FORMER Ireland star Tommy Bowe has questioned Andy Farrell’s decision to step away for Ireland duty ahead of the 2025 Lions Tour of Australia. Former Ireland and Ulster winger Tommy Bowe has questioned Andy Farrell’s decision to step aside from his national team duties during this year’s Six Nations. Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell leads the Lions this summer in AustraliaTommy Bowe questioned Farrell’s decision to take a year out from Ireland duty ahead of the tour Farrell was forced to step away as he is preparing to lead the British and Irish Lions on their 2025 tour of Australia. He took ..read more

Ireland’s Six Nations campaign began with a defeat on Saturday afternoon in Belfast. But there were clear signs that Scott Bemand’s side are closing the gap on the top sides in Europe. Ireland came up short against France in theoir Six Nations clash in BelfastErin King left frustarted after Ireland’s defeat at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast France claimed a 27-15 win at Kingspan Stadium, but the scoreline didn’t reflect how close Ireland came to a famous upset. With these two teams potentially on a World Cup quarter-final collision course, this contest could well be a preview of more drama to ..read more

IRELAND forward Fiona Tuite is hoping to claim another big scalp against France this afternoon. Scott Bemand’s side host Les Bleus in their Women’s Six Nations opener in Belfast after claiming shock wins over New Zealand and the USA last summer. But last year’s 38-17 loss to France will still sting and Tuite knows how good a side they are. The French also won 53-3 on their last visit to Ireland for a Six Nations clash at Musgrave Park in Cork. And Tuite said: “They are fast, strong and quick. “We’ve worked hard but we will focus on the game that we can bring and we’re looking forward to the ch ..read more

CONOR MURRAY and his family are enjoying a sun-soaked holiday at “the most stunning beach club” in Dubai. The 35-year-old is on a break after bringing his Ireland career to an end following the final day Six Nations win over Italy. Conor Murray, wife Joanna, and baby Alfie are in DubaiThey are staying at the Gigi Beach HotelJoanna described it as the most stunning beach clubShe wowed in a €220 swimsuitThey partook in some stunning cuisine Murray, wife Joanna, and baby boy Alfie all jetted off to Dubai, where the young parents got engaged in 2022. The former Miss Universe has been sharing a hos ..read more

SCOTT BEMAND has called on Ireland to rise to the challenge posed by France in tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations opener. Head coach Bemand has named Amee-Leigh Costigan as captain and Neve Jones as vice-skipper for the clash in Belfast. Captain Costigan will lead the team out at Kingspan Stadium for a 1pm kick-off on Saturday, March 22The team has improved markedly since Bemand took charge in July 2023 He said: “We’re focused on producing a performance this Saturday and showcasing further growth and evolution in our game at the start of a very exciting year.” Star winger Béibhinn Parsons has ..read more

MUNSTER are in Scotland’s largest city this evening as the URC returns to our screens. Post-Six Nations, the two clubs will be fielding weakened teams as international players are given an extra week off from their provinces. Last time out, a dire first half was largely to blame as Munster fell to a 34-28 defeat in Cork against Edinburgh. Here’s everything you need to know as they aim to fare better this time around against Scottish opposition: What TV channel is Glasgow Warriors vs Munster on? Tonight’s match will be shown on TG4 and Premier Sports 1. So you have the free streaming option pro ..read more

GORDON WOOD is set to become a third-generation Munster rugby player in Glasgow tonight. The academy centre’s father Keith is an Ireland and Munster legend and his grandfather, also Gordon, lined out for the Reds. He has already lined out for the province in a pre-season friendly though this would be his competitive debutKeith’s other son Tom featured for Ireland during this year’s Under 20 Six Nations The promising 20-year-old is tipped to follow in their boots when the URC champions of the past two seasons battle it out in Scotstoun this evening. Although Wood will start the clash on the ben ..read more

PETER O’MAHONY is back working on his prized garden as the winter turns to spring. The Ireland and Munster legend shared a pair of videos to his Instagram story of him and his son tending to it. Peter O’Mahony revealed plans for his gardenHe also cut the potted grass with his son The first sees him revealing that he would be “cutting back to hydrangea this weekend” and revealed “when you know they are ready”. The second, meanwhile, shows him cutting his potted grasses before handing them to his son, who is just off screen. It is, therefore, not entirely clear whether it was Theo or Ralph who h ..read more

ANDREW PORTER and wife Elaine went on a “babymoon” to Adare Manor in anticipation for their new arrival. The happy couple are expecting their first child, with Elaine having previously gone through two miscarriages. Instagram/elainecporterAndrew Porter and his wife Elaine are expecting their first child[/caption] Instagram/elainecporterThey went on a babymoon to Adare Manor[/caption] Instagram/elainecporterThe Limerick resort is owned by JP McManus and is the host of the Horizon Irish Open[/caption] Instagram/elainecporterElaine last year revealed she had gone through miscarriage heartbreak[/c ..read more

WINGER Béibhinn Parsons has lost her battle to be fit in time for Ireland’s Women’s Six Nations opener against France. The 23-year-old broke her leg twice in 2024, at the Olympics in Paris and at a World SVNS event in December. Being consoled by teammate Erin King, left, after the Women’s Rugby Sevens quarter-final loss to Team Australia at the Paris Games It was hoped the Connacht star would be OK for the Championship and she was named in the squad. Defence coach Hugh Hogan, however, says Saturday’s match is too soon but that “she will be in the mix over the coming weeks”. Elsewhere in Irish ..read more