LONG READOpinion
Brendan Fanning: 'Lancaster is unique in the list of Connacht coaches that will have an immediately positive effect on morale'
The recruitment of the former England and Leinster head coach brought a frisson of excitement to Connacht fans of sunnier times ah…
Brendan Fanning 04 Jun 2025, 23:48
LONG READOpinion
Brendan Fanning: 'Leinster have the best-resourced squad in these islands but can’t make it pay.'
Leadership and clarity escaped Leinster at a crucial time as their dream of a fifth Champions Cup star went up in smoke, again
Brendan Fanning 07 May 2025, 1:31
LONG READOpinion
Brendan Fanning: 'The problem with the good times in this country is we expect them to roll on forever.'
Ireland won a Triple Crown and won four out of five games but players and fans alike were left disappointed as standards dropped
Brendan Fanning 18 Mar 2025, 6:10
LONG READOpinion
Brendan Fanning: 'Wales have been insulted by the degree of arrogance abroad on this side of the Irish Sea.'
For Simon Easterby, a raft of changes is deemed to be manageable to overcome a Welsh side shorn of confidence and belief
Brendan Fanning 21 Feb 2025, 0:24
LONG READOpinion
Brendan Fanning: 'It doesn’t matter how good or bad Wales are, what can Ireland do for themselves?'
Simon Easterby's men are odds on to lift a third consecutive Six Nations but it doesn't mean they can rest on their laurels
Brendan Fanning 12 Feb 2025, 4:44
LONG READOpinion
Returning duo put Ireland on pole for record Lions tally as final auditions beckon
Heading into the Six Nations, Ireland look well placed to have as many as 16 players in the Lions squad.
Brendan Fanning 28 Jan 2025, 0:57
LONG READOpinion
Easterby takes the reins as cracks appear in Ireland's masterplan
Andy Farrell departs for Lions duty with his Ireland team looking unsure of itself and in need of rejuvenation
Brendan Fanning 08 Dec 2024, 1:01
LONG READOpinion
Mutual regard makes way for enmity as the flames of a very modern rivalry are fanned
Five Irish wins in nine meetings since a historic first in 2016 has transformed the Ireland-New Zealand relationship.
Brendan Fanning 06 Nov 2024, 7:41
LONG READOpinion
Croke Park bonanza a 'real-time show of strength' for Irish rugby
Attracting 80,000 to the home of Gaelic football for Leinster-Munster showed rugby in Ireland is in rude health.
Brendan Fanning 17 Oct 2024, 2:27
LONG READExclusive
Keith Wood: 'Our metrics in Ireland are magic, with the exception of World Cups'
Former Ireland captain believes greater focus on All Ireland League could give more players from different backgrounds a route to …
Brendan Fanning 15 Sep 2024, 0:08
Exclusive
Premier Sports set to swoop in for Champions Cup rights
If bookies had been offering odds on where the next rights to broadcast EPCR’s Champions and Challenge Cups were going they’d …
Brendan Fanning 19 Jul 2024, 10:59
LONG READOpinion
Boks sail close to the wind as Irish resources face further test
Both coaches have issues to resolve as South Africa and Ireland prepare to clash again in Durban.
Brendan Fanning 11 Jul 2024, 6:39
LONG READOpinion
Irish strategy short on detail as missing X-Men hinder Springbok heist
As the IRFU launches a four-year strategic plan, Andy Farrell's side tackle the Springboks without several key players.
Brendan Fanning 01 Jul 2024, 9:54
LONG READOpinion
Leinster 'sitting on a sharp stick' for running of the Bulls
It's uplifting for the URC that Ireland's most successful province are under pressure to deliver in Pretoria.
Brendan Fanning 13 Jun 2024, 11:23
LONG READAnalysis
Toulouse must go the distance to slam door on Leinster's five-star tilt
Toulouse have the star quality to cause Leinster more Champions Cup stress if the final goes to the wire.
Brendan Fanning 24 May 2024, 2:09