Lighthearted atmosphere can’t hide Samoa’s serious intentNo sign of typhoon but Ireland could still be hit hard as Samoans have nothing to loseFri Oct 11 2019 - 06:00
Joe Schmidt ‘excited’ about Robbie Henshaw’s returnRugby World Cup: Ireland coach says he’s picked players who can give ‘best preparation’Thu Oct 10 2019 - 09:26
For some Samoans, Ireland clash could mean everythingPacific Islanders have sacrificed to be here and a big performance could secure a contractThu Oct 10 2019 - 09:16
Rugby World Cup: Bruised Wales grind out victory over determined FijiGatland must regenerate squad to face Uruguay but will almost certainly top Pool DThu Oct 10 2019 - 06:00
Wales march on but Fiji’s flair gives them a big scarePacific Islanders started off quickly and raced into lead but Gatland’s men hit backWed Oct 09 2019 - 13:15
Ireland pack a ‘good mix of brawn and brains’, says forwards coach EasterbyEasterby believes ‘phenomenal athlete’ James Ryan will become ‘one of the greats’Wed Oct 09 2019 - 01:35
Rugby World Cup: Player welfare no longer a viable option for IrelandDemands of tournament taking a heavy toll on Joe Schmidt’s panel strategy in JapanTue Oct 08 2019 - 01:00
Letter from Japan: what can go wrong at this Rugby World Cup, will go wrongThe brooding Boks sidestep problems while Hotel Love is the place to stay in NagoyaMon Oct 07 2019 - 18:59
The Offload: early signs the Andy Farrell era will be progressiveIncoming coach says embrace the setbacks, Springboks look too big for Ireland to handleMon Oct 07 2019 - 11:00
Rugby World Cup: Plans in place to move Ireland Samoa match if typhoon hitsPart of contingency plan could be to move fixture to Sunday at the same stadiumMon Oct 07 2019 - 08:59
Samoa have nothing to lose, and have Ireland in their sightsSchmidt must be wary of Samoan desire to land a significant blow at the World CupMon Oct 07 2019 - 06:30
World Cup fever seeping into Japan’s consciousnessJoseph’s side have serious momentum for the defining Yokohama clash with ScotsMon Oct 07 2019 - 05:00
Samoa coach ‘bewildered’ by refereeing decisionsSteve Jackson: ‘At the moment we don’t know where we stand’Sat Oct 05 2019 - 15:57
Japan in Pool A driving seat after bonus point win over SamoaPressure returned to Ireland and Scotland after hosts do their bit in Toyota CitySat Oct 05 2019 - 13:37
Japan hoping to maintain momentum with win over SamoaThe Japanese public has taken to devouring rugby stories as it gets to know its heroesFri Oct 04 2019 - 18:30
Brooding Springboks destroy Italy as Kolbe steals the showSouth Africa deliver a performance of menace and muscle as Andrea Lovotti sees redFri Oct 04 2019 - 13:32
Ireland’s hopes still hinge on their porcelain doll Johnny SextonOuthalf ran show for 40 imperious minutes before being wrapped in cotton wool againFri Oct 04 2019 - 01:00
Niall Scannell dismisses criticism of sub-par Irish performanceIreland accentuate the positive after 35-0 victory over Russia on a rainy night in KobeThu Oct 03 2019 - 21:30
Vasily Artemyev: ‘Ireland is my step Motherland’Russian coach Lyn Jones believes Ireland may lack sting in tail of the All BlacksThu Oct 03 2019 - 20:41
Ireland 35 Russia 0: How the Irish players ratedGavin Cummiskey looks at Irish performances after an underwhelming win over RussiaThu Oct 03 2019 - 14:58
Joey Carbery is a late withdrawal from Ireland squadConor Murray replaces him as scrumhalf cover for pool match against RussiaThu Oct 03 2019 - 10:29
Rugby World Cup: Inhumane heat equals torture on the lungs under the Misaki domeIreland must endure purgatory of intense humidity during showdown with RussiansWed Oct 02 2019 - 18:50
Vasily Artemyev interview: Everyone used to talk about Sexton. He has hardly changedRussian captain could so easily have lined out in a green jersey after his time in IrelandWed Oct 02 2019 - 06:00
World Rugby confirms mistakes made by officials in Japan defeatJoe Schmidt: ‘we’ve now got the feedback that three of those were incorrect calls’Tue Oct 01 2019 - 11:54
Captain Johnny Sexton confirms he is fit to kick at goalThe Misaki is like playing rugby inside a sauna and water breaks will be allowedTue Oct 01 2019 - 08:41
Rugby World Cup: Russia’s McDermott says schedule taking a heavy toll‘These are not meant to be ironman competitions, but they’re turning into that’Tue Oct 01 2019 - 01:00
Rugby World Cup: Yokohama pain forgotten as Scots earn bonus point winFinn Russell and Stuart Hogg on there on the grass having fun and shape shiftingMon Sept 30 2019 - 16:10
Michael Cheika: World Cup referees ‘spooked’ by tackle talkAustralia head coach feels ‘embarassed’ for the game after Kerevi’s fend on PatchellSun Sept 29 2019 - 13:00
Sexton the story that matters as Carty fades in the face of Brave BlossomsTale of three outhalves quickly becoming Schmidt’s downward spiralling swansongSun Sept 29 2019 - 11:34
Rugby World Cup - Thompson: ‘Everyone had written us off . . . It’s a very special moment’Jamie Joseph: ‘We’ve been preparing for this game for a hell of a lot longer than what the Irish have’Sat Sept 28 2019 - 14:17
Rugby World Cup - Joey Carbery: ‘I didn’t see too many other options on, so I just put it out’Ireland outhalf defends decision to kick for touch to secure losing bonus pointSat Sept 28 2019 - 12:41
Japan 19 Ireland 12: How the Ireland team rated in ShizuokaGavin Cummiskey hands out the marks after a humbling night for Joe Schmidt’s sideSat Sept 28 2019 - 11:48
Michael Cheika’s Wallabies ready to bring the fight to WalesOdds stacked against Australia but head coach specialises in moments of crisisSat Sept 28 2019 - 07:00
Jack Conan’s availability at this World Cup is under reviewIf he is ruled out, Ulster’s Jordi Murphy would travel from Belfast to join the squadFri Sept 27 2019 - 07:23
Rugby World Cup: Jamie Joseph knows Japan must pile pressure on Jack Carty‘There’s a lot less experience without him. Johnny Sexton is a key player’Thu Sept 26 2019 - 12:32
Letter from Japan: The wheels come off over-politeness in Toyota CityFlawed human nature is rare in Japan, so it was strange to see how police handled drunken violenceThu Sept 26 2019 - 12:00
Joe Schmidt confident Johnny Sexton will be fit to face RussiaSexton has been unable to train this week, after being hurt against Scotland on SundayThu Sept 26 2019 - 09:02
Tony Brown stresses Japan’s need for speed against IrelandBrave Blossoms’ assistant says hosts’ greatest opportunities will be Irish mistakesWed Sept 25 2019 - 16:37
Sexton’s inability to kick creates conundrum for IrelandKicking coach Murphy admits it’s balancing act to keep flyhalf in action but out of troubleWed Sept 25 2019 - 01:00
Johnny Sexton a doubt for Ireland’s Japan clash due to quad injuryPeter O’Mahony and Bundee Aki both back after passing HIAs following Scotland winTue Sept 24 2019 - 09:38
Wales restore some calm after the storm to bat away Georgia challengeWarren Gatland’s side fly out of the blocks before a second-half battle in Toyota CityMon Sept 23 2019 - 15:14
Rugby World Cup Offload: Protect the ref, protect the gameThe tournament is barely motoring and already refs are being targeted or lambastedMon Sept 23 2019 - 10:09
Rugby World Cup: Henderson hits the ground running in JapanIncoming Ulster captain’s secondrow partnership with James Ryan looks formidableMon Sept 23 2019 - 00:30
Rugby World Cup: Stander not letting Springboks enter thoughts just yetIreland likely on course to face South Africa in quarter-finals after win over ScotlandSun Sept 22 2019 - 20:13
Lopez the hero as France withstand Argentina’s second-half comebackLate drop goal seals victory as Pumas fume over referee Gardner’s performanceSun Sept 22 2019 - 15:00
Ireland 27 Scotland 3: Ireland player ratingsGavin Cummiskey runs the rule over Joe Schmidt’s side after their victory over ScotlandSun Sept 22 2019 - 12:05
Rugby World Cup: France scrape over the line against ArgentinaArgentina miss last gasp penalty as France remain masters of illusion, and disillusionSat Sept 21 2019 - 12:16
Ireland hope that if desperation is the disease, then experience is the antidoteScotland may be an old and manageable foe but danger lurks in Yokohama on SundaySat Sept 21 2019 - 06:00
Rugby World Cup: Argentina seek to stun France in battle of the unpredictablesFrench head coach Jacques Brunel believes second half will be decisive in close gameFri Sept 20 2019 - 21:19
Joe Schmidt: continuity the key behind Ireland XV for Scotland clashIreland coach gives positive fitness reports on the absent Carbery, Kearney and EarlsFri Sept 20 2019 - 08:09
