenge Cup. In an EPCR release, the following details were locked in: ‘Toulouse, five-time […]

2 years ago

“We’re due these f***ers one!” The new Netflix rugby documentary, Six Nations: Full Contact, is out now. The sneaky stars of the show are Finn Russell and Scotland. The Scots last won the Five Nations in 1999 but have yet to claim the big prize since Italy joined, making it the Six Nations. Up until […]

2 years ago

“It doesn’t get any better than this.” The new Netflix rugby documentary, Six Nations: Full Contact, is out now, and Johnny Sexton comes to the fore in the final episode. Ireland are featured prominently in episodes three and eight of the eight-episodes series, which revolves around the 2023 Six Nations championship. Scotland and Italy look […]

2 years ago

“I was in David Humphreys’ room – everything was green, decorated for the Irish players!” It was Six Nations launch day and, in a change from the usual London jaunt, Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse was playing host. The drinks brand is sponsoring the men’s and women’s championships, this year, and was making a big deal about […]

2 years ago

The Irish premiere had two very special rugby guests. Keith Earls and Johnny Sexton helped Ireland to a rake of trophies over the course of their respective rugby careers. As their former teammates target a Six Nations Grand Slam defence, they were in Dublin for the launch of a new rugby docuseries. Netflix held the […]

2 years ago