The Counter Ruck

Ireland have qualified for a Women’s World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2014 having beaten Spain. Whether they win the pool, and their knockout opponent, will be decided on Sunday when …

Ireland returned to the World Cup stage with a dominant win over Japan. Given the day that’s in it, a first World Cup match for all bar one of the squad, all at Franklin’s Gardens left in a positive …

Ireland’s last Women’s World Cup appearance came in 2017. It was supposed to be a crowning moment, a global tournament hosted on Irish soil. Instead, results on the field precipitated a decline off i…

Ireland’s World Cup campaign is fast approaching. Yet perhaps due to Lions fatigue, the build-up has been somewhat muted. Maybe the bandwagon won’t get going until Ireland play New Zealand on Septemb…

After missing out on the 2021 edition, Ireland are back in World Cup action as they prepare for the upcoming campaign in England. Matches against Japan, Spain and New Zealand - who they memorably bea…

The Lions failed in their bid of a Test whitewash but still travel home from Australia as series winners. It seems that this series took a while to kick into gear but once it did, the final two Tests…

Nine Irish players start in the Lions Test side in back-to-back weeks. But will this be remembered as a vintage tour, even with all the Irish representation? Is it difficulty to get up for the third …

As expected, the Lions are series winners having secured a 2-0 lead heading into the final Test against the Wallabies in Sydney. But, Melbourne’s second Test victory wasn’t without its drama. A Walla…

This year’s Lions tour has been laden with negative coverage of how the tourists have endeared themselves to (or otherwise) to the Australian public. With disputes on the strength of touring sides, b…

As was widely expected, the Lions were too strong for Australia during Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane. How did Andy Farrell’s side go about working past Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies?

A fast start gave w…

The teams have been named for Saturday’s first Lions Test and Australia are missing a number of big names. With Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou among those on the sidelines, concerns abo…

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to recap the weekend’s action: South Africa’s hijinks, Ireland’s century and the Lions’ final warm-up game are all up for discussion.

What, if…

The rugby action continues to come thick and fast. John O’Sullivan is in Portugal to preview Ireland’s clash in Lisbon, and he joins host Nathan Johns for today’s episode.

We chat Ireland’s selection…

The rugby action continues at full steam ahead. The Lions struggled against the Waratahs in Sydney while Ireland’s second string impressed in Tbilisi. Meanwhile the U20s continued their struggles aga…

While the Lions tour continues on its merry way, Ireland are back in action for the first time since the Six Nations.

John O’Sullivan is in Tbilisi for their game against Georgia and he joins Nathan …

A busy weekend of rugby action saw plenty of Irish involvement in the Lions win over the Western Force, a Top14 final for the ages in France, Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy bow out with the Barbarians…

Lions tours are full of stories of players being called up last minute, dashing across the world to get an opportunity to pull on the red jersey. Former Ireland prop Tom Court has as good a story as …

Imagine Irish rugby had to compete with a professional GAA and a thriving League of Ireland for talent. Would the country still be so successful?

That is the picture facing Australia at the moment and…

After a lengthy build-up, the Lions tour is finally upon us. Andy Farrell and co come to Dublin on Friday night to take on Argentina before travelling down under.

The last time the Lions faced Los Pum…

After weeks of criticism, Leinster have answered their Champions Cup disappointment in the best way possible.

A first trophy since 2021 was secured by beating the Bulls on Saturday, Leinster climbing …