By Will Macpherson Making sense of World Cup squads is an exercise carried out on two levels. Firstly, things are best kept simple: who’s in, who’s out, which coach nailed…
Ireland
England v Ireland: Taking the positives
By Adam Hathaway Whatever the result at Twickenham on Saturday when England host Ireland we can be certain of two things. One coach will say that the result does not…
Rugby World debates: Paul O’Connell’s clear-out
Picture the scene: Wales and Ireland are locked at 10-10, close to the hour mark. Dublin’s Aviva Stadium is expectant. The hosts have taken a while to click into gear but are finally…
Ireland’s 2015 Rugby World Cup squad
The squad has 14 players with World Cup experience and many of those without were involved with Ireland’s Six Nations victories in 2014 and 15. Over half the squad named today…
Ireland v Wales: 5 Things we learnt
The full-on Friendly. When Ireland faced Wales on Saturday it felt as though the Rugby World Cup had started early. The fitness sessions were over, the training bibs were back…
RW picks Ireland’s 31-man World Cup squad
Here are the 31 players Rugby World thinks Joe Schmidt should pick in his Rugby World Cup squad
World Cup watch: In support of undroppable front-rowers
For some of the world’s most revered front row players, it is the ideal situation. For the coaches it lies somewhere between walking on eggshells and urging the turkey to…
Five things we learnt: Wales v Ireland
The awkward reality of ‘Warm up’ matches Wales lost to Ireland by 35 points to 21 in what was a very difficult game to watch from a Welsh perspective. But…
Analysis: Jamie Heaslip shows his class against Wales
The list of honours compiled by Jamie Heaslip reads like a comprehensive catalogue. Now over a decade into his professional career, the 31 year-old No 8 boasts three Pro12 titles with…
Pro 12 transfers 2015-16: Comings and goings
In a game of inches, sides with an established foundation of pragmatism usually emerge clutching the etched handles of oversized silverware. For once it was a debonair attitude to open…