France got their Six Nations title defence off to the ideal start as they put a sorry Ireland to the sword with a 36-14 victory at the Stade de France in Paris.
Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne and Jacob Stockdale have each been picked to start for Ireland against France in their Guinness Six Nations opener in Paris, but Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out.
Bundee Aki will miss Ireland's first three matches of the Six Nations after receiving a four‑game ban for "verbal abuse and disrespect" directed towards officials.
Ireland appear a side in decline having lost their Six Nations crown to France in 2025. Can they prove people wrong?
Ireland boss Andy Farrell is relishing his Guinness Six Nations return as he negotiates a lengthy injury list and an ongoing transitional phase.
Ireland have named uncapped duo Nathan Doak and Edwin Edogbo in an otherwise experienced Six Nations squad as Caelen Doris returns after injury.
France lock Thibaud Flament will miss their opening Test of the 2026 Six Nations against Ireland in order to attend his wife's fertility treatment appointment.
All the fixtures and schedule for the 2026 Men's Six Nations as France look to defend their title against England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.
Leinster held on to register a feisty URC interprovincial Irish derby win against Munster, winning 13-8 at Thomond Park.
At the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the four best sides in the world by a considerable margin - and ranked in the top four as such - were Ireland, South Africa, France and New Zealand. Yet, all four ended up on the same side of the draw and met in the quarter-finals.
England will face Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Rugby's key dates, fixtures and schedule for 2026: England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Red Roses, Six Nations, Nations Championship summer and Autumn Tests, Women's Six Nations.
Despite a near remarkable Irish effort to remain in the contest after being shown five cards and reduced to 12 players at one stage, South Africa posted a 24-13 win for a first success in Dublin since 2012.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has once again selected Sam Prendergast over Jack Crowley at fly-half for Saturday's huge clash against South Africa in Dublin.
Ireland head into the weekend's headline Autumn Nations Series clash against South Africa in Dublin as sizeable underdogs, but recent history suggests things may not prove straightforward for the Springboks.
It's been labelled a "tectonic shift", set to shake up the world of rugby union, but what is the Nations Championship - and how will it revolutionise the game? Here's all you need to know…
Mack Hansen grabbed a 28-minute hat-trick as Ireland secured a record and morale-boosting 46-19 victory over Australia in Dublin.
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