Five things we learned from Ireland’s opening-night horror show against France
Six Nations: After 36-14 nightmare defeat, are there more scares in store for Andy Farrell’s men?
Rugby
Irish fans warned over tourist attraction ticket prices in Paris
The difference between buying directly from museum sites and third-party resellers can be substantial
Seasonal rugby spectators critiqued ahead of Six Nations
They will have all the terminology but none of the knowledge
‘A big threat, the heart of their attack’: Caelan Doris on France captain Antoine Dupont
Ireland star sees Six Nations opener in Paris as ‘exciting opportunity’ against tournament favourites
‘Just an accident’: Antoine Dupont bears no ill will towards Ireland pair over knee injury
France captain tore his ACL when the sides met in last year’s Six Nations
Conor Murray: Irish fans demanding change in the Six Nations squad should take a breath
I started reading the comments on social media – big mistake. Now is not the moment to break up an established team
Picking Harry Byrne would be a disrupting selection, perfect for what Ireland needs
Leinster No.10’s form is giving Andy Farrell plenty to think about before he names his Six Nations squad
‘We want to play this team’: Bayonne players relishing visit of ‘outstanding’ Leinster
But French side know their next Top 14 game is higher priority than Champions Cup fixture
Conor Murray: ‘Taking the space’ is the latest rugby jargon I do not understand
Champions Cup match officials have still not explained what ‘taking the space’ means after Munster’s loss to Toulon. It’s not good enough
Conor Murray: Bringing Sexton into a column about O’Gara is an easy trap to fall into
Sam Prendergast is a special talent around whom there is too much negative commentary
Owen Doyle: Changes to rugby’s laws need widespread buy-in, not more haste
Plenty of on-the-pitch examples should be giving World Rugby pause for thought
Conor Murray: Ciarán Frawley’s move to Connacht shows Irish system is working
The provinces should be producing four international calibre players in every position
Conor Murray: I’d compare Leinster’s dip to the Limerick hurlers. Both will come good again
It is hard to keep going back to the well after a lot of success
While Ireland switches off for Christmas, rugby players switch on
Leinster’s visit to Limerick next week will be a brilliant end to the rugby year
Conor Murray: Munster will be hurting, but their Champions Cup can still be saved
Team will be kicking themselves after Bath defeat, but Páirc Uí Chaoimh is the perfect venue to get things back on track
Johann van Graan made one early decision that proved very costly for Munster
What has impressed me the most about Clayton McMillan, so far, is he has not tried to reinvent the wheel
From Mike Tyson to Boris Becker and DJ Carey – the best sports books of 2025
It is a vintage year for biographies, memoirs and deep dives into sport’s darker sides
AIL preview: Clontarf and Terenure to renew rivalry
Third play second in Division 1A as leaders St Mary’s host winless Nenagh Ormond
Conor Murray: The game of rugby is in trouble. Genuinely, serious trouble
Referee Matthew Carley rolls with decisions made in the opening minutes, even if they don’t apply by the hour mark
‘Fight, problem-solving, guts’: Johnny Sexton hails Ireland’s response in Springboks clash
Loss of players and chaotic first half on Saturday made for severe test of team and coaches
Ireland’s 50% win rate in Autumn Nations Series is not where Andy Farrell wants or needs to be
There were positives, but head coach only has a little over two months until Six Nations starts
Australian Rugby on brink of unwanted 67-year record as French test awaits
Defeat in Paris will complete a rare winless European tour and mean Joe Schmidt’s side finish 2025 as, statistically, the worst ever Wallabies
Conor Murray: Rassie Erasmus will try to ‘beat the s**te’ out of Ireland. But we can win
Visitors at the end of a long season, while Ireland are rediscovering that winning groove after putting 46 points on the Wallabies
Ireland are receiving more cards than before – is it a problem and why is it happening?
Some may blame coaching or rule changes, but evidence suggests team behaviour is a factor, too
Conor Murray: Some think this Irish team is dangerously old, but system is made for longevity
Ireland’s lineout has been a problem. We have the people to sort it out
Sam Prendergast ‘deserves’ to start at 10 against Australia, says Andy Farrell
Nine changes for Ireland from last weekend’s win over Japan
Too many fans forget Joe Schmidt’s selfless efforts in bringing Wallabies back from brink
Coach took on ‘bin fire’ of a team in country with little patience for long-term rebuilds
Conor Murray: Ridiculous red card killed what should have been a showcase of rugby in Chicago
Ireland won’t be using Tadhg Beirne’s sending off as an excuse for All Blacks defeat
Matt Williams: Whether Ireland are ready for All Blacks is big ‘unknown unknown’
Springboks have already exposed New Zealand flaws, but can Andy Farrell’s side take advantage?
Conor Murray: I don’t miss the anxiety before games like tomorrow’s against the All Blacks
A look at the mental preparation behind Andy Farrell’s team and the influence of Gary Keegan and Caroline Currid
Why perfecting the counterattack is central to Ireland’s World Cup evolution
Only time will tell if Andy Farrell’s side can evolve the way they need to
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson: ‘We expect the best out of the Ireland team’
The All Blacks look well placed to exploit any Irish rustiness when the teams meet at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday
Munster v Connacht: Both teams forced to ring changes, but clash could yet be a cracker
Provinces are missing key players to international duty, but likes of Josh Ioane could light up game
Exceptional Jack Crowley makes strong case to start against All Blacks
Munster man won the battle of the outhalves against Leinster, but Andy Farrell gets the deciding vote
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How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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