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, 8:50
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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.
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, 1:14
6
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, 0:40
47
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, 4:22
1
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, 5:33
11
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, 5:47
36
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, 3:48
2
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, 5:00
1
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, 14:38
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, 7:04
2
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, 9:41
Opinion
Ireland one more November defeat from a full-blown crisis of confidence
Andy Farrell saw his men put in one of their worst performances under his tenure and that has made a win over Los Pumas pivotal
Pat McCarry
11 Nov 2024, 13:48
21
Interview
'You don’t want to be the one shouting the loudest' - Andrew Porter plotting All Blacks payback
Stung by their heartbreaking loss in Paris at last year's World Cup, the Irish prop says they will give it everything to emerge vi…
Pat McCarry
07 Nov 2024, 9:36
3
Opinion
“He’s given Connacht everything” – Bundee Aki’s future, and an exciting tactical innovation
Still at the top of his game, the power-packed Connacht and Ireland midfielder could yet have a novel positional switch in him
Pat McCarry
03 Nov 2024, 12:29
3
Analysis
Why Ireland refuse to put O'Mahony, Murray and Healy out to pasture
The veteran trio has a combined age of 107 yet Andy Farrell wants his on-field ambassadors to stick around.
Pat McCarry
24 Oct 2024, 5:34
6
Interview
'I feared no opposition. I feared letting Axel down.' – Remembering a legend on a special anniversary
Donncha O'Callaghan and Orla Foley, sister of Anthony Foley, remember a Munster legend, eight years after his untimely passing
Pat McCarry
16 Oct 2024, 2:59
1
Analysis
Ireland’s Lomu, their next general at 10 and three other ‘Emerging’ stars who soared
The second Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa gave coaching an insight into the talent coming the famed system and didn't disap…
Pat McCarry
13 Oct 2024, 1:02
24
Exclusive
Jordi Murphy: 'If you drop your output by even 5 per cent, there’s someone else ready to go.'
The former Ireland backrow hopes to use his experience to help guide the next generation and learn from his mistakes
Pat McCarry
03 Oct 2024, 9:58
2
Interview
'There's not a lot wrong': Leinster going for broke to avoid more broken hearts
After three lost finals and four semi-final defeats in four seasons, how have Leinster regrouped for the new campaign?
Pat McCarry
17 Sep 2024, 7:56
Analysis
Munster hoping bold transfer decisions can help deliver more URC glory
Zebo may have retired and RG Snyman may have headed up the N7 to Leinster but Munster's low-key recruitment has been shrewd
Pat McCarry
11 Sep 2024, 13:23
1
