#Johnny Sexton

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,…

Returning Wales coach Warren Gatland will have been thrilled at how the regions fared, winning four from four across the Heineken Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup, while players old and new staked a claim to new England boss Steve Borthwick. England and Wales, as well as Scotland, will all be naming their squads for the Championship next week,…

Leinster are in England this weekend for a Champions Cup clash against Gloucester. here and when is it on? The match takes place at the 16115-seater Kingsholm Stadium with a 1.00pm kick-off on Saturday. Where can I watch the game? The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 and ITV1 from 12:30pm. What's the team news? Gloucester have yet to issue an…

Ireland kept their Six Nations titles hopes alive with a bonus point victory over a 14-man England at Twickenham. The home side had to play nearly all of the match a man down after Charlie Ewels saw red for a high tackle that saw James Ryan leave the field. Ireland were quick to take advantage of the extra man. In the the sixth minute an…

A campaign that began in the best possible fashion with their first Calcutta Cup win over England at Twickenham since 1983 has since given way to familiar disappointment, with successive narrow defeats against Wales and Ireland on home soil in Edinburgh leaving them fifth in the standings. Their trip to France was postponed last month due to a…

Ospreys' Wales quartet Adam Beard, Alex Cuthbert, Rhys Webb and Jac Morgan will miss the visit of United Rugby Championship (URC) leaders Leinster. Head coach Toby Booth has made eight personnel changes from the side that defeated Cardiff. Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is missing through injury with flanker Rhys Ruddock leading Leinster. World…

Leinster are back on the road with a United Rugby Championship trip to Ospreys in Wales this weekend. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? Saturday's match takes place at the Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea with a 7.35pm kick-off. What's the team news? Johnny Sexton misses out and is in a race to be fit for the Six…

Of the 26 titles handed out over the course of the Heineken Champions Cup, 13 of them sit in the bottom half of this season's quarter-final draw. The last eight of this years competition is interestingly split. One one side of the draw you have Racing 92, Sale Sharks, La Rochelle and Montpellier - new money and new challengers. On the bottom half…

Ireland travel to Rome to face Italy in the Six Nations this weekend. This year's tournament has not gone to plan so far for Andy Farrell, with his side losing their opening two games against Wales and France. They face an Italian side who are also winless in the competition after defeats to France and England. Farrell has made seven changes to the…

Leinster reached their first Heineken Champions Cup final in three years after dethroning Toulouse in a sure-footed 40-17 win at the Aviva Stadium. The defending champions struggled to cope with the pace of the hosts' attack, with James Lowe, the tournament's top-scorer this season, claiming two of their four tries. Leinster recovered from Antoine…

Lineen played for the Scots from 1989 and 1992, sharing in their 1990 Five Nations grand slam. There has since been a continuous Kiwi influence in the Five Nations/Six Nations since 1994. This year's tournament kicks off this weekend, with seven New Zealand-born players and two Kiwi head coaches involved. Some - notably French prop Uini Atonio -…

Recent history tells us to look no further than an Englishman or a Frenchman to finish the Six Nations as the Championship's top points scorer. The cross-channel rivals have shared the'golden boot' between them in the last six years, Romain Ntamack topping the charts last season with a relatively modest 57 points as Les Bleus finished runners up…

The international season may have come to a close, but the action continues and Two Cents Rugby has joined us again to pick out his players to watch in 2023. Indeed, the Six Nations Championship is not too far away from kick-off and combine that with all the club competitions, there is a lot to look forward to next year. So which players can we…

Ireland travel to Paris this Saturday for a daunting clash with France in the Six Nations. ere is everything you need to know about the game: What are the teams? It was confirmed today that Johnny Sexton will miss out after picking up a hamstring injury in training, with Joey Carbery set to make his first Six Nations start. Robbie Henshaw and Iain…

After succumbing to a highly disappointing opening day defeat to France in their Six Nations opener last year, Eddie Jones' England bounced back to claim the prestigious championships in an all-action final day consumed by drama. It marked an end to a tournament like no other, which lasted over nine months after the outbreak of the coronavirus…

Ireland face New Zealand in the first of their three summer tests this weekend. Andy Farrell's men come into the series as the underdogs and face a massive challenge against the third highest ranked team in the world. Ireland have never tasted victory against their hosts on New Zealand soil and are set to play at a stadium in which the All Blacks…

Here are the latest rugby headlines for Tuesday, July 5. Jamie Roberts has rubbished the narrative that Wales have missed their best chance of beating South Africa, and believes they can be even better in Bloemfontein this weekend. Wales lost agonisingly in the dying minutes in Pretoria last weekend, but Roberts saw enough to be encouraged heading…

Leinster will look to start putting their heartbreaking Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle behind then with a URC quarter-final at home to Glasgow 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 and kicks off at 3.15pm on Saturday. What's the team news? Leinster…

The Irish giants Leinster will host Gloucester at the Royal Dublin Society Arena on Friday, December 16. Leinster has gotten off to a great start in the championship as they were able to notch a bonus point victory over Racing 92. The Irish rugby team visited France and demolish their counterpart as it proved to be a one-sided affair. The score at…

Scott Barrett has been replaced at blindside flanker by Akira Ioane, with Tupou Vaa'i moving onto the bench, while Karl Tu'inukuafe replaces prop Aidan Ross on the bench. Barrett is understood to have an Achilles injury which has hampered him all week. Seconds out, round three. After the poor display and historic loss in Dunedin last weekend, the…

Stuart Hogg is chasing more European success with Exeter Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's European Champions Cup games. Racing 92+3 1pm Saturday 2pts 10-11 Hills Lyon+8.5 5.30pm Saturday 1pt 10-11 bet365 Exeter to win by one to 12 points 8pm Saturday 1pt 7-4 Coral, Ladbrokes BT Sport 1, 1pm Saturday European Champions Cup…

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…

After an impressive start on the road to their Heineken Champions Cup season with a big win at Racing, Leinster open their home campaign with a visit from Gloucester. 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 an 8.00pm kick-off on Friday. Where can I watch the game? The…

And although Ireland finished second behind Grand Slam winners France, this campaign only reaffirmed that they are moving in the right direction under head coach Andy Farrell. TALE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP Ireland demonstrated their title credentials in Round 1 with a comprehensive 29-7 victory over Wales at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. Bundee Aki strolled…

The wait is almost over as this Saturday, the Six Nations returns to our screens and with fan-filled stadiums to boot. After last year's tournament was played behind closed doors, players, coaches and fans will be thrilled that all matches are set to feature no such restrictions after the Welsh government dropped relevant Covid-19 rules in…

One of these sides' hopes of a Grand Slam will come to an end on Saturday, as the two bookies' favourites to win the Six Nations go head-to-head in Paris Arguably the two best sides in the Six Nations go head-to-head on Saturday afternoon, as France welcome Ireland to Paris for their second match of the tournament. Both sides harbour hopes not just…

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…

So what then are we to make of rugby's new world order? The northern powerhouse that swept aside its southern rivals over the course of an extraordinary Saturday has challenged some preconceived notions. Ireland celebrate their second Test win over New Zealand at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) An unprecedented…

Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's Autumn Nations Cup matches. Channel 4 & Amazon Prime, 3pm Saturday England to win by one to 12 points 1pt 2-1 Betfair England coach Eddie Jones says he has picked "the strongest team possible for the most important game of our season," and his charges may be made to work against an…

Leinster, Connacht and Ulster will all name their teams for their respective Champions Cup games today. Leo Cullen's side host French side Montpellier in Dublin after the reverse fixture was cancelled due to Covid-19 cases within Leinster's squad. Montpellier were awarded a 28-0 win by rugby bosses which infuriated Leinster as other games that were…

reland face France in a meeting of the teams considered the top two contenders to win this year's Six Nations after impressive opening wins. France overwhelmed Italy 37-10 and Ireland beat champions Wales 29-7. Ireland travel to Paris without their captain Johnny Sexton he strained a hamstring in training. Without Sexton, the Irish will be seeking…

Ireland have a shot at keeping their Six Nations 2022 title hopes alive when they face Scotland on Super Saturday in Dublin. The permutations for the Irish are simple. Win the game and hope France lose or lose the game and that's the end of the matter. Andy Farrell's side made a meal of their clash with England, who were down a man for 78 minutes…

Joey Carbery starts at fly-half for a much-changed Ireland side Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's autumn international between Ireland and Fiji. Amazon Prime, 1pm Saturday Fiji+28 1pt 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes After coming through a tough workout against world champions South Africa, Ireland take on tier-two opponents in the shape…

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…

Week two went next level in the drama and force of the north-south conflict. Despite the win-loss count, the south made some ground back. North No. 1 (Ireland) struggled to put an experimental version of South Africa (south No. 2) away, their attack stymied and depending on marginal passes, looking spent in the last ten minutes and like the final…

The spring-autumn tours ignite in earnest this week as the unlucky Scots accept a different challenge from Fiji, the perpetually dinged up Welsh host presumably fired up New Zealand, the confident Irish clad in blue welcome swaggering South Africa in green, the highly touted French invite the Wallabies to a late night rugby discotheque and the…

The annual Autumn Internationals rugby carnival is underway, with England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland to be tested by the best the southern hemisphere has to offer. New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina are all in action over a five-week period, which began with Scotland's narrow defeat to Australia at Murrayfield last…

Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton kept New Zealand at bay with his kicking game in Dunedin Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's third Test between New Zealand and Ireland at Sky Stadium, Wellington. Sky Sports Main Event & Action, 8.05am Saturday Ireland+10.5 2pts 8-11 bet365 New Zealand rugby is still reeling after the All…

Week three of the Autumn Internationals deliver a clash between the best two sides in the world - Ireland and New Zealand - while Scotland have a huge chance for a rare win over South Africa, and Wales and England hand their fringe players the opportunity to shine. For the week's full preview and talking points, click here. Below, I pick out the…

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…

If you're Irish, I bet you are thinking that the results are already in for the Rugby World Cup 2023, given the form of the Irish in 2022. Only Les Blues could beat the Irish in the 2022 Six Nations which saw the Irish take second place. The 2022 Summer Internationals saw the Irish go down to the Maori All Blacks in their warm-up game 32-17. This…

Ireland kept their hopes of a Six Nations title alive as they finally saw off a valiant, spirited England who played 78 minutes with 14 men after Charlie Ewels' red card. Ewels was dismissed with just 82 seconds on the clock after clashing heads with James Ryan in an attempted tackle. Ireland, the pre-match favourites, seemed set for a procession.…

Saturday, May 28th. Kick-off is at 4.45pm Irish time (5.45pm local) at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Can I watch? You can indeed. BT Sport as usual has the rights to European matches, but both Virgin Media 2 and Channel 4 always get one free-to-air game a week, and the final is no exception. You can also follow on our liveblog which will get…

JOHNNY SEXTON is in line for his first appearance of the season off the bench when Leinster face Ulster in the United Rugby Championship. Leo Cullen's men go into the game hot off the heels of the confirmation that Stuart Lancaster will be leaving for Racing 92 at the end of the season. Here's everything you need to know about the match. Ulster vs…

The only nation not to reach the last eight from my predicted route is Argentina. This is particularly frustrating as they should have won their 23-21 defeat to France 10 times over, missing eight points with the boot and scoring just two tries from eight visits to the'red zone', but that is sport. The only other difference is Japan climbing to…

It's a URC interpro this weekend as Leinster travel north to visit Ulster. 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 Friday. What's the team news? We'll bring you confirmed team news from both camps on Independent.ie when we have it but…

FULL TIME: Ireland 23 New Zealand 12 A historic day for Irish rugby. Ireland deserved winners as Ta'avao's red card proved costly for the All Blacks. Big heroes across the pitch from Peter O'Mahony to Tadhg Beirne, to two-try hero Andrew Porter. The scoreline could have been more as they executed their game plan perfectly. Read Gerry Thornley's…

We were treated to a stunning spectacle of rugby last weekend which saw all four Southern Hemisphere nations take the chocolates, while France was the only team from up north to collect a win. With several series on the line can England, Ireland or Wales fight their way to victory in Game 2? Read on for all the line-ups and key team news as it…

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…