Conrad Smith
54 results

Owen Doyle: World Rugby have a duty to make the sport safer for next generation
- International
- February 20, 2021, 07:00
It’s a rest weekend in the Six Nations, so I thought I’d open a time capsule. It’s November 1978. Wales are just moments away from a famous victory a(...)

Ian Foster extends All Blacks’ boot-room dynasty but who is he?
- Rugby
- December 11, 2019, 09:24
Ian Foster will be the first All Blacks boss without previous international head coaching experience since 2003 when he takes over next year but few (...)

Gordon D’Arcy: Joey Carbery’s move to Munster showed Ireland’s failure to evolve
- International
- October 23, 2019, 05:00
As the nightmare unfolded I kept hearing two voices in my head. Over and over again came the words of Shane Lowry and Steve Hansen. “Nobody tells you(...)

International rugby players need to have a ‘genuine seat’ at top table of world game
- International
- August 16, 2019, 06:00
Out of touch, money driven: late last February this combination of sound bites hit World Rugby’s unreleased plans for a Nations Championship. “To sug(...)

Game-time is key if Ireland are to succeed at 2019 World Cup
- International
- June 20, 2018, 08:32
All roads, and the IRFU’s primary playing strategy, lead toward the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Rightly so, too. The Ireland international squad is the m(...)

Scarlets set on ‘creating history’ in Aviva showdown
- European Cup
- April 20, 2018, 15:09
Wayne Pivac has no doubt that the Scarlets will require a complete performance in their quest for a first European Champions Cup final appearance. Pi(...)

Interview: Ian Madigan on a tough first season in France and future plans
- International
- February 23, 2017, 07:00
Ian Madigan was in Ireland this week in his role as an ambassador for Electric Ireland, sponsors of the Ireland under-20 side. Here is the full transc(...)

Dane Coles: All Blacks all-rounder on worryingly good run
- Rugby
- November 18, 2016, 10:00
Dane Coles’ ball skills are such that, as Joe Schmidt has noted, were the All Blacks hooker to have a “1” in front of the “2” emblazoned on the back o(...)

Paul O’Connell hails All Blacks double-header as the way to go
- International
- October 27, 2016, 15:50
Paul O’Connell insists it is “brilliant scheduling” that Ireland must face the record-breaking All Blacks twice in three weeks. Former captain O’Conn(...)

Gerry Thornley: All Blacks are the best and getting better
- Rugby
- September 27, 2016, 05:00
Looming large and very darkly on Ireland’s horizon are perhaps the greatest rugby team ever. That’s all. Cometh November 5th in Soldier Field in Chica(...)