Ashley-Cooper bags hat-trick as Australia subdue runaway PumasDavid Pocock-inspired Wallabies march on to final meeting against New ZealandSun Oct 25 2015 - 20:50
‘We’ve probably got greatest skipper. . . game has seen’– HansenWe just didn’t build enough pressure to get the points, says Springboks coachSun Oct 25 2015 - 19:32
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen says composure was keyPlenty of respect between the sides after absorbing encounter at TwickenhamSun Oct 25 2015 - 12:54
Julian Savea aims to make leap into the history booksAll Black' outstanding winger has the chance to beat his idol Jonah Lomu’s World Cup try-scoring recordSat Oct 24 2015 - 13:24
Gerry Thornley: All Blacks poised to make final pushMighty New Zealanders’ all-round strength can make difference against the SpringboksSat Oct 24 2015 - 01:00
Tokyo neighbours Du Preez and Burger relishing TwickenhamFlanker in a Springbok jersey despite contracting bacterial meningitis two years agoFri Oct 23 2015 - 13:59
Steve Hansen fully aware of threat South Africans poseAll Blacks coach knows last three meetings with the Boks have all been one-score gamesFri Oct 23 2015 - 01:00
Ruan Pienaar ready for clash that always stirs imaginationSouth Africa scrumhalf says luck deserted Northern Hemisphere sides at tournamentThu Oct 22 2015 - 01:06
Heyneke Meyer plots downfall of ‘best team of all time’Springbok coach has enjoyed only one win in seven attempts against All BlacksThu Oct 22 2015 - 01:01
Gerry Thornley: where do Ireland go from here?Rugby World Cup quarter-finals showed size of the gulf between the two hemispheresTue Oct 20 2015 - 13:11
Ireland heartbreak as World Cup journey grinds to haltArgentina prove too strong in defence and attack for team shorn of its principal leadersMon Oct 19 2015 - 07:21
All Black humiliation a stain on France’s rugby heritageWorld Cup quarter-final loss typifies decline with inspiration long gone from French gameSun Oct 18 2015 - 21:12
Ireland sent crashing out of Rugby World Cup by ArgentinaQuarter-finals yet again prove to be the undoing of Joe Schmidt’s teamSun Oct 18 2015 - 14:57
Ireland face moment of truth as they bid to reach first semi-finalSchmidt’s men can dig deep against Pumas and spoil southern hemisphere partySat Oct 17 2015 - 13:26
Ireland beware as Los Pumas embrace rhythms of own football godsArgentina team are playing brand of rugby that has Maradona cheering in standsSat Oct 17 2015 - 05:03
France haunted All Blacks in past but unlikely to do so at presentPhilippe Saint-André’s side don’t look like an outfit that can upset world championsSat Oct 17 2015 - 01:00
RWC 2015: Sexton and Earls set to start against ArgentinaJoe Schmidt will name his side for Rugby World Cup quarter-final at lunchtime on FridayFri Oct 16 2015 - 09:43
Rugby World Cup: Hotel prices soar in CardiffThe average price recorded for a hotel room on Saturday night is an eye-watering €1,664Thu Oct 15 2015 - 16:02
In-form Juan Martin Hernández rediscovers his strut in time for IrelandTalented centre revelling in expansive approach of 2015 Argentina teamThu Oct 15 2015 - 08:57
IRFU stance on protective goggles frustrates Ian McKinleyEx-Leinster player who lost vision in one eye being denied a full-time contract with ZebreThu Oct 15 2015 - 01:00
Ireland players vow to make Paul O’Connell proudGlowing tributes paid to Munster legend as he confirms end of international careerWed Oct 14 2015 - 08:55
Gerry Thornley: O’Connell Ireland’s most inspiring player everMunster legend lacked perfect finale but we can only look back on career with aweWed Oct 14 2015 - 01:00
RWC 2015: Seán O’Brien handed one-week banIreland and Leinster flanker will miss World Cup quarter-final against Argentina on SundayTue Oct 13 2015 - 21:28
Gerry Thornley: ‘Superman indeed, and in deed and word’‘Paul O’Connell is a product of the AIL game who was born for the professional game’Tue Oct 13 2015 - 13:20
Gerry Thornley: Cowman, McNulty among unsung heroesJoe Schmidt has built not only excellent team but a backroom set-up to matchTue Oct 13 2015 - 05:45
No dwelling on lost players for Kearney and teamThough sad to lose their captain, Ireland need to focus on moving on, says KearneyTue Oct 13 2015 - 01:00
Sean O’Brien defence to be based on his disciplinary recordJoe Schmidt maintains he was held off the ball and struck with an open handMon Oct 12 2015 - 21:54
Royal visit for Irish rugby players at Buckingham PalaceBefore leaving the Celtic Manor, Rory McIlroy dropped in to give a golfing master classMon Oct 12 2015 - 14:43
Thornley: Inspired Ireland soak up punishment and stand tallSchmidt’s men set for quarter-final with Argentina after magnificent displayMon Oct 12 2015 - 00:30
Ireland secure famous victory over France in CardiffRob Kearney and Conor Murray tries set up a maiden World Cup win over Les BleusSun Oct 11 2015 - 23:37
Major parts of the puzzle seem to be coming together for FranceFreddy Michalak has become a leader and the French pack looks increasingly formidableSat Oct 10 2015 - 19:26
Joe Schmidt ready for combative French encounter‘Sometimes, as even Sir Alex Ferguson said, you definitely need a bit of luck’Sat Oct 10 2015 - 01:00
Ireland have enough to win if our main men turn upBare knuckle ride in prospect as crunch pool game against French likely to be attritionalFri Oct 09 2015 - 22:30
Devin Toner and Cian Healy may return for French clashPayne, Rob Kearney also likely to start as Schmidt expected to retain tried, trustedFri Oct 09 2015 - 01:36
Slimmed-down Uini Atonio set to have big impact for FranceNew Zealand-born prop likely to provide a huge physical challenge off the bench against IrelandThu Oct 08 2015 - 01:00
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
Jared Payne and Rob Kearney set to return for IrelandKicking coach Richie Murphy confirms both players are fit and ready to face FranceWed Oct 07 2015 - 08:21
‘We’re going to have to be on our game’ – Seán O’BrienFrance are ‘a very different team in World Cups’, says Ireland flankerWed Oct 07 2015 - 01:00
Gerry Thornley: It's hard to love this France sideModern side a more practical version of the teams that lit up previous World CupsTue Oct 06 2015 - 07:45
Ireland leave it a little too close for comfort against ItalyQuarter-final place secured but this wasn’t remotely good enoughMon Oct 05 2015 - 01:00
Ireland do enough to beat Italy in scrappy encounterKeith Earls’ first-half try made him Ireland’s leading ever World Cup try scorerSun Oct 04 2015 - 20:13
Ireland poised to pick up pace against ItalyJoe Schmidt’s side eye quarter-final place but expect the Italians to come out swingingSun Oct 04 2015 - 14:29
Michael Cheika interview: ‘What I’m doing is pleasure and passion’Australia coach is proud to be leading a ‘very multicultural team’ at the World CupSat Oct 03 2015 - 05:00
Robbie Henshaw set for World Cup debut in strong selectionJared Payne and Rob Kearney injuries may force Schmidt to deviate from first-choice XVFri Oct 02 2015 - 01:06
Michael Cheika happy to focus on Australia’s strengthsCoach’s selection against England a repeat of the team that defeated All Blacks in AugustFri Oct 02 2015 - 01:00
McLean hoping for a major improvement as Italy head for last-chance saloonItaly’s naturalised Aussie believes Sergio Parisse’s return can galvanise teamThu Oct 01 2015 - 01:00
Sergio Parisse takes part in Italian trainingCaptain confident of return from injury for Ireland encounterThu Oct 01 2015 - 01:00
Gerry Thornley: Ireland ready for the heavy liftingRob Keaney’s injury setback may well mean start for returning Simon Zebo at fullbackWed Sept 30 2015 - 01:11
Keith Earls takes flight for Ireland once moreMunster speed merchant has found rich vein of form having regained full fitnessWed Sept 30 2015 - 00:56
Gerry Thornley: Gatland unbelievers, look at the factsWales head coach is a specialist in preparing teams for tournaments and one-off gamesTue Sept 29 2015 - 07:19
