# lock

Yesterday

21st March 2023

# lock

James Ryan has taken his game to a completely new level with Ireland

Still only 26, the Ireland second row is well on track to be a centurion.

10.9k

17 hours ago

Last month

February 2023

# lock

Toulouse move unlikely as Henderson remains key man in Ireland

The Ulster second row just turned 31 and has some of his best rugby ahead.

14.3k

Feb 24th 2023, 7:45 AM

Last year

2022

# Cheese

Ryan can remind everyone of his quality as Leinster clash with Connacht

The 26-year-old makes his first start of the new season in Galway this evening.

7.2k

Oct 14th 2022, 6:45 AM

# STANDOUT

Kieran Treadwell's stock rises for Ireland in excellent win over the Māori

The Ulster man was one of several players who put their hands up for Andy Farrell’s side.

23.2k

Jul 12th 2022, 10:24 AM

# lock

Ireland boss Farrell impressed by 'outstanding' 20-year-old Joe McCarthy

The Leinster academy second row left a positive impression in Ireland camp.

39.6k

Mar 17th 2022, 4:28 PM

# second rows

McCarthy gets debut as Leinster look at shuffling their lock stocks

Leo Cullen has named a strong side for tonight’s clash with Cardiff in the URC.

5.8k

Jan 29th 2022, 6:00 AM

# Tighthead Lock

Leinster set to sign lock Jenkins from Munster ahead of next season

The 26-year-old has only made one appearance for the southern province so far this season.

51.1k

Jan 19th 2022, 9:43 PM

All time

# lock

Ryan looks for next level having moved past Lions disappointment

The 25-year-old Leinster and Ireland second row is aiming to push on as a player.

3.3k

Oct 1st 2021, 6:15 AM

# Global Game

'The last time I was in Nigeria, I saw a little boy with a Lions top on'

Maro Itoje is set to play a huge role for the Lions in what will be his second Test series.

12.3k

Jul 20th 2021, 10:00 PM

# second row

Connacht confirm signing of Tongan international lock Leva Fifita

The 31-year-old will join from Grenoble this summer to replace Quinn Roux.

10.5k

May 31st 2021, 4:11 PM

# lock

Man mountain Skelton loving life in La Rochelle working with O'Gara

The 6ft 8ins Wallaby has been in sensational form this season.

12.1k

May 20th 2021, 1:00 AM

# Potential

'Athletically, he is phenomenal. We really don't produce guys like him in Ireland'

21-year-old Ryan Baird made his Ireland debut last weekend and looks set for further Six Nations involvement.

93.1k

Mar 6th 2021, 8:00 AM

# STANDOUT

Top carrier, tackler, passer, and jackler - Tadhg Beirne's best game yet for Ireland

The Munster lock was superb as Ireland came up short against Wales last weekend.

20.7k

Feb 9th 2021, 5:18 PM

# make or break

James Ryan treating Ulster clash as an early 'cup final'

The second row admits it’s ‘surreal’ but the games importance is writ large for the reigning champions.

3.2k

Jan 7th 2021, 6:00 AM

# Irish Abroad

Irish lock Regan earns training contract with Super Rugby's Highlanders

The 23-year-old was formerly part of the Ulster academy.

13.4k

Dec 22nd 2020, 10:00 PM

# Pride of Skerries

Stalwart lock Alan O'Connor keeps getting better for McFarland's Ulster

The 28-year-old second row has been in strong form for Ulster in recent seasons.

3.5k

Dec 10th 2020, 7:05 AM

# Fronting Up

Beirne shows up strongly alongside immense Ryan in Ireland's second row

The Munster man showed he can win the gainline against France last weekend.

10.7k

Nov 3rd 2020, 7:00 PM

# Boost

France lock le Roux free to play against Ireland after avoiding ban at hearing

The Racing 92 second row had been cited for allegedly striking Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones.

7.2k

Oct 27th 2020, 4:12 PM

# Update

Connacht lock Thornbury back on his feet after Sunday concussion

Head coach Andy Friend will continue with his plans to rotate through his squad for Sunday’s clash with Munster.

4.8k

Aug 25th 2020, 12:53 PM

# test rugby

'I am lucky Munster are allowing me to play for the Springboks'

RG Snyman will remain an important part of South Africa’s plans moving forward.

13.0k

Aug 5th 2020, 6:00 AM

# Key Man

James Ryan's injury a big blow but Leinster have second row depth to cope

21-year-old Ryan Baird will be hoping for opportunities when rugby gets back underway.

8.0k

Aug 4th 2020, 12:28 PM

# sayonara

England lock George Kruis signs for Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan

The 30-year-old will leave Saracens after 12 years with the club.

8.3k

May 25th 2020, 9:30 AM

# RISE UP

'Connacht as champions, the weeks that followed were just unbelievable'

Second row Aly Muldowney will retire from professional rugby this summer.

7.8k

Mar 24th 2020, 7:53 PM

# Fronting Up

Dillane keen for Connacht tempo against heavyweight Montpellier

The 26-year-old second row makes a timely return on Sunday in Galway.

3.5k

Nov 15th 2019, 6:00 AM

# The Big Cheese

'He just keeps getting better and better, and I don’t see it stopping'

23-year-old James Ryan is already on his way to being an Ireland great.

13.3k

Sep 24th 2019, 1:00 AM

# lock

'There was always going to be a bit of backlash. I don't read it' - Kleyn

The 121kg Munster second row took pride in making his Ireland debut last month.

24.1k

Sep 19th 2019, 5:47 PM

# enforcer

Ruck-hitting, hard-scrummaging Kleyn comes into the mix for Ireland

The South African native will be eligible in time for the World Cup warm-up games.

18.3k

May 28th 2019, 8:00 PM

# STANDOUT

'It was as physical as it gets... It was definitely Test match standard'

James Ryan delivered another superb showing for Leinster in defeat to Saracens.

12.5k

May 12th 2019, 7:30 AM

# young bucc

Ex-Roscommon minor Murray intent on delivering major prize for Ireland U20

‘We know we’re not the biggest team, but we’re a smart team.’

9.7k

Mar 3rd 2019, 9:06 AM

# lock

Roux set to step up for Ireland in 'must-win' clash with Scotland

The Connacht second row is in line to start after Devin Toner was ruled out.

14.6k

Feb 6th 2019, 6:00 AM

# lock

Holland links up with Schmidt's Ireland squad ahead of Scotland clash

The 33-year-old Munster man joins the group after an injury to Devin Toner.

17.9k

Feb 4th 2019, 10:14 PM

# experience

Ulster set to pounce for Wallabies and Brumbies lock Sam Carter

The 29-year-old second row has won 14 caps for Australia.

9.0k

Jan 28th 2019, 10:17 PM

# unsung

Lineout steals and offloads - Billy Holland steps up as Munster's impact sub

The 33-year-old has been a consistent and reliable performer for Munster for years.

7.2k

Jan 22nd 2019, 6:30 AM

# Barna Boy

'It taught me to enjoy rugby because there's a lot of worse jobs you could be doing'

Towering Connacht lock Gavin Thornbury has been involved in Ireland training under Joe Schmidt.

34.6k

Nov 29th 2018, 9:30 PM

# Complete

Analysis: Why James Ryan is already one of the first names on Ireland's team sheet

The 22-year-old second row delivered another superb performance against Argentina.

34.9k

Nov 11th 2018, 5:26 PM

# lock

'I've no doubt that he'll be banging on the right doors': POM backs Kleyn for Ireland

The Munster second row this week signed a new long-term contract with the province.

9.2k

Sep 28th 2018, 8:30 PM

# lock

Holland excited to learn off Beirne as he begins his 12th season with Munster

The 33-year-old has been an ever-present in the Munster pack in recent seasons.

6.8k

Aug 29th 2018, 6:15 AM

# self critical

21-year-old Ryan a force for Ireland as he holds himself to highest standards

The Leinster lock is already an impressive presence in Test rugby.

10.8k

Feb 26th 2018, 6:15 AM

# beirning ambition

From delivering pizzas to delivering medals: Tadhg Beirne's momentum has been hard-won

The Munster-bound Scarlet has never been afraid of putting in the work.

26.4k

Feb 16th 2018, 8:00 AM

# hotshot

James Ryan is 'an unbelievable player' says Ireland lock Devin Toner

The 21-year-old is expected to be part of Ireland’s team to face France this weekend.

9.2k

Feb 1st 2018, 6:10 AM