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, 10:06
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.
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, 14:21
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, 6:41
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, 2:03
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, 3:14
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, 7:05
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, 8:51
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, 10:34
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, 7:18
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, 10:50
Opinion
Is ‘lightning rod’ Lowe edging Lions duel with Van der Merwe?
If Andy Farrell opts to take only one specialist left wing to Australia, Sunday's 'contest within a contest' may prove pivotal.
Pat McCarry
07 Feb 2025, 3:14
Opinion
Ireland are Six Nations favourites but issues are starting to mount
Simon Easterby's men are joint-favourites with France to retain their trophy but there are problems to solve in Ireland
Pat McCarry
31 Jan 2025, 2:40
Interview
'Sam's in the driving seat' - Kearney backs Prendergast for Ireland start
Irish great Rob Kearney explains why Sam Prendergast should start at fly-half ahead of Jack Crowley.
Pat McCarry
22 Jan 2025, 6:22
Opinion
All but two positions locked in for Ireland’s starting XV for England
Even with uncertainty over hooker and left wing, Ireland's XV for their Six Nations opener is set to be distinctly blue-tinted.
Pat McCarry
16 Jan 2025, 7:33
Opinion
Could Jacques Nienaber be linked with Ireland job after exerting Bok influence on Leinster?
The four-time Champions Cup winners are looking in imperious form with the methods of the revered Springbok coach to the fore
Pat McCarry
09 Jan 2025, 7:47
Exclusive
Shamus Hurley-Langton: 'When your club has three All Blacks, no-one cares much about me!'
The Connacht flanker is settled far from his native New Zealand as he enters the make-or-break part of his Irish stay.
Pat McCarry
28 Dec 2024, 5:48
Opinion
Barrett and Prendergast put Leinster European rivals on notice
Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman give Leinster two new weapons in their teeming arsenal, but young guns are also hitting the mark.
Pat McCarry
13 Dec 2024, 7:00
Opinion
Andy Farrell's final answer as Ireland coach tells us how he will run his Lions team
The Lions head coach has assured journalists he will not be taking it easy as he prepares for the 2025 tour to Australia
Pat McCarry
05 Dec 2024, 16:38
Analysis
Tadhg Beirne’s latest feat puts him among the modern-day greats
The understated Munster and Ireland backrow has exemplified excellence on both sides of the ball and is officially one of the worl…
Pat McCarry
26 Nov 2024, 9:04
Opinion
Jack Crowley answers doubters, before Sam Prendergast stakes his claim
Jack Crowley's composure and Sam Prendergast's cameo bode well for Ireland while Robbie Henshaw remains a Lions contender.
Pat McCarry
18 Nov 2024, 11:41
