Ireland’s Rugby Team Is Down, But Definitely Not Out
Ireland finished third in the Six Nations Championship. I’m not exactly sure what a team imploding looks like, but I’m pretty sure losing two games from five and falling to third in the world rankings isn’t implosion. Ireland’s losses have…
It’s Time For Rugby To Address It’s Rampant Doping Culture
“What’s the dirtiest sport around?” This was the question that was put to the CEO of UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) recently. Her answer? Not cycling, not athletics, but rugby. Yes, rugby union is the sport considered most at risk of doping…
The Backrow: All Of The Skill And None Of The Flash?
“Going harassed by Edwards, Slattery’s pick up and he scores!” – The date; 27th January 1973, Cardiff Arms Park. Twenty-three-year-old Fergus Slattery was in his prime as the Barbarians took on the All Blacks. This, more than any other performance,…
Eye to the Future: Irish Rugby’s Rising Stars
The appearance of a number of current Under 20s players in the AIL and on provincial A sides has caught the attention of many onlookers. The Ireland Under 20s are 2 from 2 as I write this, and by the…
Stadium Science: The Home Advantage
What makes a great stadium? What creates an atmosphere that truly provides that home advantage, that extra one percent for the team? Is it the stadium itself or the fans? Poorly constructed stadiums, or rather stadiums that do not centre…
School’s Rugby: The Game In It’s Purest Form?
I am someone who did not actually get the opportunity to partake in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup as a player. Despite this, I still firmly believe that school’s rugby is the purest form of the game as we know…
What To Expect From The 2019 Six Nations
The ‘Six Nations Championship’ is a sporting event steeped in rich history and tradition. Moulded from the original ‘Home Nations Championship’ dating back to 1883, the ‘Six Nations’ has developed into one of the most viewed and eagerly anticipated competitions…
Champions Cup Preview
With the start of the new European Champions Cup campaign just around the corner, we preview the hopes of the Irish provinces as well as some of the leading contenders. Leinster Last season’s champions are the team to beat…
In Praise of Stuart Lancaster
In these halcyon days of Leinster Rugby, it’s easy to forget the low ebb the province found itself at this time two years ago. A convincing defeat in the Pro 12 final to Connacht coupled with a discouraging fourth-place finish…
Scarlets fire Warning to Leinster Ahead of European Semi Final
Finn Russell and Leigh Halfpenny missed two kicks apiece in the first half before Rhys Patchell shrugged off some weak tackling to open the scoring. Halfpenny was back on target in the second half, with Gareth Davies’ interception try stretching…
6 Nations Preview
Last year, I tipped Ireland to win on the basis of England’s injuries at the time and the performances of the provinces at that stage last season. This year, the tone of the Irish mainstream media is similar: Leinster have…
How Ireland Can Nullify South Africa
In a bumper weekend for Irish men’s team sport on November 11, where the soccer men begin the final stretch for FIFA World Cup Qualification in Copenhagen against Denmark, the Irish also open their international rugby union season against the…