Matt Williams: Irish teams must follow golden rules of knock-out rugbyChampions Cup quarter-finals likely to be decided by defences and who makes fewest mistakesFri Mar 29 2019 - 05:30
Matt Williams: Ireland need to win at all costsResult of Six Nations decider in Wales could set course for team’s chances at World CupSat Mar 16 2019 - 04:00
Matt Williams: There is still hope for French rugby to return to gloryThe French team is on an upward curve, but the rich seam of local talent must be minedSat Mar 09 2019 - 07:00
Matt Williams: Lack of leadership is the reason for Ireland’s on-field crisisSchmidt’s exit and the slump in form of Sexton, Murray and Best has changed somethingFri Mar 01 2019 - 06:00
Matt Williams: The numbers are not adding up for Ireland’s attackIreland must utilise the attacking kick to play the game in their opponents’ halfSat Feb 23 2019 - 06:00
Matt Williams: Scotland will test the mental strength of a wounded teamAgainst England we saw that the Irish attack is not designed to chase down a leadSat Feb 09 2019 - 07:00
Matt Williams: Improving England a dangerous proposition but Ireland should prevailVictors will have a massive psychological advantage going into the World CupSat Feb 02 2019 - 06:30
Matt Williams: New Zealand myth shattered foreverWinning the World Cup is not just a dream, it can become a realityFri Nov 23 2018 - 20:30
Matt Williams: New Zealand are in Dublin to crush a Celtic uprisingKiwis want to wipe the memory of Ireland’s win in Chicago from the face of the earthSat Nov 17 2018 - 07:58
Munster’s brave and faithful better have learnt some lessonsMatt Williams: Racing 92 defeat was the worst Munster performance I have witnessedSat May 19 2018 - 08:30
Matt Williams: Leinster deserve the ultimate praiseThe demons must be slayed. The last five years of European failure must be revengedSat May 12 2018 - 01:00
Matt Williams: Leinster have become masters of offloadingCullen’s men and opponents Scarlets boast brilliant attacks that can breach any defenceSat Apr 21 2018 - 06:00
Matt Williams: Only way to triumph at Thomond Park is to out-Munster MunsterToulon need to develop the type of team DNA that Munster and Leinster have achievedSat Mar 31 2018 - 06:00
Matt Williams: This generation of Ireland players can win the World CupThe ambition Ireland showed in sealing the Grand Slam can spur team to further glorySat Mar 24 2018 - 07:00
Matt Williams: Ireland have a rare and beautiful opportunityIreland can defeat an ancient foe in London on St Patrick’s Day after being labelled as scumSat Mar 17 2018 - 08:00
Matt Williams: Pack can ensure Irish victory but don’t underestimate ScotlandIf Ireland repeat their impressive possession stats it will set the platform for a home winSat Mar 10 2018 - 07:00
Matt Williams: Ireland relying on attack as best form of defenceEveryone in the Six Nations is playing running rugby but Ireland need to get their defence rightSat Mar 03 2018 - 06:00
Matt Williams: Chris Farrell needs to be a stinky Roquefort to Bundee Aki’s silky ShirazOutside centre is one of the toughest positions so Ireland need a smooth combinationSat Feb 24 2018 - 01:00
Matt Williams: Gendarme was right – Ireland stole win in ParisIreland will expect to convert ample possession into scores against struggling ItalySat Feb 10 2018 - 08:00
Matt Williams: This is the worst France team I have ever seenFrench rugby was a beacon, but with a lack of world-class players, the light has gone outSat Feb 03 2018 - 06:00
Matt Williams: Ireland’s inconsistency stems from lack of trustIf Joe Schmidt’s team don’t improve, this powerful England side will demolish themSat Mar 18 2017 - 05:00
Matt Williams: Glorious singing of Welsh fans is powerful and intimidatingAt home, in the midst of song and passion, the red dragon is a very different animalFri Mar 10 2017 - 06:00
Matt Williams: What’s rare is wonderfulA Six Nations so exciting that I can scarcely believe it’s northern hemisphere rugbySat Mar 04 2017 - 10:00
Matt Williams: Dan Vickerman’s death highlights dangers of silenceEnding of a professional’s playing days can be a difficult transition that must be monitoredFri Feb 24 2017 - 15:00
Matt Williams: Chastened Ireland must focus on Italian jobIn Rome only a bonus point win will provide Ireland with the required outcomeSat Feb 11 2017 - 11:59
Matt Williams: Too much focus on game with England – Scots can’t be dismissedSix Nations promises to see a return to attacking rugby – and hallelujah for thatSat Feb 04 2017 - 08:01
Matt Williams: Australia’s old style leaves opposition in wakeIreland need to stop Wallabies’ traditional running game as Michael Cheika makes his markSat Nov 26 2016 - 05:00
Matt Williams: We will see Ireland’s worth against a pissed-off New Zealand teamKiwis seek revenge, hoping to inspire those back home affected by the earthquakeSat Nov 19 2016 - 10:00
Matt Williams: Schmidt’s return to attacking roots was joyous to beholdIreland’s obsessive kicking for territory and working for penalties is hopefully goneSat Nov 12 2016 - 09:00
Matt Williams: Long-term plan required to catch New ZealandIreland have all basic tools needed to challenge the best rugby nation but it will take timeSat Nov 05 2016 - 08:00
Matt Williams: Breathless Irish left to rue one that got awayJoe Schmidt has to lift weary team after blowing lifetime opportunity in JohannesburgMon Jun 20 2016 - 13:19
Matt Williams: Ireland’s green dynamos prove impossible is nothingDefence won game but signs of more expansive attack is the real cause for optimismMon Jun 13 2016 - 08:03
Matt Williams: Winning teams have two choices – evolve or dieIreland thrived for two seasons under Joe Schmidt but have stood still in this campaignSat Mar 19 2016 - 01:02
Matt Williams: Northern Hemisphere game has lost its lustreFurther decline looks inevitable unless there is a change of attitude and styleSat Mar 12 2016 - 07:15
Matt Williams: Home truths and convenient lies about Irish rugbyNobody wants to see Ireland score tries when they can see a variety of kicks being usedSat Feb 27 2016 - 10:48
Matt Williams: Joe Schmidt can make the most of lossWith proper evaluation losing games can benefit Ireland going forwardSat Feb 20 2016 - 07:00
Matt Williams: France will have set hearts on revengeLes Bleus attacking display against Italy last weekend does not bode well for IrelandSat Feb 13 2016 - 06:04
Matt Williams: Time for bowing at the altar of Joe Schmidt is overSix Nations has lost its international relevance as Southern Hemisphere loses interestSat Feb 06 2016 - 03:00
World Cup review: Blossoms set tone for feast of rugby‘Irish Times’ team looks back at an eventful tournament and pick their highs and lowsMon Nov 02 2015 - 12:56
Matt Williams: Wallaby win will save rugby in AustraliaAussies and Kiwis are the best of friends – but all affection vanishes on the field of playSat Oct 31 2015 - 08:30
Matt Williams: Ireland’s attacking system fails big test against one of the bestConstant box-kicking from the scrumhalf not going to trouble Southern Hemisphere teamsSat Oct 24 2015 - 07:45
Matt Williams: Argentina deserve huge credit for altering their attacking mindsetWithout changing to a running game, any hope of defeating the top nations was a follySat Oct 17 2015 - 04:00
Ireland’s conservative game plan will not be enough against the best teamsIt’s not unpatriotic to question the lack of a cutting edge in Joe Schmidt’s side’s attackSat Oct 10 2015 - 01:00
Matt Williams: Ireland and Italy share problem – the centres keep running in to peopleIreland can win the World Cup if the backs can start using their footwork and run straightSun Oct 04 2015 - 12:55
Matt Williams: Offloading game both effective and thrillingRugby league converts Williams, Folau and Burgess have been best exponents of skillSat Sept 26 2015 - 15:04
Matt Williams: Ireland may struggle to earn luck that winners always needJoe Schmidt has done a wonderful job but team are lacking creativity in midfieldSat Sept 19 2015 - 08:05
Matt Williams: New Zealand still the best, but not by muchNew Zealand are team in decline, while Springboks are sleeping giants of tournamentMon Sept 14 2015 - 04:00
Matt Williams: It’s time to reward rugby risk-takers with bonus pointsChange mindset from conservatism to entrepreneurial adventureMon Mar 23 2015 - 11:42
Lack of an attacking system continues to stymie Ireland’s ambitionJoe Schmidt needs to instil a solid attacking structure to win the really important gamesSat Mar 21 2015 - 08:58
Ireland will win playing Schmidt rugby as ‘Wazza ball’ won’t save WalesI want Ireland to win and be successful but I find their style of play uninspiringSat Mar 14 2015 - 12:01
