# second row

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

# locks

Second row pair Ahern and McCarthy shine in Emerging Ireland's win

The Munster and Leinster men had already signalled their potential in recent times.

10.3k

Sep 30th 2022, 3:46 PM

# Analysis

Analysis: How Jason Jenkins has made an immediate impact at Leinster

Much of the towering lock’s best rugby comes in the darker corners of games: mauls, scrums and rucks.

10.7k

Sep 27th 2022, 6:05 PM

# 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

# locks

Ryan returns from concussion as McCarthy takes 'huge step up' for Leinster

The 21-year-old is highly rated by both Leinster and Ireland.

5.5k

May 7th 2022, 8:05 AM

# Run Ryan Run

'Rugby is going to be a small part of my life... I want to make it as meaningful as possible'

Ryan Baird has unique athleticism and a unique view of his career in rugby.

12.2k

Feb 26th 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

# locks

Farrell feels Henderson 'better suited' to All Blacks as Beirne benched

Jamison Gibson-Park retains his spot at scrum-half after impressing against Japan.

9.8k

Nov 11th 2021, 5:42 PM

# 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

# IQ

Meath's Monaghan eager for another shot after Ireland debut

The second row started playing rugby in Brighton.

3.4k

Sep 17th 2021, 6:00 AM

# locks

'If you’re picking on form, it’s Itoje and Henderson' - Rory Best

The ex-Ireland captain also believes Johnny Sexton should have been called up.

23.2k

Updated

Jul 19th 2021, 5:29 PM

# Lions Lock

'It’s a massive opportunity. It’s the last game before the first Test selection'

Wales lock Adam Beard has impressed since getting a late call-up to the Lions tour.

8.5k

Jul 15th 2021, 10:14 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

# 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

# form

'His athleticism is ridiculous but he can also pack a scrum' - Beirne pushes for Ireland start

The Munster lock has been in excellent form in recent months.

27.1k

Updated

Jan 29th 2021, 9:38 PM

# 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

# Physical

Roux proud to play part for Ireland with family watching on from South Africa

The Connacht lock is hopeful he has done enough to keep his place against England.

8.2k

Nov 16th 2020, 7:00 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

# Stop Gap

Masterson moves to second row as Connacht's lock stocks run very low

Andy Friend has reshuffled his team for tomorrow’s visit to Edinburgh in the Pro14.

8.1k

Oct 24th 2020, 12:28 PM

# locks

Beirne's 'dream game' sees him work well with Wycherley in Munster pack

The 22-year-old Bantry man was quietly impressive alongside the Ireland international last weekend.

7.4k

Sep 2nd 2020, 6:00 AM

# depth chart

Munster back promising academy locks after 'devastating' RG Snyman injury

Stephen Larkham says the province won’t look for a short-term signing with Jean Kleyn also sidelined.

27.1k

Aug 26th 2020, 2:02 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

# Irish Abroad

Irish lock O'Shea signs for French Pro D2 club after leaving Munster

The 27-year-old has agreed to a two-year deal with Vannes.

10.0k

Jul 6th 2020, 11:26 AM

# Déise Man

'I can't wait to learn off RG Snyman... It's like man against boys in some of the clips'

Waterford native Thomas Ahern made a big impression for the Ireland U20s this year.

13.6k

May 11th 2020, 7:41 PM

# hotshot

The emerging stars of the 2019/20 season: Niall Murray

The 20-year-old second row has featured for Connacht in the Pro14 and Champions Cup.

10.7k

Apr 9th 2020, 1:04 PM

# 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

# hotshot

The emerging stars of the 2019/20 season: Ryan Baird

The 20-year-old Leinster second row possesses remarkable athleticism.

12.1k

Mar 23rd 2020, 5:22 PM

# big dev

'To see the support that the country gave me was really good' - Toner

33-year-old Devin Toner was warmly received by Ireland fans on his return.

8.5k

Feb 3rd 2020, 1:00 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

# locks

Henderson and Ryan at the heart of Ireland's dominant outing up front

The Irish second rows were superb as Joe Schmidt’s side bullied Scotland.

10.2k

Sep 23rd 2019, 5:27 AM

# auditions

Game time for Kleyn a 'priority' as Beirne gets another bench chance

Joe Schmidt has pushed his Ireland squad hard at their training camp in Portugal.

11.0k

Aug 22nd 2019, 4:00 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

# Irish Abroad

'It came as a shock because South African rugby is famous for second rows'

26-year-old Jerry Sexton has earned a contract in the Pro14 with the Southern Kings.

40.5k

May 12th 2019, 10:00 AM

# Grafter

'One week you're not in and the next week you're starting against Scotland'

Quinn Roux delivered a busy performance for Ireland in Edinburgh.

10.0k

Feb 11th 2019, 8:14 AM

# second row

Ryan pairs up with Roux as Ireland look for 'variation' around ball-carriers

Ireland’s forwards were hammered in the tackle last weekend against England.

13.4k

Feb 7th 2019, 7:00 AM