The Irish Times

Grand Slam-chasing France ready to stake their claim as nation’s greatest

Galthié’s enviably balanced young side puts some illustrious names in the shade

Sat Mar 19 2022 - 06:00

In-form Ulster to stick with attacking game plan for Clermont clash

Win would give province home advantage as Champions Cup unfurls towards its final

Sat Jan 22 2022 - 06:00

French rugby on a high as feelgood factor proves infectious

Top 14 clubs off to a flyer in Champions Cup as renewed optimism surrounds national side

Fri Dec 18 2020 - 06:00

Confident Ulster braced for their stiffest test to date

Clermont in atmospheric Stade Marcel Michelin a tough assignment for any side

Sat Jan 11 2020 - 06:00

John Cooney is the ‘hub of Ulster’ and Clermont are determined to stop him

Inform scrumhalf a marked man as French side look to turn their fortunes around

Fri Jan 10 2020 - 01:00

Clermont steam home to claim bonus-point win in Bath

Samuel Ezeala grabs two late tries as French side go above Ulster in Pool Three

Fri Dec 06 2019 - 22:13

Ulster need to be at their best to contain Clermont threat

The French side ooze quality but Ulster have had their measure before in Belfast

Fri Nov 22 2019 - 01:00

Ulster without injured McGrath for visit of formidable Clermont

Lock Carter and Lyttle also set to miss clash against star-studded French Top 14 outfit

Wed Nov 20 2019 - 06:00

Six Nations: Logic points to Welsh win but doesn’t apply to France

Unpredictable les bleus will fired up and keen to redeem themselves after Fiji upset

Fri Feb 01 2019 - 06:30

Romain Ntamack selected to make France debut against Wales

Jacques Brunel names 19-year-old at inside centre with Mathieu Bastareaud excluded

Wed Jan 30 2019 - 09:01

Ireland’s Joe Schmidt: a complex yet paradoxically simple soul

Kiwi arrived in Ireland relatively unknown but leaves after shaping a rugby generation

Mon Nov 26 2018 - 18:36

Racing and Ryan set up Munster semi-final in Bordeaux

Paris club secure Champions Cup quarter-final victory away to Clermont Auvergne

Sun Apr 01 2018 - 15:57

Ireland face the unknown in Six Nations opener with France

Brunel's wunderkind Matthieu Jalibert could cause an upset against Schmidt’s side

Sat Feb 03 2018 - 06:00

Review finds Parra was correctly permitted to return to play

The match referee clearly stopped the play out of concern for the player’s welfare

Tue Oct 24 2017 - 15:59

Gerry Thornley: Celtic revival is exactly what Champions Cup needs

Resurgence of Munster and Leinster last year was a bonus and should continue this year

Fri Oct 13 2017 - 06:30

Saracens defend Champions Cup title at Murrayfield

Clermont Auvergne’s wait for European glory continues as Mark McCall’s side triumph

Sat May 13 2017 - 19:29

So close but so far as Clermont end Leinster’s European dream

Leo Cullen’s side flirt with famous comeback but Camille Lopez drops French into final

Sun Apr 23 2017 - 18:00

Confident Leinster prepared for gunfight at the OK Corral

Champions Cup semi-final with Clermont promises to be hot and high-scoring

Sat Apr 22 2017 - 06:00

Gordon D'Arcy: Onus on Munster and Leinster to conjure up something special

A Munster win in Dublin seems more logical than a Leinster win over Clermont in Lyon

Wed Apr 19 2017 - 07:00

Clermont power past Toulon to set up Leinster semi-final

Champions Cup payback as second-half tries see off winners of 2013 and 2015 finals

Sun Apr 02 2017 - 19:19

Ulster braced for Clermont power surge but still unlikely to resist it

French league leaders will greet visitor’s pack with ruthless welcome party

Sat Dec 17 2016 - 12:01

Noves brings in Vakatawa from leftfield

Sevens star will start on the wing when France take on Italy in Six Nations

Thu Feb 04 2016 - 13:01

Six Nations: The lowdown on France

France enter a new era with Guy Noves at the helm promising to address the dull brand of rugby being played

Mon Feb 01 2016 - 10:03

Andy McGeady: Clermont’s lack of preparation is a warning

Seasons are rarely defined by one event, but all those small moments will add up

Tue Jan 26 2016 - 22:30

Johnny Sexton injury another headache for Ireland

Leinster defeat adds to unease as hamstrings may sideline Mike Ross and Marty Moore

Mon Jan 25 2016 - 01:04

Exeter reach Champions Cup quarters after sensational Pool Two finish

Clermont turn down easy late penalty against Bordeaux and miss out by a point

Sun Jan 24 2016 - 17:41

Mathieu Bastareaud left out of France squad

New coach Guy Noves promises era of attacking rugby

Tue Jan 19 2016 - 16:42

Aaron Smith the man who keeps All Black machine ticking over

All Black nine regarded as best in position and has chance to show why against Genia

Thu Oct 29 2015 - 11:07

France haunted All Blacks in past but unlikely to do so at present

Philippe Saint-André’s side don’t look like an outfit that can upset world champions

Sat Oct 17 2015 - 01:00

Philippe Saint-André facing French mutiny, reports

France team have staged a ‘discreet’ rebellion against coach ahead of New Zealand game

Fri Oct 16 2015 - 09:26

Peter O’Mahony out of the Rugby World Cup

O’Mahony suffered knee ligament damage against France, Paul O’Connell also expected to be ruled out

Mon Oct 12 2015 - 11:33

Ireland secure famous victory over France in Cardiff

Rob Kearney and Conor Murray tries set up a maiden World Cup win over Les Bleus

Sun Oct 11 2015 - 23:37

Major parts of the puzzle seem to be coming together for France

Freddy Michalak has become a leader and the French pack looks increasingly formidable

Sat Oct 10 2015 - 19:26

Ireland v France: The last four encounters

Ireland have more than matched their French rivals since the 2012 Six Nations

Fri Oct 09 2015 - 20:21