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Thursday 8 June 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# Analysis

All time
# woes
Seven scrum pens and five misses in the 22 - Leinster left with big regrets
Saracens’ pack dominated Leo Cullen’s men up front in an impressive performance.
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44
Sep 20th 2020, 7:45 AM
# talking point
Can a familiar face bail out Mourinho and Spurs?
Gareth Bale is set to re-join the North London club.
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2
Sep 18th 2020, 3:37 PM
# Analysis
How Leinster's relentless defence shut Ulster down after a promising start
Leo Cullen’s men retained their Guinness Pro14 title with an excellent defensive performance.
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17
Sep 14th 2020, 2:10 PM
# Analysis
Will Jose Mourinho's conservatism impede Matt Doherty? Graeme Souness doesn't think so
The Sky Sports pundit also believes Liverpool are favourites to win this year’s Premier League.
10.5k
5
Sep 10th 2020, 10:01 PM
# Analysis
Sexton and Connors set the tone as Leinster's defence smothers Munster
Stuart Lancaster’s charges shut down Munster’s early attempts to get a foothold in the game.
26.0k
23
Sep 7th 2020, 9:30 PM
# new dawn
The biggest challenge of the Stephen Kenny era is already obvious
Plus, more talking points from the Ireland manager’s first two games in charge.
45.0k
25
Sep 7th 2020, 5:07 PM
# Analysis
McFarland's Ulster keep the faith in collective speed and ball-handling skill
The northern province stuck to their philosophy as they mounted a dramatic comeback last night.
7.0k
2
Sep 6th 2020, 2:30 PM
# Analysis
Leinster have the classier touches in contrast to blunt, predictable Munster
The southern province were second best in the kicking game as they suffered another semi-final defeat.
12.4k
40
Sep 5th 2020, 10:24 AM
# Analysis
Bold Adam Idah call a metaphor for new Ireland
The 19-year-old Cork-born forward was handed his senior international debut in Stephen Kenny’s first match in charge.
20.5k
2
Sep 4th 2020, 5:30 AM
# Rule the Skies
Why Rob Kearney could have a big role against one of Munster's key weapons
Conor Murray’s box-kicking has been superb over the past two weekends.
10.7k
24
Aug 31st 2020, 7:00 PM
# Analysis
How Will Connors' remarkable tackling helped Leinster to shut down Ulster
The 24-year-old openside flanker was dogged and destructive in defence.
31.8k
20
Aug 31st 2020, 3:00 PM
# Skills
Analysis: Connacht's attack suggests 2020/21 could be a very exciting season
The western province delivered an impressive performance as Irish rugby restarted.
10.0k
6
Aug 26th 2020, 7:44 PM
# Stacks
Analysis: Deception and work-rate key as Munster attack hints at progress
Johann van Graan’s men scored three tries thanks to sharp finishes in the Leinster 22.
27.4k
26
Updated
Aug 24th 2020, 8:01 PM
# Analysis
Leinster learn from England in pursuit of multi-threat attacking kicking game
Robbie Henshaw and Johnny Sexton delivered two superb touches against Munster on Saturday.
12.7k
12
Aug 24th 2020, 7:20 AM
# Analysis
Has excessive game time hindered some of Europe's biggest clubs?
Man City, Barcelona and Juventus have been among the top sides to perform well-below expectations in the Champions League.
8.2k
9
Aug 17th 2020, 6:30 AM
# Analysis
Promising Irish starlet hands reality check to Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer
Michael Obafemi’s last-gasp equaliser caused a setback to the Red Devils’ Champions League ambitions.
7.8k
1
Jul 14th 2020, 6:00 AM
# Analysis
How Ireland learned to stop worrying and love Jack Charlton
A look back at the troubled early days and the scepticism that greeted the Irish manager’s appointment.
19.8k
9
Jul 12th 2020, 9:30 PM
Analysis: Super Rugby sides picking apart lineout seams with sharp attack
The Brumbies scored an excellent try in behind the lineout against the Rebels.
5.4k
2
Jul 7th 2020, 3:59 PM
# Analysis
Is Jose Mourinho now yesterday's man?
The Portuguese manager saw his Tottenham side’s Champions League hopes diminish amid a loss to Sheffield United on Thursday.
10.1k
12
Jul 3rd 2020, 6:00 AM
# Kick to Score
Analysis: How the Crusaders hurt the Hurricanes with their classy kicking game
Scott Robertson’s side used a variety of kicks to cause major problems in Wellington.
4.8k
1
Jun 22nd 2020, 7:30 PM
# Analysis
5 key questions ahead of the Premier League's re-start
England’s top flight is set to recommence on 17 June.
24.3k
35
Jun 14th 2020, 9:45 PM
# Analysis
Explainer: The latest controversy threatening to cause a rift within the FAI
Nixon Morton — an FAI Council member — has written to both Uefa and Fifa to express concerns over perceived issues with the new set-up.
19.8k
14
Jun 2nd 2020, 6:01 PM
# Analysis
How Joey Carbery could help Andy Farrell's Ireland to be less 'predictable'
The Munster playmaker is the ideal man to act as a second playmaker in the backline.
33.0k
53
Updated
May 25th 2020, 9:30 PM
# classic
When two brilliant offloads helped Connacht to end a 17-year drought in Dublin
Leinster were unbeaten at Donnybrook in three years when Steph Nel’s men arrived in 2002.
8.4k
7
May 9th 2020, 8:30 AM
# Analysis
Bully pulpit: Should US networks simply stop broadcasting Trump and his dangerous Covid-19 briefings?
Some have scaled back their live coverage of the daily briefings.
43.2k
105
Apr 24th 2020, 8:00 PM
# Trés Bien
When Joe Schmidt's Ireland went to Paris and won the Six Nations
We reflect on the agonisingly tense Irish victory on the final day of the 2014 championship.
11.5k
11
Mar 16th 2020, 1:48 PM
# Analysis
Ireland v Italy off - so what happens next?
The decision to postpone next month’s Six Nations match will cause chaos with the rugby calendar. Deciding when to play it again is just one of the big problems rugby’s top brass have to solve.
11.2k
9
Feb 26th 2020, 5:08 PM
# contest
Analysis: The small details that make a huge difference in winning the aerial battle
Professional performance analyst Eoin Toolan examines the contests in the air in this Six Nations.
9.3k
9
Feb 26th 2020, 1:14 PM
# Kick to Score
Analysis: England's clever kicking pressures Sexton and Stockdale into errors
The English intelligently picked apart Ireland’s defence with some clever touches.
29.6k
42
Updated
Feb 24th 2020, 12:06 PM
# Analysis
Man United ride their luck in Chelsea win
The Red Devils revived their Champions League hopes with a win over their top-four rivals.
10.1k
8
Feb 17th 2020, 10:30 PM
# Les Bleus
Analysis: The risk-reward of Shaun Edwards' linespeed defence with France
The French have started the Six Nations strongly in defence but there are potential weaknesses to be exploited.
11.6k
2
Feb 12th 2020, 7:00 PM
# Progress
Analysis: How Ireland Women's attack has driven them to two Six Nations wins
Tougher challenges lie ahead but the early signs have been positive in Donnybrook over the past two weeks.
5.1k
4
Feb 11th 2020, 2:23 PM
# outstanding
Analysis: Andrew Conway delivers a brilliant wing display for Ireland
The 28-year-old Munster man defended well, chased hard and made good decisions.
14.1k
15
Feb 9th 2020, 7:00 PM
# 22 visits
Analysis: "Murray, give it to me, Murray!" - Ireland show try-scoring edge
Andy Farrell’s side left plenty of room for improvement even as they notched a bonus point.
24.4k
9
Feb 9th 2020, 1:32 PM
# Analysis
Banty: 'I've enough problems of my own without worrying about the problems Ciaran Branagan had'
Missed opportunities cost Monaghan as Dublin snatched a late draw in Croke Park last night.
18.5k
14
Feb 9th 2020, 7:15 AM
# Analysis
Who will lose out in the Premier League's 6-team relegation battle?
West Ham, Norwich and Watford are some of the clubs fearing the drop.
9.7k
8
Feb 7th 2020, 4:42 PM
# Analysis
'It's emboldened Trump. But then everything emboldens him': Focus turns to election after impeachment victory
The starting gun in the 2020 presidential race was shot this week.
8.9k
44
Feb 6th 2020, 7:41 AM
# counter
Analysis: How Ireland can learn from the All Blacks to support Larmour
Eoin Toolan explains what Andy Farrell’s team can do to improve on counter-attack.
18.3k
10
Feb 5th 2020, 9:30 PM
# Width
Analysis: Wales and Ireland on similar journeys with 1-3-2-2 attack shape
Both teams are looking to provide greater threat with increased width.
11.0k
5
Feb 5th 2020, 12:35 PM
# intent
Analysis: What did we see from Ireland's attack as the Andy Farrell era began?
Johnny Sexton and co. did look to play but their execution and decision-making was poor at times.
32.0k
30
Feb 2nd 2020, 8:00 PM
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