Irish Rugby

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland scrum coach Denis Fogarty said the side must "not let the games go past us" during the Six Nations.

Ireland's first fixture is against hosts England at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday [14:25 BST] with over 75,000 tickets sold, a tournament record.

World champions England are aiming to secure their eighth successive title and a fifth consecutive Grand Slam.

"One goal for us is to win all our home games, the last couple of years we have only won two games in the Six Nations. It didn't feel right, we felt we were better than that," Fogarty said.

"We looked at the occasion, I think it is important that we make our mark in these games and not let the games go past us, even at the back end of the games.

"Especially against England and France, we want to turn one of those teams over and that is our mindset going into it. Obviously, the home games will be really important for us overall."

Last year, England were the comfortable 49-5 victors against Scott Bemand's side at Virgin Media Park in Cork for their 12th successive victory over Ireland.

Fogarty also acknowledged that the side struggled with scrums during that match and it "has definitely hurt" him.

"We have spoken about it and the area has probably lingered around for quite some time, it has definitely hurt me and the players," he continued.

"Even prepping for the World Cup and the World Cup, we have moved that forward, we knew we needed to.

"This week, they have really gone after this area to make sure we don't let it happen again as it did have a big impact in the game. They have prepped really well and we are confident it will not happen again."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster winger Jacob Stockdale said Friday's Challenge Cup quarter-final against La Rochelle is a chance to "create a statement for ourselves" [20:00 BST].

Richie Murphy's side defeated Ospreys 28-24 at the Affidea Stadium to advance to the last eight.

La Rochelle won the Champions Cup in 2022 and 2023 and were the victors against Newcastle Red Bulls to set up the tie in Belfast.

"It's an exciting game as they are a big French giant. I feel like we do play well whenever big French teams come to town, so, I'm really excited about it," Stockdale told BBC Sport NI's Mark Sidebottom.

"I think there's an opportunity to put in a massive performance and hopefully create a bit of a statement for ourselves.

"We need to focus on ourselves, just bring the best version of ourselves, and hope that that's enough and I think it will be."

Despite playing four times against La Rochelle during his career so far and Ulster only winning one of those matches, Stockdale believes that the side can take confidence into the game after the Ospreys win.

The home side trailed 17-14 before Stockdale and Nick Timoney crossed the line in the second half to secure Ulster's quarter-final spot.

"It was frustrating on the pitch but, looking back and reviewing it, it's quite encouraging because we were able to beat a good Ospreys in a tight encounter, but actually leave a lot on the pitch," he continued.

"We felt like we weren't really anywhere near our best and the best we've shown so far this season.

"So that's exciting that we can hopefully right those wrongs this week and put in a big, big performance on Friday."

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Massimo De Lutiis has ended speculation of a move to Ireland by signing a three-year contract with Australia and the Queensland Reds.

The 22-year-old tight-head prop was linked with a move to Ulster but has committed his future to Australia until the end of the 2029 season.

De Lutiis, who weighs 126kg, said his family and the chance to represent Australia at a home World Cup next year were key factors in his decision.

"I had a lot to weigh up. I spent a good week or two going through it and it was a bit stressful," said De Lutiis, who is yet to make his Test debut for Australia.

"I definitely feel like a weight has been lifted with this decision. Now I'm locked in, I can focus on the next three years in Australia."

Sydney-born De Lutiis played nine Super Rugby Pacific games for the Reds last season but has not featured this term because of a hamstring injury.

"Despite challenges with injury, he's a committed professional and he's only going to get better and better," said Reds coach Les Kiss, who will replace Joe Schmidt as Wallabies boss later this year.

"He's an important and respected figure in the Reds locker room."

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ireland full-back Stacey Flood said "a performance is really important" for Scott Bemand side against England in their opening Women's Six Nations game.

The Irish face the world champions at Twickenham on Saturday in front of what is set to be a tournament record crowd as more than 67,000 tickets have already been sold, all but guaranteeing an improvement on the existing record crowd of 58,498 set against France in 2023.

It will be a tough ask for Ireland to start with a victory given the Red Roses have won seven straight Six Nations titles and last lost a game in 2018, but Flood is relishing the chance to play in such a big occasion and potentially cause an upset.

"They're coming off the back of winning a home World Cup which is extraordinary, ticket sales are so good and we'll hopefully beat the record in Twickenham," she told BBC Sport NI.

"They'll want a big game but we want a big game too. A performance is really important to start our Six Nations well."

Centre Eve Higgins added that the game will be a good chance for Ireland to assess where they are in comparison to the world's best side.

Ireland held England to a 7-5 scoreline at half-time in Cork in last year's championship only for England to blow them away in the second half to win 49-5.

"I always want to play the best teams in the world, I get up for them," she said.

"They're the best in the world for a reason and you want to see how not only you as a player, but as a team play against them, so really looking forward to it.

"I was part of the team that played them in 2024 at Twickenham [when England won 88-10 in front of 48,778 fans] and to see those crowds again will be cool.

"They're top of the game with crowds and the World Cup was special so it will be a cool experience."

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Ulster have confirmed that Rob Herring and Nathan Doak are injury doubts for Friday's Challenge Cup quarter-final against La Rochelle (20:00 BST).

Herring (calf) and Doak (ankle) both picked up injuries in Saturday's 28-24 victory over Ospreys at the Affidea Stadium.

Scrum-half Doak made his international debut in the Six Nations and has been influential in Ulster's impressive form this season.

"We are still waiting on both of the guys," Ulster defence coach Willie Faloon told BBC Sport NI.

"They both took part in some parts of training and we will see where we are at the weekend."

Stewart Moore (knee), Rory McGuire (shoulder), James McNabney (knee), Michael Lowry (groin) and Robert Baloucoune (elbow) will remain sidelined this weekend.

Richie Murphy's side face La Rochelle for a spot in the Challenge Cup semi-finals with the northern province unbeaten in their past two games.

This weekend's visitors defeated Newcastle Red Bulls 26-18 to reach the last eight and have won three of their past four fixtures.

Montpellier host Connacht, Benetton welcome Exeter Chiefs and Zebre face Dragons in the other quarter-finals.

Image source, Inpho

Leinster have named Harry Byrne at fly-half for Sunday's Investec Champions Cup last-16 game against Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium (17:30 BST) as Ireland number 10 Sam Prendergast is not named in the matchday 23.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen makes four changes in total from the team which started last week's 36-19 United Rugby Championship win over Scarlets.

Ryan Baird is selected in the second row as he makes his first appearance since October after recovering from a broken leg, while Jack Conan comes in at blind-side flanker.

Rieko Ioane is selected at centre as he replaces the injured Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan's return to full-back sees Jimmy O'Brien move to the left wing, with Joshua Kenny dropping out.

James Ryan continues to be unavailable because of a calf issue.

Alex Usanov is in line to make his Champions Cup debut off the bench, while scrum-half Luke McGrath will make his 250th appearance for the Irish province if he is called into action from the replacements.

Ciaran Frawley and Robbie Henshaw are among the other options available to Cullen among the substitutes.

Leinster: Keenan; T O'Brien, Ioane, Osborne, J O'Brien; Byrne, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; J McCarthy, Baird; Conan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Usanov, Clarkson, Deeny, Deegan, McGrath, Frawley, Henshaw.

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Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will make his first start since serving a 12-week ban for an eye gouge against Wales in November 2025.

The 34-year-old, who has won 141 caps for South Africa and is their most-capped Test international of all time, has been included in the Sharks team to face Connacht in the Challenge Cup round of 16 on Friday (20:00 BST).

The two-time World Cup winner was shown a straight red card in the 79th minute after making contact with the eye of Wales' Alex Mann in their thumping 73-0 win in Cardiff and was subsequently banned for three months.

He is one of seven Springboks to make the trip to Galway for the knock-out match as Sharks head coach JP Pietersen brings a relatively understrength side to the west of Ireland with captain Andre Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi and Grant Williams among those not in the squad.

Connacht welcome back captain Cian Prendergast to their starting line-up as head coach Stuart Lancaster makes seven changes to the side following their 21-14 defeat to Ospreys last week.

The 26-year-old is joined by fellow Irish internationals Bundee Aki and Darragh Murray in the starting line-up with Finlay Bealham named in the replacements.

After missing their last two matches, full-back Sam Gilbert returns with Chay Mullins coming in on the wing, and Matthew Devine gets the nod at scrum-half as Ben Murphy drops out of the matchday squad altogether.

Sharks are unbeaten in their last two URC games, recording wins over Cardiff and Munster, but have only won six matches in the league this season while Connacht are on a winning run of five matches as they make a late dash for a play-off spot.

Stuart Lancaster's side also hold the upper hand on Sharks, having won four of their last five meetings.

Connacht: Gilbert; Jennings, Forde, Aki, Mullins; Ioane, Devine; Bohan, Heffernan, Illo; Joyce, Murray; Murphy, Hurley-Langton, Prendergast (capt)

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Dooley, Bealham, Murray, Boyle, Reilly, Naughton, Devine.

Sharks: Kunene; van der Merwe, Malan, Potgieter, Mapimpi; Smith, Braude; Nche, Swart, Koch; Etzebeth, Slabbert; Mavesere, Potgieter, Hatton (c).

Replacements: Bester, Mazibuko, Mdanda, Rahl, Tshituka, Everson, Masuku, Hooker.

Image source, Inpho

Ireland international Tadhg Beirne returns to the starting team for his first appearance for Munster since January as they face to Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup last-16 on Saturday [12:30 BST].

The 34-year-old is one of ten changes made by head coach Clayton McMillian to the starting team following their narrow 34-31 loss to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship last week.

Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Ben O'Connor, Alex Nankivell and Alex Kendellen are the only players to survive.

McMillan is without Diarmuid Barron, Calvin Nash and Brian Gleeson after the trip sustained concussions in South Africa while Fineen Wycherley and Jean Kleyn are ruled out through injury.

Beirne, who was ever-present in Ireland's Triple Crown winning Six Nations campaign, partners recent international Test debutant Edwin Edogbo in the second row with Gavin Coombes fit to start in the back row after recovering from an illness last weekend.

Tom Farrell will start alongside Nankivell in the midfield with Thaakir Abrahams and Diarmuid Kilgallen taking their place on the wings while there could be a debut for former New Zealand U-20 scrum half Ben O'Donovan, who is named amongst the replacements following his recent signing from Canterbury.

"It's an opportunity to play for some silverware," McMillan said ahead of the game.

"I think it's three games from here to the final of Challenge Cup and we have every intention of putting our best foot forward to try and do that.

"It won't be easy, but that's where our mindset is at.

"In the URC, the table is congested and there's no easy games and everyone's going to be scrapping for an opportunity to get into the top eight. So, I guess our overall mindset is from this point in, it's knockout rugby and that's the way we're approaching it."

Munster: O'Connor; Abrahams, Farrell, Nankivell, Kilgallen; Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Barron, Ryan; Edogbo, Beirne (c); O'Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes.

Replacements: N Scannell, Milne, Ala'alatoa, Ahern, Quinn, O'Donovan, O'Brien, Hodnett.