The Irish Times

South African sides make new dawn one of promise for United Rugby Championship

Leinster and Munster both open with games against the newcomers this weekend

Sat Sept 25 2021 - 06:00

Lions have learned the hard way that defence is a matter of pride for Springboks

Damien de Allende, Jean de Villiers and Brian O’Driscoll on the green wall that awaits

Sat Jul 24 2021 - 06:00

Irish ready to give nouveau riche French a run for their money

Provinces will have to punch above weight when they face financial behemoths of Top14

Sat Oct 15 2016 - 06:00

Saracens know time has come to show what they can do

Maro Itoje’s performance in defeat of Wasps epitomises new confidence in team

Sun Apr 24 2016 - 23:15

Leinster v Toulon: Mike McCarthy to join 300 club

Leinster secondrow will make milestone appearance when Toulon visit the Aviva

Thu Dec 17 2015 - 01:00

Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster must force Toulon to play the blame game

This weekend it all comes back to the mental strength of the collective

Wed Dec 09 2015 - 22:16

RWC #39: England stuffed by South Africa in 2007

Reigning World Champions are humbled by the Springboks in Parisian Pool A encounter

Tue Aug 11 2015 - 12:00

Toulon confirm Paul O’Connell deal

Ireland captain signs two-year deal with Top 14 side

Mon Jun 15 2015 - 22:03

Toulon may be hard to like but there’s no questioning their dominance

Money talks and Mourad Boudjellal ’s millions are shouting loud for the European champions

Tue May 05 2015 - 05:45

Paul O’Connell rumours stoked by Toulon president Boudjellal

Despite remarks, Munster star most to likely see out his career in Ireland

Mon May 04 2015 - 01:00

Anthony Foley plays down talk of Paul O’Connell move to Toulon

Munster coach says he has heard nothing of move which is denied by mega-rich French club

Tue Apr 21 2015 - 18:31

Matt Giteau warns that Toulon must up their game for Clermont decider

Australian back admits side were far from their best in semi-final win over Leinster

Mon Apr 20 2015 - 15:02

Toulon 25 Leinster 20: How the players rated

Gavin Cummiskey assesses the performances of both sets of players as Toulon reach yet another final

Sun Apr 19 2015 - 19:24

Toulon see off Leinster challenge to set up all-French final

Intercept try from Bryan Habana in extra time gives Toulon daylight in Marseille

Sun Apr 19 2015 - 18:40

Frédéric Michalak embracing chance to build lasting legacy

Toulon outhalf has resurrected a career that has long mixed the flaky with flawless

Sat Apr 18 2015 - 01:10

Leinster player-by-player statistics for European Champions Cup semi-final

Leinster team to face Toulon at Stade Velodrome

Sat Apr 18 2015 - 01:05

Toulon player-by-player statistics for European Champions Cup semi-final

Toulon team to face Leinster at Stade Velodrome

Sat Apr 18 2015 - 01:03

How Leinster can beat Toulon - from those that have found a way

Be aggressive . . . don’t let them run at you . . . go helter-skelter at them . . . frontrow key . . . and clearouts . . . Johnny’s gone

Fri Apr 17 2015 - 18:37

Ali Williams puts Toulon success down to winning mentality

Lock says financial divide needs to be solved to avoid ruining international game

Wed Apr 15 2015 - 01:00

Michalak’s boot does the job as error-strewn Toulon set up semi-final with Leinster

French side far from their best as they see off Wasps

Sun Apr 05 2015 - 18:59

Toulon to progress against Wasps and continue dual title defence

Champions should secure eighth successive knock-out win in the European Cup

Sat Apr 04 2015 - 01:00

Andy McGeady: Why is a clearout treated differently to a tackle?

No-arm charges at rucks are just as dangerous as the highlighted tackles

Wed Feb 25 2015 - 01:00

Six Nations 2015: Survival of the fittest

Size is the bottom line in rugby and the key to optimising physical power is getting access to players when they are young, writes Gavin Cummiskey

Tue Feb 03 2015 - 20:00

Bakkies Botha retires after Boks win over Italy

Late Bryan Habana try adds gloss to unconvincing win for South Africa in Padova

Sat Nov 22 2014 - 16:20

Much more to the Springboks than ‘heads down, bums up, straight ahead’

Matt Williams believes Heyneke Meyer has added flair to physicality and it is a masterstroke

Sat Nov 08 2014 - 09:00

Springbok midfield’s ability must be tested well behind their gain line

Joe Schmidt’s men braced for the inevitable massive physical challenge the Boks represent

Fri Nov 07 2014 - 18:29

Schalk Burger always making an impact

South African flanker has come back from illness and injury to regain a place

Thu Nov 06 2014 - 11:07

Springbok bully boys likely to have too much up front for ‘nice’ Ireland

A year on and New Zealand heartbreak lingers. Distraction is the way to avoid a repeat against South Africa.

Thu Nov 06 2014 - 10:00

Ruan Pienaar must prove his fitness for Springboks

Heyneke Meyer hoping Ulster’s talismanic scrumhalf can overcome knee injury

Tue Oct 28 2014 - 01:00

Ulster must take the fight to Toulon

European champions bring their multi-talented squad to Belfast for the first time

Sat Oct 25 2014 - 01:31

Stopping Matt Giteau and Toulon a formidable task for Ulster

The best outhalf in world rugby graces Irish soil this weekend as European champions arrive in Belfast

Fri Oct 24 2014 - 09:00

Durable Devin Toner taking his game to new heights

Leinster lock’s offloading game, as well as his tackling, has consistently improved

Fri May 30 2014 - 08:00

Toulon win battle of bullies against Saracens in Cardiff

Matt Giteau’s moment of magic lights up flat Heineken Cup finale

Sat May 24 2014 - 19:40

Mark McCall sees Wilkinson as the danger

The Ulster-born coach eyes up a first European Cup and domestic double for Saracens

Fri May 23 2014 - 13:59