#Mack Hansen

Ireland will look to get back to winning ways in the Guinness Six Nations as they welcome Italy to the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Andy Farrell's side saw their Grand Slam hopes go up in smoke in Paris two weeks ago as they were dismantled by a classy French side. Ireland were beaten 30-24 by a powerful French side at Stade De France as,…

Admittedly, the now 20-year-old Crusaders prop was "skinnier back then", but he'd always played centre and No 8 growing up in Perth, and No 8 when he returned to New Zealand and played for Kerikeri High School. But, having earned a scholarship at Auckland's St Kentigern College, he figured he'd best roll with coach Tai Lavea's instructions at the…

It is 67 years since a Wales team travelled to Colombes on the north-west edge of Paris and denied the hosts a Grand Slam. Since then, on four occasions when the Grand Slam has been on the line on home turf, France have converted their chance to win the clean sweep. England will have to overturn recent form as well as decades-old history to win on…

How impressive was last weekend's action? The Crusaders shocked at home to lose their first game of the season, the Reds putting on a near perfect performance against the Rebels, while the Waratahs came oh, so close to beating the Brumbies. This weekend's sure to be just as exciting with the Reds hosting the Brumbies as they battle for top spot,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

reland will be expected to brush aside Italy when the two sides clash in the Six Nations in Dublin this afternoon. Andy Farrell's hosts are hoping to keep their championship hopes alive after suffering a potentially crucial defeat to France last time out. Ireland more than played their part in a thrilling tussle in Paris in round two with tries…

Mack Hansen will hope to continue his impactful start to life as an Ireland international in this showdown, which feels like another inevitable victory for the Irish. Six Nations 2022 on TV - schedule, kick-off times, channel details As for Italy, their winless streak extended to 34 games following another loss to England last time out and now…

France continue their end-of-year internationals with another supreme test of their mettle and quality, as the world champion Springboks head to Marseille's Stade Velodrome. Les Bleus needed a last-gasp try from Damian Penaud to edge Australia in a 30-29 victory in Saint-Denis, overcoming the Wallabies in a match that saw both teams edge in front…

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…

Connacht have Welsh visitors this weekend with Scarlets in town. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? The match takes place at the Sportsgorund in Galway and kicks off at 7.35pm on Friday. What's the team news? Connacht have made six changes from last week's side, with Denis Buckley, Leva Fifita, Conor Oliver, Kieran…

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 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…

1902 total views, 1902 views today Connacht wouldn't have had too much time to enjoy their win against Munster last weekend as preparations for the arrival of Leinster would have dominated the thoughts of coaches and players this week. Arguably the toughest test in the URC but also the greatest win if you can pull it off. The Visitors: Leinster…

Ireland's Jonny Sexton of Ireland should see plenty of action in the second half Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations. ITV & Virgin Media One, 3pm Sunday Ireland -38 2pts Evs bet365 When Italy famously beat Ireland in Rome in the 2013 Six Nations, it was to prove a turning point, but not the sort that the…

Connacht vs DHL Stormers. DHL Stormers' Manie Libbok makes a break past John Porch of Connacht before scoring a try United Rugby Championship, Sportsground, Galway. Photo by Tom Maher/INPHO/Shutterstock (12824138x)/BackpagePix Connacht vs DHL Stormers. DHL Stormers' Manie Libbok makes a break past John Porch of Connacht before scoring a try United…

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…

New Zealand could not cope with the precision and accuracy of Ireland's phase-play Clearly, courage is a fairly valuable attribute in rugby union. But, to cite Commodus, the villain of Ridley Scott's epic film'Gladiator', played wonderfully by Joaquin Phoenix, there are many forms of courage. The C-word was obviously an in-house theme of Ireland's…

ULSTER and Connacht open their 2022/23 United Rugby Championship campaign in a tantalising Ireland derby. Dan McFarland's men will be looking to improve on their 2021/22 season, when they made it as far as the semi-finals before losing to the Stormers. Here's everything you need to know about the match. Ulster vs Connacht takes place at the…