Irish Rugby Archives - SportsNewsIreland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/tag/irish-rugby Sports News, Live GAA scores, GAA fixtures Sat, 16 Mar 2024 19:03:28 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/www.sportsnewsireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sni-icon.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Irish Rugby Archives - SportsNewsIreland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/tag/irish-rugby 32 32 229439223 IRELAND WIN SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/ireland-win-six-nations-championship https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/ireland-win-six-nations-championship#respond Sat, 16 Mar 2024 18:51:46 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=31213 Ireland won the Guinness Six Nations Championship with a hard-fought 17-6 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road this evening. Ireland extended their record to 19th successive home success this afternoon, a victory that is a 40th win in the last 42 games at the Aviva Stadium, dating back to 2016. It […]

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Ireland won the Guinness Six Nations Championship with a hard-fought 17-6 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road this evening.

Ireland extended their record to 19th successive home success this afternoon, a victory that is a 40th win in the last 42 games at the Aviva Stadium, dating back to 2016.

It was the home side’s 10th successive win against their Celtic neighbours, and their 71 in all since the two sides first met in Belfast in 1877.

Opening half lacked energy from Ireland

An opening half that was characterised by handling errors, Ireland look a pale version of the energetic side that began this Six Nations tournament a few weeks ago.

Finn Russell opened the scoring in the 143rd test match between Ireland and Scotland with a penalty in the 8th minute of the game. Russell was reliable as usual from the kicking tee and dissected the posts for the game’s opening score.

Sheehan fifth try of the tournament

Dan Sheehan scored his 5th try of this season’s Guinness Six Nations when being the grateful recipient from a line-out throw in. The Ireland hooker, crashed over for his 10th career test try to put Ireland into the lead for the first time in the game. A successful Jack Crowley conversion put the home side into a 7-3 lead with just 14 minutes on the clock.

Joe McCarthy conceded a penalty minutes later, his second of the game, and gave Russell an opportunity to bridge the gap, which he duly did with his second successful kick for the posts in the test match.

Jack Crowley had a penalty attempt from inside the Scottish half to extend the Irish lead with 5 minutes to play in the opening half, but the kicker’s effort went left and wide of the uprights.

Half-time: Ireland 7  Scotland 6.

With Ireland making an energetic start to the second half, Scotland were penalised on 42 minutes for being off their feet directly in front of the posts. Crowley had an easy task of slotting over to push Andy Farrell’s side into a 10-6 lead.

Officials deny Furlong a try

Tadhg Furlong looked to have added to the Ireland score-line approaching the 50 minute mark. The prop drove for the line, and though he initially looked to have touched down successfully for the score, the referee Matthew Carley stated the on-field decision was ‘no try’ as he went to his TMO for clarification. Despite the fact that Scotland’s Finn Russell seemed to be in an offside position, therefore preventing Furlong from scoring, the English referee maintained his original decision, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

Porter try secures Irish victory

Ireland went of a short penalty tap and succeed in crossing the try-scoring line, with Scotland having a man in the sin-bin. Despite incessant Irish pressure prior to that, they failed to achieve another score which might settle the result of this match. Andrew Porter scored his sixth international try to settle Irish nerves. The front-row burst through the Scottish defensive effort and with a successful conversion attempt from Jack Crowley, Ireland took a 17-6 advantage into the final 13 minutes of the test match.

Scottish centre Huw Jones gave his side some late hope when racing in for a five-pointer with three minutes remaining on the clock. Russell added the extras to leave just four points between the sides, with an extra man on the pitch following the earlier sin-binning of Harry Byrne.

Full-time: Ireland 17  Scotland 13

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Late try gives Ireland bonus-point 31-7 win over Wales https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/late-try-gives-ireland-bonus-point-31-7-win-over-wales https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/late-try-gives-ireland-bonus-point-31-7-win-over-wales#respond Sat, 24 Feb 2024 16:45:37 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=30957 Ireland achieved a bonus-point victory over Wales in the Guinness Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With two tries in each half from the home side, and a perfect goal-kicking performance from Jack Crowley today, Andy Farrell’s men maintained their grip on this season’s Championship. Wales’ only score of the game was […]

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Ireland achieved a bonus-point victory over Wales in the Guinness Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

With two tries in each half from the home side, and a perfect goal-kicking performance from Jack Crowley today, Andy Farrell’s men maintained their grip on this season’s Championship.

Wales’ only score of the game was a penalty try awarded by referee Andrea Piardi, but despite the final scoreboard, it was far from Ireland’s best performance under Farrell.

Ireland dominate territory and possession early on

Jack Crowley opened the scoring in the 6th minute of this Guinness Six Nations Championship game, the 125 time Ireland and Wales clashed in the Five/Six Nations Championship, when successfully kicking a penalty from 42m out.

With Ireland dominating territory (74%) and possession (69%) in the opening 15 minutes, the home side would not be happy to have only a penalty separating the sides at that stage of the game.

Fourth try of the Championship for Sheehan

Dan Sheehan, with three tries already in this season’s championship, added another when crashing over in the 20th minute. With Ireland successfully winning the line out, the green maul drove for the Welsh line, but with the defending side struggling to cope, Sheehan touched down for the five-pointer, much to the relief of the anxious Irish crowd.

Jack Crowley made it two successful kicks at the posts from two, as he added the conversion for a 10-0 advantage to Ireland.

James Lowe settles nervous Irish crowd

Winger James Lowe settled the nerves of the home crowd even further when scoring his 14th international try on 32 minutes.

Ireland had Wales under pressure for the preceding two minutes, with the men from the principality stoutly defending on their own line. Ireland had won the lineout but Wales held their line and forced the home side to go all the way right to Calvin Nash, before playing the ball back to the opposite wing to Lowe.

With only one defender to beat, Lowe easily touched the ball down, before Crowley maintained his 100% record at kicking for the posts this afternoon, dissecting the posts this time from a more difficult angle.

With the extra two points added, Andy Farrell’s side were ahead 17-0 by the half-time break.

Half-time: Ireland 17 Wales 0

Penalty-try for Wales as Beirne sin-binned

Tadhg Beirne was sent to the sin bin in the 43rd minute as Wales drove for the Irish line. The Ireland number 5 was found guilty of illegally binding to prevent Wales progressing toward the home side’s line.

Referee Andrea Piardi, the first Italian to referee a Guinness Six Nations game, consulted with his TMO to see if Warren Gatland’s side had grounded the ball. With TV footage unclear of a successful grounding, the Italian awarded a penalty try to the visitors, reducing Ireland’s lead to 10 points.

First international try for Frawley

Ireland sucked in the Welsh defence on 67 minutes, allowing fullback Ciaran Frawley to race in for his first International try, on only his third senior International appearance. The UCD man found himself unmarked as he crossed the line and raced behind the post to score.

Jack Crowley had his easiest kick of the day, and his conversion put Ireland 24-7 ahead just over 10 minutes to play.

James Ryan sat out the final 4 minutes of the game in the sin bin as Ireland conceded three consecutive penalties, with Wales camped on the Irish try-scoring line. Despite their best effort Warren Gatland’s side failed to score, with Cian Healy and Ronan Kelleher working in unison to hold up the Welsh-attempted touch down.

Bonus-point try for Tadhg Beirne

With Andy Farrell’s men in search of a fourth, and bonus-point try, Tadhg Beirne, who had been yellow carded earlier in the game, found himself at the end of a great team effort as he achieved the crucial score with the clock in red.

Crowley, who had been perfect kicking all afternoon, ended the game with another successful conversion, giving Ireland a 31-7 bonus-point victory over Wales.

Ireland improve record against Wales

Ireland are now unbeaten at home against Wales in their last six Guinness Six Nations Championship fixtures, a new record, with wins in 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2022, and a draw in 2016.

The Irish team is now three wins from three in the 2024 Championship, and will head to Twickenham next to play England, before the final game against Scotland back in Dublin next month.

Full-time: Ireland 31 Wales 7

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Dominant Ireland beat England 29-10 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/dominant-ireland-beat-england-29-10 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/dominant-ireland-beat-england-29-10#respond Sat, 19 Aug 2023 18:33:48 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=28531 Ireland dominated England in their second and final Bank of Ireland Nations Series game at Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, on Saturday evening. In a game where the home side scored 5 tries to one for the visitors, they dominated throughout the field before finally showing that domination on the scoreboard. Centurion Keith Earls was among […]

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Ireland dominated England in their second and final Bank of Ireland Nations Series game at Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, on Saturday evening.

In a game where the home side scored 5 tries to one for the visitors, they dominated throughout the field before finally showing that domination on the scoreboard.

Centurion Keith Earls was among the try scorers to the delight of the home fans, while England’s Billy Vunipola, who was initially yellow-carded for a high tackle on Andrew Porter, saw a review of the tackle upgrade his card to red.

First Half

Though Ireland had a strong starting team, the usual high level of accuracy was missing in the opening half as the home side conceded 6 penalties.

The visitors opened the scoring through George Ford when he kicked a Tadhg Beirne conceded penalty. Kicking from slightly left of the posts, the Sale Sharks’ man slotted over just before the clock hit 5 minutes.

Try for Bundee

An attacking move from Ireland gave winger James Lowe possession with the New Zealand-born player gaining metres. He was strongly supported by Peter O’Mahony who found a lot of space in the centre of the English defence. The Corkman eventually off-loaded to the onrushing Bundee Aki, with the centre having space to comfortably make the try-scoring line. A Ross Byrne conversion from in front of the posts, put Ireland into a 7-3 lead approaching 10 minutes on the clock.

Mack Hansen failing to roll away gave England an opportunity to close the gap on the scoreboard on 25 minutes, but George Ford surprisingly struck it to the right and wide of the far post.

In spite of some unforced errors from Andy Farrell’s side during the opening half, Ireland made some good decisions on the ball and ran some clever lines in the dying minutes of that opening period.

Hansen finds Ringrose

With the energetic Mack Hansen, the Player of the Match, in possession of the ball on the far side of the pitch, he saw centre Garry Ringrose on the opposite end. A long, well-directed accurate kick from the Connacht winger found Ringrose who had enough to cross for Ireland’s second try of the half.

Byrne attempted the conversion from 40m out, and though he had the distance, he failed with accuracy and send the ball left of the far post and wide.

With the teams heading to the dressing rooms for the half-time team talk, Ireland lead 12-3.

Second Half

James Lowe scored his 10th international try 15 minutes into the second half. With England down for 14 men following a yellow card for Billy Vunipola for a dangerous high tackle on Andrew Porter, England were stretched by the home side, and Lowe found himself in splendid isolation out on the wing. A fast pass to the winger saw him run in for his side’s third try of the game.

Ross Byrne’s conversion attempt came back off the left post, leaving the Irish side with a 17-3 advantage.

It was then announced that the review panel had upgraded Billy Vunipola’s yellow card to red, meaning the Saracens’ man’s day was over.

The positive use of width and space brought more success for Ireland when claiming their fourth try of the evening. The industrious Mack Hansen touched down for his 7th international try, giving the scoreboard a more respectable look, and showing more accurately the difference between the two sides. Ross Byrne’s difficult day at kicking for the posts continued as he missed another attempt, leaving Ireland 22-3 ahead.

100th cap for Keith Earls

The loudest cheer of the day seemed to come on 60 minutes when Limerick’s Keith Earls became the 9th Irish player to win 100 International caps.

The loudness of that roar was bettered in the 73rd minute, however, when Earls dived into the corner to score the 36th international try of his career. His Munster comrade Jack Crowley converted from close to the touchline, giving Ireland a 29-10 victory.

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IRELAND 33 ITALY 17 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/ireland-33-italy-17 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/ireland-33-italy-17#respond Sat, 05 Aug 2023 20:56:59 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=28326 IRELAND 33 ITALY 17 Ireland scored five tries to Italy’s two in their opening Bank of Ireland Nations Series game at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening. First Half Andy Farrell’s side scored three converted tries in the first half to just the concession of one Italian penalty as the home side dominated the first […]

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IRELAND 33 ITALY 17

Ireland scored five tries to Italy’s two in their opening Bank of Ireland Nations Series game at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

First Half

Andy Farrell’s side scored three converted tries in the first half to just the concession of one Italian penalty as the home side dominated the first 40 minutes on the scoreboard.

The Italians drew first blood inside three minutes, however, when Munster’s Dave Kilcoyne conceded a penalty. The visitors’ fullback Tommaso Allan slotted the ball between the posts from 33m out before a crowd that has yet to settle into their seats.

From there it was all Ireland. Kilcoyne made up for his earlier error when pushing over for Ireland’s first score of the game on 13 minutes. His fellow Munsterman Jack Crowley successfully converted to give the side a 7-3 advantage.

Leinster’s Caelan Doris increased the Irish lead when scoring a try, as the clock headed to the half hour mark. Another conversion from Jack Crowley, his second of the game, doubled the hosts’ score to 14 points.

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey soon got in on the scoring act, diving over for his side’s third five-pointer of the game seven minutes later. Crowley maintained his 100% conversion record as he again added the extras to leave Ireland with a 21-3 advantage at the break.

Half-time: Ireland 21 Italy 7

Second Half

Just as they did in the first half, Italy scored first again in the second period. Replacement Lorenzo Pani crossed for a try in the 51st minute when he found himself unmarked on the far touchline. Though Irish players attempted to narrow his run for the try-scoring line, the Zebre Parma player managed to touch the ball down. Tommaso Allan, who had opened the game’s scoring early in the first half, claimed his second conversion for a 21-10 score line.

Like he has done so often throughout his career, Cian Healy soon burrowed over when close to the line for his 12th international try. On this occasion, however, kicker Jack Crowley was unable to increase his side’s advantage when attempting the conversion kick.

Tommaso Menoncello quickly replied with Italy’s second five-pointer of the game and Tommaso Allan successfully kicked at the post for the third time.

Second try for Doris

Bank of Ireland Player of the Match Caelan Doris scored his second try of the game in the latter stages of the second half. The Leinster player was industrious throughout the game and involved in much of the key action. On this occasion Ciaran Frawley took the conversion attempt, and scored.

Tom Stewart, Ciaran Frawley and Calvin Nash all came off the replacements’ bench during the second half to each earn their first international caps at senior level.

Final score: Ireland 33 Italy 17

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James Ryan signs new two-year IRFU contract https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_irish/james-ryan-signs-new-two-year-irfu-contract https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_irish/james-ryan-signs-new-two-year-irfu-contract#respond Tue, 11 Apr 2023 10:12:56 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=26479 James Ryan has signed a two year IRFU contract extension up to the end of the 2024/25 season. Ryan made his international debut at the age of 20 against the USA in New Jersey in 2017.  He won his 51st cap for Ireland against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Round three of the 2023 Guinness […]

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James Ryan has signed a two year IRFU contract extension up to the end of the 2024/25 season.

Ryan made his international debut at the age of 20 against the USA in New Jersey in 2017.  He won his 51st cap for Ireland against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Round three of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations in what was his seventh occasion captaining the senior national team. 

For Ireland he played a central role in the 2018 and 2023 Grand Slam successes along with the Triple Crown secured in 2022. He started all three Tests against New Zealand in July securing a first Series win in Aotearoa. Ryan also played in four of Ireland’s matches at RWC19.

At Leinster, James Ryan has he won a Heineken European Champions Cup (2018) and four PRO/URC titles (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), and has made 71 appearances for Leinster scoring four tries.

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Italy v Ireland – Preview, Teams, Where To Watch https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/ireland-v-italy-preview-teams-where-to-watch-sept-2021 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/ireland-v-italy-preview-teams-where-to-watch-sept-2021#respond Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:58:24 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=20769 The Ireland Coaching Team have named the Match Day Squad for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy at Stadio Olimpico in Rome (Kick-off 2.15pm). It will be the seventh occasion that James Ryan will take the captain’s armband and he will be partnered in the second row by Iain Henderson, who makes his first […]

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The Ireland Coaching Team have named the Match Day Squad for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy at Stadio Olimpico in Rome (Kick-off 2.15pm).

It will be the seventh occasion that James Ryan will take the captain’s armband and he will be partnered in the second row by Iain Henderson, who makes his first start for Ireland since the final game of last year’s Championship against Scotland.

Ronan Kelleher is retained at hooker having come off the bench against France with Andrew Porterand Finlay Bealham either side of him in the front row. In the back row, Jack Conan comes in at number eight with Caelan Doris switching to the blindside flank and Josh van der Flier at openside.

Craig Casey and Ross Byrne are set to make their first Six Nations starts and Bundee Aki is introduced to the midfield having started from the bench in the opening two rounds. Garry Ringrose is set to make his 50th appearance for Ireland while the back three of Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Mack Hansen is unchanged from the opening two rounds.

Dan Sheehan has returned to fitness to take his place among the replacements alongside Dave Kilcoyne, Tom O’Toole, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Stuart McCloskey.

The match will be broadcast live on RTE and ITV television and on RTE and BBC NI radio.

IRELAND team to play Italy – Round 3, 2023 Guinness Six Nations Championships,
Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Saturday 25th February, 2023, KO 14.15 (IST)

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 27 caps
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians) 11 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 49 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 43 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 17 caps
10. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 16 caps
9. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 9 caps

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 50 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 19 caps
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 29 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 70 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 50 caps (c)
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 25 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 47 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 35

Replacements

16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 14 caps
17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 50 caps
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 6 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 8 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 91 caps caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 102 caps
22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution) 2 caps
23. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 11 caps

2023 Guinness Six Nations Fixtures & Result


Wales 10 IRELAND 34

Principality Stadium, Saturday 4th February 2023

IRELAND 32 France 19

Aviva Stadium, Saturday 11th February 2023

Italy v IRELAND

Saturday 25th February 2023, KO 14:15 (IST)
RTE TV / ITV / RTE Radio / BBC Radio

Scotland v IRELAND

Sunday 12th March 2023, KO 15:00 (IST)
RTE TV / BBC / RTE Radio / BBC Radio

IRELAND v England

Saturday 18th March 2023, KO 17:00 (IST)
VIRGIN / ITV / RTE Radio / BBC Radio

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VIDEO Highlights: Ireland clinch series win against the All Blacks https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/video-highlights-ireland-clinch-series-win-against-the-all-blacks https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/video-highlights-ireland-clinch-series-win-against-the-all-blacks#respond Sat, 16 Jul 2022 13:39:21 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=25079 Ireland beat the All Blacks for the first time on New Zealand soil last weekend but went a step further on Saturday morning by winning the third and final test. In the process they claimed a series victory in New Zealand, another first for Irish rugby.  

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Ireland beat the All Blacks for the first time on New Zealand soil last weekend but went a step further on Saturday morning by winning the third and final test. In the process they claimed a series victory in New Zealand, another first for Irish rugby.

 

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Dan McFarland signs contract extension until 2025 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/dan-mcfarland-signs-contract-extension-until-2025 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/dan-mcfarland-signs-contract-extension-until-2025#respond Sat, 18 Jun 2022 17:55:38 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=24729 Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Dan McFarland, will remain at the helm of the province’s Senior Men’s squad until at least 2025 after signing a contract extension. The deal will make him Ulster’s longest-serving coach in the professional era. The past season saw Ulster secure a semi-final place in the inaugural United Rugby Championship, a number […]

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Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Dan McFarland, will remain at the helm of the province’s Senior Men’s squad until at least 2025 after signing a contract extension. The deal will make him Ulster’s longest-serving coach in the professional era.

The past season saw Ulster secure a semi-final place in the inaugural United Rugby Championship, a number of historic away wins, and the opportunity to battle it out in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16.

McFarland, who joined Ulster Rugby in August 2018, said:

“I love my job here, which is only possible because of the good people I get to work with. It is through the growth, competitiveness, and teamwork of the support team and the players that we continue to compete for championships.”

Ulster Rugby CEO, Jonny Petrie, commenting on McFarland’s contract extension, said:

“I couldn’t be more pleased that Dan has chosen to extend his stay with us – I think that it’s really clear the impact that he has had on the club since joining, both on and off the pitch.

“We’ve made some impressive progress as a squad over the past couple of years, with play-off rugby against the best teams in Europe, and beyond, now a regular occurrence.”

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Tadhg Beirne signs IRFU contract until July 2025 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/tadhg-beirne-signs-irfu-contract-until-july-2025 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/tadhg-beirne-signs-irfu-contract-until-july-2025#respond Tue, 15 Feb 2022 18:41:29 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=23674 Ireland and Munster Rugby player Tadhg Beirne has signed an IRFU contract which will see him play his rugby in Ireland until at least July 2025. Beirne made his Ireland debut against Australia on the 2018 Summer Tour and featured in every game of Ireland’s 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign. To date he has won […]

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Ireland and Munster Rugby player Tadhg Beirne has signed an IRFU contract which will see him play his rugby in Ireland until at least July 2025.
Beirne made his Ireland debut against Australia on the 2018 Summer Tour and featured in every game of Ireland’s 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign. To date he has won 27 caps for Ireland and was selected for the 2021 British and Irish Lions squad featuring in the first two Tests of the series against the Springboks.
TA product of the Leinster Rugby system, Beirne joined Scarlets in 2016 winning a PRO12 title in 2017. In 2018 he joined Munster making his debut for the men in red against Glasgow Warriors in September of that year.
Commenting on his new contract, Beirne said:
“I have made some tough decisions in my career but this was an easy one.  I am grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey – my family, my partner and the different coaches along the way who helped me become a better player.  Representing Munster, Ireland and the Lions over the past few seasons has been fantastic and I am looking forward to contributing in red and green in the years to come.”

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Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 Fixtures https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/heineken-champions-cup-round-of-16-fixtures https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/heineken-champions-cup-round-of-16-fixtures#respond Sun, 23 Jan 2022 22:00:21 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=23365 The Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 games have been confirmed following this weekend’s action in Europe’s premier rugby tournament. With Ulster, Leinster and Munster all having home advantage in the second leg, they will travel away on the weekend of 8, 9, 10 April. Ulster visit Toulouse, Leinster have the short journey to Connacht, […]

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The Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 games have been confirmed following this weekend’s action in Europe’s premier rugby tournament.

With Ulster, Leinster and Munster all having home advantage in the second leg, they will travel away on the weekend of 8, 9, 10 April.

Ulster visit Toulouse, Leinster have the short journey to Connacht, while Munster travel to Exeter Chiefs.

In all-French clashes Stade Francais will host Racing 92 while Union Bordeaux-Begles will entertain Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle.

Sale Sharks are at home to Bristol Bears in an all-English match, while French sides Montpellier and Clermont Auverge will host English teams Harlequins and Leicester Tigers respectively.

The second leg games will be played on the weekend of 15, 16, 17 April.

Exact dates and kick-off times will be confirmed in the coming days.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
Round of 16 first leg – 8/9/10 April

Stade Francais v Racing 92
Toulouse v Ulster
Union Bordeaux-Begles v La Rochelle
Connacht Leinster
Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears
Exeter Chiefs v Munster
Montpellier v Harlequins
Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers

Round of 16 second leg – 15/16/17 April
Racing 92 v Stade Francais
Ulster v Toulouse
La Rochelle v Union Bordeaux-Begles
Leinster Connacht
Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks
Munster v Exeter Chiefs
Harlequins v Montpellier
Leicester Tigers v Clermont Auvergne

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