The Irish Times

Owen Doyle: Referees damned if they do, damned if they don’t on red cards

Three finals is a huge achievement for Barnes and he is standing the test of time

Tue May 24 2022 - 06:00

Owen Doyle: Referee’s performance didn’t affect outcome one jot at the Aviva

All in all it wasn’t a great weekend for the men in the middle in European semi-finals

Tue May 17 2022 - 06:00

Highest ranked team to host URC Grand Final as playoff format confirmed

Announcement heightens importance of final three rounds of regular-season games

Thu Apr 21 2022 - 14:53

Ulster enjoy bonus-point win as Robert Baloucoune grabs double against Connacht

Connacht’s hopes hit by two yellow cards as poor run continues for Andy Friend’s side

Fri Feb 04 2022 - 22:44

Owen Doyle: Weekend Tests show that referees should reach for their cards sooner

Matches emphasise need to punish serial offenders and retain control of game

Tue Nov 23 2021 - 06:00

Connacht’s fire and fury ignites their season as Ulster brushed aside with ease

Head coach Andy Friend calls Aviva Stadium experiment a success after big bonus-point win

Mon Oct 25 2021 - 06:00

Connacht supply the fireworks on memorable night at the Aviva

Bonus-point win over Ulster sees Mack Hansen cross for two tries

Sat Oct 23 2021 - 19:46

Stormers’ Adre Smith receives eight-week suspension over Thomond Park incident

World Rugby announce date at end of the month for Rassie Erasmus hearing

Thu Oct 07 2021 - 21:05

Stormers’ Adre Smith cited for alleged biting incident on Munster’s Niall Scannell

South African could face 12-week ban if found guilty at Thursday’s disciplinary hearing

Tue Oct 05 2021 - 21:55

Keith Earls moves to fill Munster’s midfield shortfall

URC preview: Simon Zebo on the bench as Stormers descend on Thomond Park

Sat Oct 02 2021 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley: Captain’s challenge worth the trial but it’s time to scrap it

Drawn-out unsatisfactory endgame in Thomond Park may serve as a salutary warning

Tue Jun 01 2021 - 06:00

CJ Stander signs off at Thomond Park as Munster fight back to down Cardiff

Tommy O’Donnell and James Cronin also bid farewell to ground in thriller

Fri May 28 2021 - 22:03

Owen Doyle: Referee Luke Pearce far from perfect in fraught final

Referee was never far from the centre of attention, some of his own making, some not

Tue May 25 2021 - 01:00

Gerry Thornley: repercussions of captain’s challenge need to be considered

While red card replacement should be scrapped jury remains out on challenge trial

Tue May 18 2021 - 06:00

Owen Doyle: IRFU should be encouraging representation for Irish referees

Officials get a very raw deal that no player would accept

Tue Apr 13 2021 - 06:00

La Rochelle book semi-final slot after second-half blitz against Sale

Raymond Rhule and Geoffrey Doumayrou grab doubles after the break

Sat Apr 10 2021 - 17:17

Owen Doyle: Mixed bag from Wayne Barnes as he continues race for referee gold

Toulouse simply better than Munster while Amashukeli caught the eye in London

Tue Apr 06 2021 - 06:12

Ulster run in seven tries against 14-man Zebre in Belfast

Marco Manfredi’s red card ended game as a contest with scrums going uncontested

Fri Mar 19 2021 - 22:48

Owen Doyle: Scotland will feel aggrieved at Poite’s breakdown penalties

Brace and Neville leave with heads held high after Twickenham thriller

Tue Mar 16 2021 - 06:00

The Offload: Stockdale surely in line to replace Lowe against England

In the international arena, defence cannot be sacrificed for attacking gifts

Mon Mar 15 2021 - 01:00

England crush French Grand Slam dream at Twickenham

Eddie Jones confident his side can improve again against Ireland next weekend

Sat Mar 13 2021 - 18:52

Hard-nosed Ireland have the means to halt Scotland’s momentum

Establishing forward dominance could prove crucial in stymieing Hogg/Russell influence

Sat Mar 13 2021 - 07:35

Owen Doyle: Calamity in Cardiff is hard to get your head around

Ireland’s James Ryan lucky not to be punished for incident in Rome

Tue Mar 02 2021 - 06:00

Owen Doyle: Peter O’Mahony’s act of thuggery deserves tough sanction

Cardiff game left such a bad taste after stirring encounters on Saturday

Tue Feb 09 2021 - 06:00

Finn Russell’s wizardry gives Scotland a magic show to remember

First Twickenham win in 38 years was deserved. Any other result would have been a travesty

Sun Feb 07 2021 - 22:30

Owen Doyle: Not everyone is on board for red card and dangerous play rules

Players’ duty of care for opponents seems to have completely gone out the window

Fri Feb 05 2021 - 06:00

The Offload: Australia is here to help the Lions tour and more

Bernard Jackman’s criticism of Pro14 referees was not rant, he provided the examples

Mon Feb 01 2021 - 07:00

Leinster’s potent pack turn screw after break to help land bonus point

Bonus-point statement win has halved Ulster’s 10-point lead atop Conference A

Fri Jan 08 2021 - 22:23

The Offload: No Eddie, rugby is not a safer sport

World Cup schedule shouldn't be about strongest handicapping the weakest

Mon Dec 14 2020 - 10:00

Gerry Thornley: France building nicely towards home World Cup

In Galthié and Edwards, Les Bleus have their best coaching ticket of professional era

Tue Dec 08 2020 - 06:46

Owen Doyle: Rugby will have a high price to pay if it doesn’t tackle head-high hits

Out of three red-card offences in Sydney only one received ultimate sanction

Tue Dec 08 2020 - 06:45

Owen Doyle: Ireland should have been awarded penalty try for Bouthier bat

Barnes got most things right in Paris but Keenan would have scored without intervention

Tue Nov 03 2020 - 06:55

Ulster know they have game to spoil Leinster’s party

Leo Cullen’s side hold all the cards but opponents have put it up to them before

Sat Sept 12 2020 - 01:00

Déjà vu all over again for Munster against Leinster

Defending champions into Pro14 final as Munster fail to make most of opportunities

Fri Sept 04 2020 - 21:58