# Big call

Last week

17th September 2023 - 30th September 2023

# Adapting

Ireland stick with their usual plan. It's the Boks who have changed

Andy Farrell has resisted any temptation to deviate from his proven selection strategy.

7.9k

Sep 21st 2023, 2:29 PM

This year

2023

# Big call

'I was surprised' - England captain Farrell on Steward's red card

The England fullback was sent off after a collision with Hugo Keenan.

18.0k

Mar 18th 2023, 8:47 PM

Last year

2022

# Big call

'My brothers are giving me guilt, saying 'What are we going to do when you retire?''

Johnny Sexton remains as motivated as ever in a squad whose leadership group has developed.

48.1k

Nov 17th 2022, 7:15 AM

# Big call

Foley denies deliberate time wasting as Wallabies lock Swain is cited

Mathieu Raynal made a controversial decision in the final minute in Melbourne yesterday.

10.4k

Sep 16th 2022, 8:47 AM

# Big call

Contentious ending as Stormers hold out for victory over Ulster

Callum Reid’s disallowed try cost Ulster a late victory in Cape Town.

25.3k

Mar 26th 2022, 3:32 PM

# Big call

Parsons has to be content with a place on the bench as McWilliams blends youth and experience

Ireland kick off their Six Nations campaign on Saturday against Wales.

4.8k

Mar 24th 2022, 12:22 PM

# surprise selection

'Finn will support Blair' - Scotland boss Townsend makes big call for Ireland game

Blair Kinghorn starts at 10 against Ireland, with Finn Russell dropping to the bench.

8.1k

Mar 17th 2022, 2:59 PM

# Big call

'It just felt like it was the right decision at the time' - Ireland captain Ryan

Andy Farrell hailed his players’ mental strength after a narrow defeat to France.

17.7k

Feb 12th 2022, 7:52 PM

All time

# concerns

Champions Cup under threat as EPCR wait on French government decision

The Top 14 clubs could be forced to withdraw from two rounds of games this month.

17.0k

Updated

Jan 8th 2021, 3:00 PM

# Big call

Governments will step in and make call on Italy-England game

March 14 game between the two countries remains on for now – but the Italian and British governments will have the final say.

5.5k

Feb 27th 2020, 10:20 AM

# Big call

Eddie Jones hands Joseph first-ever Test start on the wing against Ireland

Manu Tuilagi, Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, and Joe Marler all start for England too.

18.5k

Feb 21st 2020, 11:13 AM

# Close Call

Farrell explains his decision to pick Conor Murray ahead of John Cooney

The Ireland boss feels the Munster scrum-half is in great form.

34.0k

Jan 28th 2020, 3:38 PM

# Big call

Irish referee in the spotlight after NY Red Bulls snatch controversial winner in Hudson River derby

Alan Kelly appeared to overrule his linesman in a sequence of play, which led to the home side’s crucial second-half goal.

6.3k

Jul 15th 2019, 10:50 AM

# Big call

'He has played 10 games in a row' - Sarri defends benching Hazard for Europa League tie

The Belgian was introduced for Willian in the second half of their first-leg draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.

4.3k

May 2nd 2019, 11:20 PM

# Big call

'If Tadhg hadn't stayed down, the referee might not have reversed the penalty'

Conor Murray believes Pascal Gauzere was correct to reverse a pivotal penalty in Munster’s favour at Murrayfield on Saturday.

13.7k

Apr 3rd 2019, 1:47 PM

# big calls

James Ryan set to start for Ireland as McGrath and Carbery make the bench

Josh van der Flier appears to have won the race to start on the openside.

41.0k

112

Jan 31st 2018, 6:36 PM

# 31

Former United defender: 'Lukaku can beat Ronaldo’s scoring record in season one'

The striker has enjoyed a productive opening to his time at Old Trafford, and Mikael Silvestre has tipped him for bigger things.

8.9k

Oct 12th 2017, 5:18 PM

# Big call

2011 All-Ireland football winning boss Pat Gilroy named new Dublin hurling manager

Gilroy will turn his attention to the small ball on a three-year term.

22.7k

Oct 11th 2017, 8:24 AM

# 10 point swing

'Is he going to make the tackle anyway?' Sexton and Leinster left to ponder massive TMO call in Lyon

Fergus McFadden cut through a gap that looked set to give Leinster a lead in Lyon.

18.9k

Apr 23rd 2017, 5:32 PM

# Big call

No decision from Schmidt as Heaslip urges Ireland boss to stay for 2019

Schmidt is considering a return to his native New Zealand next summer.

6.9k

Aug 10th 2016, 6:15 AM

# Big call

'He has embarrassed him in front of his supporters' - criticism of Mourinho's Mata decision

BBC pundit Danny Murphy didn’t think the decision was right from the Manchester United boss.

17.6k

Aug 8th 2016, 10:33 AM

# Big call

With Walters missing, who will come into the Ireland team to face Belgium?

Martin O’Neill must weigh up which of his players would be best-suited to replacing the injured forward.

8.3k

Jun 17th 2016, 6:15 AM

# First XI

Walters named in Ireland's team to face Sweden at Euro 2016

The starting line-up as been announced ahead of kick-off.

21.1k

Jun 13th 2016, 3:50 PM

# Big call

'I thought it was a mistake on Diarmuid's behalf' - Waterford boss on late free

Should Tony Kelly have been awarded a free? Derek McGrath didn’t think so.

9.4k

May 9th 2016, 11:56 AM

# family matters

Schmidt to decide on his future with Ireland after South Africa tour

The Ireland head coach must make a call on whether to extend his contract until 2019.

23.5k

Mar 18th 2016, 8:00 AM

# big decisions

The Impossible 'Would You Rather' Irish Christmas Food Quiz

You have some hypothetical calls to make. And they are not easy.

11.9k

Dec 24th 2015, 10:00 PM

# Controversy

This is the penalty Anthony Foley was furious about after Munster's defeat

Romain Poite left the Munster coach deeply annoyed.

21.9k

Dec 13th 2015, 3:02 PM

# Big call

Munster coach Foley says referee Poite's decision was 'nothing short of a disgrace'

The southern province’s head coach was deeply unhappy after his side’s 31-19 defeat at Thomond Park.

20.1k

Dec 12th 2015, 11:00 PM

# Big call

England captain Robshaw says final penalty call 'comes down to myself'

England had a late penalty they could have kicked at the posts.

11.1k

Sep 26th 2015, 11:08 PM

# Big call

'I know it was a contentious decision. Would I have given a penalty? I am not sure.'

The Kerry forward saw his side get a stroke of luck in the drawn game and then they capitalised in the replay.

11.5k

Jul 22nd 2015, 8:00 AM

# Controversial

Carragher and Ince have picked their all-time Ireland XIs -- and there's one very big omission

On the back of their all-time Liverpool-Man United side, they’ve had a crack at the best-ever Irish team.

25.6k

Jun 2nd 2015, 9:50 PM

# Big call

Ronan Mullen reckons most politicians will vote NO in the same-sex marriage referendum

The independent senator will be voting No and guesses that most of his colleagues will join him.

16.7k

217

Mar 25th 2015, 6:00 PM

# Big call

Ince: Gerrard is like a comfort blanket - and I'd play him against United

Liverpool are in form, but can Rodgers really afford to leave Gerrard out?

3.4k

Mar 20th 2015, 11:00 AM

# Big call

A former England international's son has opted to declare for Ireland

Martin Keown’s young lad is in Noel King’s latest U21 squad.

12.8k

Mar 10th 2015, 11:42 AM

# Big call

English optimism grows as reports suggest Raheem Sterling will start against Italy

Liverpool youngster given the nod by Roy Hodgson and expected to play behind Daniel Sturridge.

4.2k

Jun 14th 2014, 8:56 PM

# Big call

McIlroy still undecided between Ireland and Great Britain for 2016 Olympics

Fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell warns that it’s ‘a very touchy subject.’

3.8k

Feb 27th 2014, 7:00 AM

# Big call

VIDEO: Luis Nani's controversial red card, Fergie's apoplectic reaction

Manchester United were not happy following the referee’s game-changing decision.

27.4k

194

Mar 5th 2013, 9:23 PM

# Big call

Poll: who do you think will be crowned All-Ireland football champions?

We’re down to the final five in the race for September glory. Who do you fancy to take Sam?

1.9k

Aug 1st 2011, 10:29 AM