Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Sunday 1 October 2023 Dublin: 16°C

# big calls

This year
2023
# Analysis
Farrell has tricky calls to make with Ireland's World Cup spots
With the first pre-season game looming, the competition will only heat up.
11.4k
9
Jul 22nd 2023, 6:30 AM
# big calls
Wales drop Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau for Scotland clash
The trio boast 342 caps and 18 Lions Test appearances between them.
13.6k
5
Feb 9th 2023, 12:33 PM
# Selection
Byrne and Crowley vie for back-up slot to Sexton against the Welsh
Andy Farrell’s bench selections could be pivotal against Wales.
9.2k
10
Feb 1st 2023, 7:00 AM
# big calls
Joey Carbery misses out as Ross Byrne included in Ireland's 37-man Six Nations squad
Andy Farrell’s side begin their campaign away to Wales on 4 February.
49.6k
98
Jan 19th 2023, 9:19 AM
Last year
2022
# crucial calls
Baloucoune set for Ireland chance while Murray could start at nine
Hugo Keenan looks set to be passed fit to start against the Springboks.
41.0k
44
Updated
Nov 2nd 2022, 8:07 PM
All time
# big calls
Form of exciting young guns makes for lengthy Munster selection meetings
The likes of Craig Casey, Ben Healy, and Gavin Coombes have been putting their hands up.
10.2k
17
Dec 10th 2020, 6:00 AM
# big calls
O'Mahony 'a big moments player' for Ireland as Schmidt backs experience
The Ireland head coach said there were up to six tough selection calls in his team this week.
8.3k
58
Oct 17th 2019, 9:45 AM
# big calls
Toner set to miss out as Schmidt makes tough World Cup squad decisions
Luke McGrath appears to have edged out Kieran Marmion in the scrum-half spots.
65.5k
130
Sep 2nd 2019, 9:52 AM
# big calls
Te'o left out of England World Cup squad as uncapped McConnochie included
Eddie Jones has sprung a few surprises in his 31-man group.
11.6k
21
Aug 12th 2019, 1:20 PM
# big calls
Beirne set to start against Wales as O'Brien makes return for Ireland
The Munster second row could make his Six Nations debut in Cardiff on Saturday.
53.8k
86
Mar 13th 2019, 10:00 AM
# six nations
Henshaw's positional switch, Murray returns and more talking points
Joe Schmidt has named his first team of the 2019 Six Nations.
32.9k
75
Jan 31st 2019, 2:00 PM
# big calls
Schmidt's late decisions, Toner restored and more Ireland team talking points
The head coach has reverted to the tried and trusted for the All Blacks clash.
12.0k
34
Nov 15th 2018, 2:51 PM
# Pick Your XV
Kearney and Ringrose back in the mix as Schmidt considers changes
The Ireland head coach has some big calls to make ahead of the All Blacks clash.
9.9k
40
Nov 12th 2018, 6:15 AM
# big calls
'Unfortunately certain calls went against us': JVG laments chalked-off Earls try
The Munster head coach called for consistency from officials as he reflected on his side’s inter-pro defeat to Leinster.
14.5k
49
Oct 6th 2018, 9:54 PM
# Penalty Count
Ref review: How accurate were the big calls in Ireland's defeat to the Wallabies?
Marius van der Westhuizen had some big decisions to make in Brisbane.
19.9k
55
Jun 14th 2018, 4:45 PM
# big calls
Schmidt names Carbery at out-half as O'Mahony captains Ireland
Johnny Sexton is part of the Ireland bench for the first clash with the Wallabies.
32.0k
84
Jun 7th 2018, 6:59 AM
# officials
Ref review: Were the big calls in the Champions Cup final correct?
We asked a current referee to review some of the incidents from Leinster’s narrow win over Racing.
39.0k
35
May 18th 2018, 8:06 PM
# Centre of attention
Fit-again Ringrose available for the Kings, but Leinster wait to hear Schmidt's call
The centre has been called into Ireland’s Six Nations squad, but it remains to be seen who he’ll line out for this weekend.
5.8k
5
Feb 20th 2018, 6:30 AM
# 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
# Rising Star
'He has no boundaries in the way he thinks': Nacewa excited to take on Europe with Larmour
The veteran Leinster skipper says team-mates feed off the 20-year-old’s positive approach.
6.4k
12
Jan 12th 2018, 3:28 PM
# strength in depth
Leinster facing big selection calls despite the loss of Ringrose and O'Brien for Glasgow
Competition for places fierce in the backline, the back row and at loosehead where Cian Healy returns from suspension.
9.9k
17
Jan 10th 2018, 7:30 AM
# big calls
The Rugby Show: The winners and losers of the second test selections
Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey discuss the latest team selections made by Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen ahead of the big game on Saturday.
15.6k
14
Jun 29th 2017, 3:00 PM
# big calls
Changes on the cards as Lions set to 'shake it up' with selection
Warren Gatland name-checked Maro Itoje and Sam Warburton as two possible inclusions.
20.6k
29
Jun 25th 2017, 10:00 PM
# big calls
Open thread: Pick your Lions team for Saturday's first Test against the All Blacks
Warren Gatland names his starting XV later.
10.6k
30
Jun 21st 2017, 9:30 AM
# decisions
Gatland given last-minute food for thought in the Lions' back three
Elliot Daly is an interesting option for the left wing but George North has pedigree.
14.0k
9
Jun 20th 2017, 10:00 PM
# decisions
Test team takes shape but a handful of huge calls ahead for Gatland
The Lions’ second row, back row, midfield and left wing selections will be fascinating.
16.2k
27
Jun 19th 2017, 6:10 AM
# big calls
Carter and O'Gara make the case for 'world class' O'Brien to start first Test
The Ireland and Leinster flanker is pushing for selection for Auckland, and both Dan Carter and Ronan O’Gara feel he should be a starter.
12.3k
11
Jun 15th 2017, 7:30 AM
# big calls
Test favourites emerging but back three a major concern for the Lions
Murray Kinsella picks his Lions squad for the opening Test against the All Blacks.
30.3k
29
Jun 13th 2017, 7:00 PM
# decisions
'We're under the hammer' - Big selection calls for Ireland before France test
Joe Schmidt is pleased to see his forwards looking more comfortable when passing the ball.
10.2k
19
Feb 18th 2017, 8:15 AM
# big calls
Roux set for Ireland debut as Schmidt makes five changes for second Test
Craig Gilroy, Stuart Olding, Tadhg Furlong and Rhys Ruddock all start for Ireland.
35.5k
61
Jun 16th 2016, 1:15 PM
# big calls
'I know people question decisions I make, but I guarantee I question them more'
Joe Schmidt is already looking towards next weekend’s clash with Scotland.
9.7k
41
Mar 12th 2016, 8:30 PM
# big calls
Schmidt set to start Toner and Healy as Earls misses out for France clash
The Ireland head coach looks likely to back Dave Kearney and Tommy Bowe as his wings.
28.0k
204
Oct 8th 2015, 10:02 PM
# big calls
Trimble to miss out on World Cup as Schmidt includes Furlong and Cave
The42 understands that Ireland have opted for three tighthead props and only two scrum-halves.
58.2k
191
Aug 31st 2015, 5:33 PM
# big calls
No place for Shefflin as Kilkenny make three changes for Saturday's replay
Walter Walsh is out but it is John Power who gets the nod to return to the side.
23.8k
56
Sep 25th 2014, 8:33 PM
# big calls
Cruden returns for All Blacks as South Africa go for novice out-half
Handre Pollard will win his fourth South African cap at out-half this Saturday.
4.9k
4
Sep 10th 2014, 7:37 PM
# Lions 2013
7 of the best, worst and most bewildering Lions squad decisions
Selecting Sam Warburton is a smart move but where are Best, Robshaw and Visser?
26.9k
67
Apr 30th 2013, 3:13 PM