Ireland mount fightback to defeat England

Ireland scored three tries in a dominant second-half display as they launched their bid for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title with a bonus-point victory over England in Dublin. With the hosts struggling out of the blocks, an early score from England debutant Cadan Murley helped the visitors lead deservedly at the break. However Ireland turned on the style in the second half to make amends to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Read more

Huw Jones hat-trick fends off Italy as Scotland survive scare

Huw Jones came to the fore in the absence of fellow centre Sione Tuipulotu as his hat-trick helped Scotland fend off another Italian comeback to open their Guinness Six Nations campaign with a 31-19 win at Murrayfield.

Read more

Fantastic France thrash Wales in Six Nations opener

Antoine Dupont inspired France to a crushing record opening Six Nations victory against woeful Wales in Paris. France heaped more misery on Warren Gatland’s side in the seven-try success as a hapless Welsh team were completely outclassed. Home captain Dupont dazzled on his Six Nations return as he provided the inspiration with three try assists before he was taken off after only 49 minutes.

Read more

Ireland fight back to beat stubborn Australia

Ireland spoiled Joe Schmidt’s return to Dublin to end their Autumn Nations Series campaign on a high as Andy Farrell signed off for his British & Irish Lions sabbatical by scoring a psychological blow against Australia ahead of next summer’s three-Test series Down Under. It was an uplifting end to this four-game set at Aviva Stadium that had begun with a below-par defeat to New Zealand and gradually improved through victories over Argentina and Fiji.

Read more

Rampant Ireland flatten Fiji in eight try rout

Gus McCarthy scored a debut try and Mack Hansen touched down twice as Ireland set aside their unconvincing start to the autumn to ease to a 52-17 win over Fiji in Dublin. Andy Farrell’s much-changed side were seeking an improved performance in their third outing of the month following a sobering defeat by New Zealand and a narrow success over Argentina. First-half scores from Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey and Hansen put the hosts in control at the Aviva Stadium.

Read more