Italy

Mike Catt: Ireland wing Mack Hansen’s dropping not due to disciplinary matter

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

Assistant coach Mike Catt categorically denied Mack Hansen’s shock omission for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup opener against Romania is down to an internal disciplinary issue. Australia-born wing...

RWC 2023: A quick look at the France vs NZ numbers

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

After the Springboks closed out the show against England in Tokyo four years ago, today we resume the journey in Paris to find who will reign over world rugby for the next four years. The tournament tonight...

Andy Farrell expects Ireland to step up quality in World Cup opener

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

The world’s top-ranked team failed to fully convince against Italy, England and Samoa last month.   Head coach Andy Farrell expects Ireland to be “a hell of a lot slicker” in their...

Four teams vying to be number one in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

With points worth double during a Rugby World Cup, there could be some dramatic changes to the Men's World Rugby Rankings over the coming seven weeks. Ireland go into their second consecutive tournament...

If you get inflated, you get deflated – Ireland’s Caelan Doris staying grounded

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

Ireland back-rower Caelan Doris actively avoids the media hype surrounding him and feels his own high standards are sufficient pressure going into his first World Cup.   Doris is tipped to shine...

Hugo Keenan: Ireland must take it up a notch to have a shot at World Cup glory

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

Full-back Hugo Keenan insists in-form Ireland must lift their performances “up a notch” as they chase glory at the Rugby World Cup.   The 27-year-old Leinster player has been virtually...

Apjok juggles backline as Romania name team to play Ireland

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

Head coach Eugen Apjok makes only one change to his forwards but reshapes has backline for Romania's match against Rugby World Cup 2023's top-ranked team, Ireland, in Bordeaux on Saturday. 1 Iulian Hartig2...

Allan to play in third World Cup - Italy name team to play Namibia

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

Italy head coach Kieran Crowley has named his match-day 23 to face Namibia in Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne on Saturday, with Tommaso Allan, who played fly-half in the previous two Rugby...

Coetzee goes for experience: Namibia announce squad to play Italy

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

Head coach Allister Coetzee has named 12 players in his match-day squad from RWC 2019, with nine running out for their third tournament appearance since 2015. They have two of their three try-scorers...

Nadi Captain Warns Fiji Of Georgia’s Threat

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

While all attention is on Wales and Australia, the Flying Fijians have been warned that they need to keep an eye on Georgia at the Rugby World Cup. The RWC gets underway in France this weekend. Nadi rugby...