The Irish Times

Leinster Rugby season preview: Strength ensures Cullen’s side remains the team to beat

Leinster machine rolls on and remains standard-bearer for United Rugby Championship

Fri Sept 24 2021 - 06:00

Scott Fardy: ‘The game is getting more physical – it starts to take a toll’

At 36, the Australian is hanging up his boots after his 80th game with Leinster on Friday

Thu Jun 10 2021 - 01:00

Gerry Thornley: Gap between French sides and the rest is a worrying trend

La Rochelle’s budget only mid-table in the Top 14 but it’s a least double that of Leinster

Tue May 04 2021 - 06:44

Oui, Leinster regrette beaucoup as La Rochelle head for all-French final

Leo Cullen’s men no match for relentless attack and strength of Ronan O’Gara’s side

Mon May 03 2021 - 06:00

Stander and Fardy’s exit signals a changing of Irish import guard

This summer marks a watershed moment in the role of ‘project players’ in Irish rugby

Sat Apr 24 2021 - 01:00

Johnny Sexton hopeful he will play on until the next World Cup

At age 35, Ireland outhalf sees no reason to retire if he can still perform at required level

Wed Dec 02 2020 - 06:00

Leinster need to follow Munster’s lead and sign some marquee names

The province’s European successes have seen key inputs from world stars

Fri Sept 25 2020 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley: When players hit their 30s, they can really hit their stride

Enforced Covid ‘time out’ may benefit players heading into the next phase of their career

Tue Sept 01 2020 - 06:00

Sporting Cathedrals: Fortress Thomond, where the 16th man always gets his game

The Limerick city ground is famed and feared the rugby world over

Wed Jul 22 2020 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley: Stoppage could tip balance in favour of big money teams

Financial repercussions likely to hit more than for teams backed by wealthy owners

Tue Jun 02 2020 - 06:30

Japan’s Luke Thompson aiming to bow out on a high

Kiwi has proved a remarkable servant for Brave Blossoms and is looking forward to fourth RWC

Sun Sept 15 2019 - 19:00

Matt Williams: Getting rid of Devin Toner beggars belief

His ability to call and manage the set piece should have been an integral part of Ireland’s game plan

Tue Sept 03 2019 - 06:00

Whatever happened to the wonderful Rocky Elsom?

It is a decade since the flanker inspired Leinster to a first Heineken Cup triumph

Mon May 27 2019 - 06:00

Isa Nacewa: Leinster can expect all out war against Saracens

In battles like these you need to get away with whatever you can

Sat May 11 2019 - 06:00

Gordon D'Arcy: Foreign signings put Irish provinces on European map

Fardy and Lowe following in proven footsteps of likes of Williams, Nacewa, Aki and Elsom

Wed May 01 2019 - 06:00

Isa Nacewa: Black magic no longer casts a spell on Ireland

I’ve been telling everyone in New Zealand that we now have a real, sustainable rivalry

Sat Nov 24 2018 - 06:00

Michael Cheika with a glint in his eye embraces underdog tag

The recently acquired Crusaders backrower Pete Samu could make his debut from bench

Thu Jun 07 2018 - 08:42

Joey Carbery gets the nod at 10 for opener in Australia

Joe Schmidt names his Irish team for Saturday’s 11am (Irish time) kick-off in Brisbane

Thu Jun 07 2018 - 07:07

Ireland are on the cusp of an epic run as they head Down Under

Schmidt knows a series win for Ireland would be a major landmark on road to Japan

Sat Jun 02 2018 - 06:00

Australia set to show their cards ahead of Ireland series

Michael Cheika will announce his squad this morning for three summer Tests

Tue May 29 2018 - 20:00

Scott Fardy takes the long way round to reach the top

Australian is well travelled but has made himself right at home with Leinster

Sat May 19 2018 - 06:00

Hungry Leinster to heed warnings from the past

Robbie Henshaw ruled out of Saturday’s game against Munster due to knee injury

Tue May 15 2018 - 06:00

What we learned from the Champions Cup weekend

Scott Fardy and best laid plans, Racing opt to chop not choke, and rugby at what cost?

Mon Apr 23 2018 - 12:31

Leinster greedy to add a fourth European star to jersey in Bilbao

Cullen, Sexton and Kearney all on message as Champions Cup glory looms

Sat Apr 21 2018 - 20:49

Leinster 38 Scarlets 16: Leinster player ratings

Gavin Cummiskey hands out some big numbers after a stunning performance

Sat Apr 21 2018 - 19:24

Luke McGrath’s injury bad news for James Lowe

With Jamison Gibson-Park stepping up at No 9, Maori winger will be squeezed out

Mon Feb 19 2018 - 07:20

Seán O’Brien hoping to be fit in time for Glasgow clash

Leinster flanker facing hot competition for starting place as he recovers from hip injury

Thu Jan 04 2018 - 06:00

Joe Schmidt not entirely satisfied with where Ireland are at

Coach really happy with work ethic but left frustrated by ‘few things we didn’t get right’

Mon Nov 27 2017 - 06:00

Ruan Pienaar’s enforced departure hits so many wrong notes

In essence, gifted South African has been treated as a mere commodity by the IRFU

Tue May 09 2017 - 07:00

Gordon D’Arcy: The importance of winning the mental battle

Leinster and Munster must both go to The Well on Saturday and not give an inch away

Wed Mar 29 2017 - 07:45

Timing key to Donnacha Ryan not getting Ireland contract

Munster will have little option but to look abroad to replace international secondrow

Tue Mar 28 2017 - 05:58

Matt Williams: Ireland’s inconsistency stems from lack of trust

If Joe Schmidt’s team don’t improve, this powerful England side will demolish them

Sat Mar 18 2017 - 05:00

Brad Thorn to return to top-class rugby at age 41

Former Leinster secondrow will join Queensland in Australian National Rugby Championship

Thu Sept 22 2016 - 14:08

IRFU chief does not believe Munster can make debt repayments

Downturn of results and decrease in crowds seen as underlying problem for province

Fri Jul 15 2016 - 22:38