The Irish Times

‘Callous, cold and calculating’ - Fabien Galthié’s journey to the top

French coach has detractors but questionable man-management skills may be worth it

Fri Feb 11 2022 - 13:05

Gerry Thornley: Eight great Leinster wins in Europe that trump Exeter comeback

The Sandy Park win is a long way down any list of great victories in the competition

Mon Apr 12 2021 - 21:00

European giants Toulouse ready to add a fifth star to their chests

Antoine Dupont among young stars who can help end 11-year wait for the Champions Cup

Sat Apr 03 2021 - 06:00

Ronan O’Gara: Ireland need to be braver than usual ‘in a shoot-out for gold’

Former Ireland outhalf believes France’s X-factor can be undone by their poor discipline

Fri Oct 30 2020 - 06:00

Sporting Cathedrals: Le Stadium - European fortress of the mighty Toulouse

Ground is deep in the bosom of the Pink City, and in French rugby’s southern heartlands

Thu Aug 06 2020 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley: Empty stadiums could help bring some changes for the better

Officials might stop trend of over-the-top celebrations and goading of the opposition

Tue May 19 2020 - 06:00

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

Six Nations 2020: the future starts now for youthful France

Fabien Galthié has named 19 new caps as Les Bleus look to end their 10-year title drought

Mon Jan 27 2020 - 12:00

Stats show post-World Cup years throw up more debut opportunities

Deep dive into 2016-2019 stats shows young players right to hope for chance at test level

Thu Jan 23 2020 - 06:00

Pool C: youthful France have a mountain to climb in Japan

Les Bleus look dysfunctional but the likes of Ntamack and Dupont offer glimmer of hope

Sun Aug 04 2019 - 05:00

Noves to receive €1 million for wrongful dismissal

Former French coach was sacked in December 2017

Mon Apr 08 2019 - 13:56

France targeting Ronan O’Gara for coaching role

Media reports in France also claim Paul O’Connell is set to leave Stade Francais

Fri Mar 22 2019 - 14:03

Unchanged French side slightly unnerving for Ireland

First France coach to name the same team for successive Tests since 2012

Wed Mar 06 2019 - 05:30

The Offload: it’s time to stop the penalty try double-whammy

Guy Noves’ France tribunal begins, eventful London Irish bow for resilient Ian Keatley

Mon Feb 18 2019 - 11:00

Six Nations 2019: Brunel and France looking for youthful revival

Les Bleus endured a torrid 2018 but can call on exciting crop of junior world champions

Fri Feb 01 2019 - 07:00

Six Nations: Logic points to Welsh win but doesn’t apply to France

Unpredictable les bleus will fired up and keen to redeem themselves after Fiji upset

Fri Feb 01 2019 - 06:30

Gerry Thornley: Toulouse have found what they were looking for

Former stalwarts like ex-Bandon RFC coach Sonnes helping club reclaim its old identity

Sat Jan 12 2019 - 07:00

Toulouse are back but the aristocratic aura is gone

Despite their history, famous club no longer enjoy the inherent advantages of yore

Sat Oct 20 2018 - 07:00

Saracens loom as biggest threat to Leinster’s crown

Gerry Thornley’s Heineken Champions Cup preview: All you need to know

Sat Oct 06 2018 - 06:00

Gordon D’Arcy: Beirne’s arrival can help take Munster to another level

A flowing philosophy over a rigid system looks like Munster’s new foundation stone

Wed Oct 03 2018 - 06:00

Coping with injuries the key for All Blacks and France

Jacques Brunel and Steve Hansen in World Cup planning mode ahead of Test clash

Fri Jun 08 2018 - 01:00

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

Matt Williams: This is the worst France team I have ever seen

French rugby was a beacon, but with a lack of world-class players, the light has gone out

Sat Feb 03 2018 - 06:00

Six Nations 2018: Ireland can set up a Paddy’s Day party

Joe Schmidt’s side are in red hot form and look like a serious challenge for England

Fri Feb 02 2018 - 11:00

Rugby Statistics: Numbers don’t tell the whole story with Ireland

Only two offloads in record win over South Africa show how context is key with data

Thu Feb 01 2018 - 10:30

Robbie Henshaw heads for Paris with a spring in his step

Centre hoping to bring Leinster form to Test arena in opener against France

Tue Jan 30 2018 - 18:25

Six Nations 2018: Familiar feelings for France

Controversy on and off the pitch for Les Bleus does not bode well for this year’s championship

Mon Jan 29 2018 - 11:00

Can Jacques Brunel fix France’s ‘mess’ before Ireland clash?

Les Bleus enter contest on back of seven winless matches but are boosted by new coach

Sat Jan 27 2018 - 08:30

France bring in Serin and Bonneval for injured Parra and Dulin

Scotland call up 34-year-old uncapped hooker Neil Cochrane

Mon Jan 22 2018 - 16:30

Morgan Parra recalled to youthful France Six Nations squad

Jacques Brunel names six uncapped players in 32-man selection

Wed Jan 17 2018 - 16:27

Brunel: Six Nations opener against Ireland is crucial

Jacques Brunel says his side need to focus on intensity and speed ahead of tournament

Mon Jan 08 2018 - 19:43

Guy Novès sacking the latest act in the drama of French rugby

FFR trying to avoid paying coach who failed in his efforts to restore Gallic flair and pride

Thu Jan 04 2018 - 12:51

Jacques Brunel named as the new head coach of France

In wake of poor 2017 results, Guy Noves replaced by former Italy and Perpignan coach

Wed Dec 27 2017 - 18:00

Gerry Thornley: November gives way for intriguing Six Nations

Scotland’s arguably made the most impressive strides of all during the autumn internationals

Tue Nov 28 2017 - 07:00