Irish Rugby

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Centre Stewart Moore has been recalled from his loan to Newcastle Red Bulls by Ulster "due to recent injuries" in their senior squad.

The 26-year-old moved to the Prem club just 19 days ago and scored a hat-trick on his debut against Northampton Saints in the Prem Rugby Cup.

He had been due to start Newcastle's game against Saracens on Saturday.

In a statement, Ulster said that they had activated a recall clause to "ensure appropriate cover in key positions" and would provide a further update this week.

Stuart McCloskey has had his injury woes with Ireland this autumn, suffering a groin injury against New Zealand at the start of November and then going off injured against Australia with a recurrence of the same injury.

The Irish province sit fifth in the United Rugby Championship table after an impressive start to the season with three wins from their opening four games.

They return to action on Friday against Benetton (20:00 GMT) as the URC resumes following the autumn internationals.

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Quilter Nations Series - Ireland v South Africa

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 22 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Ulster; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app

Ireland wing James Lowe says changes to rugby union rules surrounding contestable high balls have "brought a bit of a different dynamic to the game".

The focus of the new rules has been making the high-ball contest more open, improving player safety by reducing dangerous tackles and penalising players who illegally block or escort opponents from getting to the ball.

Speaking to reporters before Saturday's Test against South Africa in Dublin, Lowe said the guidelines had made preparation and decision-making in "that massive facet of the game incredibly tougher".

"With the way the game is being refereed now it's completely different. The high ball, the contestable in the air, is completely different to what it was the last time we played against South Africa," reflected the 33-year-old.

"A thing we used to call 'the cradle', which was pretty much protecting the catcher so he could get a clean catch, there were about six lads protecting you to go up and try to win a high ball, now obviously that has changed and it has brought a bit of a different dynamic to the game.

"Obviously almost every contestable kick there's a collision in the air that you've got to worry about, there's trying to not knock it on, trying to win it cleanly.

"It's the way the game's going, we're doing a lot more in training, there's a lot more live contest in the air because you have to replicate it somehow."

The Leinster back explained that advice had been sought from gaelic footballers and Australian Rules players, for whom challenging for high balls is an integral part of their respective sports.

"We're talking to the GAA boys, and the AFL guys when we're in Australia too, trying to pick up a few things because obviously that's their bread and butter.

"Ninety five per cent of the time there's going to be a collision in the air so obviously timing is massive, trying to get knees higher than theirs, arms higher than theirs.

"It's tough. It has probably taken that skillset further and further and a lot of it is not only the battle in the air, it's the battle on the ground too."

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Former Ireland international Stephen Ferris said that South Africa are "overwhelming favourites" to beat Ireland in their autumn Test at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (17:40 GMT).

The back-to-back World Cup winners come into the game in Dublin off the back of winning the Rugby Championship title and beating France in Paris earlier this month despite playing half of the match with 14 men.

As a result, Ferris, who won 35 caps for Ireland, said a win against the Springboks would represent a "brilliant scalp" for Andy Farrell's men.

"South Africa are overwhelming favourites, they are going to bring huge physicality," Ferris told BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson after he was inducted into the Rugby Players Ireland Hall of Fame.

"Hopefully Ireland get a foothold in the set piece and if they can get their attack going through Sam Prendergast, who was exceptional last week for the most part, then we can sneak a win."

Ireland have won four of the past five matches between the sides, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool encounter and last year's hugely dramatic second Test in Durban.

Ferris hopes Ireland can back up their display against Australia with another statement win in what will be their last game before their Six Nations opener against France in February.

"The next game for Ireland after this is France. We've put Australia away, can we do the same with South Africa and then look at France after that?" he added.

"It'll be a massive challenge, but there's something about this team and young crop of players coming through and I firmly believe Ireland can get the win."

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Ireland eased injury concerns over full-back Mack Hansen before Saturday's much-anticipated Test against world champions South Africa (17:40 GMT).

Normally a right winger, Hansen scored a hat-trick in last week's win over the Wallabies from full-back with Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne out injured.

Retained at 15 for the Springboks' visit to Dublin, Hansen's right hand and index finger were heavily strapped during Ireland's training session at Aviva Stadium on Friday.

When Caelan Doris was asked about the Connacht player's fitness, an Irish Rugby Football Union spokesperson interjected to confirm Hansen had "trained fully".

"Everyone is good, yeah," added Doris.

Hansen's British and Irish Lions tour in the summer was ended by a foot injury, which ruled the 27-year-old out of the Test series against Australia.

The Canberra-born back aggravated the injury while playing for Connacht in October, forcing him to miss Ireland's matches against New Zealand and Japan earlier this month.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has already been forced into backline changes for the South Africa game, with last week's centre partnership Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw out injured.

Garry Ringrose has regained fitness to take Henshaw's place, with Bundee Aki replacing McCloskey.

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Ireland captain Caelan Doris admits there is "a lot on the line" for his side in Saturday's climactic autumn Test against world champions South Africa (17:40 GMT).

Having started the November campaign with a disappointing loss to New Zealand in Chicago, Ireland bounced back with comfortable wins over Japan and Australia in Dublin.

But a victory over the back-to-back World Cup winners on Saturday would give Ireland a major boost leading into the 2026 Six Nations.

"The success of this November hinges a little bit on our performance this weekend," said Doris.

"The momentum has built nicely as the weeks have gone on, but this is the real test now so there's a lot of excitement for it."

Like with the All Blacks, Ireland have enjoyed an intense rivalry with the Springboks in recent years, with Andy Farrell's side winning three of the past four meetings.

"There's definitely a rivalry there," added Doris.

"There's a strong understanding of how we both want to play the game. We've had some good results, they've beaten us over there in 2024.

"There's a lot on the line tomorrow, that's the feeling anyway, and the lads are excited for it."

Despite Ireland's strong record in this fixture, South Africa are widely viewed as favourites for Saturday's game following a thoroughly impressive run of results that included retaining the Rugby Championship title and beating France in Paris earlier this month despite playing half of the match with 14 men.

But Doris is not interested in whether or not Ireland are viewed as underdogs.

"We're not concerned with the external noise around that," said the 27-year-old, who reverts to his favoured number eight position after playing at open-side flanker against Australia last week.

"There's a good feeling in camp, there's an excitement about this game, there's an awareness that it will be a proper challenge and that we will need to be at our best, physically more than anything.

"But there's definitely belief that we can do the job if we're there."

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI journalist

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Tommy O'Brien says he hasn't "felt out of place" in the Ireland set-up since winning his first cap in the summer.

The Leinster wing scored two tries in each of the summer tour games against Georgia and Portugal, and has started in all of Ireland's autumn series games to date, bringing his cap tally to five.

In last week's 46-19 win over Australia, the 27-year-old's play-making ability shone through as he laid on a try for Mack Hansen and with five starts in as many games, feels he can make an impact when given the chance.

"I've loved and embraced any opportunity I've gotten," he said in the build-up to Saturday's final autumn game against South Africa.

"These November games are obviously a step up from the summer, but I haven't felt out of place. It feels like where I belong and I can definitely contribute to the team."

Although disappointed with their showing against New Zealand in Chicago when their autumn schedule got off to a losing start, Ireland responded with a win at home to Japan before making huge improvements in their victory over the Wallabies.

This weekend represents the ultimate test against the back-to-back world champions with South Africa arriving in Dublin with the momentum of six wins in their last six games.

O'Brien has been impressed with their willingness to experiment with their game and although the Springboks may not quite have the same aura as peak New Zealand from the early 2010s, he feels they represent a huge task.

"It's slightly different to some of those All Blacks' teams from 2011 to 2015 where it just didn't seem like they would lose a game," he offered.

"South Africa seem to have got it right in terms of peaking at the right time for those World Cups. They've lost games in between but that's down to some of the innovation they've tried to introduce and you can see that with some of the benches they have used, he seven-one split and things like that.

"They are not afraid to try a few things and we are all keeping an eye on how they are innovating but the nuts and bolts of South African rugby are still the same.

"They are still hugely physical, are going to work unbelievably hard and are very passionate, so it's something they have."

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Munster have confirmed the signing of Michael Ala'alatoa from French side Clermont Auvergne on a seven-month contract until the end of the season.

The former Leinster front-rower is currently on international duty with Samoa, who have just secured qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but will commence his contract with the Irish province at the start of December.

The 34-year-old tight-head prop has won 24 international caps and has played in two World Cups.

He previously played Super Rugby for the Waratahs and Crusaders, before scoring six tries in 62 appearances for Leinster between 2021 and 2024.

Ala'alatoa was granted early release from Clermont Auvergne after struggling to make an impact at the Top 14 side.

He played 13 times for the club in his debut season in France but is yet to make an appearance for the club this term.

The prop will not be available for Munster's URC outing against the Stormers at Thomond Park on 29 November but could make his bow the following weekend in the Champions Cup opener against Bath.

The 34-year-old will provide further front row options for Clayton McMillan's side, with John Ryan presently the province's only fit senior tight-head.

Oli Jager is sidelined with concussion, with Roman Salanoa yet to feature this season following two years out with injuries.

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The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has reported an improved financial position for the 2024-25 season, with their operating deficit having been reduced by more than 14 million euros (£12.36m) on the previous year.

For the year ending 31 July 2025, its deficit was 4.2m euros (£3.7m), down from 18.4m euros (£16.25m) 12 months earlier.

The union received income of 98m euros (£86.55m), an annual rise of 18.8m euros (£16.5m).

The main reasons for that increase were matchday revenues, commercial partnerships and broadcast revenues.

Factors in the overall improved financial position specifically include expected revenues from the return of the autumn nations series, which included the 150th anniversary match against Australia at Aviva Stadium.

The IRFU say it remains in a "robust" financial position and expects to return to a breakeven position for the 2025-26 season, in large part because of the British and Irish Lions tour and this month's lucrative Test against New Zealand in Chicago.

The newly launched Nations Championship is also expected to provide improved financial stability over the next decade.

The governing body revealed cash and cash investments of 62.6m euros (£55.28m), no debt and net assets of 81.6m euros (£72.06m).

The union have explained that they continue to increase investment across all levels of rugby in Ireland, including 9.4m euros (£8.3m) directed towards the women's game, up 1.1m (£971,000) from the previous year and more than quadruple the level of 2020-21.

A total of 16.4m euros (£14.48m) was allocated to the domestic and community game, which includes 2m euros (£1.77m) in exceptional grants and matched-funding initiatives with provinces.

"While our finances are in a stable position due to a strong balance sheet, and we do not expect to go into debt at any point over the next decade, we must continue to remain focused on long-term sustainability, cost efficiency, and investing in the areas that will deliver on the ambitions set out in our strategic plan," said IRFU chief financial officer Thelma O'Driscoll.

"We need to get to a breakeven position across each four-year cycle, and despite an improved performance this year this is still some way off where we need to be.

"While the union benefits from major fixtures and touring events, we cannot rely on them to underpin our finances every year. We are actively challenging our cost base and identifying new revenue streams and the IRFU's current projections indicate a breakeven outcome, though this remains dependent on future financial performance.

"Our focus remains on ensuring Irish Rugby's financial strength supports continued excellence on and off the field."

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On this week's Ireland Rugby Social, Gavin and Conor are joined by Ulster's Rob Herring.

The 35-year-old has represented Ireland 43 times and last played in green in 2024 against South Africa.

Born in Cape Town, Herring speaks about his move from South Africa to Ireland and he settled in Belfast after moving to Ulster in 2012.

In a wide-ranging podcast, the trio discuss Herring's career with Ireland, his first impressions of Andy Farrell and how much confidence he has for this season with Ulster.

Listen to the Ireland Rugby Social with Rob Herring on BBC Sounds right now.

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Ireland's fixtures for the inaugural Nations Championship in 2026 have been confirmed.

Andy Farrell's side will travel to face Australia, Japan and New Zealand in July before hosting Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in November.

Venues are yet to be confirmed.

The biennial 12-team event comprises six rounds of matches across the summer and autumn Test windows before a 'finals weekend' on 27-29 November at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.

After each team has played the other six from the opposing hemisphere once, they are ranked within their own hemisphere.

The finals weekend in London will start with the sixth-placed northern hemisphere side taking on their southern hemisphere equivalent, and culminate in the two group winners taking each other on for the title.

The results on the finals weekend will also contribute to a north v south overall score and title.

Ireland's fixtures

4 July

Australia v Ireland

11 July

Japan v Ireland

18 July

New Zealand v Ireland

6-8 November

Ireland v Argentina

13-15 November

Ireland v Fiji

21 November

Ireland v South Africa

Finals weekend

27 November

Sixth-place North v Sixth-place South

Third-place North v Third-place South

28 November

Fifth-place North v Fifth-place South

Second-place North v Second-place South

29 November

Fourth-place North v Fourth-place South

First-place North v First-place South

All you need to know about the Nations Championship

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South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth admits Saturday's Test against Ireland (17:40 GMT) "stood out" when this year's fixture schedule was released, but insisted the world champions are not out for revenge.

Ireland have won four of the past five matches between the sides, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool encounter and last year's hugely dramatic Test in Durban.

But Etzebeth, 34, says the Durban game - which followed South Africa's 27-20 win in Pretoria - is not at the forefront of the Springboks' minds.

"I'm not one for going back in time and watching past games for motivation," he said.

"Playing Ireland here in Dublin is a very different challenge to that series in South Africa. That was a year and a half ago. A lot can happen in rugby in a week, and that game was a long time ago."

Two-time World Cup winner Etzebeth added: "Ireland are a great team; they have been in the top three of the world rankings for several years.

"They are a top-quality side. I am looking forward to this fixture after a long wait because when we looked at the calendar at the beginning of the year, this fixture stood out."

South Africa arrive in Dublin in excellent form. Having retained the Rugby Championship, Rassie Erasmus' side trounced Japan 61-7 at Wembley before overcoming France and Italy.

The wins in Paris and Turin were particularly notable because of first-half red cards for South Africa, with Lood de Jager dismissed for a shoulder-to-head tackle on Les Bleus full-back Thomas Ramos and Franco Mostert sent off for a similar offence against the Azzurri.

While De Jager was handed a four-game suspension, Etzebeth says the Springboks will not change their style.

"I don't think it will affect our game too much. We must keep being aware of level change," said the Sharks forward, who is set to earn his 140th cap at Aviva Stadium this weekend.

"You feel that if you level change, you should be safe and get the benefit of the doubt. For me personally, I will keep playing the game I play, and I think the other locks will do the same."

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Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw believes their final autumn nations series fixture against world champions South Africa will be a "proper test" in terms of assessing where the squad is at.

Ireland suffered a dispiriting loss to New Zealand before a below-par victory over Japan, but bounced back in ruthless fashion last weekend with a record 46-19 victory over Australia, with Henshaw scoring one of their six tries.

Having won the Rugby Championship, South Africa are three from three in their November matches in the northern hemisphere.

The Springboks will look to claim a tour clean sweep in Dublin after victories over Japan at Wembley, France and Italy.

Ireland famously stunned South Africa in the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, and the sides drew a summer series in 2024.

And Henshaw hopes the Irish can back up their display against the Wallabies with another big performance at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (17:40 GMT).

"I think they're the talk of world rugby at the moment in terms of the strength in depth they have, the individual talent," he said.

"They're grinding out results... teams looks like they have them and then they find a way to get back.

"It's a proper test for us to see where we're at. We have gone toe-to-toe with them, from summer last year it was one win each in that series, so I suppose they'll be looking at that as well.

"It's massively exciting because they're such a proud nation as well and, you know, when we play against them here in Dublin, it's always a thriller."

The 32-year-old believes there is still more to come from Ireland as they look to end 2025 on a high.

"I think [against Australia] we conceded quite easily in the first half in that second 20 minutes when they got a roll on," Henshaw added.

"So, with what's coming, it's more of that up-front physicality and big men running down our channels.

"I think we just need to meet them on the gainline and front up and that's a thing we'd have to look at, our physicality in around fringes and stopping the momentum of teams."

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Ireland pair Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier are both available for Saturday's Test against world champions South Africa, but Stuart McCloskey has been ruled out of the match through injury.

Centre Ringrose and back-row Van der Flier have both recovered from hamstring strains in time to be available for selection for the Aviva Stadium meeting with the Springboks after missing the 46-19 win over Australia.

McCloskey misses out with a recurrence of a groin injury which saw him have to retire hurt after 27 minutes of the weekend victory over the Wallabies, Bundee Aki being introduced as his replacement in midfield.

The Ulster centre was initially forced to sit out the 41-10 win over Japan after sustaining the groin problem during the loss to New Zealand on 1 November which began Ireland's autumn campaign.

Meanwhile, Leinster prop Thomas Clarkson has cleared all head injury assessment (HIA) protocols and is set to train fully this week ahead of the Dublin encounter with the world's number-one ranked side.