In Ireland’s case, you would have to say that the autumn internationals couldn’t have gone any better after the men in green recorded a one hundred per cent win ratio. Notably, one of the three tests they played was against New Zealand that ended up in a remarkable 29-20 win at the Aviva Stadium. 

Ireland beat the All Blacks! #C4Rugby | #IrishRugby | #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/tYgjfnjrgz

— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) November 13, 2021

Japan and Argentina were the other nations that Ireland put to the sword in November, which you might argue was always going to happen, but both teams have shown they’re far from minnows anymore. In addition to that, Ireland were able to rack up over 50 points in both games which was another indicator that this team is primed for a Six Nations campaign that concludes with them as the overall champions. Can it happen?

It’s impossible to say for certain, but a favourable home draw against Wales on the 5th of February suggests Ireland can get off to a winning start at the Aviva Stadium. In many ways, a strong start dictates how a team fares in the early rounds, and whilst you can’t win the Six Nations in February, you can definitely lose it. 

Another point to consider when weighing up Ireland’s chances of becoming eventual champions of the 2022 Six Nations is that, as we can tell from the past, any Six Nations winning campaign depends on earning bonus points against the smaller nations.

So if we go back to Ireland’s form in the autumn internationals for a second, we can tell that they’re crossing the whitewash with ease which suggests that they will score more than four or more tries when they come up against Italy who tend to be on the receiving end of some hefty defeats in the Six Nations. Indeed, Aidan Perkins reflects here on the top five highest ever score in Six Nations matches revealingly, Italy were involved in three of them. This means that Ireland’s Six Nation hopes could rest on their clash against the Italians at the Aviva Stadium on the 27th of February and ultimately how many times they go over for a try. 

Ireland continue their unbeaten start to their 2018 Six Nations campaign

France 13-15 Ireland

Ireland 56-19 Italy

Ireland 37-27 Wales

They keep their dreams of a #SixNations Grand Slam alive… #bbcsixnations #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/g7VdnW8Xox

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) February 24, 2018

Of course, there’s also the small matter of beating England, Scotland, and then France in Paris.

As briefly alluded to, it’s impossible to say for certain if Ireland will win the Six Nations and when you read back that last sentence, you do feel the wind being taken out of your sails. However, a nation can only start as they mean to go and Ireland have found impressive momentum in 2021 that they will use to try to win this competition for the first time since 2018.

The post The omens are good for Ireland coming into the Six Nations but can they deliver? appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

After Ireland’s mauling of Japan, Sexton was up to 941 points. The skipper of the national team looks set to surpass O’Gara in 2022 or 2023, as long as he stays injury free. The 36-year-old celebrated his 100th cap for the national team during that 60-5 victory over Japan in the Autumn international.

Sexton has no plans to retire from international rugby any time soon. He signed a one-year extension to his contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union earlier this year. This means he is signed up to play until the end of the 2021/22 season.

Following the fixtures in November, attention will turn to the 2022 Six Nations which begins in February. Ireland are third best in the rugby union outright betting for the trophy at 4/1. They have not prevailed in that competition since 2018, the year they won the Grand Slam.

Sexton has scored 496 points during the Six Nations. He is fourth on the all-time list behind O’Gara (557), Jonny Wilkinson (546) and Owen Farrell (500). The Irishman looks set to be involved in a great battle with Farrell for the top spot in the standings in 2022 as they chase down O’Gara’s record.

2023 World Cup A Goal For Sexton

The next World Cup in international rugby will come in 2023 in France and Sexton has expressed his desire to play in that tournament. That is sure to be his last appearance at a World Cup if he does represent Ireland.

Playing until the 2023 World Cup also increases Sexton’s chance of breaking O’Gara’s points tally, it could also see him go a long way clear of the current record. By the time the tournament comes around, Sexton will be 38 years old.

Ireland, with Sexton in their squad, have been eliminated at the quarter final stage at the last three World Cup tournaments. They were beaten by New Zealand in 2019 in a one-sided game which finished 46-14.

Since they first appeared at the World Cup in 1989, Ireland have yet to advance past the last eight. They will be hoping to put that right in 2023. With the tournament set to be held in Europe, it gives them advantage over the southern hemisphere teams.

The 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year captained Ireland at the 2019 World Cup which would have been a huge honour for him. If he can help Ireland have their best ever performance at the tournament in 2023, it will be some way to bow out.

Ireland are 14/1 in the outright betting for the 2023 World Cup. Head coach Andy Farrell has just under two years to prepare for that event. There is a lot of rugby to be played before then so plenty of opportunities for players to impress Farrell.

Sexton is already a legend of Irish rugby. He looks set to break numerous records before he retires and with O’Gara’s points tally in his sight, that may be the next to go his way.

The post Johnny Sexton Closing In On O’Gara’s Ireland Record appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The winger has started both of Ireland’s games prior to their Triple Crown match against the English is an admirer of their game.

Moxham noted that England U20s are a very physical side that like to kick – similar to Eddie Jones’ England of late in that sense.

“They’re definitely a good side – probably the best side we’re going to face yet,” said the Larne native.

He complimented the performances of their back three in their first two games and understands they will be a challenge.

However, the 20-year-old relishes the challenge facing him.

Moxham has come a long way since getting into rugby five years ago after not making it in football.

After deciding on rugby because it was “the only other sport” in Larne and putting a lot of hard work behind the scenes, he was recruited by Ulster.

Moxham has been working with the seniors at Ravenhill for a year and says that training with them has improved his game greatly.

“Training with the [Ulster] seniors has helped me massively…You’ve got [Jacob] Stockdale, [Ian] Madigan, James Hume and others that are eager to help you as a young player.”

Moxham cited his coaches and full-back, Jamie Osborne, as figures that have helped him throughout the U20 Six Nations Championship so far.

The Ulster winger said that Head Coach Richie Murphy has been a huge help to him.

His defensive game is his strong point in his own opinion and the connection he has with Osborne on the pitch has helped him to do his job well.

“Jamie’s [a] really good [communicator], it makes my job a lot easier.”

The Ireland U20s match against England U20s kicks off at 8 pm on Thursday night and will be available to watch on RTÉ News Now and the RTÉ Player.

Click here to see the starting lineup.

The post Ireland U20 Winger Ben Moxham Ready For England Test appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Their strong, cohesive forwards have looked powerful in their set-pieces and the side are very comfortable with playing direct or going wide.

However, Tucker has been impressed most by another aspect of their game.

“One of the most impressive things for me about the team so far has been their character,” said the forwards coach.

England have gone two from two in the 2021 U20 Six Nations Championship so far with both wins impressing Cullie.

Their bonus-point comeback win against France and their victory over Scotland after being down to 13-men at one point in the game has underlined the strength of Alan Dickens’ side.

“There’s massive threats within them.”

Fortunately, Ireland U20s have multiple threats of their own, particularly among their pack which has been very impressive in the competition so far.

Tucker praised Ireland’s set-pieces in their opening games, noting their 88% success rate at the lineout.

Their scrummaging has also been very good with over 10 players showing their quality in that area of the game.

Ireland’s depth has looked impressive in the two games, especially at prop and Tucker says that, if the quality’s there, the coaches should not be afraid to rotate.

“There’s no doubt our depth will be tested and it’s up to us as coaches to trust our squad.”

The two Alex’s – Kendellen and Soroka – both earned individual praise from their coach.

Cullie described Kendellen as a great leader who wouldn’t ask anything of his fellow players that he would not do.

The coach put Soroka’s versatility down to his hard work off the field – studying set-pieces and other team’s calls.

“His versatility has been a huge asset to us.”

Ireland U20s will play England U20s at 8 pm on Thursday with a Triple Crown at stake for Richie Murphy’s side.

The game will be available to watch on RTÉ News Now and the RTÉ Player.

The starting lineup and bench can be seen here.

The post Forwards Coach Cullie Tucker Impressed By Ireland And England U20s appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Six changes have been made to the Ireland side who beat Scotland 31-7 last Saturday.

Prop Sam Illo is rested after a stellar performance, with Mark Donnelly coming in in his place.

Leinster’s Alex Soroka is moved up to lock as Donncha Byrne gets a starting berth on the blindside.

Two of last week’s standout performers, Oisin McCormack and Captain Alex Kendellen keep their places in the starting XV.

Nathan Doak and Tim Corkery take the nine and 10 jerseys respectfully, replacing Ulster’s Conor McKee and James Humphreys.

The Connacht centre pairing of Cathal Forde and Shane Jennings starts once again while one change is made to the back three.

St. Michael’s College graduate Chris Cosgrave comes into the side to play alongside Jamie Osborne and Ben Moxham.

Illo, McKee and others are available from the bench.

The kick-off is at 8 pm with coverage starting on RTÉ One at 7:30 pm.

Backs

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas CBS/Naas RFC/Leinster)
14. Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
13. Shane Jennings (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
12. Cathal Forde (Colaiste Iognaid/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
11. Chris Cosgrave (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Tim Corkery (St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny/UCD RFC/Leinster)
9. Nathan Doak (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

Forwards

1. Jack Boyle (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
2. Ronan Loughnane (Cistercian College Roscrea/UCD RFC/Leinster)
3. Mark Donnelly (CBC Cork/Garryowen RFC/Munster)
4. Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Clontarf RFC/Leinster)
5. Harry Sheridan (Sullivan Upper School/Dublin University FC/Ulster)
6. Donnacha Byrne (Summerhill College/Sligo RFC/Connacht)
7. Oisin McCormack (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
8. Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster)(Captain)

Replacements

16. Eoin de Buitléar (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiáran/An Ghaeltacht/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
17. George Saunderson (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
18. Sam Illo (Wesley College/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
19. Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Reuben Crothers (Wallace High School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
21. Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
22. Ben Carson (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
23. Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
24. Fearghail O’Donoghue (Cashel Community School/Cashel RFC/Munster)
25. Daniel Okeke (Ard Scoil Ris/Shannon RFC/Munster)
26. Conor Rankin (Campbell College Belfast/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster).

The post Ireland U20 Starting Team Announced For Wales Clash appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The two teams will face each other at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh with kick-off at 3:00 pm.

Six Irish players are included in the starting XV – Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw. You can use your Coral Promo Code and back The Lions at 2/1 to win the tour in South Africa.

It is the highest amount of players in the XV from any of the four national teams of Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.

Leinster prop Tadhg Furlong is on the bench, bringing the total of Irish players in the 23 to seven.

Tour Captain Alun Wyn Jones= takes the armband for the side’s first warm-up test.

Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson give a Scottish feel to the front row while the back row includes Beirne and Conan alongside Hamish Watson.

Conor Murray and Dan Biggar are the starting inside-back pairing with Irish centres Aki and Henshaw beside them.

Duhan Van Der Merwe, Josh Adams and Liam Williams round off the XV.

Furlong, Jamie George, Owen Farrell and Anthony Watson are among those on the bench.

The game will be available to watch on Channel 4 in Ireland and the UK with coverage starting at 2:15 pm.

British and Irish Lions 1888 Cup Squad

Backs

15. Liam Williams (Wales/Scarlets)

14. Josh Adams (Wales/Cardiff Blues)

13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland/Leinster)

12. Bundee Aki (Ireland/Connacht)

11. Duhan Van Der Merwe (Scotland/Edinburgh)

10. Dan Biggar (Wales/Northampton Saints)

9. Conor Murray (Ireland/Munster)

Forwards

1. Rory Sutherland (Scotland/Edinburgh)
2. Ken Owens (Wales/Scarlets)
3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland/Glasgow Warriors)
4. Iain Henderson (Ireland/Ulster)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales/Ospreys)
6. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland/Munster)
7. Hamish Watson (Scotland/Edinburgh)
8. Jack Conan (Ireland/Leinster)

Bench

16. Jamie George (England/Saracens)

17. Wyn Jones (Wales/Scarlets)

18. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland/Leinster)

19. Courtney Lawes (England/Northampton Saints)

20. Taulupe Faletau (Wales/Bath)

21. Ali Price (Scotland/Glasgow Warriors)

22. Owen Farrell (England/Saracens)

23. Anthony Watson (England/Bath)

Match Review

Chris Farrell opened Ireland’s account with a try after Yu Tamura’s early penalty. Japan responded when Michael Leitch touched down after the visitors mauled over for a try.

Stuart McCloskey then gave Ireland a 12-10 lead after Joey Carbery started an attack with a clever chip, but Japan continued to attack in waves and Timothy Lafaele got over after a free-flowing move.

Finlay Bealham responded for Ireland just before half-time with a try and they took a 19-17 lead into the break.

Siosaia Fifita was next to touch down after the break as Japan came out all guns blazing. It was tit-for-tat as Josh van der Flier then got an Ireland try to put Farrell’s men 26-24 ahead.

Jacob Stockdale was next to notch a try for Ireland but Japan rallied with a late try from Naoto Saito. A Joey Carbery penalty opened up an eight-point lead and Ireland held on for the win.

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The U20’s face Scotland at 2 pm on Saturday with coverage available on RTÉ One from 1:40 pm.

Forde says that the squad has a great atmosphere in training and that the side is raring to go.

“We are really just looking forward to getting out there and getting competitive rugby under our belts,” said Forde.

The Connacht prospect will don the number 12 shirt later today but game time in the past year has been hard to come by.

Forde only played for the Connacht Eagles a handful of times and some sevens tournaments only compliment that slightly.

However, he will have a familiar face on the touchline to help him through the match on Saturday.

#FutureIsGreen

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Head Coach Richie Murphy has named his Ireland Match Day squad for Saturday's #U20SixNations opener against Scotland in Cardiff

Full details: https://t.co/Uhz1sqspZm#ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/INxrYitwX6

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 18, 2021

Colm ‘Collie’ Tucker is the forwards coach for the Ireland U20s and is currently involved in the Connacht senior setup after being the academy’s Elite Player Development Officer.

“We would have had him since Under 17s, myself and a few of the other Connacht lads here so it has been good to have a familiar face here with the Connacht coaching staff.

“Obviously he was here last year and had massive experience at this level – it has been brilliant.”

Forde thinks that the experience he had in the U20 squad for last year’s curtailed Six Nations is important.

The experience of training with the Connacht seniors will also pay dividends for the 19-year-old.

Forde highlighted the advice given to him by established figures in the province as one of his biggest takeaways from his time with the seniors.

“Obviously, I got massive experience from the likes of Jack and Bundee, Forde noted.

“They have been fairly helpful to my game – Bundee knows his stuff and he has been great to me.

“I’m always looking for fixes for my game and if he spots them, they’ll call them out to me, give me a few tips.”

The energy in this year’s squad is similar to the Triple Crown winners of last year, according to Forde.

The free-flowing rugby visible last year could be on show again this year and the Connacht academy star is supportive of that.

“It is a case of enjoying our rugby and going out and give a performance.”

The post Connacht’s Cathal Forde Itching To Get Going Again With U20s appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

He would watch videos of Kieran Read to improve his game and attempt to mould his own playstyle based on the New Zealander.

Kendellen captained his school team in the Senior Cup and sixth year, which was cut short by the pandemic.

Now, the Munster back-rower is set to captain Richie Murphy’s Ireland under-20’s side at the 2021 U20 Six Nations in Cardiff.

The captaincy is “a huge honour for [Kendellen] and [his] family back home.”

However, it is not just the captaincy he can benefit from at the Ireland U20’s camp.

Defence coach and former Munster and Ireland forward Denis Leamy has taken the U20 captain under his wing at camp.

#IrishRugby

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩

With 165 Ireland caps between them, we love it when old friends return

Looking forward to having @Paul_OConnell and Denis Leamy work with our Senior and Under-20 teams in 2021! #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/pMy38I6AvJ

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 14, 2021

Kendellen describes him as an “exceptional” coach who wants to mould the Munster prospect into the best possible version of himself.

“Denis has been through it all, I suppose. Firstly, he’s been extremely good to me. Back-row aspects of the pitch – be it ruck, be it tackle, be it poach – he’s taken me under his wing and just showed me that aspect of the game. He kind of wants what he can offer me, I suppose, and what player he can mould me into.”

Richie Murphy is another established figure in Irish rugby that the young number eight can learn from.

The Ireland U20s head coach was heavily involved in player development at Leinster for several years.

He has overseen the development of talents such as 99-cap international fly-half Johnny Sexton and Leinster legend Fergus McFadden.

“First time I actually met him was two or three weeks ago, but he has really brought the squad together,” Kendellen said.

“It’s great to have such a senior coach, I suppose, whose been up at that level and can bring his knowledge down to us younger lads and guide us from there, I suppose.”

Those involved with Munster have also lent their words to Kendellen ahead of the U20 Six Nations opener against Scotland.

Captain Kendellen explained that he was welcomed with open arms at all levels in the Munster setup.

Players such as the now-retired Billy Holland offered advice to the 20-year-old after he received the news that he was going to captain the national U20 side.

He added that he was “thrown into the deep end” at Munster after he left school.

To be fair, the academy lads, they brought me in with open arms. Extremely good to me, like the seniors were. Learning off the back-rows in Munster, the competition is crazy down there, so yeah. Really thrown into the deep end after school but that’s the best way I learned, if I was to tell you – to just get thrown in and kind of sink or swim I suppose.”

From watching YouTube videos of Kieran Read to leading his country out this Saturday against Scotland, Alex Kendellen has come a long way.

Cheering him on will be several experienced figures who have helped him get to this moment and those that will only help him get further and further in the sport.

The post Ireland U20 Captain Alex Kendellen Has Experience At His Disposal appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Murphy believes that the squad chosen is a strong one and that there were a few more players who were unlucky to miss out.

The 34-strong squad is as large as it is to combat any Covid cases or injuries that may arise in the camp but the U20s coach “hope[s] that with the 34 players that [are] going, [they] will have enough to cover those games.”

Among the 34 is captain Alex Kendellen who the new boss chose to lead his side out for Murphy’s maiden U20 Six Nations.

The former Ireland senior team skills coach put his selection of Kendellen down to the back-rower’s attitude.

Murphy described his captain as a quiet individual who lets his work on the pitch do the talking.

He hailed Kendellen as a “standout leader” within the group who helps to spread the coaches’ messages through the team.

“When he is in the group, guys tend to look and listen to him. When he speaks, he’s not a screamer or a shouter, he is very calculated in how he thinks.”

Also present in the squad is Richie’s son and Leinster scrum-half Ben Murphy.

The former Leinster backroom member said it was weird for the first few days but applauded his son’s professionalism.

He noted that the scrum-half was part of last year’s Ireland U20 Six Nations squad which made the scenario easier for his father.

“He stays away from me, he doesn’t talk to me too much when we are in camp.

“If we have stuff that we need him to do, we go and do that. In fairness to him, he has been really professional about the whole thing. He just gets on with it.”

Dan Kelly was a notable exclusion as Eddie Jones had picked him for England’s summer tests.

Ireland U-20 international Dan Kelly has been named in England’s squad.

Disappointing to lose a player of Kelly’s calibre from the Irish system. pic.twitter.com/37m32Rjs40

— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) June 10, 2021

The Leicester fly-half has represented the U20s three times before but will kit out for England at senior level.

Murphy reflected on Kelly’s decision to choose England over Ireland and described it as a loss but ultimately understandable.

“Obviously, Dan is a loss. He was in our system last year. He obviously went back to Leicester and is in college over there. His life is around that area.

“Within the conversations that the IRFU have had with him, Dan has been very good. He really enjoyed his time with us, but he feels that he needs to go in a different direction at the moment.

“We respect his decision, and we move on from it.”

Six Connacht players were named in the squad, an increase from the four chosen in 2020.

However, Murphy did not see this as an important aspect when it came to his selection.

In fact, he did not realise it.

“Yeah, it’s funny, I didn’t know there were six Connacht players in the squad. We just pick the players that we see in front of us.

“They all come in from their different provinces and they’re treated very much as Irish players and within the national set-up, what we’ve tried to do is kind of create that club feel so the guys mix in really well like that.”

The U20s boss thinks that any team will want to bring in a club-like setting, regardless of the level the team plays at.

He added that his own experience, as well as the experience of forwards coach Denis Leamy and defence coach Colm Tucker, helps the U20 setup to have that kind of setting.

The senior players in the squad and Alex Kendellen’s role in the squad add to this, according to Murphy.

“So the combination of those three guys and then some of those senior players coming back and Alex coming in, it’s very much a combined effort in order to make people feel comfortable within the environment but an environment that’s very challenging so that we can drive these players forward to really get the best out of them individually.

“If we can concentrate on that hopefully the performances or the results side of it will take care of itself.”

The full Ireland U20 squad for the U20 Six Nations is available here.

The post Ireland U20 Boss Speaks on Squad Selection Ahead of Six Nations appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

France: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon (c), 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Bernard le Roux, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Hassane Kolingar, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Dylan Cretin, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Anthony Bouthier, 23 Teddy Thomas Date: Sunday, February 14 Venue: Aviva Stadium Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Referee: Luke Pearce (England) Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Christophe Ridley (England) TMO: Tom Foley (England)

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