Irish Rugby

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Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby has said Sam Prendergast "is the right man" to start at number 10 against England in the Six Nations.

Leinster fly-half Prendergast, 21, will line up on Saturday after getting the nod ahead of Munster's Jack Crowley, who was named on the bench.

Easterby says there were "no pre-conceived ideas" around selection and the pair will "compete for a long time" for the starting jersey.

"This decision has gone Sam's way," said Easterby, who is taking charge of Ireland while Andy Farrell prepares to lead the British and Irish Lions.

"We think he has done really well in November and got a taste for international rugby.

"He then went away and played really well for Leinster in a good period for them, and he was a big part of that."

'It was one of the tough calls'

Easterby said Crowley "has a lot of credit in the bank" given his performances for Ireland, which included playing every minute of their Six Nations title win in 2024, adding that he will "impact the game in the right way".

"Even the way Jack has trained and played coming into the Six Nations means that Sam knows that he has to keep raising his game and keep getting better," said Easterby.

"It was one of the tough calls, but there was probably six or seven of those decisions throughout the team where we would have been happy to go with either player."

Easterby acknowledges that the other teams will be "trying to get ahead" of Ireland, who are aiming for an unprecedented third title in a row.

"We reflected on our performances around November but we felt like we had to keep evolving as a team," Easterby said.

"We need to keep pushing on. Other teams are going to see what we are doing and feel like they can get ahead of us. We know we have to keep progressing and getting better.

"We were pleased with how both of them [Prendergast and Crowley] went in November, and for the team to evolve those two need to keep evolving and getting better."

Listen to Ireland v England in the Six Nations (Saturday, 16:45 GMT) on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Ulster

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Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] referee Chris Busby has confirmed he will retire from officiating "over the next few weeks".

The 38-year-old's performance in Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in December was criticised by Ireland international Mack Hansen, with the winger subsequently banned for three games.

Hansen said the refereeing of the interprovincial derby had made it feel like Connacht were playing against "16 men" with his resulting sanction including an apology to the referee.

Busby made his professional refereeing debut in 2020 and took charge of his first international game the following year.

He was an assistant referee at the 2023 World Cup in France and had the whistle for an all-Tier 1 Test for the first time when world champions South Africa beat Wales at Twickenham last year

Busby also refereed Scotland's Autumn Nations Series win over Australia at Murrayfield in November and had been appointed as an assistant referee for France v Wales and Italy v France in this year's Six Nations.

"It's been a truly amazing journey, allowing me to share the pitch with some of the best players in the world, and taking me to stadiums and places I could barely have dreamed of when I started reffing," he said in a statement.

The Hansen situation is not thought to be the sole factor in Busby's decision to step away from the game.

"I know the transition away from professional sport will have its challenges over the next few months, but I can't wait to get started on the next chapter," he added.

"Thanks to all the players, coaches, fans, and especially the refereeing community who have made it all possible—through all the highs and lows, I've absolutely loved every second of it."

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Ulster forward Kieran Treadwell will leave the province at the end of the season to rejoin Harlequins.

The 29-year-old arrived at Kingspan Stadium from the Gallagher Premiership side in 2016 and has made 171 appearances in the white jersey, in addition to winning 11 caps for Ireland.

Treadwell made his international debut against Japan in 2017 and was a member of Andy Farrell's side that won a series in New Zealand in 2022, appearing in all three Tests, as well as featuring in the final game of the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.

He is a product of the Quins' academy and made six appearances for the side before his move to Ulster.

"I arrived in Belfast eight years ago as a 20-year-old with a chance to represent Ulster and a dream of playing international rugby," he said.

"I never knew when I arrived how much playing for Ulster would mean to me and how much I would love living here.

"I leave as a man who has represented the province over 170 times and fulfilled my ambition of playing international rugby."

Ulster have previously confirmed that Juarno Augustus will be added to their pack before the 2025-26 campaign.

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The prospect of becoming the first team to win three Six Nations titles in a row has not been a "massive" talking point for Ireland in the run-up to the tournament, says Jamison Gibson-Park.

After the Grand Slam in 2023 and last year's title, Ireland are hoping to complete a hat-trick this year.

"I wouldn't say massive - it's been mentioned, but we're pretty week-to-week focused in here," said the New Zealand-born scrum-half.

"It's a cliche answer that you're used to getting but the most important thing is you focus on the game ahead of you and it's a pretty incredible opportunity to get after so we'll get stuck in."

While Gibson-Park is certain to start at scrum-half, the identity of his half-back partner for the England game has been the subject of intense debate.

Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast are competing for the 10 jersey in interim head coach Simon Easterby's line-up, which will be named at 12:00 GMT on Thursday.

"I think it's awesome to have such competition and getting cracks at each other," said Gibson-Park.

"Obviously we didn't get it at Christmas [when Crowley was not selected in the Leinster v Munster game], but I think it's great for them.

"They're both going to be unbelievable players so I'm excited to watch that down the years."

When asked if Gibson-Park found the level of focus on Irish fly-halves strange when he first joined Leinster, he said: "No, I think it's pretty much the same in New Zealand, the Dan Carter era.

"When you think about ROG [Ronan O'Gara] and Sexto [Johnny Sexton], there was Carter and [Andrew] Mehrtens and all these guys so it's always a big talking point wherever you are really."

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Munster have announced the signings of Leinster front-rowers Michael Milne and Lee Barron on two-year deals.

Loose-head prop Milne, 25, and hooker Barron, 23, will switch Irish provinces at the end of the season.

Milne has scored 12 tries in 47 appearances for Leinster since making his debut as an Academy player in 2019.

He represented Emerging Ireland in 2022 and has twice been called up to train with the Ireland senior squad.

Barron represented Ireland at Under-20 level and contributed three tries in 22 appearances since making his bow for Leinster against the Sharks in 2022.

He has spent the past five years at Leinster and scored one try in six appearances so far this campaign.

Versatile Academy prop Kieran Ryan, who has played for Munster 11 times, will move up to a development contract next year and will progress to a senior contract for 2026-27.

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Ireland forward Tadhg Beirne believes the England captaincy will be a benefit, not a burden, to Maro Itoje during the Six Nations.

Hooker Jamie George had served as Steve Borthwick's skipper since the 2023 World Cup but the role has been passed on to his Saracens team-mate for this campaign.

Beirne, who was a British and Irish Lions team-mate of the 30-year-old lock in South Africa four years ago, thinks Itoje can be "the reason a team ticks".

"He's a phenomenal player, he's shown that throughout his career," said Beirne.

"He's someone who certainly lives on the edge, and sometimes he probably gets caught on that, but I think his influence on games is often very positive and I think he can be the reason a team ticks and a reason they win games, because of the influence he can have on the game.

"He's that type of player and being in that captain's role for England now, I'm sure it will elevate his performance even more.

"It often does bring out the best in players and he'll probably be no different."

Beirne's Ireland host England in their Six Nations opener on Saturday and the 33-year-old feels his side have a "a great rivalry" with England, who ended their hopes of consecutive Grand Slams with victory in London last year.

While Ireland did go on to claim the championship crown by beating Scotland at home a week later, the missed opportunity for history still rankles with the Munster man.

"Twickenham was incredibly disappointing," Beirne reflected.

"They took away the Grand Slam from us, but we kind of took it away from ourselves with how we played in that game.

"We were playing the following week and we had a chance to right some wrongs and thankfully we were able to do that. I'd love to be sitting here saying I'm a back-to-back Grand Slam winner but we did have an opportunity to make ourselves feel better by winning the championship."

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Connacht academy forward Eanna McCarthy has been named as Ireland Under-20s captain for Thursday's Six Nations opener against England at Musgrave Park.

The game will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, with a 19:45 GMT kick-off.

New head coach Neil Doak has named nine Leinster players in his starting XV, with two each from Connacht, Munster and Leinster.

Charlie Molony, Derry Molony and Ciaran Mangan start in the back three, with Eoghan Smyth, with Eoghan Smyth and Connor Fahy selected as the centres.

Fly-half Sam Wisniewski and Clark Logan form the half-back partnership.

Among the forwards, Alex Usanov, Henry Walker and Alex Mullan make up the front row, with Mahon Ronan and Billy Corrigan in the second row.

Michael Foy is chosen at blindside flanker, Bobby Power at openside and skipper McCarthy completes the starting team at number eight.

The pack replacements comprise Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh and Oisin Minogue, while the substitutes for the backs are Andrew Doyle, Gene O'Leary Kareem and Daniel Green.

Ireland Under-20s: Charlie Molony; Derry Moloney, Connor Fahy, Eoghan Smyth, Ciaran Mangan; Sam Wisniewski, Clark Logan; Alex Usanov, Henry Walker, Alex Mullan, Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan; Michael Foy, Bobby Power, Eanna McCarthy (capt).

Replacements: Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh, Oisin Minogue, Andrew Doyle, Gene O'Leary Kareem, Daniel Green.

Image source, Oliver McVeigh

On this week's GAA Social podcast, Thomas and Oisin talk to famed GAA sports photographer Oliver McVeigh.

Despite a lifetime covering GAA, one of his most recognisable photos came during an infamous moment in European rugby history.

In December 2009, Stade Francias were in Belfast facing Ulster when, after the game, Ireland international Stephen Ferris alleged he had been gouged in the eye by France international David Atoub.

"I was the only photographer who picked it up," McVeigh said on the GAA Social podcast.

"There was a scuffle, not something you see often in rugby, in fairness and being a GAA man, you just rattle off and see what comes next.

"I've a picture of Ferris getting up and you can clearly see Ferris going 'I've been gouged in the eye, I've been gouged in the eye.' You can tell from the distance."

McVeigh said he didn't realised he had captured the image until after the game when he became aware the incident would be escalated.

"We went in after the match and were going through the pictures, and somebody says Stephen Ferris is going to the citing officer about being gouged in the eye.

"I quickly go through my photos and the UR [Ulster Rugby] photographer was next to me.

"This (photo) pops up and he goes, 'Wow, look at that, that's unbelievable.'

"David Humphreys was the team manager and asked if he could use it and I said go ahead use it wherever you want."

Atoub unsuccessfully tried to contest the ban, which was the second-longest in rugby history for an eye gouge at 70 weeks, and McVeigh's image had to be checked that it was authentic.

"He tried to say he didn't do it, tried everything. My pictures had to be sent off to see that they were authentic.

"He got a 40-page document done to say it was the wrong angle and this, that, and the other.

"I have a Google alert on my phone for Atoub. Every time he's on the internet, I can see what he's saying.

"He said it cost him 100,000 euro in wages and sponsorships and things."

Listen to the GAA Social here, where McVeigh talks about some of his most famous images and about his brother, Columba, who is one of the Disappeared from the Troubles.

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Fly-half Sam Prendergast "trained fully" despite a dead leg as Ireland reported a clean bill of health before Saturday's Six Nations opener at home to England.

Prop Tadhg Furlong has already been ruled out of the game, but all 36 players in interim head coach Simon Easterby's squad took part in Tuesday's training at the team's camp in Portugal.

Prendergast had his leg strapped for the session but assistant coach Andrew Goodman said he is "sure" the 21-year-old will be "all right" for the visit of Steve Borthwick's side to Dublin.

The Leinster number 10 made his Test debut from the bench against Fiji in November before starting the games against Fiji and Australia ahead of Jack Crowley.

"It's been a great couple of months for Sam," said Goodman.

"Just the game experience he's managed to gather up both with Ireland, first with Emerging Ireland, then Ireland, then some big Champions Cup games away to La Rochelle, home to Bath, so it's been a great period for him to get real game experience.

"I know he valued the time at Leinster when he was training alongside the senior squad as an academy member, but to get out there and feel it for himself, there's been huge growth in his game."

Despite losing his Ireland starting berth by the end of the autumn, Crowley found form in Munster's Champions Cup contests against Saracens and Northampton this month, while Prendergast's Leinster team-mate Ciaran Frawley is another option for the role held so long by the now retired Johnny Sexton.

"The three of them are all great lads, first and foremost, and they all work well together," added Goodman.

"As I said, they're competing hard on the field but the pleasing thing is you go back to the hotel and they're sitting around the computers together going through clips and they're driving the team well.

"It's great to see and I'm sure they'll all have great Test careers ahead."

Ireland name their team to face England on Thursday, while the visitors confirmed their selection on Tuesday.

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy admits Sunday's surprise defeat by Zebre in the United Rugby Championship "has put a dent in our season".

Zebre ran out 15-14 winners in Belfast as the Italian side ended a 36-game winless run away from home in the United Rugby Championship.

After a morale-boosting win over Exeter to progress in Europe the previous week, Sunday's loss means Ulster missed out on the chance to move into the top eight in the URC.

Murphy admitted the result was damaging to Ulster's hopes of securing Champions Cup rugby with a top-eight finish in the league.

The defeat was a sixth in 10 domestic matches for Murphy's side.

"It was a result that we unfortunately deserved," added Ulster's head coach.

"We weren't only looking for top eight but a little bit higher than that."

After Bautista Staville and Giocomo Da Re scored quickfire tries at the start of the second half, Ulster pushed for a late response but fell up short.

"It's not a very happy dressing room, as you can imagine.

"We have come into the game tonight knowing exactly what we needed to do and we haven't managed to do that.

"We were a long way off, so collectively and individually we need to have a look at ourselves."

"We need to stop this inconsistency that's in our game. One week we are up, the next we are down."

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British and Irish Lions prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations opener against England on Saturday by injury.

Furlong, 32, suffered a recurrence of a calf injury at Ireland's training camp in Portugal on Saturday and has returned to Dublin for further assessment.

Connacht's Jack Aungier has been called up to the Six Nations holders' squad as a replacement.

The experienced tighthead prop missed all four November internationals for Ireland with a hamstring issue and only returned for Leinster in their win over La Rochelle three weeks' ago before missing the province's last European game against Bath.

Furlong's absence means Finlay Bealham is likely to start against England at the Aviva Stadium but Ireland's usual third-choice in the position, Tom O'Toole, is suspended for the first two games of the championship.

Hooker Dan Sheehan and wing James Lowe linked up with the Ireland squad on Sunday after returning from injury to play in Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over the Stormers on Saturday.

Sheehan was making his first appearance of the season after sustaining a knee injury in Ireland's summer tour of South Africa while Lowe has been ruled out since sustaining a calf injury in Ireland's final November international against Australia.

The duo's Leinster colleague Jack Boyle also joined up with the squad on Sunday with Connacht scrum-half Caolin Blade also set to arrive in Portugal on Monday.

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Leinster (15) 36

Tries: A Osborne 2, Sheehan 2, Barrett Cons: Byrne 4 Pen: Byrne

Stormers (7) 12

Tries: Loader, Roos Con: Libbok

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan scored twice on his return from injury as Leinster defeated the Stormers 36-12 in Dublin.

Sheehan was making his first appearance of the season after sustaining a knee injury in Ireland's summer tour of South Africa.

After taking a lead through Ross Byrne's early penalty, Leinster's first try came when Andrew Osborne raced over in the corner after being fed by Jordie Barrett.

The Stormers responded when Ben Loader scampered over out wide but the hosts had the final say in the half.

After a lengthy delay to treat the injured Luke McGrath, who gave the thumbs up after being stretchered off, Leinster struck with the clock in the red as Sheehan rounded off a flowing move in the corner.

After an error-strewn start to the second half, New Zealand centre Barrett spotted a gap to slide over the line in the 59th minute, and Byrne added the conversion.

Sheehan secured the bonus point four minutes later when he gathered James Lowe's cross-field kick to score unchallenged.

Lowe, who was also making his return from injury, had a try disallowed but wing Osborne, brother of Ireland international Jamie, grabbed his second score of the game as he intercepted the ball on the Stormers line before diving over to touch down.

The Stormers grabbed a consolation through back row Evan Roos but could not stop Leinster's winning run this season.

Leo Cullen's side are unbeaten in 10 matches in the United Rugby Championship and topped Pool B in the Investec Champions Cup with four wins from four matches.

Sheehan and Lowe will now link up with Simon Easterby's Ireland squad in Portugal before the start of the Six Nations.

Leinster: H McErlean; A Osborne, L Turner, J Barrett, J Lowe; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, D Sheehan (capt), R Slimani; R Snyman, B Deeny; A Soroka, S Penny, M Deegan.

Replacements: J McKee, P McCarthy, R McGuire, D Mangan, J Culhane, W Connors, C Foley, C Tector.

Stormers: W Gelant; B Loader; R Nel, J Roche; L Zas; M Libbok, P de Wet; A Vermaak, J Dweba, N Fouche; JD Schickerling, R van Heerden; D Fourie (capt), B-J Dixon, E Roos.

Replacements: A-H Venter, B Harris, F Malherbe, S Moerat, M Theunissen, P de Villiers, H Jantjies, W Simelane.