The Irish Times

Gerry Thornley: Ruddock hasn’t enjoyed rub of the green in Ireland career

Versatile Leinster stalwart has been denied opportunities others have been granted

Tue Nov 10 2020 - 06:46

James Cronin case puts Munster in uncomfortable position

The prop is the latest Munster player to become embroiled in a doping scandal

Fri May 01 2020 - 06:30

2023 Rugby World Cup: What will the Ireland team look like?

We can already predict a lot about the make-up of the squad for the tournament

Sat Jan 04 2020 - 06:00

Rugby Statistics: It’s time for change as Farrell puts his own shape on things

There is an average 5.4 selection changes between the final game of an Irish coach and the opener of his successor

Thu Dec 19 2019 - 06:15

Joe Schmidt confident Johnny Sexton will be fit to face Russia

Sexton has been unable to train this week, after being hurt against Scotland on Sunday

Thu Sept 26 2019 - 09:02

Gerry Thornley: Toner and Addison the fall guys as Schmidt opts for physicality

Leaving out Leinster lock something of a gamble given Ireland’s recent lineout struggles

Tue Sept 03 2019 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley: Ireland’s initial World Cup squad follows predictable lines

The inclusion of uncapped Munster duo Kleyn and Haley the most eye-catching

Wed May 29 2019 - 06:39

Why the Six Nations results will have little or no bearing in Japan

Rugby stats: Squad changes and work done between now and September will be key

Thu Mar 21 2019 - 06:00

Ireland hit the scoring stakes hard in historic year

In 24 matches, 37 different individual players crossed the line for Joe Schmidt's side

Thu Dec 20 2018 - 06:28

Rugby is playing roulette with welfare of brightest and best

Chris Henry’s retirement causes brief pause for reflection ahead of glamorous autumn Tests

Sat Nov 10 2018 - 09:00

Gerry Thornley: Schmidt's Ireland 2.0 taking shape

Argentina clash will be a good barometer of coach's attempt to grow Ireland's depth

Tue Nov 06 2018 - 06:00

Ulster’s Chris Henry retires ‘for the wellbeing of myself’

The 34-year-old played 184 times for the province and 24 times for Ireland

Mon Nov 05 2018 - 12:10

Provincial fringe players lacking competitive rugby outlet

Celtic Cup has made some difference but meaningful fixtures are still limited for many

Thu Sept 13 2018 - 06:15

Cooney gets Ulster off to the perfect start

Scrumhalf kicks late penalty to get Dan McFarland's side over the line against Scarlets

Sat Sept 01 2018 - 19:38

Tadhg Beirne and Ross Byrne can join Down Under debutants

In total, 15 Irish players have been handed a first cap in Australia for tour next month

Thu May 31 2018 - 07:00

Tadhg Furlong and company calm before the storm

Focused prop preparing to lock horns with his fellow Lions Sinckler and Vunipola

Fri Mar 16 2018 - 06:00

Gerbrandt Grobler set for Munster debut on Saturday

Convicted doper will line out for Johann van Graan’s side when they take on Zebre in Pro14

Fri Feb 09 2018 - 17:39

Iain Henderson looking at the bigger picture

Ireland and Ulster lock wants to get away from social media clips and get to work

Fri Jan 26 2018 - 14:24

Christian Lealiifano in Ulster XV for his last home match

Wiehahn Herbst is ruled out due to a slight calf issue as Iain Henderson named at lock

Fri Jan 12 2018 - 12:34

Pembroke and Mossley scrape through to quarter-finals of Irish Senior Cup

Lisnagarvey-Railway Union second-round tie called off again due to weather conditions

Sun Jan 07 2018 - 16:23

Best back to lead Ulster for daunting trip to the RDS

Ireland skipper’s return to action a timely boost for a pack that has struggled of late

Thu Jan 04 2018 - 05:00

Pressure is on Ulster to stage a New Year’s Day turnaround

Les Kiss feeling the heat for Munster clash after Thursday’s 44-16 defeat to Connacht

Fri Dec 29 2017 - 07:30

Rory Best could miss all of Ulster's festive schedule

Les Kiss to start third choice hooker John Andrew during visit to Connacht

Wed Dec 20 2017 - 01:00

Same again should do the trick for Ulster against Harlequins

Harlequins missing some big names for the Champions Cup visit to Belfast

Fri Dec 15 2017 - 06:00

Rory Best ready to pull back on Ulster jersey for Dragons clash

Jared Payne continues to suffer headaches since head injury on Lions’ tour in June

Wed Nov 29 2017 - 06:00

Ulster face injury crisis for Treviso clash

Province’s frontrow hit the worst with props McCall, Ah You and Herbst all sidelined

Wed Nov 22 2017 - 05:30

Gerry Thornley: Windows of opportunity closing for Schmidt

Players need Test match experience if they are to make it to Japan in two years’ time

Tue Nov 21 2017 - 07:00

Jacob Stockdale living the dream playing alongside his boyhood heroes

In-form 21-year-old makes his home debut for Ireland against the Springboks

Sat Nov 11 2017 - 09:00

Gordon D'Arcy: Ireland’s creative spontaneity will beat the Springboks

Saturday should show that Bundee Aki is a central figure in Joe Schmidt’s thinking

Wed Nov 08 2017 - 06:32

Battle-hardened Ruddock primed for international frontline duty

Leinster player captained Ireland in all three test wins last June in the US and Japan

Fri Nov 03 2017 - 06:00

Leinster dish out a dose of the blues to Ulster

Home side well beaten at the Kingspan Stadium by Leo Cullen’s impressive side

Sat Oct 28 2017 - 21:12

Rory Best on the bench as Ulster name XV for La Rochelle

Winger Andrew Trimble is set to pass out Roger Wilson as Ulster’s most capped player

Fri Oct 20 2017 - 13:11

Ulster need to hit the ground running in Champions Cup

Big performances needed from Henderson, Deysel and McCloskey as side hosts Wasps

Fri Oct 13 2017 - 01:00

Iain Henderson to lead Ulster in European opener against Wasps

Les Kiss makes three changes for Friday's Champions Cup game in Belfast

Thu Oct 12 2017 - 12:21