Interview
International Rugby
‘South Africa did exactly the right thing. If you have your foot on someone’s throat, you keep it there’
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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.
87 Articles
Latest
Autumn Nations Series
What does Jean de Villiers think of the Irish players facing the Boks?
4
13 days ago
Autumn Nations Series
There is disquiet in Ireland and changes are afoot to key lieutenants
1
20 days ago
Autumn Nations Series
Ireland continue to grapple with 'perplexing' lineout woes
6
29 days ago
International Rugby
Ireland back row bids to rediscover world-class edge v All Blacks
5
34 days ago
Exclusive
Tom Farrell: Ireland's 'incredible' latecomer making up for lost time
Should he make his debut next month, Munster's star centre would become the oldest Irish back to be capped in the professional era…
Pat McCarry
24 Oct 2025, 6:43
Opinion
Why Jack Crowley should be starting in the Ireland shirt this Autumn
Sam Prendergast has the might of Leinster behind him, but Jack Crowley is the form fly-half and merits another chance in the No 10…
Pat McCarry
17 Oct 2025, 9:05
5
Analysis
Should Andy Farrell roll the dice ahead of Autumn Series reckoning?
After a summer of success with the Lions, Farrell is back in green and tasked with navigating Ireland towards the 2027 World Cup
Pat McCarry
11 Oct 2025, 23:29
8
Exclusive
Ben Murphy – Connacht’s ‘quiet guy’ making some noise in race to succeed Ireland icons
With Conor Murray retired and Jamison Gibson-Park 35 by RWC27, Ben Murphy is eager to put himself at the front of the No.9 queue.
Pat McCarry
02 Oct 2025, 9:24
1
Opinion
URC season preview: How will the four Irish provinces fare?
Can anyone stop Leinster? How will Munster cope without legends? Can Connacht flourish under Stuart Lancaster? Will Ulster recover…
Pat McCarry
25 Sep 2025, 0:57
Exclusive
Nick Williams: 'I pinch myself when I look back. I’m getting emotional thinking of it now.'
The well-travelled former No 8 talks about his life with Munster, Ulster and Cardiff, life threatening heart attack and a new begi…
Pat McCarry
21 Sep 2025, 6:48
1
Interview
'We have what it takes to beat France' - Ireland aim to emulate history-makers
Ireland flattered to deceive against New Zealand but there is quiet confidence they can raise their game for the RWC quarter-fina…
Pat McCarry
12 Sep 2025, 2:22
Interview
'We're fitter, faster, stronger' - The day Ireland stunned the Black Ferns
Ireland were outsiders when the teams met for the first time at Rugby World Cup 2014, yet pulled off an historic, and seminal, tri…
Pat McCarry
05 Sep 2025, 0:00
3
Opinion
Andy Farrell left with tough Ireland decisions to make after mixed Lions Tour
The Ireland head coach has played a smart hand in Australia but there are question marks over the longevity of some of his trusted…
Pat McCarry
05 Aug 2025, 3:01
12
Opinion
Van der Flier Lions cut creates ripples with Ireland but Ryan gets late reward
Andy Farrell has cast a pall over Ireland’s best openside by leaving him out of all three Lions Tests.
Pat McCarry
01 Aug 2025, 10:24
12
Analysis
Hugo Keenan: From high school 'D' team to British and Irish Lions immortality
Once omitted from the Leinster sub-academy, the Ireland full-back has taken a long and arduous road to a fairytale moment Melbourn…
Pat McCarry
26 Jul 2025, 12:30
27
Opinion
How the Lions' injury-dogged 'Jukebox' Tadhg Furlong is still producing great hits
Despite a heavily disrupted season, Ireland's cornerstone tighthead is rolling back the years Down Under as he prepares to start a…
Pat McCarry
25 Jul 2025, 2:23
2
Opinion
Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 15-11
Gibbs tramples The Ox, Warburton sweet-talks the ref and a selection bombshell feature in the latest of our 25 iconic Lions moment…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
16 Jul 2025, 1:00
Opinion
‘He never backs down from a fight’ - Jack Conan times another Lions run to perfection
An outsider earlier in the season, the Ireland No.8 has come up on the rails for a second straight Lions tour.
Pat McCarry
13 Jul 2025, 1:38
5
Opinion
Only one Irish front-rower can be confident as Furlong and Porter fight for Test spots
Tadhg Furlong is still searching for fitness and form while team-mate Andrew Porter faces a battle for the No.1 jersey.
Pat McCarry
04 Jul 2025, 5:19
1
Opinion
Two Lions outsiders make strong Test cases amid Dublin defeat
While the overall display fell short, Finlay Bealham and Elliot Daly both pressed Test claims for the Lions.
Pat McCarry
23 Jun 2025, 9:31
1
Exclusive
Dave Kilcoyne: ‘These days, you can’t really throw a punch because you’ll be caught on the drone footage!’
The retiring Munster legend reminisces about the good old days in what has been a hugely successful career
Pat McCarry
11 Jun 2025, 13:54
Opinion
Ireland’s summer tour of first and last chances as debate swirls over absentees
With 15 players away with the Lions, a host of debutants are set to be unleashed on Ireland's summer tour.
Pat McCarry
06 Jun 2025, 1:04
3
Opinion
‘The mood was less ebullient. Irish rugby is not as imperious’
There was less to celebrate at Irish rugby's awards night than in recent years, with some silverware missing.
Pat McCarry
31 May 2025, 1:06
13
Opinion
The era of the hybrid player is upon us
Forwards who can play as backs and even backs who can move into the pack could be considered as rugby evolves
Pat McCarry
27 May 2025, 0:20
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