Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw has failed in his battle for fitness ahead of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup opener against Canada resulting in Luke Fitzgerald starting at No 12. Henshaw injured…
Ireland
Why Ireland have no reason to panic
By Mark Coughlan It’s been a World Cup countdown of mixed emotions for Ireland fans. While England headed for Denver, Wales travelled to Qatar and their beloved Poland, and the…
John Smit picks his top five hookers
John Smit played in three World Cups, winning 111 caps for South Africa and lifting the 2007 trophy after defeating England in the final in Paris. After two years in…
World Cup squads selections continue to raise eyebrows
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…
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…