Rúaidhrí O'Connor

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

‘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.

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

How toxic undercurrent to No 10 rivalry is dividing Irish rugby supporters Welcome to the inner circle, come and enjoy the plush blue furniture and the trappings that come with being one of the chosen few.

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

Rúaidhrí O'Connor: Without a bigger stadium or a new approach to selling tickets the IRFU is stuck in an Aviva infinity loop The Six Nations is back and Ireland are at home this weekend, meaning only one thing: we’re in for another round of Aviva Stadium atmosphere discourse.

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 Rhys Ruddock hasn’t really given himself much time for reflection.

‘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

Tadhg Furlong a major doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England Tadhg Furlong has emerged as a major doubt for Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations opener against England next Saturday.

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

Tadhg Furlong a major doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England Tadhg Furlong has emerged as a major doubt for Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations opener against England next Saturday.

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 Andrew Porter has always chosen to bare his soul to the world. He wears the name of his late mother Wendy on his forearms and, when the Netflix cameras came into Ireland camp in 2023, it was the power...

‘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/...

The 10 things Simon Easterby needs to address so he can make history in Andy Farrell’s absence Andy Farrell’s handover to Simon Easterby included a to-do list that’s longer than either man would have liked.

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

QFS:
1. Bordeaux/Ulster v La Rochelle/Munster
2. Toulouse/Sale v Toulon/Saracens
3. Leinster/Harlequins v Glasgow/Leicester
4. Saints/Clermont v Castres/Benetton

SF
Winner 1 v Winner 2
Winner 3 v Winner 4

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 Ronan O’Gara says La Rochelle would relish another crack at Leinster after coming up just short at the Stade Marcel Deflandre.

'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

Rúaidhrí O’Connor: After sudden exits, unpopular calls and poor communication Munster must act now to prevent a lost season Even if you were keeping an eye on the emails over Christmas, the first Monday in January is a head wreck for everyone. Those few things that you didn’t quite get to before the break haven’t gone away...

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 Connacht winger Mack Hansen will go before an independent disciplinary committee on Wednesday to answer for the comments he made about refereeing after his side’s defeat to Leinster on December 21.

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

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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

Ireland’s prop resources hit ahead of Six Nations as Ulster’s Tom O’Toole pays heavy price for red card against Munster Tom O’Toole has been hit with a six-game ban for the red card he received against Munster, ruling him out of the province’s remaining Champions Cup pool matches and the opening rounds of the Six Natio...

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 Harry Byrne is on the cusp of signing a three-month loan deal with Bristol Bears and could make his debut for the Premiership club against Saracens on Saturday.

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