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Latest
All time
# wing man
Milner Skudder shouldn't look this good but he's an All Black and all he knows is success
New Zealand play in such a way that it guarantees their wingers always thrive, writes Simon Hick.
11.9k
12
Nov 4th 2015, 7:10 AM
# rwc 15
'He sees the blueprint for rugby success the same way the rest of us read a menu'
Simon Hick unravels the genius of Ireland head coach, Joe Schmidt.
12.7k
8
Oct 13th 2015, 9:50 PM
# column
Failure in their own tournament would be the most embarrassing episode in English sport
Simon Hick discusses the mess England now find themselves in after entering the World Cup infused with hope and optimism.
10.8k
70
Sep 30th 2015, 10:09 AM
# rwc 15
'During the World Cup, things get fuzzy, the lines of logic get blurred'
Simon Hick reflects on how past tournaments were won and lost.
16.3k
15
Sep 16th 2015, 7:45 AM
# column
'He has the Kearney composure DNA and a laser-like focus at key moments'
Simon Hick details how Dave Kearney is a Joe Schmidt player.
10.2k
51
Sep 12th 2015, 9:00 AM
# column
'Scotland game will be the biggest challenge of Joe Schmidt's international career'
The nature of the Wales defeat has led to disproportionate levels of gloom, writes Simon Hick.
15.4k
41
Mar 18th 2015, 9:20 AM
# Ireland
Simon Hick Column: 'Don't hate the players, hate the game'
Our man says Ireland aren’t taking risks, but rugby clearly doesn’t reward risk takers anymore.
16.6k
36
Feb 25th 2015, 12:52 PM
# column
'The argument that players will keep getting bigger in the future doesn’t hold up'
Simon Hick looks at a subject that’s becoming difficult to ignore — the sheer bulk of the beasts on show.
26.9k
15
Feb 11th 2015, 9:20 PM
# fear factor
Simon Hick Column: There's no show like a Joe Schmidt show
Many pundits are tipping Ireland to defend their 6 Nations title and our columnist says it’s all down to the man in charge.
11.7k
25
Feb 4th 2015, 10:57 AM
# game plan
Simon Hick column: Schmidt's Ireland aren't playing beautifully but they might never need to
Ireland have been beating the world’s top teams with a strong kicking game and sound fundamentals.
9.1k
10
Nov 25th 2014, 10:00 PM
# unlucky 13
Simon Hick column: 'BOD’s legacy is positive in every way, apart from the vacuum left in his absence'
Just who will wear the 13 jersey long term remains a mystery.
11.5k
2
Oct 23rd 2014, 12:00 PM
# come back to what you know
Simon Hick column: Penney era a step backwards, but glory days won't be easy to revive for Foley
The bootroom philosophy of appointing coaches can work, but will it work in Munster?
7.4k
22
May 21st 2014, 11:20 AM
# playmaker
Simon Hick column: Will the real Ian Madigan please stand up?
Leinster fans, Matt O’Connor and Joe Schmidt will be hoping to see a strong performance from the out-half on Saturday.
15.1k
46
May 14th 2014, 12:00 PM
# G-G-G-Galway
Simon Hick column: Connacht prove the west's awake with headline grabbing signings
Pat Lam has shown he means business with his latest business.
6.8k
16
May 7th 2014, 3:16 PM
# Pro12
Simon Hick column: Rabo Pro title scant consolation for Irish provinces
If anything, the competition has gone backwards in recent years, writes our columnist.
10.7k
31
Apr 30th 2014, 2:55 PM
# Heineken Cup
Simon Hick column: Irish nous staving off French power play, for now
Top 14 sides have been unashamed in spending big and buying bigger in recent years, writes Simon Hick.
4.5k
8
Apr 3rd 2014, 9:27 AM
# column
Simon Hick column: Foundation blocks are in place for 2015 World Cup tilt
Joe Schmidt has a habit of reaching his targets, writes Simon Hick.
13.4k
29
Mar 20th 2014, 1:16 PM
# loser leaves town
Simon Hick column: This Ireland side can prove they're no one-hit wonders
This group of players can set the record straight this weekend, writes Simon Hick.
10.3k
16
Mar 12th 2014, 3:09 PM
# column
Simon Hick column: Irish rugby is in the middle of a golden age
Thanks to a remarkable generation of players, the Ireland team is in the midst of its ‘Alex Ferguson era’.
16.0k
47
Mar 5th 2014, 3:15 PM
# 6 Nations
Simon Hick column: Ireland need to add some magic to Schmidt's masterplan
They’ve done the basics brilliantly, but Ireland need a little extra.
11.4k
25
Feb 26th 2014, 11:54 AM
# ireveng
Simon Hick column: Ireland can push buttons of England's loose cannon Hartley
Stuart Lancaster has tried to weed out the bad boys from the Red Rose. But he’s stuck with Dylan Hartley.
6.2k
14
Feb 19th 2014, 10:45 AM
# all-terrain
Simon Hick column: No such thing as the 'Joe Schmidt style'
Rather than fuss over pretty patterns, the Kiwi coach is figuring out new ways to win each game.
19.6k
17
Feb 12th 2014, 5:00 PM
# irevwal
Simon Hick column: Sexton key to Ireland kicking on against old rivals
The Racing Metro man showed his class on Sunday but until he closes out a tie for Ireland, there’ll be a few doubters.
8.2k
14
Feb 5th 2014, 12:08 PM
# 6 Nations
Simon Hick column: Schmidt’s side as good as 2009 heroes… on paper
The devil, as always, will be in the detail for the former Leinster coach if he’s to make a title-winning start, like Declan Kidney.
11.1k
46
Jan 29th 2014, 12:00 PM
# suftum
Simon Hick column: Humphreys vision has Ulster within reach of greatness
Along with the signing of talented Springboks, the Director of Rugby had a pivotal role to play in Ulster’s success.
3.7k
3
Jan 22nd 2014, 1:58 PM
# column
Simon Hick: French powers tightening their grip on European rugby
For European competition to have real credibility it needs the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh to be realistic contenders, writes Simon Hick.
11.5k
22
Jan 15th 2014, 2:57 PM
# column
Simon Hick column: Dealing with O'Brien loss is Schmidt's biggest challenge
The back row is the key area for Ireland, and without the powerful flanker something will be missing.
7.9k
22
Jan 8th 2014, 11:52 AM
# Rebuilding
The Penney's dropped for Munster - Simon Hick
Whisper it, but key components seem to be falling in to place for Rob Penney’s men.
7.4k
17
Dec 19th 2013, 6:07 PM
# That's Leinstertainment
Simon Hick column: The horizons have shifted after Leinster’s Garden party
“Matt O’Connor has now proven his team are capable of great things, so is expected to do it two weeks in a row.”
11.5k
28
Dec 11th 2013, 12:00 PM
# HCup
Simon Hick Column: Detail is king and Penney must get the balance right
While Munster are flying high in the PRO12 table, they will undoubtedly be judged on their Heineken Cup campaign.
7.4k
3
Dec 4th 2013, 12:30 PM
# IreNz
Simon Hick column: Ireland were right to gamble all on black... even if it didn't work
International rugby, and sport in general, rewards risk-takers who choose the right moment.
9.6k
20
Nov 27th 2013, 12:00 PM
# mentality
Simon Hick column: Ireland must believe they can beat the All Blacks
The mindsets of supporters, players and management are essential to Ireland’s hopes of pulling off a shock win.
6.3k
19
Nov 22nd 2013, 12:00 PM
# about schmidt
Simon Hick column: Changes at top make for exciting times at Lansdowne
Saturday is day zero for new regimes in Irish rugby and soccer, writes Simon Hick.
6.8k
2
Nov 6th 2013, 11:46 AM
# Thinking Big
Simon Hick column: Joe Schmidt can launch Irish rugby towards new heights
The new Ireland coach can forge a new identity for Ireland by making us world leaders in attack.
8.2k
19
Oct 30th 2013, 12:26 PM
# Big Shoes
Simon Hick column: Still no clear plan for life after BOD
Outside centre is a difficult position to fill at the best of times, but following Ireland’s best ever player will be
10.5k
19
Oct 24th 2013, 12:00 PM
# straight talker
Simon Hick column: Penney honesty is refreshing, don’t hush him
If it’s the truth, why not say it?
8.8k
12
Oct 16th 2013, 3:45 PM
# nurture over nature
Simon Hick column: Street spirit makes All Blacks catch fire
After the Rugby Championship decider on Saturday, Ireland’s big inter-pro was a bit of a comedown.
2.6k
5
Oct 9th 2013, 2:02 PM
# Opinion
Simon Hick column: A whole new ball game as rugby world tears itself apart
The game is facing civil war and a redrawn world map. But what next for the Irish provinces?
13.3k
45
Sep 25th 2013, 3:00 PM
# In conference
Simon Hick's View from the Frontline: youth and young manhood
Warren Gatland will lead a fresh-faced Welsh side out to face Ireland this weekend. Here’s why.
845
0
Oct 6th 2011, 1:48 PM
# Scrum time
Simon Hick's View from the Frontline: welcome to the capital of cool
There’s a coffee shop every 50 yards, the locals walk and talk a little faster than your average New Zealander and there is a sense of a town with very little time on its hands.
719
0
Oct 5th 2011, 10:28 AM
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