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# First Test

Last year
2022
# First Test
France survive heat and first-half examination to beat Japan
The sides were level at 13-13 at half-time.
10.6k
2
Jul 2nd 2022, 9:59 AM
# decisions
Picking the Ireland teams for the midweek Māori game and first Test
Andy Farrell has some big calls to confirm next week in New Zealand.
16.6k
47
Jun 24th 2022, 9:55 PM
All time
# Next Job
'Next week is going to be even bigger and tougher' - Gatland
The Lions can wrap up a series success in the second Test against the Boks.
10.9k
20
Jul 24th 2021, 8:24 PM
# One up
Gatland's Lions overcome half-time deficit in brilliant first Test victory
The Boks led 12-3 at the break but the tourists were outstanding in the second half.
48.2k
55
Jul 24th 2021, 7:02 PM
# First Test
Lions and Springboks' clash in Cape Town has the makings of a classic
Warren Gatland’s tourists will need to get out in front in the first half.
18.6k
2
Updated
Jul 24th 2021, 10:00 AM
# Selection
Price, Van der Merwe and Conan bolt their way into the Lions' starting Test XV
Warren Gatland has never been afraid to make bold selection calls.
24.4k
11
Updated
Jul 21st 2021, 3:06 PM
# Team news
Henshaw, Furlong and Conan start for Gatland's Lions in the first Test
Conor Murray and Tadhg Beirne have been included on the bench.
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37
Jul 21st 2021, 10:00 AM
# First Test
'It's big boy rugby, isn't it?' - DJ Furlong fired up for the Springboks
The Ireland tighthead prop is relishing the set-piece battle this weekend.
11.7k
4
Jul 19th 2021, 12:28 PM
# Lions
BOD and Roberts' brilliance, The Beast's scrum power, and a narrow Boks win
The Lions very nearly produced a comeback victory against South Africa in their first Test in 2009.
10.4k
5
Mar 24th 2020, 1:31 PM
# Down Under
Ireland's winning streak over as Cheika's Wallabies power to Brisbane victory
Joe Schmidt’s team were second best and find themselves 1-0 down in the series.
43.1k
142
Jun 9th 2018, 1:04 PM
# Tough To Take
'People have been trying to say it will make me a better player, but it's hard to look past that'
The omission of Barry McCarthy for Friday’s first Test against Pakistan raised questions over Ireland’s selection policy.
6.2k
8
May 10th 2018, 7:59 PM
# test time
The Lions have earned respect in New Zealand but they're still outsiders
The tour is back in Auckland after a whirlwind three weeks that have seen Warren Gatland’s side grow.
19.3k
28
Jun 21st 2017, 12:01 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
# Huge Boost
Lions have no doubt that Owen Farrell will be 100% fit for first Test
The England international is set to start at 10 or 12.
7.2k
3
Jun 19th 2017, 1:00 AM
# getting close
With first Test looming, Henshaw and the Dunedin crew must stand out
Warren Gatland will send out the majority of his first Test team on Saturday against the Māori All Blacks.
8.4k
18
Jun 12th 2017, 6:00 AM
# Ruck Stats
Analysis: Who did what for Ireland in the rucks against South Africa?
Jack McGrath was superb post-tackle for Ireland, but many others dug in too.
10.9k
16
Jun 15th 2016, 1:23 PM
# First Test
These are the men Ireland will open their Six Nations title defence against
Jacques Brunel has named four uncapped players in his 30-man Italy squad.
8.5k
5
Jan 15th 2015, 4:37 PM
# profiles
What kind of Argentina team will Ireland be facing tomorrow in Chaco?
We’ve examined Los Pumas’ starting side ahead of their clash with Joe Schmidt’s men.
6.4k
11
Jun 6th 2014, 2:51 PM
# summer tour
Seven things we want to see from Ireland in the Tests against Argentina
From options at centre to a prayer on the wing. We don’t ask for much.
14.1k
19
Jun 5th 2014, 12:00 PM
# world's best
Kaino returns for All Blacks with three uncapped players named on bench
Steve Hansen has selected an experienced starting XV to face England in the first Test on Saturday.
4.7k
9
Jun 4th 2014, 7:04 PM
# down blunder
O'Loughlin slams wayward pros as Australia 'found out' in Cavan
The Australia coach declared he will not compromise on ‘effort and intensity’ ahead of the second test.
5.1k
5
Oct 20th 2013, 11:24 AM
# Report
Ireland easily overcome Australia to win first test
Paul Earley’s side are in pole position in the International Rules series following their victory this evening.
28.2k
43
Oct 19th 2013, 9:13 PM
# furious george
'Yes we Kanye' for the Lions as North shines as attacking star in Brisbane
The Welsh trio of Cuthbert, North and Halfpenny combined for all 23 of the Lions’ points.
4.7k
6
Jun 22nd 2013, 8:00 PM
# marks out of 10
How the Lions rated in their narrow win over the Wallabies
The tourists did just enough to edge a terrific game down under.
26.6k
96
Jun 22nd 2013, 1:15 PM
AS IT HAPPENED
Lions v Australia, 2013 Tour
The posturing was over and the Lions were hungry for a win in the series opener for the first time since 2001.
41.8k
85
Jun 22nd 2013, 1:00 PM
# Lions 2013
'Nauseating. Terrifying. The pinnacle of your career' -- Former Lions on First Test thrill
David Wallace and Shane Byrne share their experiences of making Lions Test debuts in South Africa and New Zealand.
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11
Jun 22nd 2013, 8:01 AM
# game day
Breakfast with Lions: Sympathy for Quade and Sean's message for the haters out there
It’s not a proper tour until Simon Zebo sings. Time to get this thing going, so.
3.7k
0
Jun 22nd 2013, 7:00 AM
# Lions 2013
Lions presented their Test jerseys ahead of first meeting with Australia
Someone needs to get Jamie Heaslip a belt… quick.
4.8k
5
Jun 21st 2013, 11:03 AM
# column
'O'Brien didn't put a foot wrong but has to watch from the stands' -- Shane Byrne
The former Ireland and Lions hooker feels Warren Gatland has made a horses for courses selection in Dan Lydiate.
8.6k
5
Jun 20th 2013, 5:30 PM
# new yawk
Beast behind St Patrick's Day massacre says Wallabies are brown bread
Alex Corbisiero has a history of mincing Aussies, just ask Tom Court.
3.8k
1
Jun 20th 2013, 2:21 PM
# Magic Mike
Lions scrumhalf Mike Phillips on shutting down Wallaby wizard Will Genia
“Things seem to tick off him,” remarks the Welshman, who teams up with Jonny Sexton on Saturday.
2.1k
1
Jun 20th 2013, 1:15 PM
# love eight
Heaslip the hero but Murray and O'Brien desperately unlucky to miss Lions cut
The Ireland captain has gone from an original squad outsider to Warren Gatland’s first choice at the back of the pack.
6.3k
14
Jun 20th 2013, 7:15 AM
# Lions 2013
4 Irishmen named in Lions team for First Test with Wallabies
Sam Warburton will captain the side against Australia and is joined in the back row by Jamie Heaslip.
20.4k
72
Jun 20th 2013, 3:15 AM
# Wallabies
Genia and O'Connor team up as Australia name side for Lions Test
Robbie Deans has named three debutants in a starting XV to be captained by lock James Horwill.
2.5k
2
Jun 20th 2013, 12:26 AM
# lions great
Lions legend Willie John McBride recalls the 1971 Tour to New Zealand
We talk to the great man about his call-up shock in 1962 and defeating the mighty All Blacks in New Zealand.
9.0k
12
Jun 19th 2013, 9:30 PM
# lions classics
Flashback: Springbok blitz catches the Lions on the hop in 2009
Paul O’Connell and David Wallace reflect on the lightning quick start made by South Africa in the First Test.
2.8k
0
Jun 19th 2013, 4:17 PM
# United Nations
Lions fans unite: Braveheart, dragon, knight and... a leprechaun
We really must think of a more warrior-like national icon to dress up as.
2.9k
1
Jun 19th 2013, 2:30 PM
# Lions 2013
Digby Ioane knee op forces Wallabies rethink on wing
The break-dancer is broken.
1.4k
1
May 22nd 2013, 11:54 AM
# First Test
Preview: Avoid front row woes and we will run the All Blacks very close
Hopes are high that Ireland can end a 107 year wait to beat the All Blacks but McCaw, Carter and Woodcock are not ones for rolling over.
2.6k
11
Jun 8th 2012, 12:30 PM
# On the box
Sofa supporter: the sport on TV this weekend
Ireland face a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier, the Rabodirect Pro12 begins and the All-Ireland hurling final takes place all in the coming days.
428
0
Sep 2nd 2011, 2:08 PM