Bundee AKi has been suspended for 6 matches after being found guilty of "verbally abusing and disrespecting" match officials last Saturday night, with the last 2games suspended He's banned for Connacht v Zebre and Ireland's first 3 Six Nations games v France, Italy and England

Andy Goode has refereed this game superbly

Shades of England France here. Bordeaux leaving opportunities behind time and time again, Saints hanging in there

The Mathieu Jalibert final A masterclass

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. www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

A tale of to No 10s trying to make it in the modern world www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

Fun night at the first Indo Sport live show alongside Joe Molloy, Sinead Kissane & excellent special guests Martin Johnson & Keith Wood Thanks to everyone who came along in such great numbers

Wasn't expecting to mention Mark McCabe of Maniac 2000 in a piece about the Aviva atmosphere and ticket prices, but there you go... Without a bigger stadium or a new approach to selling tickets the IRFU is stuck in an Aviva infinity loop www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

‘I wanted the respect of the people I played with’ – Rhys Ruddock has no regrets over retirement as he hones in on coaching career www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

Confirmed: Huge blow as Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations opener against England due to a calf injury Connacht's Jack Aungier called up Dan Sheehan, James Lowe and Jack Boyle have arrived in Portugal, Caolin Blade due in with Aungier tomorrow

Big breaking news from Quinta do Lago: Tadhg Furlong emerges as a major doubt for Ireland's opening Six Nations game against England as he returns to Dublin buff.ly/4ju6vYR

Big breaking news from Quinta do Lago: Tadhg Furlong emerges as a major doubt for Ireland's opening Six Nations game against England as he returns to Dublin buff.ly/4ju6vYR

‘People only see us rugby players and not as brothers, husbands, boyfriends or whatever’ Andrew Porter on baring his soul to the world, 'cowards' with keyboards and being the earliest impact sub in rugby www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

Took a look at the areas Ireland need to improve on to succeed in this year's Six Nations www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

After a November incognito, Johnny Sexton emerges at Ireland training in Portugal

Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 draw (Games to be played April 4/5/6) Bordeaux v Ulster; Leinster v Harlequins, Northampton Saints v Clermont Auvergne, Toulon v Saracens, Toulouse v Sale Sharks, Castres v Benetton, Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers, La Rochelle v Munster

Leinster's path to the final: R16: Harlequins (h) QF: Glasgow/Tigers (h) SF: Saints/Clermont/Castres/Benetton Munster: R16: La R (a) QF: Bordeaux (a)/Ulster (h) SF: Toulouse(a)/Sale(h)/Toulon(a)/Saracens (h) Ulster: R16: Bordeaux(a) QF: Munster/La Rochelle (a) SF: Toulouse/Sale/Toulon/Saracens (a)

Saints score a converted try with the last act of a thrilling half to narrow the gap to 15-12. Munster burst into life in the second quarter with Calvin Nash's 2nd try a superb score, but their discipline slipped before the break and they've 9 mins with 14 men when we restart. Superb game

Thrilling opening six minutes at Franklin's Gardens, both teams going for the jugular from the off and it's taken some excellent defending from both to keep it 0-0. Northampton have the pace on the edge that could make the difference

'I hope we get another crack off them' - Disappointed Ronan O'Gara looking for rematch with Leinster in knockouts

What a difference from last time we were in La Rochelle. All set for the latest chapter in this brilliant rivalry

The message to players today is clear: Back in your box, your opinions & personality are not welcome. Continue to toe the line with banality, because if you dare to step out of line we'll come down on you like a tonne of bricks

Mack Hansen free to play in the 6 Nations after he picks up a three match ban for misconduct. Connacht's game against Glasgow is included, even though the winger would likely be in Portugal with Ireland that Hansen has apologised and must undergo referee & media training

After sudden exits, unpopular calls and poor communication Munster must act now to prevent a lost season www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

Ireland winger Mack Hansen to learn fate on Wednesday as he faces misconduct charge for referee comments

Wrote about the sense of drift in Munster's season and the lack of clarity around their future direction since Rowntree's departure in today's newsletter. The next two weeks seem pivotal for the interim ticket, but the lack of communication from above isn't helpful

Ulster's Tom O'Toole has been hit with a hefty six-week ban for the dangerous clearout on Alex Nankivell that earned him a red card before Christmas Puts him out of the opening two Six Nations games, with Ireland confirming he'd have been involved www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

Leinster out-half Harry Byrne set to join Bristol Bears on three-month loan deal

Ireland rugby’s best 24 for 2024 – Irreplaceable Andrew Porter is still top of the props

‘It’s bullshit and it’s starting to get really frustrating’ – Connacht’s Mack Hansen blasts refereeing inconsistency www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/...

Leinster once again showing that 17-0 is the most dangerous lead in sport

Took a look at the struggling Irish lineouts, most specifically Leinster and Ireland's, with the help of @LineoutLab. What's gone wrong, why and how to fix it

Nice to get out to Crumlin Hospital this morning to present a cheque for the €7,900 we raised doing the Dublin Marathon in October in memory of Malachy Thanks to everyone who donated 🏃‍♂️🙏

Munster and South Africa lock Jean Kleyn has undergone surgery according to his own Insta. Munster said on Mon he was seeing a specialist about a thigh issue. They missed him in Castres

Surprise surprise, Tadhg Furlong will be at Leinster & Ireland until 2027.. had been rumours of a Bayonne move, but never seemed likely. Now, they need to get those soft tissue injuries sorted, because he's been missed recently More contracts on the way it seems

Under Jacques Nienaber, Leinster have now got a distinctly different style and emphasis to Ireland and that's making it far harder for players to move between the two set-ups as the did so seamlessly under Lancaster www.independent.ie/sport/united...

On the whistle report from the Aviva: Leinster claim second Champions Cup win – but no Christmas bonus – in Aviva battle with Clermont

This is all very scrappy, but Andrew Osborne looks incredibly comfortable since coming on

After a difficult 1st 20 Leinster have looked far stronger than a tiring Clermont, but unable to cut loose. 12-7 at HT. Scrum excellent, lineout really poor and undermining them especially given the quality of Prendergast's line-kicking. Barrett struggling a bit at fb, but Clermont can't exploit it

Second week in a row Leinster have been marched back 10 for lip. Both times it's an Irish international front-row. So poor

The lines have always been blurred between Leinster and Ireland, but the first quarter here has been a re-run of November. Clermont competing brilliantly everywhere, but the home team's lineout is so poor. Jordie Barrett looking very much like a centre forced to play at full-back

Ryan Baird in full flight for Trinity at College Park as he made his return from injury against Blackrock College. Love to see Ireland players getting a chance to don their club colours. A chance for Baird to play alongside his brother Zach too.

Dreadful news for Craig Casey who was in superb form going to Castres and looked ready to push Jamison Gibson-Park for the starting role

Rise of a ‘super province’ – how Leinster continue to dominate the Irish rugby landscape

“It's private. I don’t know if I’d be able to answer that in this forum" - Leo Cullen, when asked if there are IRFU restrictions on selecting RG Snyman for CC

So poor from Munster. Bad decision making, error upon error and then big injuries to add salt. Crowley's performance was more akin to his Oct form & that kick at the death way below what he's capable of. 6 day turnaround a factor, but Sarries and Saints won't be easy

Former Connacht prop Denis Coulson has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for rape in France. Ireland international Chris Farrell has been given a four year sentence, with two suspended, for 'failing to prevent a crime'. He'll avoid prison, but will wear a tag www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...

RFU Statement: The RFU can confirm that England Rugby men’s assistant coach Felix Jones will step down from his role on Friday 13 December. The terms of his departure prevent Jones from working with any Tier One team until Tuesday 1 April 2025

🎟️ Secure your tickets for historic Dublin derby! Tickets for our opening game of the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division season are now on general sale: www.ticketmaster.ie/event/180061... Bohemians will host Shamrock Rovers FC in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, February 16 at 2pm.

@russpetty.bsky.social doing the lord's work on the other place: historical-stats.epcrugby.com/champions-cu...