O'Connell: Expects a ferocious forwards battle against the Azzurri Ireland captain Paul O'Connell expects a ferocious and tough forwards battle against Italy in Saturday's Six Nations clash in Dublin. O'Connell said playing the against the Azzurri is...

The Munster lock claims the RBS Six Nations encounter with the Azzurri is usually the hardest of the tournament. And although Italy have lost their opening two matches against France and then England, O'Connell is not expecting Ireland to have things...

O'Connell: preparing for a gruelling schedule of four international games in as many weeks. Paul O'Connell admits Ireland are desperate to get their RBS Six Nations campaign back on track when they take on Italy on Saturday. Declan Kidney's side have...

The Irish have been inactive since February 5, when they lost 23-21 to Wales, following the postponement of their showdown with France 10 days ago. Freezing conditions in Paris forced the match to be rescheduled for March 4, confronting Ireland with a...

...over the next four weeks and the re-arranged France game is scheduled to take place on 4 March.Keith Earls is again named at outside-centre with Fergus McFadden on the bench in the only change from Ireland's opening day defeat to Wales.15 Rob Kearney 14...

More to follow......... Ireland XV to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations at 1.30pm on Saturday 25 February: 15 Rob Kearney 14 Tommy Bowe 13 Keith Earls 12 Gordon D'Arcy 11 Andrew Trimble 10 Jonathan Sexton 9 Conor Murray 1 Cian Healy 2 Rory Best 3 Mike...

...11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 4 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork...

Or, perhaps not.Because there was further grist to the mill for those who wondered why such a pivotal change was made at such a vital juncture in proceedings; less than five minutes before his withdrawal, Sexton had missed a long-range effort on...

Paul O'Connell is shackled by the Italy defence in Rome last year © Getty Images Italy will be looking to make history when they tackle Ireland in the Six Nations on Saturday. The Azzurri are yet to beat their Irish rivals in the northern hemisphere's...

Then there is Donnacha Ryan, who also played his part in Munster's win at the Stadio Monigo. The 28-year-old is having a big season, forcing his way into the Munster second-row next to Paul O'Connell and building on the favourable impression he created...

...would love to add Donnacha Ryan to their squad if the Munster second-row decides to switch provinces, WRITES HUGH FARRELLY.The in-form 28-year-old has been in negotiations with the IRFU on a new contract since before Christmas and, with fellow Ireland second-rows...

AW Jones back into the side. The line-out has looked our biggest weakness so far and AWJ should provide a reliable target for Bennett to get some good ball. Against Ireland we looked too afraid to kick the ball into touch for territory, as we were more...

It never happened. O'Driscoll's team-mates are spokes in a wheel, O'Driscoll was the hub; take away the hub and you have a rim with loosened spokes. What this team lacks most are the sinews of O'Driscoll's will.Paul O'Connell has come in and manfully...

Should they beat Wales this coming weekend, it will be a good starting point on their way to hopefully winning the Six Nations. This year, Ireland will be captained by the Munster and 2009 British and Irish Lion captain, Paul O'Connell. Wales should...

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has expressed his sympathy with the thousands of fans who made the trip to Paris and then saw Saturday's RBS 6 Nations match against France called off at the last minute. Ireland captain Paul O'Connell said that there...

"When you look at our numbers, they don't jump out at you," Police Chief Paul O'Connell said. "When you compare it to a population of 11,000 to 12,000 people, that's when you get the real picture of how it impacts a small community." The city has...

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has expressed his sympathy with the thousands of fans who made the trip to Paris and then saw Saturday's RBS 6 Nations match against France called off at the last minute. Ireland captain Paul O'Connell said that there...

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has expressed his sympathy with the thousands of fans who made the trip to Paris and then saw Saturday's RBS 6 Nations match against France called off at the last minute. Ireland captain Paul O'Connell said that there...

Kidney and Paul O'Connell coach and captain of the Irish rugby team Ireland will now play France in Paris on Sunday, March 4th - and they're not happy with the new date for their Six Nations match. Declan Kidney's team will now play four games in four...