The Irish Times

Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster won’t be bullied again and have the game to beat La Rochelle

If Leinster maintain their quick ruck speed they will get the tries they need to win

Wed May 25 2022 - 06:00

Three Leinster players on European player of the year shortlist

Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan and James Lowe, included on five-man shortlist

Tue May 17 2022 - 15:32

Ronan O’Gara focused on ‘writing a new page of history’ for La Rochelle

Champions Cup: semi-final between Racing and La Rochelle looks like being a close affair

Sat May 14 2022 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley’s Six Nations Team of the Tournament (and more)

Five Irish players included, nine from the winning French team, and Maro Itoje

Tue Mar 22 2022 - 06:00

France meets expectations to deliver Grand Slam

Les Bleus victory over England to seal title marks defining moment for modern rugby

Sun Mar 20 2022 - 18:57

Grand Slam-chasing France ready to stake their claim as nation’s greatest

Galthié’s enviably balanced young side puts some illustrious names in the shade

Sat Mar 19 2022 - 06:00

Six Nations: It’s sink or swim for England as France prepare to sail home

Paris punishment may follow Murrayfield misery and Twickenham tribulations

Fri Mar 18 2022 - 22:30

Ireland struggle to match France’s physicality in valiant defeat

Learning to live with the bully boys will be the acid test for Andy Farrell’s side

Mon Feb 14 2022 - 06:00

Leinster trio in the mix for European Player of the Year award

Caelan Doris, Jimmy O’Brien and Josh van der Flier included on longlist

Tue Feb 01 2022 - 17:03

Richie Mo’unga one of seven changes for New Zealand’s clash with France

Beauden Barrett fails to recover from head knock he suffered in defeat to Ireland

Thu Nov 18 2021 - 18:25

Toulouse complete the double as La Rochelle’s wait for glory goes on

European champions secure a 21st Bouclier de Brennus in Paris

Fri Jun 25 2021 - 21:59

Agony for 14-man La Rochelle as five star Toulouse conquer Europe again

Ronan O’Gara’s side fall short as winners return to the top of the continental table

Sat May 22 2021 - 19:28

Champions Cup final: La Rochelle on the verge of an historic breakthrough

Toulouse possess superior pedigree but O’Gara’s men have significant momentum

Fri May 21 2021 - 20:40

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

Ronan O’Gara has made La Rochelle ask ‘why not us?’

Defence is the French team’s strongest weapon, and the focus is to defend the ball and not the space

Sat May 01 2021 - 08:00

La Rochelle unfamiliar foes but Leinster are semi-final veterans

This is the first ever meeting between Ronan O’Gara’s French side and four-time winners

Sat May 01 2021 - 07:00

Injury to outhalf West a concern for O’Gara and La Rochelle

Reserve outhalf Plisson already out of action with a hamstring injury as big Leinster clash looms

Tue Apr 20 2021 - 01:07

Local club La Rochelle now pressing claims at Europe’s top table

Model old club deeply rooted in local community now boast team among Europe's best

Sat Apr 17 2021 - 01:00

Four Leinster players nominated for European Player of the Year award

Winner will be announced following the Champions Cup final on Saturday May 22nd

Wed Apr 14 2021 - 10:37

Ireland’s outhalf dilemma: Is Jack Carty the forgotten man?

28-year-old is Connacht’s leading points scorer but hasn’t been seen for Ireland since 2019

Sat Feb 20 2021 - 05:00

Gerry Thornley: French lesson in offloading is one Ireland must take on board

The way the modern game is going means the offload must be central to attacking strategy

Tue Feb 16 2021 - 06:00

Iain Henderson fills Ireland’s leadership void as he fronts up to France defeat

Secondrow’s words carry weight as he rues missed chances in narrow Six Nations loss

Sun Feb 14 2021 - 19:35

France drop Teddy Thomas for Ireland game

Fabien Galthie makes two changes for clash in Dublin

Fri Feb 12 2021 - 12:47

Six Nations 2021: A bluffer’s guide to France

Much expected of a talented crop of young prospects under the guidance of Galthie

Wed Feb 03 2021 - 06:00

Antoine Dupont named Six Nations Player of the Championship

Emily Scarratt wins inaugural Women’s Player of the Championship award

Fri Nov 06 2020 - 12:52

Gerry Thornley’s Six Nations team of the tournament

Our rugby correspondent looks at the players who impressed in this year’s fractured tournament

Mon Nov 02 2020 - 19:00

Clinical France make the most of Ireland’s shortcomings

Farrell’s men had ample opportunities before game plan eventually unravelled

Mon Nov 02 2020 - 01:30

France 35 Ireland 27: France player ratings

Gavin Cummiskey hands out the marks after France prove too strong for the Irish in Paris

Sat Oct 31 2020 - 23:03

Ireland fall short against France as England win Six Nations title

Les Bleus show attacking brilliance as Andy Farrell’s side fade after half-time in Paris

Sat Oct 31 2020 - 22:38

Gordon D’Arcy: Having the Six Nations behind paywall should have people up in arms

To go fully behind a pay wall would prove catastrophic to the sport’s future

Wed Mar 04 2020 - 07:26

Owen Doyle: Ireland were fortunate to keep full complement on pitch

Dangerous ruck tackles by Toner and Ryan were not picked up or reviewed by officials

Thu Feb 27 2020 - 06:50

France made to work by Italy but keep Grand Slam dream alive

Les Bleus earn a bonus point to go top of the table but Azzurri fight until the end in Paris

Sun Feb 09 2020 - 17:24

Gerry Thornley: France very firmly pin their colours to the mast

Les Bleus rekindle their love story with the public and look like Six Nations contenders

Tue Feb 04 2020 - 07:00

Lopez the hero as France withstand Argentina’s second-half comeback

Late drop goal seals victory as Pumas fume over referee Gardner’s performance

Sun Sept 22 2019 - 15:00