Matt Williams: Whether Ireland are ready for All Blacks is big ‘unknown unknown’
Springboks have already exposed New Zealand flaws, but can Andy Farrell’s side take advantage?
Rugby
Conor Murray: I don’t miss the anxiety before games like tomorrow’s against the All Blacks
A look at the mental preparation behind Andy Farrell’s team and the influence of Gary Keegan and Caroline Currid
Why perfecting the counterattack is central to Ireland’s World Cup evolution
Only time will tell if Andy Farrell’s side can evolve the way they need to
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson: ‘We expect the best out of the Ireland team’
The All Blacks look well placed to exploit any Irish rustiness when the teams meet at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday
Munster v Connacht: Both teams forced to ring changes, but clash could yet be a cracker
Provinces are missing key players to international duty, but likes of Josh Ioane could light up game
Exceptional Jack Crowley makes strong case to start against All Blacks
Munster man won the battle of the outhalves against Leinster, but Andy Farrell gets the deciding vote
Owen Doyle: Modern lineouts are a nonsense – here’s why they need to change
England’s skill in 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning manoeuvre a far cry from what we see today
Three sporting events to watch this week: Your handy guide to sport on television
Your guide to the best sport on television (Monday – Sunday, Oct 13th – 19th)
Cloud Nine by Conor Murray: Rugby’s quiet man has lots to say on the decline of Munster
The quiet man of Irish rugby has lots to say in his criticism of the province
Senior rugby figures believe rebel R360 league all but dead after unions’ statement
Players who sign up to the new league would be ineligible for national sides
Carlos Spencer: ‘I’m a coach that encourages guys to express themselves’
Former All Black outhalf now strives to be an ‘approachable guy’ that can help Terenure win a couple of championships
URC champions Leinster must come out fighting against Bulls, says McBryde
Blues know they need to bounce back in Pretoria after 35-0 defeat to Stormers
Provincial rugby preview: Predictions, prospects and players to watch as new season kicks off
Leinster and Munster will expect a tilt at glory in URC and Champions Cup, but Connacht and Ulster can hope to progress
Stacey Flood: The hardest thing was that World Cup quarter-final victory was in Ireland’s grasp
Heartbreak is the only word to describe the emotions in the aftermath of Ireland squad’s Women’s Rugby World Cup defeat
‘Build a picture of the action’: Volunteers learn rugby commentary for visually impaired fans
Volunteers take part in a new audio description commentary programme at the Aviva Stadium
Ireland must adapt to revolutionary changes we are seeing in Rugby Championship
Ireland must prepare to adapt to Rugby Championship’s rapid changes in attacking tactics or risk being left behind
‘Fire more shots’: Scott Bemand wants Ireland to show growth against New Zealand
Head coach knows side must keep improving after 14 errors in victory over Spain
Stacey Flood: We have had Traitors, Tinpot Cups, saunas and sushi, but now it is time to play
After nine weeks of training on and off the pitch, Ireland are up for their World Cup opener against Japan
‘It seems bonkers, but it’s not’: Denis Fogarty pushing women’s team all the way in the scrum
Prop Niamh O’Dowd praises former Munster hooker for his set-piece training before World Cup opener against Japan
Rugby World Cup: Ireland to name team to face Japan on Friday
Scott Bemand’s side joined in Pool C by Japan, Spain and New Zealand
Springboks’ new approach is great news for the game of rugby
Encounter with Springboks at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, will be daunting task for Joe Schmidt’s squad
US colleges are coming for Irish athletes - are rugby players next?
Ivana Kiripati earned a scholarship and returned to an international cap. Questions now turn to the possibility of others following suit
Owen Doyle: French determination to ensure a straight throw-in to the scrum a bold, welcome initiative
It’s not simply about the scrum-half delivering a straight ball. The mechanics of the scrum must also change to ensure the hooker can strike safely
Meet the 32-strong Ireland squad heading to the Rugby World Cup
Aoife Wafer shakes off injury doubt to book her spot on flight to England
Boost for Ireland as Wafer makes Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 begins on Friday, August 22nd in England
Ireland’s boy wonder who took the Lions tour of South Africa by storm in 1955
Tony O'Reilly was top scorer on that tour with 15 tries
‘The aftertaste is terrible’: Irish pubs lament the arrival of Chinese-brewed Guinness
Bar owners fear business loss amid a chorus of complaints from customers longing for the original pint of plain
From all-out brawls to eye-gouging and worse: a brief history of Lions Tour violence
Games over the last 50 years have been marred by stand-out brutality on both sides
Malachy Clerkin: I cannot wait for Lions tour, but why does rugby always feel this need for overblown nonsense?
Beauty of a Lions tour is its unique one-moment-in-time energy – sell that instead of all the tired battleworn guff
Leinster v Bulls preview: If Leinster are on it, they’re good enough to win
URC Grand Final: Aerial contest promises to be worth the entry money alone and could well prove pivotal
From hormones to lifting stones – studying complexities of strength training
Research Lives: Dr David Nolan, assistant professor of sport and exercise science, Dublin City University
LIV Golf shows what happens when a niche sport goes to war with itself – rugby should take note
Professional rugby probably needs to change to stay viable, but the R360 breakaway league proposal seems a fanciful solution
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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