# hooker

This month

January 2023

# No Go

'There's nothing in it' - Munster confirm they won't be signing Malcolm Marx

The Springboks hooker had been linked with a move to the Irish province.

10.1k

Jan 10th 2023, 3:33 PM

Last year

2022

# insight

The South African view on Ireland's big test against the Springboks

SuperSport analyst Hanyani Shimange joined the lads on The42 Rugby Weekly Extra.

28.7k

Updated Nov 2nd 2022, 3:17 PM

# Depth

'I think he should move to Munster' - Leinster hooker McKee shines

Bernard Jackman gave his views on today’s episode of The42 Rugby Weekly Extra.

35.7k

Oct 31st 2022, 2:51 PM

# smash 'em

'My dad had me out on the back field at home practising tackling with him'

Ireland hooker Neve Jones relishes the physical aspect of the game.

5.9k

Apr 9th 2022, 9:39 AM

# New Breed

'He's like a big South African. He's got that bulk that you don't really see in Irish kids'

Dan Sheehan had to fight hard for his breakthrough but he’s now standing out for Ireland.

67.8k

Feb 26th 2022, 8:00 AM

# Dan the Man

Sheehan keen to build on 'valuable' outing in Paris with first Ireland start

The 23-year-old has impressed off Ireland’s bench this season.

3.0k

Feb 25th 2022, 6:30 AM

# Blow

Hooker Kelleher ruled out of the rest of Ireland's Six Nations campaign

The 24-year-old suffered a shoulder injury in Paris last weekend.

28.0k

Updated Feb 18th 2022, 12:00 PM

# Challenge

Ulster light on numbers as they search for new Irish-qualified hooker

Wales international Brad Roberts will leave the province at the end of the season.

10.8k

Jan 26th 2022, 8:47 AM

All time

# growing force

'To be fair, when he's in that position it's 90% him and 10% the lifter'

Rónan Kelleher was impressive at hooker during Ireland’s superb November Test series.

20.5k

Dec 1st 2021, 4:50 PM

# Results

Ireland given the all-clear for All Blacks clash after Covid scare in camp

Andy Farrell’s matchday 23 will line out as named yesterday.

11.4k

Nov 12th 2021, 8:57 PM

# IQ

Munster sign Irish-qualified hooker Declan Moore ahead of new season

The 24-year-old was previously part of the Melbourne Rebels’ squad.

13.9k

Sep 14th 2021, 1:10 PM

# Addition

Ireland's Kelleher in line to join Gatland's Lions squad in South Africa

The 23-year-old hooker is in line to link up with the tourists.

60.9k

Updated Jul 11th 2021, 11:42 AM

# Team news

Tierney-Martin set for Connacht debut off the bench tomorrow night

Andy Friend has rejigged his team for the visit to Scarlets.

9.5k

Mar 21st 2021, 1:27 PM

# hooker

'Rob is a great player for us' - Farrell backs Herring at hooker again

Rónan Kelleher returns to the bench as Ireland make three changes for the Scotland clash.

6.8k

Mar 12th 2021, 1:13 PM

# hooker

First start for Ireland next on agenda for 22-year-old Leinster man Kelleher

The powerful hooker won his first three caps off the bench earlier this year.

7.5k

Oct 7th 2020, 6:00 AM

# Irish Abroad

'It was tough, I would have had aspirations of staying on in Leinster'

27-year-old hooker Bryan Byrne has found a new lease of life with Pat Lam’s Bristol.

19.9k

Oct 4th 2020, 9:00 AM

# Irish Abroad

'I play rugby because I love the game, not just because my brothers play'

20-year-old hooker Billy Scannell is heading into his second season with Biarritz in France.

42.4k

Aug 23rd 2020, 8:00 AM

# Green Shirts

'That will be one of the big aims this year - to try and get back in with Ireland'

Connacht hooker Dave Heffernan is determined to add to his one Ireland cap.

27.9k

Aug 2nd 2020, 8:00 AM

# the deuce

Battle for Ireland hooker spot 'wide open' -- Jerry Flannery

The new Harlequins forwards coach hopes to see a stand-out emerge after Rory Best’s exit last year.

15.0k

Jul 21st 2020, 6:59 AM

# Ambition

'I've been in Six Nations squads and never played, so hopefully that can change'

Ulster man Rob Herring is making a strong push to claim Ireland’s number two jersey.

24.9k

Jan 17th 2020, 7:15 AM

# number two

Scannell settled back in at Munster with Ireland's hooker spot up for grabs

The 27-year-old is keen to go to another World Cup with his country.

5.3k

Nov 21st 2019, 1:00 AM

# Champion

Happy Springbok hooker retires again

Schalk Brits insisted there would not be another comeback.

12.7k

Nov 13th 2019, 11:59 PM

# Final Chapter

'We can’t keep thinking, ‘We need to be like 2018.' We need to be better'

Ireland captain Rory Best believes his team can overcome this year’s Six Nations disappointment.

4.9k

Aug 24th 2019, 6:45 AM

# red blooded

Family at the forefront for Sherry as he looks forward to new horizons beyond Munster

With a new baby in the house, the hooker has been travelling back and forth from Gloucester during his loan stint in the Premiersip.

6.8k

May 18th 2019, 6:45 AM

# hooker

Ex-France captain Ibañez to be les Bleus manager after World Cup

The 98-times capped hooker has been lined up by Bernard Laporte.

5.7k

Apr 26th 2019, 11:36 AM

# omission

Sean Cronin set to miss out on Ireland squad for final Six Nations games

Ulster’s Rob Herring is set to come into Joe Schmidt’s extended training squad.

34.0k

Mar 5th 2019, 5:26 PM

# digging in

'Sometimes there's no explanation for form... all you can do is try your best'

Leinster hooker James Tracy is searingly honest about his search to rediscover top form.

10.2k

Jan 23rd 2019, 7:00 AM

# The butcher

'Words can't explain how truly thankful I am to be here'

Eagles hooker Dylan Fawsitt moved to the US in 2014 and is now set to face his native Ireland.

12.7k

Nov 23rd 2018, 1:27 PM

# November Tests

JVG hopeful Niall Scannell will play for Ireland next month, but ankle injury 'will take time to settle'

The hooker missed out on the Gloucester win after sustaining a training ground knock.

5.9k

Oct 22nd 2018, 5:55 AM

# hooker

'Rory is number one... the rest of us are probably fighting for that second spot'

Munster’s Niall Scannell has started his season in excellent form.

24.6k

Oct 18th 2018, 8:30 AM

# Irish Abroad

Ex-Ireland U20 captain Annett gets first Premiership start since 2016

The former Ulster hooker has suffered greatly with injuries in the last year and a half.

6.7k

Aug 31st 2018, 2:34 PM

# Del Boy

'I have a brother and I don't want him getting the farm either!'

Connacht hooker Shane Delahunt is still balancing farming and professional rugby.

33.7k

Jul 28th 2018, 7:15 AM

# hooker

'Representing Ireland, representing that badge, it's pretty special'

Ulster front row Rob Herring was one of the big winners on Ireland’s tour Down Under.

35.6k

Jun 24th 2018, 8:11 PM

# scans

Munster's Scannell sprung into starting role to salvage frustrating season

The Cork man was only called up after Rory Best’s injury but now finds himself in the starting XV.

7.7k

Jun 16th 2018, 1:00 AM

# Journey

The former binman and theology student who has cracked the Wallabies

Brandon Paenga-Amosa had a remarkable rise over the last year.

10.2k

Jun 13th 2018, 5:45 AM

# hooker

Cheika calls Latu into Wallabies squad ahead of first Ireland Test

With two uncapped hookers left in his squad, Cheika has turned to the four-times capped Waratah.

4.6k

Jun 6th 2018, 8:27 AM

# Irish Abroad

Dundalk man McElroy excels with Saracens after U20s World Cup dream was shattered

The 20-year-old hooker is thriving in his first season with the Premiership giants.

34.6k

Feb 17th 2018, 10:00 AM

# medical joker

Munster's Casey set for loan move to aid Grenoble's promotion push

The injury-plagued hooker has fallen down to fifth in the Munster pecking order and will hope to get a run of games in ProD2.

9.8k

Jan 23rd 2018, 8:52 AM

# steady nerve

Mike Sherry thankful for another chance at rugby after year out with injury

‘I did pretty much every single session besides the day that I got married. That was the one day I had off over the summer.’

5.5k

Sep 28th 2017, 6:15 AM

# perspective

Sean Cronin bouncing back with renewed appetite after neck injury lay-off

“It puts things into perspective,” says the hooker after suffering two injuries since the birth of his twin boys.

4.8k

Aug 28th 2017, 4:54 PM