Irish Rugby

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James Ryan has been handed a three-week suspension after the red card he was shown during Ireland's 24-13 defeat by South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday was upheld by an independent disciplinary committee.

Second row Ryan's yellow card for a high hit on Malcolm Marx in the early stages of the loss to the Springboks was subsequently upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

The independent committee determined that by applying World Rugby's sanctioning provisions, a mid-range entry point of six weeks was appropriate.

That has been reduced to three weeks, however, in light of Ryan accepting the red card, his clean record and other mitigating factors.

The sanction could be further reduced to two weeks should Ryan complete World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme as a substitute for the final week of his suspension.

That option is aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues which contributed to the incidence of foul play.

As it stands, Ryan is ruled out of Leinster's United Rugby Championship game against Dragons this weekend and the Investec Champions Cup matches at home to Harlequins on 6 December and away to Leicester Tigers on 12 December.

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During a distinguished playing career, former Ireland, Munster and British and Irish Lions scrum-half Conor Murray played alongside some legendary figures in the world of rugby union.

In a special edition of the BBC's Ireland Rugby Social podcast, Murray selects the best XV from all the players he lined up with during 15 years participating in the sport at the highest level.

The 36-year-old racked up 125 caps for Ireland, made 207 appearances for Munster and played eight Tests for the Lions across three tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

In his own position of scrum-half, Murray selected former Wales number nine Mike Phillips, one of three Welsh players in his XV.

Murray says he learned much from watching Phillips, "taking in as much information as he could" as part of the Lions squad in 2013.

A couple of Englishmen are also included in the selection, with the remainder of the team made up of his former Ireland team-mates.

Murray explains on the podcast that he believes Sam Warburton is worthy of his place in the side at open-side flanker because of both his performances and his leadership abilities.

Warburton led the Lions to a series victory over Australia in 2013 and a drawn series with New Zealand four years later.

The Welsh forward had natural leaders like Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell in the Lions ranks when he took up the reins for the 2013 tour at just 24 years old.

"To be honest, I'd say it was hard for him [to win everyone over at first]," said Murray.

"You had Paulie [O'Connell] and Drico [O'Driscoll] and players who had been on Lions tours before and people naturally looked up to them. They didn't have to earn people's respect.

"They looked up to Sam too but he was a new young captain, young to be captain of a British and Irish Lions team."

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The former Cardiff player retired from playing in July 2018 after failing to recover fully from neck and back surgery.

"He probably retired a bit early but what he did in that window was incredibly impressive. Seeing him on the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours he was someone who grew as a leader. He obviously earned unbelievable respect with his performances

"To be named captain in 2013 with Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll in that squad was a really daunting thing to do, and he managed to do that and win a series.

"For what Sam did over a long period of time he deserves to be in there. To be fair he let Paulie and Drico speak whenever they thought they needed to.

"When you're captain it's not just you. If you've got people around you you use the room, people who can possibly do it more naturally than you, if you're not an expert in a certain area, let them talk about it."

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Ireland internationals Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney are all available for Ulster's return to United Rugby Championship action on Friday against Benetton at Affidea Stadium (19:45 GMT).

The trio reported back for club duty at the conclusion of the Autumn Nations Series this week as Richie Murphy's men seek to get back to winning ways following their 49-31 defeat by the Lions in South Africa in late October.

There is further good news on the injury front as Juarno Augustus and Cormac Izuchukwu are back in training with their progress to be monitored this week.

Augustus suffered an arm injury in the 34-26 win over the Lions in the first leg of Ulster's South Africa tour last month and missed out on the Lions game.

Izuchukwu sustained a foot injury in Ulster's last home game in the URC - a 28-7 win over the Bulls - and missed out on the trip to South Africa plus Ireland's November internationals, but could return this week.

That news is tempered by confirmation that Ben Carson and Michael Lowry will miss out this week with Carson sustaining a hamstring injury in Ulster A's victory over the Connacht Eagles last Friday, while Lowry suffered an ankle in jury in the Ireland XV win against Spain three weeks ago.

Stuart McCloskey is also out due to the groin injury picked up in Ireland's win over Australia, joining Lorcan McLoughlin (elbow), Sean Reffell (shoulder), Ben Moxham (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (hamstring) and James McNabney (knee) on the sidelines.

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Ryan Baird and Jamie Osborne are major doubts for the start of Ireland's 2026 Six Nations campaign because of injury.

Versatile forward Baird, who was forced off in Ireland's 24-13 defeat by world champions South Africa on Saturday with a leg injury, will be out for "up to three months", according to his club Leinster.

Speaking after the loss to the Springboks, Ireland boss Andy Farrell said Baird - who started all four autumn Tests - suffered a suspected fractured tibia.

Osborne is facing a four-month spell on the sidelines with the shoulder injury he sustained in Ireland's win over Japan.

Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign with a trip to holders France on 5 February.

In their squad update, Leinster also confirmed wing Tommy O'Brien, who suffered a head injury against South Africa, and centre Robbie Henshaw (hamstring) will also miss Friday's United Rugby Championship match away to Dragons.

Leinster boss Leo Cullen will also be without Will Connors and James Culhane, who picked up arm and knee injuries respectively in Leinster 50-24 victory over Zebre last month.

There is good news for Cullen and Farrell, however, with lock Joe McCarthy entering the final stage of his rehabilitation from a foot injury he sustained during the first British and Irish Lions Test against Australia in July.

Leinster said he will "be further assessed as the week continues" but added there are no further updates on the fitness of Cormac Foley (calf) and Hugo Keenan (hip).

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Ireland centre Bundee Aki said his side is "moving in the right direction" despite their 24-13 defeat by South Africa, which came at the end of a mixed Autumn Nations Series.

Andy Farrell's side fell short against New Zealand in Chicago, had an unconvincing win over Japan before roaring back with a record victory over Australia.

They finished the year with a chaotic loss against the world champions, but Aki believes they have taken "a lot of good learnings" from their four games with the Six Nations on the horizon.

"Like we said at the start, from how poorly we started, there were some learnings there. We improved for Japan, more improvement again Australia," he said.

"They are world champions for a reason, but I think we're moving in the right direction, and I think this game will stand to us.

"I thought there was bloody good stuff from the boys there from the beginning right to the end. We have to regroup, go back to the drawing board and have a look at ourselves."

Ireland will not be in action again until their Six Nations opener against France in Paris in February.

As a result, Aki knows he and his teammates must park the autumn games and perform well for their clubs until then to give Ireland the best chance of wrestling back the championship crown.

"We finish the Autumn Nations Series now, we close that book, and I need to put my best foot forward for Connacht and be able to be playing well, giving the best for the team and put my hand up whenever I can," he added.

"There's loads of belief in that changing room. We back ourselves to be honest with each other and go again."

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Jack Crowley said there was "calmness" with Ireland despite playing a portion of Saturday's 24-13 defeat by South Africa with 12 players.

Five Ireland players were shown yellow cards as the Springboks won in Dublin for the first time since 2012.

After James Ryan's yellow card was upgraded to a 20-minute red card, Sam Prendergast, Crowley, Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy were all sent to the sin-bin for infringements.

Despite playing for 12 players for 10 minutes in the second half, Ireland pushed to the end but came up short of an unlikely comeback against South Africa.

"You are presented with the situation at hand, and the coaches and key leaders in the group put a plan in place and aren't phased by it," Crowley said.

"There was no panic - it was like, 'this is the situation and this is how we're going to handle it'."

Crowley said he was proud of the "fight" shown by Ireland, who won the second half 6-5 despite South Africa having a man advantage for the majority of the game, and he had "unbelievable pride".

"We wanted to win and we knew we could," he said.

"To be part of a group that fights that way for each other, I'm grateful to be part of that."

Crowley did say the actual game was "chaotic", and that he was frustrated with his own yellow card which came after he infringed with scrum-half Cobus Reinach while on the ground at a ruck.

"Coming in your are trying to bring that energy and I probably went over that edge, I was a bit desperate," the Munster fly-half said.

"It's in my control to avoid that, so it's frustrating."

Despite Ireland's fight, it was the world champions who left Dublin with an impressive victory and Crowley said they were a world-class side.

"We got what we expected from them," he said.

"If you do lack discipline, like we did at times, they are going to punish you."

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Centre Stewart Moore has been recalled from his loan to Newcastle Red Bulls by Ulster "due to recent injuries" in their senior squad.

The 26-year-old moved to the Prem club just 19 days ago and scored a hat-trick on his debut against Northampton Saints in the Prem Rugby Cup.

He had been due to start Newcastle's game against Saracens on Saturday.

In a statement, Ulster said that they had activated a recall clause to "ensure appropriate cover in key positions" and would provide a further update this week.

Stuart McCloskey has had his injury woes with Ireland this autumn, suffering a groin injury against New Zealand at the start of November and then going off injured against Australia with a recurrence of the same injury.

The Irish province sit fifth in the United Rugby Championship table after an impressive start to the season with three wins from their opening four games.

They return to action on Friday against Benetton (20:00 GMT) as the URC resumes following the autumn internationals.

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Quilter Nations Series - Ireland v South Africa

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 22 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Ulster; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app

Ireland wing James Lowe says changes to rugby union rules surrounding contestable high balls have "brought a bit of a different dynamic to the game".

The focus of the new rules has been making the high-ball contest more open, improving player safety by reducing dangerous tackles and penalising players who illegally block or escort opponents from getting to the ball.

Speaking to reporters before Saturday's Test against South Africa in Dublin, Lowe said the guidelines had made preparation and decision-making in "that massive facet of the game incredibly tougher".

"With the way the game is being refereed now it's completely different. The high ball, the contestable in the air, is completely different to what it was the last time we played against South Africa," reflected the 33-year-old.

"A thing we used to call 'the cradle', which was pretty much protecting the catcher so he could get a clean catch, there were about six lads protecting you to go up and try to win a high ball, now obviously that has changed and it has brought a bit of a different dynamic to the game.

"Obviously almost every contestable kick there's a collision in the air that you've got to worry about, there's trying to not knock it on, trying to win it cleanly.

"It's the way the game's going, we're doing a lot more in training, there's a lot more live contest in the air because you have to replicate it somehow."

The Leinster back explained that advice had been sought from gaelic footballers and Australian Rules players, for whom challenging for high balls is an integral part of their respective sports.

"We're talking to the GAA boys, and the AFL guys when we're in Australia too, trying to pick up a few things because obviously that's their bread and butter.

"Ninety five per cent of the time there's going to be a collision in the air so obviously timing is massive, trying to get knees higher than theirs, arms higher than theirs.

"It's tough. It has probably taken that skillset further and further and a lot of it is not only the battle in the air, it's the battle on the ground too."

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Former Ireland international Stephen Ferris said that South Africa are "overwhelming favourites" to beat Ireland in their autumn Test at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (17:40 GMT).

The back-to-back World Cup winners come into the game in Dublin off the back of winning the Rugby Championship title and beating France in Paris earlier this month despite playing half of the match with 14 men.

As a result, Ferris, who won 35 caps for Ireland, said a win against the Springboks would represent a "brilliant scalp" for Andy Farrell's men.

"South Africa are overwhelming favourites, they are going to bring huge physicality," Ferris told BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson after he was inducted into the Rugby Players Ireland Hall of Fame.

"Hopefully Ireland get a foothold in the set piece and if they can get their attack going through Sam Prendergast, who was exceptional last week for the most part, then we can sneak a win."

Ireland have won four of the past five matches between the sides, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool encounter and last year's hugely dramatic second Test in Durban.

Ferris hopes Ireland can back up their display against Australia with another statement win in what will be their last game before their Six Nations opener against France in February.

"The next game for Ireland after this is France. We've put Australia away, can we do the same with South Africa and then look at France after that?" he added.

"It'll be a massive challenge, but there's something about this team and young crop of players coming through and I firmly believe Ireland can get the win."

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Ireland eased injury concerns over full-back Mack Hansen before Saturday's much-anticipated Test against world champions South Africa (17:40 GMT).

Normally a right winger, Hansen scored a hat-trick in last week's win over the Wallabies from full-back with Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne out injured.

Retained at 15 for the Springboks' visit to Dublin, Hansen's right hand and index finger were heavily strapped during Ireland's training session at Aviva Stadium on Friday.

When Caelan Doris was asked about the Connacht player's fitness, an Irish Rugby Football Union spokesperson interjected to confirm Hansen had "trained fully".

"Everyone is good, yeah," added Doris.

Hansen's British and Irish Lions tour in the summer was ended by a foot injury, which ruled the 27-year-old out of the Test series against Australia.

The Canberra-born back aggravated the injury while playing for Connacht in October, forcing him to miss Ireland's matches against New Zealand and Japan earlier this month.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has already been forced into backline changes for the South Africa game, with last week's centre partnership Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw out injured.

Garry Ringrose has regained fitness to take Henshaw's place, with Bundee Aki replacing McCloskey.

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Ireland captain Caelan Doris admits there is "a lot on the line" for his side in Saturday's climactic autumn Test against world champions South Africa (17:40 GMT).

Having started the November campaign with a disappointing loss to New Zealand in Chicago, Ireland bounced back with comfortable wins over Japan and Australia in Dublin.

But a victory over the back-to-back World Cup winners on Saturday would give Ireland a major boost leading into the 2026 Six Nations.

"The success of this November hinges a little bit on our performance this weekend," said Doris.

"The momentum has built nicely as the weeks have gone on, but this is the real test now so there's a lot of excitement for it."

Like with the All Blacks, Ireland have enjoyed an intense rivalry with the Springboks in recent years, with Andy Farrell's side winning three of the past four meetings.

"There's definitely a rivalry there," added Doris.

"There's a strong understanding of how we both want to play the game. We've had some good results, they've beaten us over there in 2024.

"There's a lot on the line tomorrow, that's the feeling anyway, and the lads are excited for it."

Despite Ireland's strong record in this fixture, South Africa are widely viewed as favourites for Saturday's game following a thoroughly impressive run of results that included retaining the Rugby Championship title and beating France in Paris earlier this month despite playing half of the match with 14 men.

But Doris is not interested in whether or not Ireland are viewed as underdogs.

"We're not concerned with the external noise around that," said the 27-year-old, who reverts to his favoured number eight position after playing at open-side flanker against Australia last week.

"There's a good feeling in camp, there's an excitement about this game, there's an awareness that it will be a proper challenge and that we will need to be at our best, physically more than anything.

"But there's definitely belief that we can do the job if we're there."