A much deserved victory for the Wallabies occurred Saturday, and a first over Ireland in Michael Cheika’s reign. A thrilling test match which had it all; brutal physicality, sensational aerial play from Israel Folau, tenacious defence and of course, a breakdown masterclass from the returning David Pocock. Joe Schmidt thrust some of Irish Rugby’s brightest […] READ MORE
Tag: Irish Rugby
Hail Leinster Rugby! 2017/18 Double: PRO14 and Champions Cup
They will be saying “Hail Leinster Rugby!” The Irish Rugby powerhouse has completed the 2017/18 double: the Guinness PRO14 and European Rugby Champions Cup. A massive achievement, that cements the current status of rugby in Ireland. A status of supremacy, from the national team through to the Celtic League grand final. Leinster 40 – Tries: Toner, Lowe, […] READ MORE
Johnny Sexton and Leavy return as Ireland aim to level series
Johnny Sexton returns as Joe Schmidt makes eight changes to his starting line up that is looking to bounce back following their first Test loss of the season in Brisbane last Saturday. Reshuffled Backline adds Johnny Sexton at 10 Rob Kearney, Robbie Henshaw, Conor Murray, and Keith Earls all keep their starting spot with Earls […] READ MORE
World Rugby Awards 2018 and, a huge decision from Joe Schmidt
On Sunday night in Monaco, the annual World Rugby Awards were held. The glittering festival of International rugby is where the best and brightest men, women and national teams can be applauded – and Irish Rugby received the loudest applause in 2018. That was for the team, as much as for their individual players and […] READ MORE
Rugby is boring: How it can be fixed
Not all rugby is boring. It’s northern hemisphere rugby, as exemplified by the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup, that has the issue. So what? Kiwis and Ozzies have been pointing that out for decades. But it’s objectively bad when English rugby royalty are complaining about the state of rugby after their team has just won both […] READ MORE
WRWC2017 Day One: Top Three Women’s Sides Win Big In Cup Opener
Follow all the results here on Last Word on Rugby, with coverage by Jovilisi Waqa. Today, he gives us 'the Lowdown' on all matches played in the WRWC2017 Day One games. READ MORE
Maori All Blacks to meet Ireland in midweek fixtures this July
The Māori All Blacks have played Ireland on two previous occasions, the most famous being the New Zealand Natives’ 13-4 win at Landsdowne Road in Dublin in 1888. So the news that two additional Māori All Blacks Ireland fixtures give many traditional supporters a feel-good factor. After the disruption of the last 24 months, seeing […] READ MORE
Ireland v Italy: Where the focus was on the Italy red card, not the rugby
The Italy red card happened last Saturday against Ireland. Looking at just the scoreline, it was a game to forget for the Italians. However, looking deeper into the game, there was some controversy, especially regarding Italy’s red card. Law on the Italy red card needs a change but not far off FULL TIME! We score […] READ MORE
ANALYSIS: Louis Rees-Zammit’s Six Nations performance so far
Wales Louis Rees-Zammit’s performances to date have arguably seen him viewed as the player of the Six Nations so far. The 20-year-old Gloucester winger has shown all of his potential with examples of his pedigree that is obvious even only in his first few Tests for Wales. That includes a solid, error-free performance against Ireland […] READ MORE
Leinster vs Munster: how slow can you go?
The Leinster vs Munster Pro 14 semi-final should have been a feast of rugby. It is the Irish derby and should have been a spectacle of a contest. Instead, it was a contest of who could play the slowest. Yes, the weather was atrocious. But from both sides it was an appalling battle of attrition, […] READ MORE