Opinion
International Rugby
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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.
37 Articles
Latest
9 days ago Autumn Nations Series
All Blacks did a number on Ireland and that has set off huge worries
13 days ago Autumn Nations Series
Andrew Porter is desperate to atone for Rugby World Cup heartache
17 days ago Autumn Nations Series
Bundee Aki is still a wanted man and French riches could lure him away
27 days ago International Rugby
Why Ireland refuse to put O'Mahony, Murray and Healy out to pasture
Interview
'I feared no opposition. I feared letting Axel down.' – Remembering a legend on a special anniversary
Donncha O'Callaghan and Orla Foley, sister of Anthony Foley, remember a Munster legend, eight years after his untimely passing
Pat McCarry
16 Oct 2024, 5:59
Analysis
Ireland’s Lomu, their next general at 10 and three other ‘Emerging’ stars who soared
The second Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa gave coaching an insight into the talent coming the famed system and didn't disap…
Pat McCarry
13 Oct 2024, 4:02
Exclusive
Jordi Murphy: 'If you drop your output by even 5 per cent, there’s someone else ready to go.'
The former Ireland backrow hopes to use his experience to help guide the next generation and learn from his mistakes
Pat McCarry
03 Oct 2024, 12:58
Interview
'There's not a lot wrong': Leinster going for broke to avoid more broken hearts
After three lost finals and four semi-final defeats in four seasons, how have Leinster regrouped for the new campaign?
Pat McCarry
17 Sep 2024, 10:56
Analysis
Munster hoping bold transfer decisions can help deliver more URC glory
Zebo may have retired and RG Snyman may have headed up the N7 to Leinster but Munster's low-key recruitment has been shrewd
Pat McCarry
11 Sep 2024, 16:23
Exclusive
Why it's Ciaran Frawley's time in the Ireland 10 jersey
The drop-goal hero wants to prove he can be Leinster and Ireland's go-to fly-half.
Pat McCarry
04 Sep 2024, 7:36
Exclusive
Cathal Forde savours a decade of Bundee Aki and Connacht's new identity
The talented midfielder has gone from idolising powerhouse Aki to playing alongside him.
Pat McCarry
30 Aug 2024, 4:06
Exclusive
Mack Hansen: 'The All Blacks let their girlfriends do their fighting for them!'
The colourful Ireland wing on New Zealand's 'trash talk', long-term injury, and letting personality shine.
Pat McCarry
24 Aug 2024, 4:06
Analysis
Jamie Osborne heads up the Irish family who may one day rival the Barretts
The precocious back and eldest of five siblings shone on his introduction to the Test arena in South Africa.
Pat McCarry
13 Aug 2024, 6:00
Opinion
The ‘Connacht colossus’ and the best Irish prospects for big-time shots
England U20s may have won the ultimate prize but Ireland's young conveyor belt of talent shows no sign of grinding to a halt
Pat McCarry
29 Jul 2024, 16:36
Opinion
'Ireland could end up with 20 Lions after winning back the world's respect'
Ciaran Frawley's drop-goal changed the Irish narrative and they have a glut of British and Irish Lions contenders.
Pat McCarry
18 Jul 2024, 2:19
Analysis
Hitting joints and closing doors: How South Africa rumbled Ireland's lineout
Ireland's lineout issues in Pretoria had shades of the Springboks' hatchet-job in their RWC clash.
Pat McCarry
10 Jul 2024, 10:29
Analysis
Massive Andy Farrell decision asks three Ireland stars to put their legacies on the line
Giants of Irish rugby must go to the well again as a monumental Test series against the Springboks looms.
Pat McCarry
03 Jul 2024, 7:01
Analysis
Munster prospects aim to drive Ireland U20s to world glory
Back-rower Brian Gleeson and captain Evan O’Connell are among those aiming to go one better than last year in South Africa.
Pat McCarry
27 Jun 2024, 2:44
Opinion
Resilient Irish will test Springboks despite provincial setbacks
South Africa may feel they have Ireland figured out, but would do well to recall an important recent lesson.
Pat McCarry
20 Jun 2024, 1:58
Analysis
Leinster have made their big call, but something still needs to change
The battle to replace Johnny Sexton at No 10 has intensified but can Leo Cullen's province really sustain five out-halves?
Pat McCarry
11 Jun 2024, 10:58
Opinion
Peter O’Mahony has passed the torch, but that old Munster fire remains
A talisman for his country and province, the legendary backrow is desperate to add to his trophy haul with a URC Final win
Pat McCarry
05 Jun 2024, 12:03
Opinion
How Leinster should learn from Dan Carter after toughest Champions Cup 'lesson' of all
With no Johnny Sexton and no history of clutch drop-goal kickers on the field, Leinster have been left to rue a loss by the finest…
Pat McCarry
28 May 2024, 4:45
Analysis
Ross Byrne has the grandest stage to prove his doubters wrong
Stepping out of Johnny Sexton's shadow was never going to be easy but Leinster's out-half has a day of reckoning in London
Pat McCarry
23 May 2024, 13:03
Opinion
IRFU get their man as Richie Murphy tasked with Ulster rescue
The Belfast-based province have endured a rollercoaster season and shoud reach the play-offs if they can topple mighty Leinster
Pat McCarry
16 May 2024, 10:07
