59 h. ago Antoine Dupont carried off pitch as France's Six Nations gamble dealt hammer blow

France suffered the blow of losing their talisman early in their Six Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin

Economics

59 h. ago Antoine Dupont carried off after suffering injury in France’s Six Nations clash with Ireland

The scrum half suffered an injury inside half an hour having created the opening score in Dublin

Events

60 h. ago Ireland rocked by huge injury minutes before France clash in Six Nations

James Lowe has been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations clash with France after limping out of the warm-up. The star winger appeared to suffer an injury in the warm-up.

Events

61 h. ago Scotland v Wales referee was at centre of 'scandalous' decision in Welsh rugby match

Andrea Piardi will make history on Saturday as he becomes the first Italian to referee a Six Nations game when he takes charge of the clash between Ireland and Wales

Politics

61 h. ago Scotland v Wales referee Andrea Piardi was at centre of 'scandalous' decision in Welsh rugby match

Andrea Piardi will make history on Saturday as he becomes the first Italian to referee a Six Nations game when he takes charge of the clash between Ireland and Wales

Politics

3 d. ago Simon Easterby relishing ‘pretty special’ battles when Ireland clash with France

Les Bleus travel to Dublin seeking to snatch top spot in the Six Nations table.

Events

3 d. ago Six Nations proves a beacon of light, hope and escapism amid global moral surrender | Emma John

In a world run by bullies, with sports subsumed by greed, England v Italy – never mind Ireland v France – offers comfortI recently caught myself telling someone I couldn’t wait for England’s Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday, which seemed a bit, well, enthusiastic. Clearly, rugby fans of all stripes will be salivating at Saturday’s key clash between Ireland and France. It’s a bit less usual to get excited at the kind of historical mismatch which, in the past, I might have watched as highlights, late in the evening, when I already knew the result.Is it because I expect the action to be good? Uncertain. Italy pushed England close last year and dominated Wales in Rome last month, which salts the dish. The home team need a sizeable win – four tries for the bonus point – to stay in the title hunt, which raises the question of whether Steve Borthwick’s reformatted backline can finally cut loose and run in a cricket score. Or will Italy bounce back from a drubbing at the hands of t...

Politics

4 d. ago Ireland and France load benches with forwards to play Risk in search of reward

France play jeopardy game with seven forwards on benchCaptain Caelan Doris returns for Simon Easterby’s sideThe board game Risk describes itself as the pursuit of diplomacy, conflict and conquest for two to six players. Rugby’s version is not a million miles removed: bigger pitch and more bodies involved but plenty of overlap on the content. For Saturday’s pivotal next step in Ireland’s grand slam bid the French have put it up to them before a ball is kicked, with a magnificent seven lumps on the bench, supported by just one back. It worked against Italy which is not to say it won’t end in tears this time out. That’s why it’s called Risk.Ireland’s riposte is less brazen, but only just. The last time they went 6-2 on the bench was against England a year ago – which didn’t end too well – and they have an extra bit of jeopardy with the inclusion of their most capped player, Cian Healy, in the replacements. The prop is a veteran of countless contacts and is looking forward to the afterl...

Events

5 d. ago France get helping hand from Thierry Henry ahead of Ireland Six Nations clash

The former France striker memorably denied the Republic of Ireland a place at the 2010 World Cup with the help of handball

Politics

6 d. ago Wales v Ireland Six Nations controversy as Simon Easterby email emerges

An email sent two days after Wales' defeat to Ireland has resulted in Ireland having one of their players back earlier than expected

Politics

9 d. ago Rugby fans mistake Nigel Owens for Jiffy as pair clash over Wales v Ireland controversy

Jiffy and Nigel Owens also disagreed on Garry Ringrose's red card against Wales.

Sport

1 week ago Report of 'serious disturbance' after woman's death on Rosslare Stena ferry carrying rugby fans

Gardaí in Wexford are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. A significant number of people were on board the ferry, including rugby fans returning from the Six Nations clash between Wales and Ireland

Sport

2 w. ago Simon Easterby makes feelings clear on Wales as Ireland's half

'I think there’s been some really poor media talk around Wales and the state of the game'

Politics

2 w. ago Simon Easterby's life in Wales, his actual nationality and TV star wife

The interim Ireland coach has been linked with taking over from Warren Gatland

Politics

2 w. ago Why Wales and Ireland are BANNED from wearing traditional kit for Six Nations clash

Wales and Ireland will wear alternative colours for their Six Nations clash at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, with the WRU confirming a new approach to kit clashes

Events

2 w. ago Why Ireland are wearing white against Wales as lifetime Six Nations ban announced

Simon Easterby's side are sporting an alternate white strip for their clash with Wales

Events

2 w. ago Nigel Owens: Welsh rugby must learn from what Ireland has done

The legendary referee previews this weekend's Six Nations clash in Cardiff and explains why Wales should follow Ireland's lead

Politics

2 w. ago Matt Sherratt Q&A: Why I've made mass changes to the Wales team and what you can now expect

The Wales interim head coach had named his first Wales team ahead of Saturday's clash with Ireland

Politics

2 w. ago Wales ready to see their next head coach in Cardiff – and it’s not Matt Sherratt

Interim Ireland coach Simon Easterby is being heavily linked with the Wales job and Saturday’s Six Nations clash between the sides could be the perfect job interview

Politics

2 w. ago Finn Russell passed fit for Calcutta Cup clash but Darcy Graham misses out for Scotland against England

The two backs were doubts for the Six Nations fixture after a horror clash of heads against Ireland a fortnight ago

Politics