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Nathan Johns

Nathan is a rugby journalist originally from Ireland but now based in the UK. Formerly of The Irish Times, he has covered the Six Nations, Champions Cup, URC, Gallagher Premiership and the 2023 World Cup to date. He is also a rugby broadcaster and current host of The Counter Ruck podcast.

16 Articles
Opinion

Why Celtic Challenge may not be an appealing enough competition for Ireland players

There are signs throughout the game that players are not in love with the Celtic Challenge. The resulting question focuses on the …

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
19 Jan 2026, 4:44
Opinion

Top 5 players of 2025: Ireland Women

There are plenty to chose from when compiling a list of who had the biggest impact in green across 2025. Here are Ireland’s top …

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
17 Dec 2025, 1:00

IRFU announces two Ireland stars to join the PWR

Niamh O’Dowd and Brittany Hogan have become the latest Irish internationals to sign for clubs in Premiership Women’s Rugby.

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
26 Nov 2025, 2:12
Opinion

'The IRFU has plenty of construction work on its plate': Where do Ireland go from here?

Four years ago, Irish tears were caused by a failure to qualify for the global showpiece. A top eight return coming off the back o…

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
17 Sep 2025, 8:54

'You can see it in the players' faces...We're gutted, we're heartbroken'

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand expressed pride in his side’s performance after a narrow 18-13 World Cup quarter-final defeat to…

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
15 Sep 2025, 4:57
Analysis

Analysis: Can Ireland turn it around in time for France quarter-final?

Attack. Defence. Set-piece. Kicking, Ireland were second best in every facet of the game against New Zealand. Can Ireland improve …

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
12 Sep 2025, 3:23
Interview

‘We’ve got nothing to lose’ – Ireland face Black Ferns in Pool C decider

Ireland and New Zealand have only met three times in the women’s game. Such a statement of fact jars, given the rugby pedigree o…

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
04 Sep 2025, 10:11
Interview

'We’ve got firepower' – Bemand hails Ireland after Spain scare

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand emphasised the positive result after a nervy victory over Spain at Franklin’s Gardens.

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
01 Sep 2025, 8:50
Opinion

Ireland given 'almighty fright': Four takeaways from Ireland v Spain

Ireland bettered their points total from their World Cup opener but not the performance as they struggled to a 43-27 victory over …

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
31 Aug 2025, 6:24
LONG READ
Analysis

Ireland benefitting as coaches transfer knowledge from men's to women's rugby

What has caused Ireland's improvement in their set piece heading into the World Cup? Ask players and each of them points in the di…

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
22 Aug 2025, 6:57
LONG READ
Interview

‘Joe’s generally a step ahead’: How Schmidt’s coaching tree branched into Lions brains trust

Four of Joe Schmidt's Ireland protégés will try to get one up on their coaching guru when the Lions tackle Australia.

Nathan Johns
Nathan Johns
19 Jun 2025, 3:43
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