Opinion
British & Irish Lions
Contributors
Pat McCarry
@patmccarry
Pat McCarry has been covering rugby, across various shows and platforms, for over 16 years. He has two best-selling rugby books, The New Breed and Man & Ball, and penned a sell-out rugby play, Soldier Field, in 2019. He has written for SportsJOE, The42, Guardian, Press Association and Inside Rugby, among others.
71 Articles
Latest
3 days ago British & Irish Lions
25 Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 15-11
6 days ago British & Irish Lions
Jack Conan times another run to Lions Test starter to perfection
15 days ago British & Irish Lions
Furling and Porter still searching for big statements in Lions battle
26 days ago British & Irish Lions
Daly and Bealham press Test cases amid Lions' Dublin defeat
Exclusive
Dave Kilcoyne: ‘These days, you can’t really throw a punch because you’ll be caught on the drone footage!’
The retiring Munster legend reminisces about the good old days in what has been a hugely successful career
Pat McCarry
11 Jun 2025, 13:54
Opinion
Ireland’s summer tour of first and last chances as debate swirls over absentees
With 15 players away with the Lions, a host of debutants are set to be unleashed on Ireland's summer tour.
Pat McCarry
06 Jun 2025, 1:04
Opinion
‘The mood was less ebullient. Irish rugby is not as imperious’
There was less to celebrate at Irish rugby's awards night than in recent years, with some silverware missing.
Pat McCarry
31 May 2025, 1:06
Opinion
The era of the hybrid player is upon us
Forwards who can play as backs and even backs who can move into the pack could be considered as rugby evolves
Pat McCarry
27 May 2025, 0:20
Opinion
Why Andy Farrell's left-field call is an early Lions masterstroke
In leaving two spots open, the new Lions supremo has dangled a tantalising carrot for those who missed out and kept the content ma…
Pat McCarry
15 May 2025, 2:07
Opinion
Irish provinces in danger of being left further behind, in their own country
As the season has progressed there has been increasing disquiet about the strength of Leinster to the detriment of Ireland's other…
Pat McCarry
30 Apr 2025, 0:12
Interview
Why Jacob Stockdale 2.0 is ready for an Ireland renaissance this summer
The Ulster left-wing, along with Jimmy O'Brien and Cormac Izuckukwu are pushing hard for starring roles on Ireland's summer tour
Pat McCarry
24 Apr 2025, 2:16
Opinion
Leinster lions Van der Flier & Ringrose roaring loudly for overdue tours
Two inspirational Irish figures have yet to earn the Lions call, but are playing with points to prove.
Pat McCarry
18 Apr 2025, 0:57
Analysis
Will wounded Carbery come back to haunt former side Munster?
Discarded by Munster and Ireland, Joey Carbery is flourishing again with Bordeaux.
Pat McCarry
10 Apr 2025, 8:33
Interview
Munster-ROG reunion a ‘love story’ but no return likely for La Rochelle boss
Munster and La Rochelle have "given him the most in rugby", but Ronan O'Gara has no plans to return home soon.
Pat McCarry
03 Apr 2025, 8:41
Opinion
Andy Farrell is draining Ireland’s resources to benefit the Lions
Coaching the Lions is the ultimate honour, but Ireland's recent form has made them a victim of their own success
Pat McCarry
26 Mar 2025, 8:06
Opinion
Was Dublin drubbing the end of an era or a bump in the road for Ireland?
Has an ageing squad been exposed by Les Bleus, or was Saturday's French thrashing merely a blip for the venerated green machine?
Pat McCarry
13 Mar 2025, 12:21
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 5 to 1
Wales' late, late show, Sexton's drop-goal, Russell's pass, Super Saturday 2015 and Wales' first Slam since 70s, but which is No.1…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
07 Mar 2025, 4:41
Opinion
Can 'great' Gibson-Park best 'freakish' Dupont in scrum-half clash for the ages?
A duel between the two best nines on planet rugby is a mouth-watering aspect of the likely Six Nations title decider between Irela…
Pat McCarry
07 Mar 2025, 0:03
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 10 to 6
Wales rock England, Scotland banish hoodoo, and France and Ireland end Grand Slam waits among our next five iconic moments.
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
06 Mar 2025, 1:14
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 15 to 11
Dupont's freakish power, O'Driscoll's genius, Scotland's sensational comeback and a Croke Park cracker feature in our next five o…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
05 Mar 2025, 5:05
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 20 to 16
Capuozzo’s sizzling break, Robinson's electric sidestep and Gatland's third Grand Slam feature among the second five of the tour…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
04 Mar 2025, 6:51
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 25 to 21
Bouthier's 90m boot, Zebo's fancy footwork and Hodge's gala day feature among the first five of the tournament's most iconic momen…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
03 Mar 2025, 8:34
Analysis
The games that defined legendary status for O’Mahony, Murray and Healy
Ireland are losing over 350 caps of Test experience at the end of the Six Nations and fans owe the feted trio immeasurable debt
Pat McCarry
28 Feb 2025, 5:18
Opinion
Jack Conan: A Lion longer in the tooth, but bearing his claws
Often deployed from the bench, the Leinster juggernaut is timing his run perfectly for the tour of Australia.
Pat McCarry
13 Feb 2025, 8:50
