CONNACHT’S CILLIAN GALLAGHER is one of the few men back for a second year with Nigel Carolan’s U20s after the impressive win over New Zealand last term. The imposing pack leader will take charge of a unit which looks, on paper, to be under-powered compared to the 2016 edition. But the Sligo man happily uses Read more about U20 driving force Gallagher ready get uncomfortable again[…]

RUGBY CHANGED FOREVER in 1995 when the game turned professional. Over the past two decades, rugby has evolved into the high-level, high-pressure sport we know and love today. Ireland will kick off their Six Nations campaign this weekend with, for the first time, two players born in 1995. Joey Carbery — who’ll feature when he Read more about Irish rugby’s Class of ’95: from the amateur era to here[…]

Ulster 24Edinburgh 18 ULSTER HELD ON by the skin of their teeth to record a 24-18 bonus point win over Edinburgh at the Kingspan Stadium and end a four game slide. They had the four tries by half-time and looked to be coasting in the early stages of the second half too, but Edinburgh fought Read more about Ulster earn much-needed win after surviving late Edinburgh comeback[…]

WOMEN’S RUGBY IS a sport that has come on leaps and bounds in Ireland over the past few years. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO Numerous successes and achievements — two Six Nations titles, a Grand Slam, that historic World Cup win over the All Blacks and a successful bid to become the 2017 hosts, to name but Read more about ‘People have asked me that before – are you jealous of England? No is the answer’[…]

FRANCE HAVE MADE three changes to the side that beat Scotland last time out as they get set to take on Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 4.50pm, RTÉ Two). Virimi Vakatawa has been replaced on the wing by Yoann Huget in the only change to the backs. Read more about Slimani, Le Roux and Huget all start for France against Ireland[…]

IRELAND KICKING COACH Richie Murphy says Joey Carbery ‘needs more exposure’ in the out-half position after making his comeback from injury, but there is still a chance he could play some part in the Six Nations campaign. Carbery started his first game in two months last weekend and despite an encouraging performance for Leinster against Read more about Ireland management want Carbery to get ‘more exposure’ at out-half with Leinster[…]

Glenstal Abbey 21Árdscoil Rís 20 Daragh Frawley reports from Thomond Park Glenstal Abbey’s Rory Clarke claims a lineout. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO AN INCREDIBLE AFTERNOON of cup rugby saw Glenstal Abbey edge past a gutsy Árdscoil Rís side to set up a final showdown with PBC on 17 March. Aiming to reach their first Munster Schools Read more about Glenstal withstand dramatic Árdscoil comeback to reach first final in 47 years[…]

Ulster 19Treviso 7 Adam McKendry reports from the Kingspan Stadium ULSTER BLEW THE chance to go level with the Scarlets in fourth in the Guinness Pro12 as they won 19-7 at the Kingspan Stadium against Treviso but failed to pick up the bonus point. In absolutely dreadful conditions, which saw torrential rain for all 80 Read more about Ulster grind out victory in dreadful conditions but fail to land bonus point against Treviso[…]

THE EXCITEMENT LEVELS have been building all week and Nora Stapleton admits it’s a real boost to hear Friday night’s Six Nations game against England at Donnybrook is on course to be a sell-out. With four wins apiece in the championship, Ireland and England have both got Grand Slam aspirations heading into the final weekend Read more about ‘It’s a cup final, it’s winner takes all’: Ireland primed for Grand Slam decider against England[…]

AMID ALL THE hubbub of the surprise tweaks made to Ireland’s starting line-up today, it was almost overlooked that Joe Schmidt was ready to hand out a brand new cap. The matchday jersey for Andrew Conway was unexpected, yet anything but undeserved. Untimely injuries prevented him from winning a Test debut earlier in this tournament. The Read more about Powerful, ‘hard-working’ Conway in line to show off skills on debut day[…]