The 8.10pm Irish time kick-off, live on Virgin Media One and TNT Sports, will be the first game in a busy month of international fixtures for the Irish side.

Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland for the second time at Soldier Field, while Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy is in line for his Test debut off the bench.

In the pack, Farrell has chosen Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien and James Lowe in the Ireland back three.

Stuart McCloskey will partner Garry Ringrose in midfield, while Munster’s Jack Crowley will start at out-half, partnering Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.

Andrew Porter, captain Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong constitute the front row.

James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne are in the engine room, and a back row of Ryan Baird at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier at openside and Jack Conan at number eight completing Ireland’s starting line-up.

Strong Irish bench

Farrell has strong options on the bench with Ronan Kelleher, the uncapped McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson and the returning Caelan Doris the forward replacements.

Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast and Bundee Aki will provide the backline reinforcements.

“A privilege to be back here”

As he looked forward to Saturday’s game against the All Blacks, Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell said:

“It is a real privilege to be back here in Chicago ahead of a huge game against New Zealand. The clashes with New Zealand over the years have been fantastic occasions and we’re expecting more of the same on Saturday.

“The historic nature of this game is something we are embracing and there’s great excitement in the squad, not least for Paddy McCarthy who is set to make his international debut this weekend. Paddy has made a great start to the season and his selection is testament to his impressive form. We wish him well and will all do our utmost to make it a special weekend for him and his family.”

Ireland (v New Zealand):

(Club/Province/Caps)

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(8)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)(2)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(67)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(21)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(40)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(26)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(43)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(75)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(32)(captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(79)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(72)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(61)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(29)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(73)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(51)

Ireland Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(39)
17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)*
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(51)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(85)
20. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(51)
21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(20)
22. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(9)
23. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(65).

* denotes uncapped

The post Ireland Team v New Zealand on Saturday appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Farrell Names Ireland Squad for Gallagher Cup and Quilter Nations Series

Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Men’s Squad, sponsored by Vodafone, for the Gallagher Cup clash against New Zealand in Chicago and the upcoming Quilter Nations Series at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Ireland open their packed Autumn window with a Soldier Field rematch against New Zealand on Saturday, 1 November, before returning home to face Japan, Australia, and South Africa across three consecutive weekends in Dublin.

Doris to Captain Ireland

Caelan Doris will captain the side, while Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy earns his first call-up and could make his Test debut.

Connacht winger Shayne Bolton, who won his first cap against Portugal during the summer, joins uncapped Munster forwards Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson as travelling cover for the Chicago fixture.

Notable absentees include Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy, Calvin Nash, and Cormac Izuchukwu, who were unavailable for selection through injury.

The squad will assemble at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday, 20 October, before flying to Chicago on Tuesday, 21 October.

Gallagher Cup and Quilter Nations Series Fixtures

The Gallagher Cup:
• Saturday, 1 November: Ireland v New Zealand – Soldier Field, Chicago (3.10pm local / 8.10pm Irish)

The Quilter Nations Series:
• Saturday, 8 November: Ireland v Japan – Aviva Stadium, Dublin (12.40pm)
• Saturday, 15 November: Ireland v Australia – Aviva Stadium, Dublin (8.10pm)
• Saturday, 22 November: Ireland v South Africa – Aviva Stadium, Dublin (5.40pm)

Tickets for the Australia and South Africa matches are now sold out, with limited availability for the opener against Japan.

Farrell Excited by the Challenge Ahead

“There’s an exciting look to the panel and a great blend of experience and youth,” said Andy Farrell.
“We’ve got players returning from injury, others pushing through after strong summers, and now an opportunity for everyone to stake their claim heading into a massive year for Irish rugby.”

Farrell acknowledged the demanding nature of the November schedule, with four southern hemisphere opponents in succession, adding:

“New Zealand in Chicago will be special. It’s a city where we’ve had great memories before, and I’m sure the Irish fans in the US will turn out in force. Then it’s back to the Aviva for three world-class Tests in front of an incredible home crowd.”

Age Profile: Experience and Balance – but an Eye on 2027

The overall average age of Ireland’s 34-man squad is 27.1 years, with the forwards averaging 26.5 and the backs 27.6.

That blend gives Farrell’s team a balance of experience and physical peak heading into this Test window. However, looking ahead to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, Ireland’s backline will be older than ideal. By then, stars like Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, and Jamison Gibson-Park will all be in their early to mid-30s, placing greater importance on the emergence of younger talents such as Jamie Osborne and Sam Prendergast.

Farrell and his coaching staff will be keen to see how those younger options handle top-tier opposition this autumn, as Ireland’s evolution towards the next World Cup cycle continues.

Broadcast Details

Gallagher Cup (v New Zealand): Virgin Media One (ROI) / TNT Sports (UK)
Quilter Nations Series: RTÉ (ROI) / TNT Sports (UK)

Ireland Squad – November 2025

Forwards (19):
Thomas Ahern, Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Paddy McCarthy*, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier.

Backs (15):
Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale.

*Denotes uncapped player

Average squad age: 27.1 years
Average forwards age: 26.5 years
Average backs age: 27.6 years

The post Farrell Names Ireland Rugby Squad for November Internationals appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

A Brand-New Format

The tournament is moving away from the traditional 20-team model used since 2003. Instead, six pools of four teams will decide the qualifiers, with the top two in each pool plus the four best third-placed teams progressing to a new Round of 16. This guarantees more knockout rugby and extra drama.

The total number of matches rises from 48 to 52, but the tournament will actually be shorter — 43 days compared to 50 in 2023 — thanks to streamlined scheduling and even pools of four, which eliminate rest weekends during the pool stage.

No More Protected Status

In previous World Cups, automatically qualified teams were guaranteed not to be seeded lower than 12th. That safety net has been scrapped. The December draw will now use World Rugby rankings only. Ireland’s position in Band 1 is safe for now, but there is no longer any “protection” — slip in the rankings, and the consequences could be severe.

Seeding Bands (Projected)

If the draw were held today, the four seeding bands might look like this:

• Band 1: New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, France, England, Australia (host)
• Band 2: Argentina, Scotland, Fiji, Italy, Georgia, Wales
• Band 3: Japan, Samoa, Spain, Portugal, Tonga, USA
• Band 4: Uruguay, Romania, Chile, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Hong Kong China

Note: Australia are automatically placed in Pool A as host nation.

A Likely Irish Pool

One plausible scenario would see Ireland drawn in Pool A alongside Australia. Using the projected bands, here’s how that could look:

Pool A – Hypothetical Draw
Ireland (Band 1)
Australia (Host / Band 1)
Georgia (Band 2)
Spain (Band 3)

This group would offer a huge showdown with the Wallabies, a classic forward battle with Georgia, and a first-ever World Cup clash against Spain — one of Europe’s most improved sides. Ireland would be favourites to top the pool, but the margin for error is slim.

The Knockout Path Explained

The introduction of the Round of 16 means the bracket works differently depending on which pool you win. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Pools A–D winners: face a third-placed team in the Round of 16, but could meet another pool winner as early as the quarter-finals.
• Pools E & F winners: face a runner-up in the Round of 16, but crucially avoid another pool winner until the semi-final.

That small structural quirk could be decisive. Ireland in Pool A would enjoy an “easier” first knockout, but face a heavyweight immediately after. If placed in Pool E or F, they might face stiffer resistance in the Round of 16 but have a clearer run to the last four.

“The winners of Pools E and F have the most favourable knockout pathway. For Ireland, avoiding another top seed until the semi-final could be game-changing.”

Hypothetical Other Pools

For context, here’s how the rest of the tournament could shape up in this projection:

• Pool B: New Zealand, Argentina, Japan, Uruguay
• Pool C: South Africa, Scotland, Samoa, Romania
• Pool D: France, Wales, Fiji, Chile
• Pool E: England, Italy, Tonga, Namibia
• Pool F: Remaining Band 1 side, Portugal, USA, Hong Kong China

This setup creates enticing matchups like France v Fiji, South Africa v Scotland and England v Tonga, while also spreading the Tier Two nations across competitive pools.

What It Means for Ireland

Ireland’s path will depend heavily on which pool they land in. If they are locked into Pool A with hosts Australia, they will likely face a third-place side in the Round of 16 before clashing with a powerhouse like South Africa or France in the quarters. However, if the draw places them in Pool E or F, the door to a semi-final could be considerably more open.

The bigger picture is clear: Ireland can no longer fear just the quarter-finals. To win a World Cup, they must now string together four consecutive knockout victories — Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final. It’s a test of depth, composure and consistency unlike anything they’ve faced before.

Ticketing and Fan Interest

With games spread across seven Australian cities — Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle and Townsville — Irish supporters are already planning their trips. Presale tickets open in February 2026, with general applications in May 2026. If Ireland are in Pool A, expect huge Irish support in Perth and Sydney, where the diaspora is strongest.

Final Word

For Ireland, the 2027 Rugby World Cup represents both opportunity and jeopardy. The scrapping of protective seeding has raised the stakes, but the expanded format gives Farrell’s squad a real chance to build knockout momentum. Whether they are drawn into Pool A with Australia or land in Pool E/F with a smoother path, the message is simple: Ireland’s destiny will be shaped in Sydney on 3 December 2025.

For once, the so-called “quarter-final curse” might not even be the biggest talking point — instead, it could be whether Ireland have the resilience to handle four elimination games in six weeks and finally lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

The post Rugby World Cup 2027: Likely Draw Scenario for Ireland appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

When is the Draw?

The official draw takes place in Sydney on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. For Ireland, currently sitting second in the world rankings, this date will be crucial. The new seeding system means every ranking point matters in the run-up to December — and for once, there will be no safety net.

No More Protected Status

In previous World Cups, the 12 automatically qualified teams could not be ranked lower than 12th when bands for the draw were formed. That protection has been scrapped. Ireland’s position in Band 1 is secure right now, but it reinforces the need to stay among the world’s elite over the next two seasons. One slip in the rankings could see them face an even tougher path.

How the Format Works

Here’s the breakdown of Rugby World Cup 2027:

• 24 teams instead of 20
• 6 pools of 4 teams each
• Top two teams from each pool qualify automatically for the Round of 16
• Four best third-placed teams also progress
• 52 matches across 43 days (shorter than 2023 but with more knockout drama)
• 7 Australian host cities: Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Newcastle and Townsville

This format mirrors the UEFA European Championships in football — adding jeopardy while keeping player welfare intact with a guaranteed five rest days between fixtures.

Round of 16: How It Plays Out

The biggest change is the addition of a Round of 16. Here’s how it works:

• 4 ties: Pool winners v third-place teams
• 2 ties: Pool winners v pool runners-up
• 2 ties: runners-up v runners-up

For Ireland, this means topping the pool doesn’t always guarantee an easier run. Depending on the draw, they could face a dangerous third-place team (think Fiji, Argentina or Scotland in past tournaments) or a seasoned runner-up. The reward of topping the pool is still significant, but there are no soft touches anymore.

What It Means for Ireland

Ireland’s World Cup history is well documented: eight quarter-final exits and counting. The introduction of a Round of 16 means Farrell’s side must now clear an extra knockout hurdle before reaching the quarter-finals — but crucially, it might help break the “curse.”

If Ireland win their pool, they are likely to meet a third-placed side in the Round of 16, which could be a more favourable matchup than previous quarter-final draws against the likes of New Zealand or Argentina. Win that, and the path opens to a quarter-final that may be less daunting than in past formats.

“Ireland have consistently been one of the best teams in the world outside of World Cup knockouts. This new format gives them two shots at building momentum before the traditional quarter-final hurdle. It could finally be their chance to go deep.” – Rugby Analyst View

Qualified Teams So Far

Auto-qualified (top three from 2023 pools):

France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, Japan.

Qualified via tournaments:

Georgia, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Tonga, Canada, United States, Uruguay, Chile, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong China.

Final qualifier (to be decided in Dubai): Namibia, Belgium, Samoa, Brazil/Paraguay winner.

Ireland’s Possible Pools

With Australia fixed in Pool A as hosts, Ireland could be drawn directly alongside the Wallabies. That could reignite a classic rivalry, with the sides last meeting at a World Cup in 2011 when Ireland famously beat the hosts in Auckland.

Other scenarios could see Ireland grouped with dangerous mid-tier teams like Fiji, Georgia or Portugal — all capable of an upset. The removal of protections means no pool will be straightforward.

Tournament at a Glance

• Opening Game: 1 October 2027, Perth Stadium
• Total Matches: 52
• Total Duration: 43 days (shorter than 2023’s 50)
• Potential Irish Fixtures: 3 pool matches + up to 4 knockout matches
• Path to the Final: Pool stage → Round of 16 → Quarter-final → Semi-final → Final

Tickets

Irish fans can begin planning their trip. A closed presale for those who register at rugbyworldcup.com/2027 opens in February 2026, with a general application phase in May 2026. Expect huge demand for Sydney and Melbourne fixtures, while Ireland fans may also be sent to Perth or Brisbane depending on the draw.

Final Thought

For Ireland, the 2027 Rugby World Cup offers both risk and opportunity. The removal of protections means nothing can be taken for granted, but the expanded knockout stages may finally give the squad a chance to build confidence across multiple elimination games rather than being thrown straight into a quarter-final against one of the game’s superpowers.

With a squad that blends seasoned stars and a new generation, the next two years of preparation will define whether Ireland can rewrite history in Australia.

The post Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw: What the New Format Means for Ireland appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

1. Caelan Doris: A Referee Conundrum Ireland Must Solve

Caelan Doris remains one of Ireland’s most respected and consistent performers. However, a strange pattern has emerged: certain referees seem to take issue with him. Whether it’s his timing at the breakdown, interpretation of laws, or just poor communication, Doris is drawing whistles too often. Ireland must address this before it costs them in a big game. A clearer approach with referees could turn this into a non-issue.

2. Andy Farrell’s Loyalty or Lack of Depth?

Head coach Andy Farrell faces increasing scrutiny for sticking with senior players who may be past their peak. Critics argue that the time has come to blood younger talent. But maybe the reality is harsher – perhaps the next generation isn’t quite ready. Either way, this selection dilemma is stalling progress and could hurt Ireland’s preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

3. Where Are Ireland’s Try-Scorers?

Scoring tries is Ireland’s Achilles heel right now. Tom Farrell leads the United Rugby Championship (URC) with six tries, and Caelan Doris – a back-row forward – tops the current Ireland starters with just four tries this season. That’s a major red flag. Less club-level rotation and a more settled backline might help, but Ireland need to identify a clinical finisher soon.

4. It’s Time to Back Ireland’s Young Talent

Ireland’s third-place finish in the Six Nations looks almost guaranteed, making next week’s trip to Italy a perfect opportunity to test new faces. Players like Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton, and Matthew Devine deserve a chance. They’ve shown form, promise, and the kind of spark that Ireland is currently lacking. Even if they’re not long-term starters, they can inject fresh energy.

5. Sam Prendergast and the Aviva Embarrassment

In one of the more bizarre moments of the weekend, Sam Prendergast paused the restart of the second half for over 30 seconds while a song blared over the tannoy at the Aviva Stadium. It was meant to lift the atmosphere, but instead felt forced and awkward. This is international rugby – the theatre matters, but the rugby must come first.

6. Prendergast vs Crowley: World Cup 2027 Watch Begins

With the next World Cup firmly on the horizon, Sam Prendergast’s age becomes a huge asset. There’s little separating him from Jack Crowley in terms of ability right now, and both are expected to tour with Ireland this summer. That series could go a long way in shaping Ireland’s long-term future at out-half.

7. Under-20s in Trouble – But Not Doomed

Ireland’s U20 team is missing several key players and struggling to hit top form. But all is not lost. With time and hopefully a full squad, they could peak at the U20 World Championship this summer. This group has potential – they just need rhythm and some injury luck.

Conclusion:

This week highlighted some critical challenges for Irish rugby: a shortage of finishers, refereeing frustrations, and the ongoing question of how – and when – to integrate the next generation. There are positives, too. The likes of Prendergast, Forde, and Bolton offer real hope, and third place in the Six Nations isn’t a disaster. But with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in the distance and plenty of rugby to come, now is the time to act.

The post What We Learned This Week: 7 Talking Points from Ireland’s Rugby Week appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

As the 2025 Six Nations reaches its defining moment, the Player of the Championship race is intensifying ahead of this Saturday’s Ireland vs France showdown in Dublin. With Ireland potentially one win away from a Grand Slam, an Irish player could emerge as the frontrunner for individual honours, while France’s key stars will be determined to spoil the party.

Dupont Still Leads the Betting, But Irish Stars Are Closing In

Despite missing the opening rounds due to his Sevens commitments, Antoine Dupont (4/9) remains the bookmakers’ favourite. The France scrum-half is a generational talent, and his return has given Les Bleus a major boost. If France win in Dublin, he will likely cement his claim to the award.

However, should Ireland claim the Grand Slam, it will be hard to overlook one of their key players for the honour.

Sam Prendergast’s Rise to Contention

Here's a video showcasing why Sam Prendergast is such an exciting Rugby Prospect!

FULL VIDEO –> https://t.co/pyu0BOrYsQ pic.twitter.com/I0UinPnrrY

— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) January 22, 2025

Sam Prendergast (6/1) has quickly established himself as Ireland’s first-choice fly-half, overtaking Jack Crowley in the pecking order. The young Leinster playmaker has shown impressive game management and attacking creativity, though his tackling remains a slight weakness.

If he delivers a commanding performance against France and Ireland go on to win the Grand Slam, Prendergast could be the natural choice for Player of the Championship. The award has traditionally favoured players from the title-winning team, making his final two performances crucial.

Gibson-Park and Conan Also in the Running

Jamison Gibson-Park (7/2) has been instrumental in Ireland’s attacking tempo, his quick decision-making and sharp passing proving vital. A strong performance against Antoine Dupont could see him emerge as a major contender.

Meanwhile, Jack Conan (12/1) has been a rock in the Ireland pack. If he dominates the breakdown and carries strongly against France, his odds could shorten rapidly.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey: France’s Best Bet?

Outside of Dupont, Louis Bielle-Biarrey (7/2) has been one of France’s standout players. His pace and finishing ability have been crucial in keeping France’s title hopes alive. If he plays a starring role in Dublin, he could emerge as a dark horse for the award.

Grand Slam Could Decide It All

History suggests that if Ireland complete the Grand Slam, the Player of the Championship is likely to come from their squad. In 2018, Jacob Stockdale won the award after scoring a record-breaking seven tries in Ireland’s unbeaten campaign.

If Prendergast guides Ireland past France and then seals the Grand Slam against Italy, he could be impossible to ignore. But if France win on Saturday, Dupont’s grip on the award will only strengthen.

This weekend’s Ireland vs France clash isn’t just a title decider—it could determine the Six Nations Player of the Championship too.

The post Player of the Six Nations Championship Race Hinges on Ireland vs France Clash appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The fixture that marked the formal celebration of the 150th anniversary of Ireland’s first men’s fixture which took place during the 1874/’75 season.

This afternoon’s game saw Cian Healy set a new Ireland record as he won his 134th international cap.

Australia take early lead

A nervous Ireland found themselves on the back foot during the early stages of Saturday’s game.

A high tackle from Joe McCarthy, which was viewed by officials who decided only to award a penalty – and not go for a yellow card – saw Noah Lolesio kick an easy penalty from directly in front of the posts to put his side into the lead in the 10th minute.

Joe Schmidt’s visitors extended their advantage when Max Jorgensen scored the game’s opening try after 18 minutes.

As the Aussies became stronger, Ireland were stretched badly and under defensive pressure. Winger Kellaway looked to be heading in for a try only for a brilliant trip tackle from Sam Prendergast preventing the winger from scoring.

The visitors immediately spread the ball to the opposite side of the field and Max Jorgensen found himself in space. The Balmain Wolves’ player breached the try-scoring line for the opening five-pointer of the test match.

With Lolesio adding the extras, the Wallabies were in a 10-0 lead.

Van der Flier try

The concession of a penalty by the Wallabies led to Ireland’s first score of the game. With Australia on the back foot from the ensuing Ireland line-out, within three phases Gibson-Park broke for the line before passing to Van der Flier for his 13th international try.

Sam Prendergast missed the conversion opportunity, meaning it was double scores: Ireland 5 Australia 10.

A second successful Lolesio penalty kick extended the visitors’ lead to 13-5 –  the final score of the opening 40 minutes.

Half-time: Ireland 5  Australia 13

Ireland took their early second-half opportunity to reduce the deficit. Aussie prop James Slipper was penalised, giving Sam Prendergast a kick from the 10m line, directly in front of the posts. The Leinster kicker comfortably had both the direction and the distance to reduce his side’s deficit to 8-13.

Captain’s try 

With Ireland having the momentum, Andy Farrell’s side claimed their second try of the game shortly afterwards. Australia were penalised, and Prendergast kicked for the line. Winning their own throw-in, the home side, with a baying crowd behind them, made headway for the line, with captain, and eventual player of the match Caelin Doris, touching down to put the sides level for the first time in the game. The easy conversion kick, from directly in front of the posts, was slotted over by Prendergast, and Ireland took a 15-13 lead.

As Ireland made changes, one of them, Tom O’Toole was only on the field when conceding a penalty. The easy kick for Lolesio pushed his side back into a marginal 16-15 lead.

Another penalty kick from Lolesio, this time from 47 metres out, but directly in front of the posts, pushed his side into a 15-19 advantage, as the game entered the final quarter.

McCarthy try for Ireland

Replacement Gus McCarthy claimed his second international try after 73 minutes, before another Ireland replacement Jack Crowley successfully converted for a 22-19 lead for the home side – the final score of Ireland’s fourth Autumn Series international.

Today’s international test was the 38th meeting of Ireland and Australia, with the hosts having now 15 successes since the sides first met at Lansdowne Road on 12 November 1927. The Australians have 22 wins to their name and there has been one draw in games between the two countries.

The post Ireland 22 Australia 19 – Highlights & Reaction appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

In their 756th test match, and the 20th meeting between Ireland and Argentina since caps were first awarded on 27 October 1990, Ireland held out at the death in a titanic final tussle.

Both sides had two men each sin binned on a night Cian Healy won his 133rd cap to join Brian O’Driscoll at the top of the list.

Two early Irish tries

In a much improved opening 40 minute performance from last week, Ireland opened the scoring on four minutes.

Jack Crowley, who had earlier been on the receiving end of a dangerous high tackle from Matias Moroni, which saw the centre sin binned for 10 minutes, opened the Irish try-scoring.

With Argentina down a man, Ireland aimed to exploit the wide space in front of them. A break from the home side was dominated by centre Garry Ringrose cutting through the Argentinian side. Tadhg Beirne received the ball yards from the line, but the Munster player unselfishly passed inside to Mack Hansen. The Connacht man had the easy task of touching down for his 10th international try in 23 test matches. On this occasion, Crowley’s conversion attempt was short and fell under the crossbar. This gave Farrell’s side a 12-0 advantage.

Albornoz opens Argentinian scoring

Ireland were penalised for being offside and this gave the Pumas an opportunity to claim their first score of the test match on 12 minutes. Benetton’s Tomás Albornoz dissected the posts to narrow the margin between the sides to 12-3.

Tadhg Beirne thought he had added to the Irish score minutes later when he stretched to touchdown, despite two Argentinian players tackling him. The referee, Paul Williams of New Zealand, called a try as the on field decision, but on review with the TMO, the ball was knocked on as Beirne attempted to ground the ball.

Bealham gets yellow card

Finlay Bealham was found guilty of a crock roll towards the end of the opening quarter of the game. Paul Williams reviewed the incident on the big screen where the Irish front row was clearly seen committing the foul. The Corinthians man was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

The penalty which followed was successfully kicked by Albornoz, his second of the night, leaving Ireland in a 12-6 lead.

Crowley kicked a fantastic drop goal from centre field on the stroke of 21 minutes to extend the home side’s advantage to 15-6.

With two Irish players blown for crossing, the visitors were handed another three-point opportunity which Albornoz took with aplomb; the score was Ireland 15 Argentina 9 by this stage, with the clock showing 26 minutes played.

McCarthy claims third Irish try

The men in green soon extended their advantage when Joe McCarthy claimed the side’s third try of the night. Coming from an Irish line out near the Argentinian try line, James Lowe at first looked as though he would be successful. Though he ended up being short of the try-scoring line, McCarthy was in support for the five-point score. Another good kick from Crowley meant the score board read 22-9 in Ireland’s favour at the break.

Half-time:  Ireland 22  Argentina 9

Mallía try for Argentina 

Individual brilliance from Argentinian fullback Juan Cruz Mallía created the space for him to claim his team’s first try of the game, after 45 minutes. The Toulouse player, with a 7s background, broke through an ailing Irish defence and easily took the five-pointer.

A straightforward kick from Tomás Albornoz brought his side to within six points of Ireland, with 46 minutes on the stadium clock.

Joe McCarthy became the second Irish player, and third of the game, to be shown a yellow card. The earlier try scorer was guilty of deliberately going offside according to match referee Williams.

Albornoz kicked his second three-pointer of the second half and brought the Pumas to within three points of Andy Farrell’s team.

Shoulder to head contact from Franciso Gómez Kodela on Caelan Dorris saw the Argentinian spend the final five minutes of the game in the sin bin, the fourth player of the night to spend time in the bin.

Both previously uncapped players Tom Clarkson and Sam Prendergast made their senior international debuts on Friday night, while Cian Healy claimed his 133rd test cap, joining Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s most-capped player ever.

Ireland now have 14 wins in games between the sides with Argentina having 6 victories.

Final Score: Ireland 22 Argentina 19

The post Ireland 22 Argentina 19 appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Robbie Henshaw will make his 75th international appearance this evening and is the only change in the starting line-up from last Friday.

The Leinster duo Thomas Clarkson and Sam Prendergast are the two uncapped players Farrell has chosen on the replacements bench for the game as Ireland hope to get back to winning ways following last their defeat to New Zealand.

Healy in line for cap 133

Cian Healy will win his 133rd Test match cap if coming off the replacements’ bench this evening. His will match the record Test cap haul of former Leinster and Ireland great Brian O’Driscoll.

Ireland’s back three is unchanged from last weekend’s opening Autumn Nations Series test, with Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Mack Hansen again chosen.

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose will start in midfield tonight, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley again getting the nod as the half-back pairing.

The entire pack remains unchanged, with Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan in support in the second row.

Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, who scored a try against New Zealand, and captain Caelan Doris complete Farrell’s starting team.

Alongside Cian Healy on the replacements’ bench are Rob Herring, uncapped Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Craig Casey, uncapped Sam Prendergast and Jamie Osborne.

Speaking ahead of the Argentina clash, Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell, said:

“There has been a sharp focus in training this week and the squad are determined to get back to winning ways in front of a vocal home crowd. Friday will be a special night at Aviva Stadium for more reasons than one.”

Tonight’s game, which kicks off at 8.10pm, will be live on Virgin Media One, and there will be radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1.

Ireland Team

15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park.

1. Andrew Porter, 2. Rónan Kelleher, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (captain).

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Thomas Clarkson, 19. Ryan Baird, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Sam Prendergast, 23. Jamie Osborne.

The post Ireland v Argentina at 8.10pm in Autumn Nations Series appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell named his side earlier this week to face the All Blacks under lights in front of a sell-out crowd tonight.

Caelan Doris, who captained Ireland against Italy in the Six Nations last February, will again captain the side from the back row.

The Ireland back three will consist of Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe.

Bundee Aki partners Garry Ringrose in midfield, and Jamison Gibson-Park will return to scrum-half to partner Jack Crowley at out-half.

The front row will consist of Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham, while Joe McCarthy and James Ryan will comprise the second row.

Tadhg Beirne will operate at blindside flanker with Josh van de Flier on the openside, and captain Caelan Doris playing at number eight will complete the back row.

Looking ahead to tonight’s game, Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell said:

“It’s a hugely exciting four weeks ahead in Aviva Stadium and we know we’ll need to perform at a high level to beat a top-class New Zealand side. The challenge doesn’t come much bigger or better than New Zealand at a packed Aviva Stadium on a Friday night, under lights, with a home crowd roaring us on.”

On the replacements bench Farrell can call on numerous experienced international players. Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony are the forwards replacements, while Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne will provide backup in the backline.

Tonight’s game is live on Virgin Media One and there will be live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

Ireland (v New Zealand):

Player/Club/Province/Caps

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(39)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)(21)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(60)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(57)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(33)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(16)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(35)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(66)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(33)
3. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht)(42)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(12)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(64)
6. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(52)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(64)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(43)(captain)

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(40)
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(131)
18. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(13)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(81)
20. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(107)
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(118)
22. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(6)
23. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(2).

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