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Thursday 30 March 2023 Dublin: 8°C

# big issues

All time
# big issues
The talking points ahead of today’s crunch Ireland -France test
Ireland’s season is on the line today – and coach Andy Farrell knows it.
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Updated
Feb 14th 2021, 12:11 PM
# big issues
Covid-19 committee to invite CMO Tony Holohan and HSE boss Paul Reid to appear next week
Nursing home care during the pandemic will be a key focus of the committee.
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Updated
May 12th 2020, 4:50 PM
# Analysis
Farrell outstanding, Ireland's depth delivers and a huge effort from the pack
Joe Schmidt will pick out the flaws in his team’s display but there were many positives.
14.6k
54
Feb 24th 2018, 5:02 PM
# big issues
Gatland's surprises, POM's honour, Itoje unlucky and more Lions talking points
Ben Te’o and Jamie George have only one Test start between them but their rise continues.
18.2k
23
Jun 21st 2017, 9:35 PM
# opener
Te'o at 12, the Irish contingent and more Lions team talking points
The quality of the Lions’ bench to face the NZ Provincial Barbarians indicates their depth.
14.9k
14
May 31st 2017, 9:17 PM
# big issues
Brilliant Beirne, Erasmus' big question and more Pro12 final talking points
The Scarlets were brilliant in attack, while Munster’s defence fell apart.
13.2k
16
May 27th 2017, 9:33 PM
# big issues
Leavy gets the nod, Murray's fitness, and more Champions Cup talking points
We reflect on the team news ahead of Munster and Leinster’s Champions Cup quarter-finals
8.0k
1
Mar 31st 2017, 1:55 PM
# big issues
Missed chances, the Welsh backlash and more talking points from Cardiff
Wales had more of the big individual performers on a desperately disappointing night for Ireland.
13.3k
85
Mar 10th 2017, 11:04 PM
# Talking Points
Ireland can't convert, key men lost, and the match officials in limelight
There were positives in the performances of Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier off the bench.
47.9k
103
Nov 19th 2016, 9:36 PM
# big issues
Eight new caps, Dillane's impression and selection calls for Schmidt
Connacht fullback Tiernan O’Halloran was very impressive for Ireland.
12.0k
18
Nov 12th 2016, 10:21 PM
# big issues
Marijuana, assisted suicide, gun control - there was a lot on the table for US voters in this election
There was more than just the presidency at stake in yesterday’s vote.
11.1k
3
Nov 9th 2016, 7:21 AM
# big issues
Missed chance and chances, red and more talking points from Ireland's defeat
Ireland will feel they missed their best-ever chance to win a series in South Africa.
7.7k
13
Jun 25th 2016, 6:38 PM
# big issues
Back row dominant, defensive work-ons and more Ireland talking points
Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray looked classy for long periods of the game.
29.2k
45
Mar 19th 2016, 9:07 PM
# All Even
Six Nations drama, Schmidt's hard-hitting wings and more Ireland talking points
Ireland will pick out missed chances in their draw with Wales in Dublin.
40.5k
83
Feb 7th 2016, 8:00 PM
# on form
Payne's class at 15, clever strike plays and more Ulster talking points
Ulster must now wait on other results in Europe.
8.1k
9
Jan 23rd 2016, 3:15 PM
# big issues
A new low for Munster, Axel under pressure and more Paris talking points
Stade Français scored three tries to end the province’s Champions Cup campaign.
21.1k
97
Jan 9th 2016, 9:07 PM
# big issues
Costly mistakes, unhappy Munster fans and more Thomond Park talking points
Munster gave up three incredibly soft tries.
16.2k
42
Dec 13th 2015, 12:08 AM
# big issues
World Cup hangovers linger and more talking points from Leinster's defeat
It was another disappointing day for Leo Cullen’s men in Europe.
31.7k
55
Nov 21st 2015, 8:55 PM
# big issues
Murphy gets nod at 6, Healy retained and more Ireland XV talking points
Jamie Heaslip and the other leaders must stand up, while Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls are fit.
20.2k
15
Oct 16th 2015, 1:22 PM
# slick start
Sexton shines, Ireland unleash and more talking points from Cardiff
Joe Schmidt will pick out flaws, but this was a promising opening performance from Ireland.
26.9k
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Sep 19th 2015, 4:25 PM
# big issues
Kearney is a World Cup starter and more talking points from Ireland's loss
England ruled the skies and bossed the breakdown, while Ireland showed signs of their game plan.
16.7k
44
Sep 5th 2015, 5:46 PM
# Baa-Baas
Ulster duo back in green, Madigan at 10 and more Ireland XV talking points
There are two uncapped Leinster men starting against Robbie Deans’ side.
8.9k
11
May 27th 2015, 1:14 PM
# high drama
5 talking points after Munster come through Pro12 semi-final thriller
Paulie’s goodbye, Keatley’s wobbles and more of the big issues from Thomond Park.
7.5k
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May 23rd 2015, 5:48 PM
# Final Four
An all-Irish Pro12 decider still possible and more final day talking points
The provinces helped each other out on a nail-biting last round of regular season fixtures.
14.4k
4
May 16th 2015, 5:53 PM
# big issues
Toulon's growing dominance and more Champions Cup talking points
Drew Mitchell’s second-half try was sublime, while both sides now look to the Top 14.
5.3k
7
May 2nd 2015, 7:29 PM
# Plus Fort
King James and more talking points as Saracens fall short against Clermont
Vunipola’s power, Clermont frailties, the Saracens counter attack and an atmosphere for the ages.
7.0k
6
Apr 18th 2015, 5:51 PM
# Error Count
Aki's non-try and more talking points after Connacht lose to Ulster
International quality, Ulster’s ruthlessness, Connacht’s errors and the losing bonus point.
7.0k
18
Apr 11th 2015, 5:49 PM
# big issues
Scrum power and more talking points from Leinster's win over Bath
Bath’s attacking approach, Watson’s yellow card costly, Madigan’s kicking and Leinster’s performance.
10.0k
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Apr 4th 2015, 5:54 PM
# Impressive
Brilliant O'Brien and more talking points from Ireland's big win in Scotland
Fitter leaders, the backline thriving, England’s task and attack on top.
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Mar 21st 2015, 4:48 PM
# large and in charge
Healy unleashed and more talking points from Ireland's team for Scotland
Zebo misses out, Joe’s ideal XV, consistency on the bench and the returning Lukey Fitz.
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Mar 19th 2015, 1:55 PM
# big issues
6 talking points after Ireland suffer defeat to Warren Gatland's Wales
The lineout failings, the Welsh defence, Wayne Barnes and an attack that couldn’t get over the line.
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Mar 14th 2015, 5:03 PM
# big issues
Healy held back and more talking points from Ireland's XV for England
There’s no change at 23, while Jordi Murphy starts his second game of the championship.
17.2k
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Feb 27th 2015, 3:00 PM
# Winning Start
5 talking points after Joe Schmidt's Ireland beat Italy in Rome
The game plan, Ian Keatley, Ireland’s centres, scope for improvement and a patched-together back row.
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Feb 7th 2015, 5:03 PM
# Schmidt's Contenders
The return of SOB and more talking points from the Wolfhounds team
Madigan’s audition at 10, Lukey Fitz on the left wing, front row power and a strong Saxons selection.
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Jan 29th 2015, 1:43 PM
# nine tries
5 talking points after Anthony Foley's Munster hammer Sale
Keith Earls, Ireland hopefuls, Dineen’s display and a happy ending in Europe.
35.2k
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Jan 25th 2015, 8:00 PM
# big issues
5 talking points after Leinster secure a Champions Cup quarter-final
Matt O’Connor’s men were brilliant in the first half, but Wasps fought back powerfully after the break.
17.7k
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Jan 24th 2015, 3:35 PM
# big issues
5 talking points after Munster crash out of Europe against Saracens
High error count, Saracens excel, blunt Munster and where was JJ?
14.8k
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Jan 17th 2015, 3:27 PM
# Galway Woe
5 talking points after Connacht slip to home defeat against Edinburgh
Home defeat, Aki on form again, first-half failings and set-piece issues.
7.8k
10
Jan 9th 2015, 10:08 PM
# Convincing
5 talking points after Munster see off Leinster at Thomond Park
Dominance for Munster, the kick chase, Leinster’s blunt attack, Keatley at 10 and the Leinster D.
31.3k
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Dec 26th 2014, 7:38 PM
# Derby Discussion
4 talking points after Leinster see off Connacht at the RDS
Noel Reid’s class, power from Aki and Douglas, Connacht’s losing start and no festive fireworks.
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Dec 19th 2014, 10:00 PM
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