Cian Tracey

The Breakdown: How 21-year-old Sam Prendergast is already becoming the ‘master of control’ for Ireland Sixty-seven seconds into Sunday’s game at Murrayfield, Scotland hooker Dave Cherry left his shoulder on Sam Prendergast.

Ronan O’Gara described Sam Prendergast as ‘the master of control.’

Had a look back at Prendergast’s performance against Scotland to see what exactly ROG meant:

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Simon Easterby: There is an opportunity to create history – but we've got to prepare in the right way for Wales Interim head coach Simon Easterby insists Ireland will not get carried away following a pivotal Six Nations weekend that ended with his side’s destiny in their own hands.

Simon Easterby: There is an opportunity to create history – but we've got to prepare in the right way for Wales

Reaction from Ireland’s bonus point win at Murrayfield:

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Ireland secure bonus-point victory against Scotland to keep Grand Slam dream alive Ireland have inflicted some serious pain over Scotland recently, and this latest chapter of an increasingly one-sided rivalry resulted in another dark day for the hapless Scots.

Ireland secure bonus-point victory against Scotland to keep Grand Slam dream alive

Report from Murrayfield:

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Working with Ireland squad makes Johnny Sexton seem destined to kick on as a coach It didn’t take long for the doubts to creep in. Shortly after he arrived home to Dublin following Ireland’s latest World Cup quarter-final defeat in Paris, Johnny Sexton began to face up to the realit...

A piece on Johnny Sexton the coach and what exactly his evolving role with Ireland entails.

Fascinated to see what comes next.

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James Lowe interview: ‘You’ve got to learn hard and fast, it’s sink or swim, especially in professional rugby’ There is an infectious effervescence to James Lowe — which is great as part of your team, but a complete nightmare when he’s against you.

James Lowe interview: ‘You’ve got to learn hard and fast, it’s sink or swim, especially in professional rugby’

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Caelan Doris backs ‘class’ Calvin Nash to fill Mack Hansen void for Ireland’s clash with Scotland Ireland captain Caelan Doris has backed Calvin Nash to seize his opportunity after the Munster winger was drafted into the starting team for tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield

Caelan Doris backs ‘class’ Calvin Nash to fill Mack Hansen void for Ireland’s clash with Scotland

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Mack Hansen misses out on Six Nations clash with Scotland in major blow for Ireland Ireland have been dealt a late blow ahead of tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield, as Mack Hansen is ruled out with a hamstring injury.

BREAKING | Mack Hansen misses out on Six Nations clash with Scotland as Calvin Nash comes into team

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Hopefully there are no delays en route to Murrayfield 😜

‘He is incredibly grounded and just really humble’ – Rising Ireland prop star Thomas Clarkson ready to take next step If there is a rugby equivalent of a ‘cold, rainy night in Stoke’, then Colwyn Bay on a bleak Friday night is tough to top.

Thomas Clarkson has quietly been one of the big success stories for Ireland over the last few games.

Here’s a piece on his journey from Wicklow RFC, Blackrock College, Trinity, Leinster and a memorable Ireland-20s Grand Slam winning campaign.

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Cian Tracey: How Ireland’s pack plan to ‘dismantle’ Scotland in Murrayfield ‘war’ There has already been plenty written and said about the obvious threat that Finn Russell and the Scotland back-line pose this week, but, in reality, Sunday’s Six Nations clash at Murrayfield will be ...

How Ireland’s pack plan to ‘dismantle’ Scotland in Murrayfield ‘war’

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Stick or twist for Simon Easterby? The big Ireland selection issues for Murrayfield clash with Scotland When the Ireland squad reconvened this week, they will have done so with a pep in their step, safe in the knowledge there’s plenty of scope for improvement following last weekend’s bonus-point win ove...

Here’s a piece on Ireland’s selection issues this week.

What changes would you make for Scotland on Sunday?

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Cian Tracey’s Breakdown: How Ireland’s bench press clinched priceless bonus-point win Simon Easterby hit the nail on the head in his post-match press conference on Saturday night when he pointed to the strong foundation that had been laid by Ireland’s starting team before the bench cam...

Breakdown: How Ireland’s bench press clinched priceless bonus-point win

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'The change at 10 was pretty significant’ – England boss Steve Borthwick hails Jack Crowley's impact Steve Borthwick believes Ireland’s experience was the deciding factor of their opening Six Nations win at the Aviva Stadium, as the England head coach singled out Jack Crowley for having a major impac...

'The change at 10 was pretty significant’ – England boss Steve Borthwick hails Jack Crowley's impact

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Ireland clear first hurdle in Six Nations title defence as second-half blitz sees off England Ireland’s Six Nations title defence is up and running and with it, their shot at history has been significantly enhanced.

Ireland clear first hurdle in Six Nations title defence as second-half blitz sees off England

Report from an enthralling game at the Aviva Stadium:

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Cian Tracey: Clash of styles awaits as Ryan Baird looks to make his mark for Ireland Steve Borthwick wasted no time in beginning the mind games last weekend when the England head coach not so subtly urged Ben O’Keeffe, the referee for tomorrow’s Six Nations game, to ensure Ireland’s a...

Saturday is a big opportunity for Ryan Baird to stake his Ireland claim.

Fascinated to see how the clash of back-row styles match up.

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Simon Easterby reveals Joe McCarthy’s absence for Six Nations opener down to ‘nasty blow’ to the head Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby has revealed that Joe McCarthy suffered a “nasty blow” to the head in training yesterday, which has ruled the Leinster lock out of Saturday’s Six Nations open...

Simon Easterby reveals Joe McCarthy’s absence for Six Nations opener is due to ‘nasty blow’ to the head

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Who’s hot and who’s not in Irish rugby – A player-by-player form guide for Simon Easterby’s Six Nations squad With one major enforced change at the helm, consistency of selection has been the name of the game for Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby.

Had a look at the form of each one of the 37 players in Ireland’s Six Nations squad.

Lots playing well for their provinces, which bodes well for the next few weeks.

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Sam Prendergast to get nod at out-half for England opener with Joe McCarthy in line for surprise bench role Sam Prendergast is set to make his Six Nations debut from the start in Ireland’s opener against England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (4.45), as interim head coach Simon Easterby considers shaking ...

Sam Prendergast is set to start Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England on Saturday.

Ryan Baird is also in line to start.

More here:

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‘I was sick of watching everyone else play and wanted that nervous feeling of getting back on the pitch’ – Dan Sheehan Dan Sheehan started the day pacing around his apartment, not knowing where to look as the nervous energy that had been building all week reached boiling point.

Dan Sheehan joined the Ireland squad in Portugal yesterday.

He has declared himself ready to face England on Saturday if called upon - expect him to be involved after Saturday’s successful comeback.

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‘He’s in the dressing room fine’ – Leo Cullen allays injury fears over Luke McGrath after Leinster win Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has allayed fears over Luke McGrath after the scrum-half was stretchered off in a neck brace just before half-time in his side’s 36-12 bonus point win over the Stormers ...

Thankfully a positive update on Luke McGrath after that awful looking injury tonight.

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Leinster blow Stormers away as Dan Sheehan scores two tries during comeback For Leinster, the objective here was two-fold: One, maintain their unbeaten season by racking up their 14th consecutive win, and two, ensure that Dan Sheehan and James Lowe came through it unscathed.

Leinster blow Stormers away for their 14/14 win this season.

Dan Sheehan and James Lowe were excellent on their return from injury – both will surely feature for Ireland in next weekend's Six Nations opener against England.

Report from the Aviva:

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How Springbok Siya Kolisi inspired Dan Sheehan to make a miraculous ACL recovery Eleven minutes after he tore the ACL in his left knee, Dan Sheehan tackled Siya Kolisi, who, as it turned out, would soon point the way in terms of his miraculous recovery from a similarly serious inj...

Siya Kolisi made it back from an ACL injury after 119 days.

Dan Sheehan will make his return from an ACL injury after 203 days tomorrow evening.

Here’s a piece on the latest remarkable recovery from such a serious injury.

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‘Although I was bitter, I did well to hold it together’ – Ex-sevens captain Billy Dardis rues Olympics snub There is a certain irony to how Billy Dardis’ career ended where he had spent much of his playing days – in the shadows, far away from the glitz and the glamour of rugby’s bright lights.

Billy Dardis had a great sevens career but it ended on a sour note.

Had a really honest chat about the fallout from his Paris Olympics snub, not getting another shot at 15s, being bullied in school, and why he wants to help the next generation.

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Controversial 20-minute red card among new law trials to feature in the Six Nations Tournament organisers have confirmed that 20-minute red cards will feature in this year’s men’s, women’s and Under-20s Six Nations.

Controversial 20-minute red card among new law trials to feature in the Six Nations

Thoughts? In favour/not in favour?

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Cian Tracey: Calvin Nash delivers a timely reminder of his quality as he looks to force his way into Ireland team Calvin Nash spent the month of November in Ireland camp without playing a single minute of any of the four Autumn Nations Series games.

Calvin Nash delivered a timely reminder of his quality against Northampton as he looks to force his way back into the Ireland team

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The Rugby Show | Jack Crowley reignites Ireland debate | Leinster 'frailties' exposed Podcast Episode · Indo Sport · 20/01/2025 · 1h 1m

Indo Sport Rugby show with @molloyjoe.bsky.social and Eddie O’Sullivan - chatting about the Champions Cup format/draw, Jack Crowley’s tour de force and Leinster’s sense of déjà vu.

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Boost for Leinster and Ireland as Dan Sheehan and James Lowe to make comeback in URC clash with Stormers Leinster and Ireland have been handed a major boost, as key duo Dan Sheehan and James Lowe are set to make their eagerly-awaited returns from respective lay-offs in Saturday’s URC clash with the Storm...

Boost for Leinster and Ireland as Dan Sheehan and James Lowe to make comeback in URC clash with Stormers

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Massive blow for Scotland as captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations due to injury.

Scotland say the centre is expected to return before the end of the season, which would mean he is fit for the Lions.

Rory Darge and Finn Russell will co-captain Scotland.

Peak Peter O’Mahony in the second season of Netflix’s Six Nations: Full Contact

Leo Cullen insists ‘nobody is getting carried away’ as Leinster plot a familiar route to the Champions Cup final Leinster are back in familiar territory. If everything goes according to plan, the next time they will play a Champions Cup game outside of Dublin will be in Cardiff for the final on May 24.

Leo Cullen insists ‘nobody is getting carried away’ as Leinster plot a familiar route to the Champions Cup final

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