32 - 18

18 - 49

35 - 10

27 - 22

34 - 24

47 - 32

30 - 33

19 - 22

14 - 0

29 - 20

11 - 10

20 - 15

29 - 10

24 - 54

21 - 17

56 - 25

21 - 27

24 - 7

20 - 17

23 - 22

15 - 40

28 - 10

20 - 12

3 - 13

Today

09:00

Today

09:00

Today

14:05

Other than Sexton Farrell has full Ireland deck to pick from

By PA

31 Jul 2023

Johnny Sexton (L) the Ireland captain talks to head coach Andy Farrell during the Ireland captain's run at the Aviva Stadium on March 17, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Ireland have reported a fully-fit squad for Saturday’s Bank of Ireland Nations Series clash with Italy at the Aviva Stadium.

Head coach Andy Farrell named a 42-man training squad at the end of May in preparation for the World Cup in September and the players have regathered at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin.

Irish Rugby said: “The Ireland squad have stepped up their preparations ahead of Saturday night’s opening game of the Bank of Ireland Nations Series at Aviva Stadium against Italy (8pm).

“In team news, all players reported into camp on Sunday evening and are available for selection for the Bank of Ireland Nations Series.”

After their first warm-up match against Italy, Ireland will play England at Aviva Stadium (August 19) and Samoa in Bayonne (August 26) before their opening World Cup group game against Romania in Bordeaux on September 9.

Captain Johnny Sexton will miss the warm-up fixtures due to a three-match ban, but will be available for their opening World Cup fixture.

The 38-year-old fly-half admitted to a misconduct charge following his row with referee Jaco Peyper at the end of Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle in May, in which he did not play.

LIVE

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Lesser known names must step up if the franchise is to fulfil its aim of winning the URC and Champions Cup this season.

LONG READ

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Enforced rotation, poor results, and logistical and political issues have raised questions over the viability of South African Champions Cup involvements.

LONG READ

Return of 30-something brigade provides welcome tonic for Wales

The enduring class of Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams and Josh Adams on their returns gives Wales hope after a wretched year.

Comments on RugbyPass

Jobe 1 hour ago

Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC

I just can't agree with 8.5 for Ross Byrne. A 6 at best I would think.

2 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

I wouldn't take it personally that you didn't hear from Gatland, chief.

It's likely he just doesn't have your phone number.

You can't polish a turd. No coach can change that team at the moment.

12 Go to comments

Bull Shark 2 hours ago

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

Uhh, he was playing inside centre?

Do you understand the role of a 12?

2 Go to comments

Bull Shark 2 hours ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

"aside from winning RWCs and playing some really good rugby?"

What a doos.

11 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well if you’re correct in that assertion then it blows up all of the numbers in the original post that came from, do you recognise the overall number or even the 300k residual for senior male player numbers in SA?

Tbf, even 300k senior players is an impressive resource, particularly if there is a residual of untapped school talent that could be developed if required and resources allow.

174 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 3 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Now that is a slam dunk response right there!!!

174 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 3 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I’d say SA continuation is pretty much a slam dunk. They have brought much to the table in the URC with revenue growth, fan engagement and player enjoyment - yes, this is a factor too! On top of that there is still much headroom for further growth, both in the URC and especially with EPCR. The only resistance to SA teams comes from the English at present, mainly because they can’t win the CC any longer and their clubs are in real financial shit, but their recent overtures were firmly rejected.

I can only see great things on the horizon for SA inclusion in the URC and EPCR, if the right format adjustments are made. But if they are, then further success will follow and there is a strong likelihood that 6N becomes 7N as well.

174 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 3 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Great post and spot on in your analysis about generations to develop African rugby. There’s a strong argument to say that pursuing the successful URC path they’re already on and getting the EPCR comps to do similar will provide a role model for African countries AND fund SA activities, such as the development tours to Arg you mention, to help grow African rugby in parallel.

174 Go to comments

DH 3 hours ago

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

That's twice he has tried to run at forwards and got his butt kicked. This isn't school boy rugby anymore. Give the ball to the forwards to take up and manage your runners outside of you. Ask Pollard for advice on how, if you don't understand

2 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Pure fantasy JW.

174 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Yes that comment bewildered me too! The Rand in bad shape.

174 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

“I think if you asked me that question maybe three years ago or when I first left Australia, I had so much, I suppose, animosity or professional anger inside of me just because I felt like maybe my talent really wasn’t looked after in Australia.

“But to be honest now I feel like I am where I’m supposed to be, like here in Scotland. And I feel like all those things that happened early in my career were meant to happen because now I’m sitting here talking to you guys in the position that I am.”

From the horse's mouth. It's a better rugby destination.

174 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

That's a bit of a "NZ" only problem, because those players need to reach such a high standard to be chosen by the All Blacks, were as a country like Ireland wants them a lot earlier like that.

Nah. Ireland had to put in a lot of work on guys like JGP and Lowey to get them to the standard expected. There were areas of their game that were sub-par when they first came over from NZ.

174 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

They don't go for money, but for lifestyle, and NZ uses PI's a resource like everyone else. They don't belong to you.

174 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well I'm happy for it to go on until it naturally stops tbh.

Who on earth fo you think you represent JW?🤣

174 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

James Lowe is a great example. He may have some Irish ancestors, but he was born, raised, and developed in NZ, and for all intents and purposes is a Kiwi. However, when he was ignored by selectors, he moved to Ireland and only had to wait 5 years before he could play for a different nation. If thats not ridiculous, I don't know what is.

On very thin ice there. I can still recall Frank Bunce , Alama Ieremia, Tuigamala and the Bachops playing for both PI's and NZ in their Test careers! They were interchangeable.

Most guys at this level now are multi-qualified.

And much of Lowe's development as a player occurred at Leinster, so why wouldn't Ireland profit from it?

174 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

One of OJohn's Kiwi coaching 'moles'!

174 Go to comments

NB 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Stop talking nonsense JW.

174 Go to comments