#Jacob Stockdale

1 - Who will win the World Cup? On home soil, and with a star-studded squad full of pace and power, there is no doubt that France are the team to beat. However, this looks like being one of the most open World Cups ever, with at least six teams capable of going all the way. Bring it on. 2 - Can Ireland break their glass ceiling? Heart says yes,…

ULSTER take on Sale Sharks in their opening game of this year's Champions Cup. Ulster come into the game off the back of a demoralising defeat to provincial rivals Leinster in the United Rugby Championship. Despite leading by 19 points and having a man advantage, Ulster capitulated and ended up losing by nine points. Sale are in impressive form and…

You normally come away from an opening Six Nations weekend with a pretty good idea what teams you want to keep on side, from a handicap point of view at least, for the rest of the tournament. But, with the exception of England, the performance of the other five countries sent out some very mixed messages indeed. And it would appear that the coaches…

Scotland recorded their first win over England in a decade a fortnight ago, Huw Jones' first-half double and a try from Sean Maitland leaving the defending champions reeling. England could not mount a comeback and lost 25-13, only their second defeat since the 2015 Rugby World Cup debacle. The result echoed around Ireland and Joe Schmidt's side…

Eddie Jones has been keen to manage expectations and play down England's tag as favourites to win the 2020 Six Nations, pointing to how sides have "deteriorated" after playing in a World Cup final, but the state of the teams around England suggest he should be quietly confident. England were some way ahead the other northern-hemisphere sides in…

The ninth Rugby World Cup gets underway on Friday in the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, taking place in Asia for the first time as the Japanese hosts - still best known for delivering the biggest shock in the sport's history by beating South Africa in 2015 - look to inspire a nation where interest in rugby is growing at a rate of knots, albeit in a…

The latest Rugby World Cup betting odds have been released as the tournament kicks off in Japan. The hosts take on Russia in the opening match, with Wales playing their first game against Georgia on Monday. You can follow all the latest live updates from the World Cup here. As the tournament begins, New Zealand will start as favourites to lift a…

The Heineken Champions Cup is back this weekend as Munster open their campaign with a visit from Toulouse. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? The match takes place at Thomond Park in Limerick with a 3.15pm kick-off on Sunday. Where can I watch the game? The match will be shown live on RTE2 from 2.30pm and BT Sport…

The Heineken Champions Cup is back this weekend as Leinster open their campaign with a trip to Racing 92. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? The match takes place at the Stade Océane in Le Havre with a 1.00pm kick-off on Saturday. Where can I watch the game? The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 from 12.30pm…

IT IS a top-of-the-table interpro clash in the URC this weekend as Leinster welcome Ulster to the RDS. Leinster are first in the table with a 100% record from eight games while Ulster sits second having won six of their seven games to date. The sides have already met this season with Leo Cullen's men getting the win in Belfast. A victory, coupled…

AN ILLNESS plagued Ulster return to action this weekend when they face Munster in the United Rugby Championship. The province's clash against the Cell C Sharks was postponed last weekend following an outbreak of gastroenteritis. Here's everything you need to know about the match. Munster vs Ulster takes place on Saturday, October 29 at Thomond…

They're another URC interpro this weekend as Leinster welcome Ulster this weekend. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? The match takes place at the RDS in Dublin with a 7.35pm kick-off on Saturday. What's the team news? Leo Cullen welcomes back a plethora of key men for Saturday night's visit of Ulster to the…

Connacht are in URC action once again with a visit from Italian outfit Benetton this weekend. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? The match takes place at The Sportsground in Galway with a 3.15pm kick-off on Saturday. What's the team news? We'll bring you the latest from both camps on Independent.ie as it's released…

Munster are in URC action once again with a visit to Edinburgh this weekend. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? The match takes place at the Dam Health Stadium in Edinburgh with a 7.35pm kick-off on Friday. What's the team news? Munster have been boosted by news that Jack Crowley did not suffer a significant injury…

Ireland follow up their outstanding win over world champions South Africa by taking on Fiji n an autumn international this weekend. Here's all you need to know about the match. Where and when is it on? Saturday's match takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road in Dublin with a 1.00pm kick-off. Where can I watch the match? The game will be…

Ireland take on world champions South Africa in an autumn international this weekend. Here's all you need to know about the match. Where and when is it on? Saturday's match takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road in Dublin with a 5.30pm kick-off. Where can I watch the match? The game will be shown live on Virgin Media Two with coverage…

Ulster will hope to get back to wining ways this weekend when they welcome Ospreys. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? The match takes place at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast and kicks off at 7.35pm on Saturday. What's the team news? Ulster star Jacob Stockdale is set for another spell on the sidelines after…

Head coach: Marco Bortolami Captain: Dewalt Duverago/Michele Lamaro Last year: 13th Betting: 150-1 Players In: S Hildago-Klyne (Exeter Chiefs), T Menoncello (promoted academy), A Garbisi (Mogliano), G Nicotera (Rovigo), G Da Rae (Rovigo), F Drago (Mogliano), M Drudi (Mogliano), S Scrafton (Hurricanes), O Ratave (Fijian Drua), M Zanon (Pau), M…