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Garry Doyle Garry is a rugby reporter with the highly respected Irish sports website, The42. He has previously worked as Chief Sports Writer for The Times, Ireland edition having also held that title with The Irish News of the World. He has covered 21 Six Nations campaigns and reported from 52 different countries in his career as a sports reporter, including that unforgettable day in November 2016, when Ireland recorded their first ever win over the All Blacks at Soldier Field, Chicago.

OPINION
Garry Doyle

'Don't get your Twickers in a twist'

Yes, Ireland's standards dipped, but the panic following their last-gasp loss to England is over the top.

INTERVIEW
Garry Doyle

Eddie O'Sullivan: 'One win in the Five Nations was considered a good year'

The revolution in Irish rugby in the last decade and a half has transformed a squad of also-rans into a side other countries aspir…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

La méthode Farrell qui a permis à l’Irlande de rester sur le toit du monde

Même après quatre ans d’un premier mandat, le sélectionneur de l’Irlande reste abonné à la victoire, au contraire de Fabi…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Four changes Farrell made to reset Ireland on a path to glory

Andy Farrell is a much-changed coach from the one who critics felt was facing the sack three years ago

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Great expectations replace hope as Ireland chase consecutive Grand Slams

In the last decade or so, Ireland have moved the dial in people's perceptions, from plucky also-rans to elite, clinical profession…

OPINION
Garry Doyle

Garry Ringrose: How rejection bred resilience in Ireland's centre of excellence

The quiet man of Irish rugby has shown defiance in adversity to become a leader for club and country

OPINION
Garry Doyle

Irish contemplate four more years of hurt

Andy Farrell's men could do no more in an epic encounter against the All Blacks and despite regrets, perspective is required to ho…

OPINION
Garry Doyle

No ordinary Joe

When the former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt accepted a role back within the All Black inner sanctum it set him on course for an Iris…

EXCLUSIVE
Garry Doyle

'There is no team Ireland cannot beat but I know what can go wrong'

Irish great Shane Byrne tempers his Rugby World Cup optimism with a sharp history lesson

OPINION
Garry Doyle

'Let's return to reality - Ireland must exercise caution'

Irish expectation soars as Andy Farrell's team sweeps all in its path, but cool heads are needed if they are to heed mistakes of t…

OPINION
Garry Doyle

The fire that drove Peter O'Mahony to become a Test centurion

The teak-tough Munsterman will win his 100th Test cap against South Africa and his legacy as an Irish great is assured

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

O'Connell helps Farrell learn from the ghosts of 2007

The 2007 Rugby World Cup proved a salutary lesson in how not to run a World Cup campaign, but Ireland have listened and learnt

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

To understand Robbie Henshaw, you need to know who he is and where he is from

The powerful Leinster centre has overcome a quiet disposition to make plenty of noise in Andy Farrell's Irish winning machine

OPINION
Garry Doyle

Ireland head to France buoyed by expectation and a sense of destiny

The world's number one team are about to find out whether they can make history of continue a trend of underachievement

INTERVIEW
Garry Doyle

Ireland's World Cup failures laced with perspective and building blocks to a better future

Ireland's World Cup story is one of disappointment but out of quarter-final failures have come plans that have changed the game fo…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Saracens back on their perch to continue the dynasty

Despite spirited resistance from Sale Sharks, few members of the Twickenham crowd doubted Mark McCall's men would wrestle back the…

OPINION
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

La Rochelle complete the modern-day miracle

It's been a challenging season in rugby but the Heineken Cup final showed the game can reach parts few other sports can on a breat…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Owain Jones

Sale Sharks show true Northern pride

George Ford inspires Sale to reach their first Premiership final in 17 years and despite facing Saracens, they will have nothing t…

INTERVIEW
Garry Doyle

Andy Friend: 'I’m a husband and a father. That is what defines me.'

The Connacht head coach will depart for Australia within weeks, and he hopes to leave the province with a parting gift

OPINION
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Saracens' road to redemption gathers pace

The late Premiership Final loss to Leicester Tigers will have hurt Mark McCall's men and they will be fired to reclaim their title

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

All hail Chris Ashton, the Premiership's first try-centurion

The much-travelled England wing has spent a career scoring tries and he crossed an impressive milestone against Exeter Chiefs

OPINION
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Heineken Cup nears the business end as the elite show their class

Domestic rugby's premier competition has been whittled down to the final eight and there are some tantalising fixtures in store

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Irish march towards Premiership play-offs

Declan Kidney has inspired an epic turnaround with a roster full of gifted youngsters and they have silverware in their sights

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Ireland are masters of all they survey, now for the World Cup

The feats of Andy Farrell's squad will be lauded in the years to come but they must now rid themselves of the World Cup hex

Garry Doyle

The day Martin Johnson turned right

Twenty years ago, both Ireland and England were vying for a morale-boosting Grand Slam and the England captain was in no mood for …

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Battered Ireland close in on a Grand Slam

Andy Farrell's men have shown throughout the tournament that they can adapt and thrive and that bodes well for a World Cup tilt

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Bristol Bears bare their teeth as renaissance gathers momentum

Pat Lam's side have been in the doldrums but a sense of rejuvenation is in the air at Ashton Gate

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

The support acts driving Ireland to the top of the world

The towering Andy Farrell and Paul O'Connell are hard to look past in driving excellence but the wider coaching team deserves imme…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Progress of Ollie Lawrence sees England's overreliance on Manu Tuilagi dwindle

The Six Nations gives players a platform to rewrite their stories and the Bath centre is proving he can thrive in adversity

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Van der Flier emerges from the shadows

The reigning World Player of the Year is an example of what can be achieved through hard work and a strong faith

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Mike Brown proves the doubters wrong

Left on the professional scrapheap at 37, Mike Brown never gave up hope and he had his day in the sun with Leicester Tigers

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

The Irish eyes are smiling

Ireland showed they can walk the walk without a gamut of frontline stars in a battle for the ages against an obdurate, gifted Fren…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

The French connection

From Bod’s hat-trick to Sexton’s drop-goal, no opponent has defined this Irish rugby century quite like France

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Van der Merwe's heroics silence the Twickenham masses

A try for the ages lights up a thrilling opening weekend of Six Nations rugby as Scotland, Ireland and France register away wins

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Is Hugo Keenan the world's best full-back?

A late developer, it was a steely resolve to get better that saw the Leinster man emerge on the world stage

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

RFU tackle-law debacle highlights rugby's existential crisis

The challenge for rugby to become a safer sport but still retain the elements that have made it a cherished sport to so many has b…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Is Welsh belief growing with the return of Warren Gatland?

The influence of the legendary Welsh coach has been seen after an upturn in fortunes for the beleaguered Welsh regions

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Why Ireland may rue Ben Healy pledging allegiance to Scotland

The talented Munster out-half has a Scottish mother and Gregor Townsend has lured him to play in blue, not green

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Will Eddie have the last laugh?

The sacked England coach has gone home where he hopes to leave a legacy with the Wallabies, starting with a World Cup run in Franc…

OPINION
Garry Doyle

Is this the year Ireland shake their World Cup hex?

There are great expectations placed upon Andy Farrell's side in what is shaping up to be a definitive year for Ireland

OPINION
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Farrell divides opinion like no other

The high-profile Saracen is in hot-water after a dubious tackle but his enduring qualities endear him to team-mates

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Borthwick eyes English revival

The England fightback has started with the appointment of well-regarded Cumbrian and his assistant Kevin Sinfield

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Watson magic gives rugby fans some festive cheer

While rugby fans froze at games, or kept themselves toasty by the fireside, they could all rejoice seeing Anthony Watson back in f…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Eddie Jones awaits his fate

The England head coach role could soon be vacant as the pressure mounts a year out from the World Cup in France

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

How Dan Sheehan became one of the world's best hookers

Overlooked at age-grade level, Dan Sheehan has had intense competition for the Leinster and Ireland shirt but is seen as a rising …

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

England feel the hurt and Eddie Jones feels the heat

The RFU is none too pleased with England's performances this Autumn, while in Wales, the crisis button is close to being pushed

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

England's stirring comeback fires up Twickenham faithful

England were on the canvas with nine minutes left to go before staging a famous 19-point recovery job to stun the All Blacks

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Steward takes charge as England momentum is restored

After their shock loss to Argentina, England steady the ship to down Japan as the All Blacks juggernaut rolls into town

INTERVIEW
Garry Doyle

Billy Holland: 'I hope Munster stick it to them the way Ireland did on Saturday'

Munster's most capped player had the chance to leave his home province but stayed and he wants his side to give South Africa 'A' t…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

England left with more questions than answers

England were yet again left to search for positives after a narrow loss to Argentina, ramping up the pressure on Eddie Jones

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

The Final Furlong

Sure, Ireland have achieved a huge amount in recent years but what they really crave is respect at the World Cup and falling short…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Luck of the Irish runs out at Quins

Harlequins into raptures as contentious stoppage time try breaks the hearts of London Irish fans as chaos reigns at The Stoop

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Marcus Smith rekindles the magic as Autumn Tests loom

The Harlequins playmaker shows his superstar worth as the Sale Sharks machine finally grinds to a halt with their first Premiershi…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Mired in crisis, yet Premiership Rugby provides a joyous spectacle

The financial crisis around English rugby is dominating headlines off the pitch, which is at odds with the glittering rugby on it

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

The fight for Worcester Warriors not to be forgotten

With the Warriors sunk and doubts still surrounding Wasps' short-term future as a Premiership Rugby club, rugby's financial climat…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Tall, dark and Hansen

Mack Hansen has been a breath of fresh air in the Ireland set-up and integral to Connacht's squad but his journey to Galway is lit…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Saracens lay down a marker as McFarland takes flight

Mark McCall's men exacted the perfect revenge mission on Leicester Tigers as the reigning champs were eviscerated

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Rugby must not forget about Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors are a club that needs the support of the game in financially troubling times, and the hope is that rugby at Six…

INTERVIEW
Garry Doyle

The pathfinder: Fiona Coughlan

The Irish Women's game has been left lagging without professional contracts but there is now hope things are set to change and the…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Ireland on top of the world as they humble All Blacks

The rugby world was turned on its head as Ireland defeated the All Blacks in the Series decider, leaving England to follow suit, w…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Dominant Ireland deliver history

A remarkable round of results have seen England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland win against Southern Hemisphere opposition on the sam…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Uncertain England left looking for answers

The Southern Hemisphere are victorious as England yet again flatter to deceive, Ireland are blown away and Scotland are downed by …

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

New Zealand v Ireland: The final frontier

Andy Farrell's men have yet to register a win against the All Blacks in New Zealand, but they may not get a better chance than the…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Owain Jones

The Barbarians put on a show to embarrass England

Eddie Jones is humiliated as the BaaBaas cut loose, leaving England to head to Australia with renewed pressure to deliver results

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

The rugby world mourns the loss of Phil Bennett

The world of rugby mourns the loss of the iconic Phil Bennett, Saracens and Leicester Tigers book a heavyweight clash at Twickenha…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Premiership play-off draw adds spice to the sparkle

Saracens will face Harlequins in the first of two tasty Premiership play-off games, while Leicester Tigers host a rejuvenated Nort…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

La Rochelle's fairy-tale story strikes a blow for the underdog

La Rochelle wrote themselves into the history books with a seismic Champion Cup win to further enhance the reputation of Ronan O'G…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Champions Cup final: When Johnny met Rog

Johnny Sexton and Ronan O'Gara have had a chequered relationship over the years but now on friendlier terms, they resume hostiliti…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Smokin' Joe lands knockout punch for Quins

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Is Johnny Sexton set to become Ireland's greatest player?

Johnny Sexton inches up towards the top of Irish greats, Leo Cullen every inch the equal of Stuart Lancaster and Gabin Villiere ma…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Sean O'Brien: The pathfinder

The abrasive backrow forward hangs up his boots this summer knowing he has blazed a trail on and off the field

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Henry Arundell announces himself on the world stage

The London Irish wunderkind has caught the attention of Eddie Jones, while Leicester Tigers reach their ceiling against Leinster a…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall

Rugby's next frontier at hand as records tumble and big questions loom

Women's rugby could be the game's next great frontier on a weekend when records fell, losing streaks ended and huge questions were…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Saracens getting in the groove for trophy hunt

The five-time Premiership Champions served notice against Exeter Chiefs that they won't rest until they get their crown back

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Munster try to escape history's shadow

Expectations placed upon Munster coaches are notoriously high and Johaan van Graan has eight weeks to deliver some silverware to a…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Leicester Tigers setting the pace

Freddie Steward leads the English charge as the giants of the game assemble for a no-holds barred battle to be crowned kings of Eu…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Rivals to tread Care-fully around the dangerous Quins

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Ireland in rude health but fears of early World Cup exit fester

 Ireland have a good enough team to cause an upset at next year’s World Cup but lack depth to go all the way

Jamie Lyall

Ashton takes flight to write himself into the record books

The former England wing has finally drawn level with Tom Varndell as the Premiership top scorer in a weekend Leicester booked thei…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Six Nations: Charlie Ewels pays the ultimate price to set-up classic encounter

England fade late in a compelling Six Nations clash, Wales give France a mighty fright and Saracens learn to win without their sup…

Garry Doyle

Six Nations: The resurrection men

How Ireland became a refuge for the coaches who presided over England’s doomed 2015 World Cup

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Saracens peg back Tigers in the race for the Premiership

Saracens beat the league leaders Leicester, Duhan van der Merwe's red card kicks off social media frenzy and the Welsh regions are…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

England stutter to victory but are still in the Six Nations running

England get the job done after narrowly beating an improving Wales side, while Scotland lick their wounds after a French mauling a…

INTERVIEW
Garry Doyle

David Corkery: 'I really worry about the head. I got knocked out and seconds later I was playing again'

The former Ireland backrow was a star at the 1995 World Cup but as a guinea pig of early professionalism the repeated blows have h…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Six Nations: Tuilagi storms back into the Six Nations reckoning

The return of Manu Tuilagi has lifted the spirits of England fans while rugby mourns the passing of Steve Black and fans rage abou…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Six Nations: Marcus Smith sparkles but sterner tests await

The Six Nations delivers on thrills and spills as England and Wales rebound, while only France can win the elusive Grand Slam...

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Six Nations: Scotland dare to dream

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Rugby shows vision to widen its congregation

Rugby returned to terrestrial TV in a boon to domestic rugby and with the Six Nations just days away, rugby is set to return to ce…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Andy Farrell to perform high-wire balancing act with Ireland

The Ireland coach is entering the Six Nations with the wind in his sails after wins over England and New Zealand in the last 12 mo…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Is George Ford primed as a starter or support act?

The 77-cap England fly-half is to be parachuted back into the England squad in the wake of Owen Farrell's injury with a point to p…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Opportunity knocks for England's shining stars

This week will be make or break for rugby stars up and down the country with squads being named for the Six Nations and a few play…

Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Wasp bite downs mighty Tigers

A resurgent Wasps upset the form-book and down unbeaten Tigers as the countdown for the Six Nations continues apace

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Smith and Fish serve up a festive feast of rugby

Harlequins and Cardiff served up a festive delight while Leicester continued their unbeaten run as European rugby was ravaged by C…

INTERVIEW
Garry Doyle

Earls of wisdom

Munster and Ireland wing is inspiring the next generation by talking openly about his struggles with bipolar disorder

Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Dupont is surging towards greatness

Antoine Dupont bewitches the rugby world, Munster marvel agains Wasps and Edinburgh down the mighty Saracens

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Tigers continue to bare their teeth

Leicester Tigers continue to blaze a trail in the Premiership, while Munster and Cardiff scramble to prepare for Europe after Sout…

Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Premiership heavyweights go toe-to-toe

Saracens come out on top in slugfest over Sale, the Samoans put on a sad show at Twickenham and the URC flies in to Covid chaos

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

England quicken the pulse but Eddie Jones will not rest on his laurels

The rugby world had its best day since crowds returned as France won hearts, England showed elan and Ireland finally kicked off th…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

No more false dawns?

Ireland lifted the spirts of a nation at a rocking Aviva Stadium in Dublin but for the players, there will be no getting carried a…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Jamie Lyall   Owain Jones

Scotland the braves

The first full round of inter-Hemisphere tests since the 2019 World Cup kicked off with a bang.

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle

Can Farrell turn doubters into believers?

Andy Farrell has been Ireland head coach for nearly two years but still has his critics. Can the Autumn Series see an upturn in hi…

ANALYSIS
Garry Doyle   Owain Jones

Leicester Tigers show their muscle

Leicester Tigers underlined their notable renaissance, Worcester Warriors wilted under a Saints bombardment and Wales' omitted sta…

Garry Doyle

Tiger kings back on their throne

The domestic season is in full swing and Leicester Tigers are leading the way, while the South African franchises continue struggl…

Garry Doyle

Willie Anderson: A life less ordinary

From facing the haka to an Argentinian jail and standing tall in The Troubles, Willie Anderson is an Irish rugby colossus.

Garry Doyle

The unlikely lads pushing for a Lions Test start

Few people outside Ireland had heard of Tadhg Beirne or Jack Conan in 2017, now both players are in contention to start the first …

Garry Doyle

Why is Conor Murray the new Lions captain?

The Munster and Ireland scrum-half has precious little captaincy experience but he will have to learn fast on the biggest stage

Garry Doyle

Destiny's child

From tragedy and torment to trophies and tours, Andrew Porter's journey to the Lions.

Garry Doyle

Rising to the challenge

After rebuilding a club that was at its lowest ebb in 2018, Dan McFarland is closer than ever to ending Ulster’s 15-year title d…

Garry Doyle

Building the empire

From Liverpool to Lancaster, how Leinster have become a European rugby juggernaut.

Garry Doyle

Time to breathe

Thumping England was a huge fillip for Andy Farrell and his Ireland reign. The next step is to win a trophy.

Garry Doyle

CJ's last stand

From project player to talisman, back-row CJ Stander will be remembered as an Ireland great

Garry Doyle

Looking for inspiration

Ireland have been on a downward spiral since beating the All Blacks in 2018

Garry Doyle

Tortured souls

Andy Farrell's Ireland team seem to be trapped between heaven and hell

Garry Doyle

Six Nations preview: Ireland

Ireland's task for this Six Nations is to show they can live with the might of England and France

Garry Doyle

Living in exile

Eddie O’Sullivan is Ireland's second-most successful coach yet has been ostracised since 2008.

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