# Analysis

All time

# Analysis

Analysis: Lowe shows quality but Ireland's attack misses too many chances

Mike Catt’s attack delivered some real smarts off set-piece but they blew some big opportunities.

8.9k

Nov 14th 2020, 2:58 PM

# Talking Points

No one ever said it was going to be easy for Stephen Kenny and Ireland

England were the far superior side on a disappointing night for Ireland at Wembley.

6.4k

Nov 13th 2020, 6:30 AM

# Analysis

No props on the wing, the scraps, clarity in transition - Ireland's defence checklist

Andy Farrell’s men will be looking to make improvements in a defensive sense in the Autumn Nations Cup.

10.3k

Nov 11th 2020, 7:00 PM

# Analysis

Stockdale shows kicking quality but errors prove costly on tough night in Paris

The 24-year-old made his second start in the number 15 shirt as Andy Farrell’s side came up short.

36.4k

Nov 2nd 2020, 8:29 PM

# Analysis

How Andy Farrell's Ireland lost the crucial championship minutes in Paris

The visitors made a huge call to go to touch before half-time and then conceded just after the break.

51.1k

Nov 1st 2020, 11:55 AM

# team try

Analysis: 80 seconds that show how good Ireland Women's attack can be

Every single player had a role in Claire Molloy’s try just before half-time against Italy.

4.9k

Oct 27th 2020, 7:45 PM

# Turnovers

Ireland's pack of jackals well suited to the refocused breakdown interpretations

Andy Farrell was most pleased with his side’s defensive work in the big win over Italy.

11.7k

Oct 25th 2020, 8:26 PM

# Analysis

Encouraging Slovakia performance proves Kenny's credentials and shows nonsense of succession plan

Kenny showed last night the progress he has made with his players, but it’s too little too late for Ireland’s Euros hopes.

29.9k

Oct 9th 2020, 1:39 PM

# Talking Points

Ireland's best performance since Euro 2016 deserved more

Stephen Kenny’s men were a penalty shootout away from the play-off final.

10.7k

Oct 9th 2020, 6:30 AM

# Analysis

Larmour and Wootton show how work-rate is a crucial part of wing play

The Leinster and Connacht wide men worked hard across the pitch to feature in tries last weekend.

6.7k

Oct 6th 2020, 7:00 PM

# Analysis

What most pundits are overlooking in the Premier League handball debate

A decision at the end of the Tottenham-Newcastle game last weekend has caused much uproar.

26.6k

Updated

Oct 2nd 2020, 8:02 PM

# talking point

Can Aaron Connolly succeed where most Irish strikers struggle?

The 20-year-old Galway native was on target against Newcastle last weekend.

11.4k

Sep 25th 2020, 4:39 PM

# Analysis

How Leinster were left with an insurmountable hill to climb against Saracens

Sloppy errors, aerial losses, maul failings, scrum penalties, and a brilliant Sarries try were all involved.

10.3k

Sep 20th 2020, 11:10 AM

# woes

Seven scrum pens and five misses in the 22 - Leinster left with big regrets

Saracens’ pack dominated Leo Cullen’s men up front in an impressive performance.

12.5k

Sep 20th 2020, 7:45 AM

# talking point

Can a familiar face bail out Mourinho and Spurs?

Gareth Bale is set to re-join the North London club.

7.0k

Sep 18th 2020, 3:37 PM

# Analysis

How Leinster's relentless defence shut Ulster down after a promising start

Leo Cullen’s men retained their Guinness Pro14 title with an excellent defensive performance.

21.3k

Sep 14th 2020, 2:10 PM

# Analysis

Will Jose Mourinho's conservatism impede Matt Doherty? Graeme Souness doesn't think so

The Sky Sports pundit also believes Liverpool are favourites to win this year’s Premier League.

10.5k

Sep 10th 2020, 10:01 PM

# Analysis

Sexton and Connors set the tone as Leinster's defence smothers Munster

Stuart Lancaster’s charges shut down Munster’s early attempts to get a foothold in the game.

26.0k

Sep 7th 2020, 9:30 PM

# new dawn

The biggest challenge of the Stephen Kenny era is already obvious

Plus, more talking points from the Ireland manager’s first two games in charge.

45.0k

Sep 7th 2020, 5:07 PM

# Analysis

McFarland's Ulster keep the faith in collective speed and ball-handling skill

The northern province stuck to their philosophy as they mounted a dramatic comeback last night.

7.0k

Sep 6th 2020, 2:30 PM

# Analysis

Leinster have the classier touches in contrast to blunt, predictable Munster

The southern province were second best in the kicking game as they suffered another semi-final defeat.

12.4k

Sep 5th 2020, 10:24 AM

# Analysis

Bold Adam Idah call a metaphor for new Ireland

The 19-year-old Cork-born forward was handed his senior international debut in Stephen Kenny’s first match in charge.

20.5k

Sep 4th 2020, 5:30 AM

# Rule the Skies

Why Rob Kearney could have a big role against one of Munster's key weapons

Conor Murray’s box-kicking has been superb over the past two weekends.

10.7k

Aug 31st 2020, 7:00 PM

# Analysis

How Will Connors' remarkable tackling helped Leinster to shut down Ulster

The 24-year-old openside flanker was dogged and destructive in defence.

31.8k

Aug 31st 2020, 3:00 PM

# Skills

Analysis: Connacht's attack suggests 2020/21 could be a very exciting season

The western province delivered an impressive performance as Irish rugby restarted.

10.0k

Aug 26th 2020, 7:44 PM

# Stacks

Analysis: Deception and work-rate key as Munster attack hints at progress

Johann van Graan’s men scored three tries thanks to sharp finishes in the Leinster 22.

27.4k

Updated

Aug 24th 2020, 8:01 PM

# Analysis

Leinster learn from England in pursuit of multi-threat attacking kicking game

Robbie Henshaw and Johnny Sexton delivered two superb touches against Munster on Saturday.

12.7k

Aug 24th 2020, 7:20 AM

# Analysis

Has excessive game time hindered some of Europe's biggest clubs?

Man City, Barcelona and Juventus have been among the top sides to perform well-below expectations in the Champions League.

8.2k

Aug 17th 2020, 6:30 AM

# Analysis

Promising Irish starlet hands reality check to Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer

Michael Obafemi’s last-gasp equaliser caused a setback to the Red Devils’ Champions League ambitions.

7.8k

Jul 14th 2020, 6:00 AM

# Analysis

How Ireland learned to stop worrying and love Jack Charlton

A look back at the troubled early days and the scepticism that greeted the Irish manager’s appointment.

19.8k

Jul 12th 2020, 9:30 PM

Analysis: Super Rugby sides picking apart lineout seams with sharp attack

The Brumbies scored an excellent try in behind the lineout against the Rebels.

5.4k

Jul 7th 2020, 3:59 PM

# Analysis

Is Jose Mourinho now yesterday's man?

The Portuguese manager saw his Tottenham side’s Champions League hopes diminish amid a loss to Sheffield United on Thursday.

10.1k

Jul 3rd 2020, 6:00 AM

# Kick to Score

Analysis: How the Crusaders hurt the Hurricanes with their classy kicking game

Scott Robertson’s side used a variety of kicks to cause major problems in Wellington.

4.8k

Jun 22nd 2020, 7:30 PM

# Analysis

5 key questions ahead of the Premier League's re-start

England’s top flight is set to recommence on 17 June.

24.3k

Jun 14th 2020, 9:45 PM

# Analysis

Explainer: The latest controversy threatening to cause a rift within the FAI

Nixon Morton — an FAI Council member — has written to both Uefa and Fifa to express concerns over perceived issues with the new set-up.

19.8k

Jun 2nd 2020, 6:01 PM

# Analysis

How Joey Carbery could help Andy Farrell's Ireland to be less 'predictable'

The Munster playmaker is the ideal man to act as a second playmaker in the backline.

33.0k

Updated

May 25th 2020, 9:30 PM

# classic

When two brilliant offloads helped Connacht to end a 17-year drought in Dublin

Leinster were unbeaten at Donnybrook in three years when Steph Nel’s men arrived in 2002.

8.4k

May 9th 2020, 8:30 AM

# Analysis

Bully pulpit: Should US networks simply stop broadcasting Trump and his dangerous Covid-19 briefings?

Some have scaled back their live coverage of the daily briefings.

43.2k

105

Apr 24th 2020, 8:00 PM

# Trés Bien

When Joe Schmidt's Ireland went to Paris and won the Six Nations

We reflect on the agonisingly tense Irish victory on the final day of the 2014 championship.

11.5k

Mar 16th 2020, 1:48 PM

# Analysis

Ireland v Italy off - so what happens next?

The decision to postpone next month’s Six Nations match will cause chaos with the rugby calendar. Deciding when to play it again is just one of the big problems rugby’s top brass have to solve.

11.2k

Feb 26th 2020, 5:08 PM