# openside

All time

# True Great

'It was instantly obvious to me that she was a player ahead of her time'

Claire Molloy made a huge impact for Ireland over the course of 74 caps.

28.6k

Oct 30th 2021, 8:00 AM

# form

Has Josh van der Flier played himself into the Lions conversation?

The Leinster openside’s form was discussed on today’s episode of The42 Rugby Weekly Extra.

13.6k

Apr 12th 2021, 3:36 PM

# STANDOUT

'In three or four years' time, he could be another Richie McCaw'

Despite still being just 22, Tom Curry is already a dominant force in Test rugby.

20.5k

Mar 17th 2021, 2:30 PM

# STANDOUT

Connors takes his chance in Rome to push for Ireland start against Scotland

The 24-year-old openside was among the best performers in a six-try win for Andy Farrell’s side.

10.1k

Feb 28th 2021, 11:45 AM

# Porridge

'I kept trucking away. I knew my time would come if I just kept at it'

24-year-old Will Connors was man of the match on his Ireland debut against Italy.

36.7k

Oct 26th 2020, 8:00 AM

# openside

'We don't just see him as a chop tackler' - Ireland back Connors' attacking skills

Attack coach Mike Catt also believes newcomer Hugo Keenan has “a huge future.”

7.3k

Oct 23rd 2020, 1:13 PM

# worth waiting for

Leavy continues ‘bumpy journey’ to full fitness as he takes full part in Leinster training

The flanker has been close to making a return in recent weeks, but the path has not been a straightforward one.

11.3k

Oct 19th 2020, 8:12 PM

# Analysis

How Will Connors' remarkable tackling helped Leinster to shut down Ulster

The 24-year-old openside flanker was dogged and destructive in defence.

31.8k

Aug 31st 2020, 3:00 PM

# Porridge

'I'd love to have seen how the last two weeks of the Six Nations played out'

Leinster openside Will Connors earned an Ireland call-up thanks to his excellent season.

10.0k

May 9th 2020, 7:00 AM

# seven options

Leavy's cruel injury opens the door for Deegan and Penny at Leinster

John Fogarty says reputation counts for nothing as the province assess their options at seven for the closing stages of the season.

8.4k

Apr 4th 2019, 2:22 PM

# 7

Big call for Schmidt to make at openside with Leavy offering 'X-factor'

Sean O’Brien’s experience is tempting after Josh van der Flier was ruled out.

11.9k

Mar 13th 2019, 1:01 AM

# openside

'What actually changed my mindset was reading a bit of McCaw’s book'

Josh van der Flier is looking to make good decisions on both sides of the breakdown.

14.9k

Mar 9th 2019, 7:45 AM

# Fast track

'I was only expecting to get maybe one cap this year but I'm delighted'

19-year-old openside flanker Scott Penny has already made four senior starts for Leinster.

15.2k

Feb 20th 2019, 6:00 AM

# Exile

'One of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make': London Irish confirm Sean O'Brien signing

The Tullow Tank has agreed to join London Irish from December.

41.7k

Feb 11th 2019, 4:07 PM

# VDF

Leinster openside Van der Flier in impressive form as Six Nations looms

The 25-year-old is looking likely to be wearing Ireland’s seven shirt on 2 February.

8.0k

Jan 17th 2019, 6:20 AM

# openside

'It's great to have him back' - Leavy returns to full fitness for Leinster

Sean O’Brien and Ciarán Frawley are still unavailable for selection.

6.8k

Sep 17th 2018, 1:16 PM

# ruled out

Major blow for Munster as openside Chris Cloete fractures his forearm

The South African will miss three to four months of action.

10.9k

Feb 26th 2018, 1:10 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

# Magnificent Seven

Back from injury, brilliant Butler doesn't want to miss a beat for Connacht

‘The way they work rotation you never know when you are going to be in the 15 or the 23 so you just take the opportunities as you get them.’

6.0k

Jan 11th 2018, 9:35 AM

# openside

Opportunity knocks for O'Brien as Warburton sidelined with ankle injury

Warren Gatland confirmed the Wales openside has an ankle issue.

6.7k

Jun 8th 2017, 10:10 AM

# Explosive

22-year-old Savea gets first All Blacks start for Springboks clash

The Hurricanes openside ripped up Super Rugby this year.

10.4k

Sep 14th 2016, 6:24 PM

# Hamstrung

Sean O'Brien set for surgery and facing 'considerable period' on the sidelines

The Tullow Tank suffered a massive setback in his rehab in the last weekend of the regular season and will miss Ireland’s tour to South Africa.

11.5k

May 19th 2016, 1:48 PM

# new faces

Van der Flier set for Ireland debut with McCloskey ready in midfield

Jared Payne is looking increasingly unlikely to feature against England in Twickenham.

40.4k

110

Feb 24th 2016, 9:10 PM

# Shoulder to Shoulder

Chris Henry: 'I hope Joe knows I've done a job for him in the past and I'm still there'

Ireland’s head coach places huge value in familiarity when picking squads and Henry hopes to prove himself fit for Twickenham this Sunday.

10.7k

Feb 18th 2016, 7:20 AM

# mindset

Leinster's ambitious van der Flier aiming to match Armitage and the world's best opensides

The 22-year-old is not content merely to win Leinster caps; he wants to dominate games.

7.0k

Dec 23rd 2015, 7:30 AM

# Interview

Youghal man O'Callaghan showing international credentials for Munster

The 25-year-old back row has been in excellent form for Anthony Foley’s side.

12.3k

Dec 12th 2015, 7:30 AM

# Open season

Gatland willing to start without Warburton after Tipuric's 'best performance in a Welsh jersey'

There’s only room for one lucky seven at a time the starting line-up.

6.1k

Aug 31st 2015, 3:35 PM

# tullow tank

Sean O'Brien was an absolute beast at the breakdown against Scotland

These four turnovers from the Ireland captain showed his quality on the deck.

11.5k

Aug 17th 2015, 3:03 PM

# Good Times

Ulster's Chris Henry will make his comeback from heart surgery tonight

The 27-year-old has been out of action since suffering a mini-stroke in November.

4.9k

Mar 27th 2015, 1:30 PM

# Transfer

Pat Lam's Connacht have signed a Kiwi back row ahead of next season

Openside flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua will join the province on a two-year deal.

5.3k

Mar 25th 2015, 11:02 AM

# Groundhog Day

Boxing and bear crawls behind him, Jake Heenan ready to put his shoulder to the wheel

The Kiwi openside has come through two extensive runs to recovery, so knows plenty about shoulder rehab.

4.0k

Feb 13th 2015, 6:00 AM

# tod

O'Donnell intent on nailing down Ireland's seven shirt for Six Nations

The Munster back row is keen to add to his collection of six international caps.

5.4k

Jan 27th 2015, 10:52 AM

# Chad

'All the players are thinking of him' - Ireland's best wishes to Chris Henry

The openside flanker suffered a temporary blockage of a small blood vessel in his brain.

13.9k

Nov 18th 2014, 2:45 PM

# versatile

Ruddock ready for Georgian power after starring in Boks beating

The Leinster flanker turned 24 today and now feels a settled part of Joe Schmidt’s group.

3.1k

Nov 13th 2014, 6:00 AM

# Nuisance

Openside O'Donnell living the Munster tradition of breakdown competition

The 27-year-old Tipp native discusses competing for steals and CJ Stander’s impact with ball in hand.

8.4k

Oct 22nd 2014, 8:45 AM

# position

Is Peter O'Mahony a 6,7 or 8 and does it even matter?

‘I’m not going to name myself down to a position at the moment,’ says the Munster captain.

9.3k

Sep 27th 2014, 8:15 AM

# Breakdown

Heenan taking things slowly as Connacht look for rapid improvement

The 22-year-old openside flanker tells TheScore.ie how he works on his breakdown skills.

3.5k

Sep 6th 2014, 9:00 AM

# tullow tank

Sean O'Brien fitter, stronger and not the least bit concerned about his shoulder

The flanker is raring to go in a new season after playing only three times in 2014.

7.1k

Aug 28th 2014, 12:02 AM

# openside

Butterworth the latest in Lansdowne's line of professional converts

The 23-year-old has bolstered Ulster’s back row options after impressing in the Ulster Bank League.

10.6k

Jul 3rd 2014, 7:30 AM

# promotion

Dominic Ryan made captain of Emerging Ireland as McCarthy withdraws through injury

With late call-ups to the senior squad, Stuart McCloskey, Ricky Lutton and Billy Holland are packing their bags for Romania.

5.1k

Jun 3rd 2014, 4:49 PM