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Saturday 3 June 2023 Dublin: 18°C

# Analysis

All time
# Freedom of Information
'An issue of systemic importance': Supreme Court FOI ruling will alter public's relationship with State
When the Supreme Court decides on the future of FOI in Ireland, it will be the end of a glacial process.
# talking point
The Liverpool starting XI from Klopp's first game in charge highlights the fantastic job he's done since
It was confirmed today that the manager has signed a new contract to remain with the Reds until 2024.
# Analysis
Watch: Rafa Benitez and Jamie Carragher break down Liverpool's 2005 Champions League 'miracle'
The Reds beat AC Milan after producing one of the most famous sporting comebacks ever.
# Analysis
Are Manchester City a team in decline?
There is a growing sense that Pep Guardiola’s men are failing to maintain standards set in previous seasons.
# talking point
Will Man United rue not hiring Pochettino while they have the chance?
Ole Gunnar Solskaer’s side have endured an indifferent start to the season.
# Hidden
Analysis: Vakatawa and Ringrose's lines cleverly exploit off-guard defences
The Racing centre was in devastating form in his side’s big win over Saracens last weekend.
# Talking Points
Have Ireland blown their best chance of qualifying?
Plus, were there signs of progress despite the disappointing result?
# love him or hate him
Boris Johnson is in full campaign mode - but how much Boris is too much?
The Tory leader has been waiting for this election for some time.
# Talking Points
The 17-year-old set for the biggest night of his career so far
Troy Parrott will make his Ireland senior debut against New Zealand this evening.
# Analysis
We need to think more about footballers' mental health
The manner in which Granit Xhaka has been abused of late is unacceptable.
# 10/12
Analysis: Ford and Farrell's inverted triangles give England superb variety
Eoin Toolan takes a look at what Eddie Jones’ 10/12 combination provides for England.
# Analysis
Liverpool's creative midfielder dilemma
Jurgen Klopp continues to struggle to find the right balance for his side.
# early kill
Analysis: The incredible ruck-to-try ratio from the World Cup quarter-finals
Performance analyst Eoin Toolan examines the try-scoring trends from last weekend’s action.
# Halfbacks
Analysis: Diminutive de Klerk and Davies making decisive defensive plays
The South Africa and Wales scrum-halves are small players but often make a big impact without the ball.
# Dire Start
Analysis: Ireland's abysmal opening quarter sets tone for All Blacks hammering
Needing to be cool and clinical, Ireland instead delivered their most un-Schmidt like showing.
# Details
Analysis: How can Ireland go about beating the All Blacks in Tokyo?
It will be fascinating to see how Joe Schmidt’s team go about attacking Richie Mo’unga off lineouts.
# Analysis
Aaron Connolly's big night ruined, as Ireland's lack of quality catches up with them
Mick McCarthy said beforehand that he didn’t feel any great sense of belief from those in the pre-match press conference. This 90 minutes showed why, writes David Sneyd.
# Analysis
Ireland have been hamstrung by conservatism for far too long
Mick McCarthy’s side could only draw with Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday.
# Analysis
Should Aaron Connolly start and more Georgia-Ireland talking points
Plus, why the Georgians should not be underestimated.
# Analysis
2019 the year when Man United-Arsenal jumped the shark
Their tepid match at Old Trafford last night was a stark reminder of how far the two clubs have fallen.
# deep dive
Analysis: How Ireland gave up a 12-3 lead to be shocked by Japan
We take a look at the litany of Irish errors that allowed Japan’s brilliance to flourish.
# Class Act
Analysis: Peerless Conor Murray's box kicking key to Ireland's big win
The scrum-half kicked 14 times against Scotland in Sunday’s World Cup clash.
# Ruck Stats
Analysis: Van der Flier and tireless captain Best top Ireland's ruck charts
Joe Schmidt’s men were largely efficient with their clearouts and turned over lots of Scottish possession.
# in depth
Analysis: Ringrose shines as Ireland's strong defence shuts Scotland down
Ireland had a 94% tackle success rate and gave up only three linebreaks on Sunday.
# transition
Analysis: Stunning George Bridge try sums up the brilliance of the All Blacks
The Kiwis won the game in an incredible flurry of world-class transition play.
# Analysis
Will Frank Lampard get the patience he requires at Chelsea?
The Blues face a stiff test against Liverpool this weekend amid an inconsistent start to the season.
# Dark clouds
Farmers in west, mid-west and midlands 'set to be worst hit by Brexit'
70% of Irish farms are heavily reliant on direct payments, a new analysis has found.
# Analysis
Could Jack Byrne become Ireland's next divisive creative player?
The Shamrock Rovers star impressed in a friendly against Bulgaria on Tuesday.
Voices
Larry Donnnelly: The third Democratic debate was a ho-hum night in Houston
It was a debate with few shocks and, when the dust settled, the three frontrunnners had solidified their positions, writes Larry Donnelly.
# Talking Points
One debutant confirmed out of a possible 5 as McCarthy set to give Ireland's fringe players a chance
James Collins will make his international bow against Bulgaria tonight.
# Analysis
10 seconds that show why Rob Kearney is so important to Schmidt's Ireland
The 33-year-old fullback looks to be in excellent physical condition ahead of the World Cup.
# talking point
David McGoldrick, the hero against the Swiss, is the perfect symbol for this Irish team
The Sheffield United striker scored a vital equaliser last night.
# Talking Points
The strangely subdued build-up to Ireland's key qualifier
Plus, we assess the omission of Shane Long and how big a gamble it could prove to be.
# What now?
Why is the government set for a showdown in court over the findings of the PSC report?
The government has said this week it will not be implementing the findings of the Data Protection Commissioner.
# Analysis
FG accused of being 'out of touch' over college comments, but who wants to scrap fees and how much would it cost?
Comments by two Fine Gael ministers this week landed them in hot water with students.
# Mix it up
Analysis: Ireland's clever kicking shows Schmidt is keen for more variety
The Irish scrum-halves didn’t kick a single time during the win over Italy.
# world cup watch
Analysis: Barrett and Mo'unga pose dual threat as Boks' kicking crucial
Rassie Erasmus’ side earned a draw in Wellington but have improvements to make.
# smarts
Analysis: Boks add new layer to scrum attack while Wallabies strike clinically
The All Blacks thought they knew what was coming but Rassie Erasmus’ team changed the picture.
# smarts
Analysis: Springboks' clever scrum attacks echo Schmidt's plays
Pieter-Steph du Toit made two similar linebreaks in the Boks’ win over the Wallabies.
# player watch
Even in defeat, TJ Reid gave one of his greatest ever displays yesterday
Kilkenny’s talisman almost dragged his team over the line with a sublime haul of 2-11 against Galway at Nowlan Park.