Nathan Johns
@nathanrjohns.bsky.social
✍️: @IrishTimesSport Sometimes 🎤 with @hbv_live @rtesport @bbccricket @skysports @talksport Musings on Irish cricket: https://theparttimer.substack.com/
Ciarán Frawley explains why he decided to leave Leinster for Connacht www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Ciarán Frawley explains why he’s leaving Leinster for Connacht
Frawley says consistent game time and reunion with Stuart Lancaster shaped decision to leave province
irishtimes.com
By conceding 41 points, Leinster's defence had its worst knockout day since the arrival of Nienaber With input from those tasked with unlocking the blitz, a look at how the system failed this time Analysis from Bilbao ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Why Leinster’s defence unravelled in Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux-Bègles
Fast ruck ball and dominant collisions prevented Jacques Nienaber’s system from taking hold
irishtimes.com
Difficult to look past that first half disaster for Leinster. They were desperately unlucky at times, but skills also let them down at the worst possible time Piece from Bilbao ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Leinster abandoned by precision and fortune as Champions Cup hopes collapse
Half-time deficit left Leinster in need of a miracle that never look likely
irishtimes.com
Jack Oliver recently signed a two-year senior deal with Glasgow This three years after the death of his father Greig, in South Africa watching his son with Ireland U20 After leaving Munster, Oliver has a new path in the country his dad played for Interview⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/0...
Jack Oliver reflects on his father’s death, resilience and finding his feet with Glasgow Warriors
The former Munster and Ireland U20 scrum-half speaks about grief, resilience and finding his feet with Glasgow Warriors
irishtimes.com
Sam Prendergast recently changed tee All kickers at some point or another experiment with their tees But certain people, including Dave Alred and Peter Breen of RugbyBricks, swear by their methods Explained: the tee debate engulfing rugby's placekicking culture ⬇️ irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
One year on from the end of Ireland's men's sevens, Gael Force Sevens debuts this week in Kinsale. A side featuring former internationals and Olympians is looking to revive Irish sevens. Can they do it? Depends on how you define success. Story ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
For Sevens’ sake: Gael Force aim to show IRFU that game can thrive in Ireland
With the IRFU having cut it’s men’s Sevens programme, a team set up by a Cork estate agent is looking to save the sport - and have fun
irishtimes.com
One year on from the end of Ireland's men's sevens, Gael Force Sevens debuts this week in Kinsale. A side featuring former internationals and Olympians is looking to revive Irish sevens. Can they do it? Depends on how you define success. Story ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
For Sevens’ sake: Gael Force aim to show IRFU that game can thrive in Ireland
With the IRFU having cut it’s men’s Sevens programme, a team set up by a Cork estate agent is looking to save the sport - and have fun
irishtimes.com
Good to catch up with Cian Healy, who's been coaching with Clontarf over the last few years. Recent pros getting involved only adds to the idea that the AIL is in a very strong place. Interview ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Cian Healy: How coaching with Clontarf fills the void of retirement
Former Ireland and Leinster prop on his coaching style and influencing the next generation of props
irishtimes.com
Munster chose to play into the wind at Sandy Park. 31 points later, they had it at their backs. But the contest was over. Report from Sandy Park ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Munster blown away and bullied out of Challenge Cup by rampant Exeter
Under pressure from a physically dominant home side, Munster coughed up 31 points in the first half at Sandy Park
irishtimes.com
Often rugby fans' biggest bugbear, kicking fell dramatically as the Six Nations progressed Every side pretty much kicked less this year than last. Anti-kickites will say that explains the record-breaking try scoring, but is it that simple? Analysis ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Kicking is on the way down – does that explain the rise in tries?
The number of kicks in open play dropped for five of the six teams, Ireland bizarrely the only exception as their kick volume remained unchanged
irishtimes.com
Often rugby fans' biggest bugbear, kicking fell dramatically as the Six Nations progressed Every side pretty much kicked less this year than last. Anti-kickites will say that explains the record-breaking try scoring, but is it that simple? Analysis ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Kicking is on the way down – does that explain the rise in tries?
The number of kicks in open play dropped for five of the six teams, Ireland bizarrely the only exception as their kick volume remained unchanged
irishtimes.com
Ireland hadn’t scored off a set-piece strike since Italy 2025 That changed on Saturday, Andrew Goodman and Paul O’Connell earning their supper Improving transition attack has been a focus in the 6N, but Sat saw the return of the old Irish set play. Analysis ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
How Ireland’s set-piece detail returned with a vengeance against Scotland
Irish attack has showed variety by going back to its roots with a strong set-piece after counter-attacking flourish at Twickenham
irishtimes.com
Ireland hadn’t scored off a set-piece strike since Italy 2025 That changed on Saturday, Andrew Goodman and Paul O’Connell earning their supper Improving transition attack has been a focus in the 6N, but Sat saw the return of the old Irish set play. Analysis ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
How Ireland’s set-piece detail returned with a vengeance against Scotland
Irish attack has showed variety by going back to its roots with a strong set-piece after counter-attacking flourish at Twickenham
irishtimes.com
☘️ clinical edge + disruption vs 🏴 profligacy Defenders Beaten - ☘️ 23 🏴 27 Points per 22 entry - ☘️ 4.7 🏴 3 Handling errors -☘️5 🏴 9 Turnovers conceded - ☘️10 🏴14 Kicking metres - ☘️535 🏴495 Quick ruck ball - ☘️58 🏴35%
Per Opta, Ireland's expected goal kicking success is 83.8% The actual figure is 74.3% Therefore, Ireland have been the worst goal-kicking side in the comp so far Explored this and a few other surprising trends of the 6N so far for @irishtimes.com ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Borthwick ball and Ireland’s defence: Three charts reveal interesting tactical trends from Six Nations
Statistics show how Ireland and other teams are adapting their Six Nations game plan midway through a World Cup cycle
irishtimes.com
Ever since Andrew Goodman said he wanted Ireland to be better on transition, we’ve tracked progress Twickenham was Irelands best counter attack display of this cycle Where France go sans structure, Ireland turned transition into another set-piece Analysis ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Ruthless Ireland defying metrics that say they are the worst team in the Six Nations
How Ireland created a new set piece to solve their transition attack woes
irishtimes.com
Joe Schmidt was criticised towards the end of his Ireland tenure for not evolving his game plan Andy Farrell, circa 18 months out from a World Cup, is experiencing just how hard evolution is Thoughts from Paris ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Analysis: Right now, Ireland’s game plan does not suit its players
Ireland do not yet look comfortable embracing a greater focus on kicking and transition attack
irishtimes.com
None of the trademark support lines or mesmeric ball in hand moments from Antoine Dupont. Instead, he found other ways to bend the game to his will. Analysis from Stade de France ⬇️ www.the42.ie/antoine-dupo...
With the boot, or with ball in hand – Antoine Dupont remains an inevitable force
Making his international return for the first time in 11 months, France’s superstar forced the game to unfold according to his will.
the42.ie
Ireland's XV (back 3 in particular) points to their goal of getting better at counterattack France, with their Bordeaux influence (paging Noel McNamara), are the transition gold standard How do Ireland get better? Embrace the zero-ruck try Analysis ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Six Nations: One statistic will define Ireland’s opener against France on Thursday, and the whole tournament
Two metrics reveal which Six Nations teams are built for modern rugby – and where Ireland must improve
irishtimes.com
Leinster are conceding almost a full converted try more per game this season compared to last Are flaws in Jacques Nienaber’s system leading to fissures, or is something else going wrong? Analysis ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
The Jacques Nienaber conundrum: What’s going on with Leinster’s defence?
A fascinating dynamic is at work in the province’s Champions Cup campaign as more and more opponents find ways to exploit Leinster’s imperfections
irishtimes.com
News confirmed, King to captain Ireland. No co-captains McMahon is out with a long term knee injury but Monaghan is still with the squad
Nathan Johns @nathanrjohns.bsky.social · 8mo agoSounds like Erin King is to be announced as Ireland captain ahead of the Six Nations Aged 22, she only debuted for Ireland (in 15s) in 2024 Named World Rugby breakthrough player that same year Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan were co-captains at the World Cup
Sounds like Erin King is to be announced as Ireland captain ahead of the Six Nations Aged 22, she only debuted for Ireland (in 15s) in 2024 Named World Rugby breakthrough player that same year Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan were co-captains at the World Cup
Interview time on the @IrishTimesSport rugby podcast Rory Best, an ex-Ireland captain under Joe Schmidt, is now general manager at Ulster What does a GM actually do, and how have Ulster become Irish rugby's good news story? Listen ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/the...
Rory Best on how Ulster have turned things around
The Counter Ruck Podcast
irishtimes.com
In the last few years, more AIL players have stepped up to provincial rugby Conor Bartley at Munster Bradley McNamara at Ulster Jerry Cahir, Bobby Sheehan, Ivan Soroka and Dylan Donnellan at Leinster Why are more clubmen getting chances at pro level? www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
‘The skill level is so much better’: AIL’s rise opens the door to the professional game for club players
The perception that the league is a ‘graveyard’ for young players eyeing professional careers ‘is changing’, says Clontarf’s Dylan Donnellan
irishtimes.com
Interesting stylistic clash on Saturday night which dominated the post-match press chat Munster are raging against rugby's trend of kicking and set-piece battles. Leinster want to be more creative but think it's naive. Who is right? www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Tadhg Beirne: ‘The style of the game has gone backwards’
Munster forward would prefer if rugby had more flow after defeat to Leinster in scrappy affair
irishtimes.com
Grit and niggle aplenty, but enough quality to give punters their money's worth? Report from Thomond ⬇️ www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Leinster show grit to beat Munster in scrappy URC clash at Thomond Park
Josh van der Flier shines in game lacking in attacking quality but full of physicality and niggle
irishtimes.com
Bonus-point win for Munster as they get job done against Ospreys www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...
Bonus-point win for Munster as they get job done against Ospreys
Entertainment was in short supply in Wales, with both sides lacking quality
irishtimes.com
