Irish Rugby

Image source, Inpho

Junior World Championship Pool C

England (24) 34

Tries: Staples, Pater, Knight, penalty try Cons: Shields 3 Pens: Shields 2

Ireland (12) 27

Tries: Ryan 3, Byrne, Deegan Cons: O'Shea 3

England opened their under-20 Junior World Championship with victory as they held off a second-half fightback from Ireland to win a thrilling Pool C opener in Tbilisi.

Ireland, who beat England in this year's Under-20s Six Nations, got off to a flying start when Connacht wing Daniel Ryan crossed twice inside the opening seven minutes.

But after Ireland's Dylan McNeice was sin-binned, Jimmy Staples and James Pater's converted tries put England back in front before a penalty try increased the advantage to 21-12.

Irish woes deepened when Ben Blaney's yellow card was followed by Hugh Shields' penalty, giving England a 12-point lead at the break.

Ryan completed his hat-trick three minutes after the restart to give Ireland renewed hope, but England quickly shifted momentum when Will Knight crossed three minutes later.

While Ryan had a fourth try ruled out when the television match official deemed he had been held up on the line, Ireland threatened to reel England in when Seb Kelly's yellow card was followed by Noah Bryne's try.

Ireland reduced the arrears to four when replacement centre Jack Deegan marked his substantial impact off the bench with a try after a superb run from Josh Neill 11 minutes from time.

However, two failed conversion attempts by replacement fly-half Tom Wood prevented Ireland from levelling the score at 31-31 before Shields' penalty sealed a seven-point win for England.

England face the United States on Thursday while Ireland hope to regroup against Argentina, who thrashed the USA 78-14 in their opener, on the same day with only the pool winners advancing to the semi-finals.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Forwards coach Paul O'Connell has confirmed Ireland have no further injury concerns before next Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney.

Having missed out on reclaiming the Six Nations title in March, Ireland take on the Wallabies and Japan in Australia and New Zealand in Auckland on 4, 11 and 18 July.

Head coach Andy Farrell's preparations have been hit by injuries to key players including fly-half Jack Crowley, prop Andrew Porter and captain Caelan Doris.

While Munster forward Tadhg Beirne and Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey have been struggling with injuries, O'Connell confirmed "everyone is fine".

"Everyone is training and trained hard and trained well, so everyone's fine," he said.

While the inaugural Nations Championship is not a traditional summer tour, Ireland have the chance to claim the scalps of next year's World Cup hosts Australia and rivals New Zealand, who have won the past three meetings with Farrell's side.

Ireland's second batch of Nations Championship games will see them host Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in November before a possible finals weekend at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.

And O'Connell hopes the next four weeks prove as useful as recent summer tours, which included 2022's historic series win in New Zealand.

"It feels like a summer tour, really. I think it's exciting to have a competition. And we certainly want to be at the business end of it come November, but it feels like a tour," added O'Connell.

"And that's what we're trying to make it like. I think you learn a lot about each other as a group. You develop a little bit more on tour because you're not going home at the weekend.

"You're not catching up with your family at the weekend. You're together all the time. So, we tend to get an awful lot of work done when we're on tours.

"We tend to, I think, take big strides as a team in terms of trying to improve and evolve. So, even though it's a competition, it feels like, and we're probably treating it like a tour."

Ireland's Nations Championship fixtures (times BST)

4 July: Australia v Ireland, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 11:10 BST

11 July: Japan v Ireland, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 11:10 BST

18 July: New Zealand v Ireland, Eden Park, Auckland, 08:10 BST

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Munster prop Oli Jager has retired from rugby at the age of 30 on medical grounds.

Jager, who was born in London but grew up in Ireland, moved to New Zealand when he was 17 and won seven Super Rugby titles with Crusaders.

He signed for Munster in 2023 and became a vital member of the squad, and his sole Ireland cap came as a replacement in the Six Nations against Wales in 2024.

Jager said that sharing the news came with a "heavy heart" and having 10 years as a professional rugby player was "nothing short of a privilege".

"While this chapter comes to an end, I look back with immense pride and gratitude for the experiences, memories, and relationships the game has given me," he said.

"Who knows what the next chapter holds, but I'm excited to see what it has in store."

Clayton McMillan, Munster's head coach, said that Jager was a "hugely respected and popular member of our squad", who can "take great pride in everything he has achieved in the game".

"I have a lot of admiration for how he earned his stripes as a rugby player, taking a chance as a teenager and moving across the world to New Zealand.

"It's an amazing story really, how he earned a contract at one of the biggest club sides in the world at Crusaders and played such a key role in their success.

"He has made a big contribution to Munster Rugby as a player and a person, and is extremely highly-regarded by team-mates, staff and supporters alike."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Farrell had already been planning for a summer without some of his key Ireland figures, but his hopes for a successful start to the inaugural Nations Championship have been dented by some significant injury news.

Having already missed the Six Nations, Andrew Porter has been ruled out. The loose-head prop has endured an injury-hit campaign, but after returning in time for Leinster's run to the Champions Cup final, he will miss the July games against Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

So, too, will Jack Crowley. Munster boss Clayton McMillan recently said a blood vessel issue in the fly-half's leg would likely rule him out of the early part of Ireland's tour, but it looks as though he will also miss a first appearance at the iconic Eden Park as Ireland renew their All Blacks rivalry.

Crowley's absence means Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley will battle for the starting spot. Having lost the jersey to Crowley during the Six Nations, it could be a big summer for 23-year-old Prendergast.

Farrell has opted against resting the sizeable Ireland contingent he brought to Australia with the British and Irish Lions last year as he looks to ramp up preparations for next year's World Cup.

He has also recognised Connacht's impressive run of form under Stuart Lancaster by including uncapped trio Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Sean Jansen.

Twenty-year-old Bohan, who was part of the Six Nations squad, has shown impressive maturity in his first season at senior level, while Illo has enjoyed his best run in the Westerners' team since making his debut in 2022.

And then there is Sean Jansen, who could be set for a breakout summer after a fantastic season in which he scored 10 tries.

New Zealand-born Jansen, who joined Connacht from Leicester in 2023, is known for his powerful ball-carrying and ranked third for tackles made (219) during the 2025-26 URC season.

The spread of players is noteworthy, too. There are 19 from Leinster but eight from Ulster and six from Connacht, reflecting their promising seasons, and only three from Munster.

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Leinster captain Caelan Doris has been passed fit to start Friday's United Rugby Championship final against the Pretoria Bulls as Tadhg Furlong returns to the line-up.

Ireland skipper Doris was a doubt after picking up a knee injury in the semi-final win over the Stormers but he will lead a side showing three changes for the Croke Park decider (19:30 BST).

Furlong is named at tight-head prop - the three-time British and Irish Lion's first start since April - with Connacht-bound Jerry Cahir replacing the injured Andrew Porter at loose-head

Fit-again Tommy O'Brien returns on the right wing with James Lowe starting on the opposite side in his final game before departing the province.

Hugo Keenan remains at full-back with Rieko Ioane and Jamie Osborne continuing in midfield, while Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast are retained in the half-backs.

Hooker Dan Sheehan is fit enough for a place on the bench after missing the Stormers game, with Ronan Kelleher again picked in the number two shirt.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan form an unchanged second row with Max Deegan and Josh van der Flier joining Doris in the back row.

Leinster are hoping to retain the URC title after missing out on a fifth Champions Cup success with defeat by Bordeaux in Bilbao in May.

Leo Cullen's side beat the Bulls 32-7 in last season's URC final.

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Tommy O'Brien, Rieko Ioane, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jerry Cahir, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt)

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Alex Usanov, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose

Bulls: Willie le Roux; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje, Marcell Coetzee (capt), Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom

Replacements: Marco van Staden, Jan‑Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Jeandre Rudolph, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, Nizaam Carr

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Ireland will travel to South Africa for two Test matches in October as part of the new WXV Global Series.

Scott Bemand's side will face the Springbok Women at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October. The only previous meeting between the sides was a 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup match in Canada, which Ireland won 37-0.

The Irish will also host the USA and Japan in the opening games of the series, which is replacing the WXV competition.

The fixture against the USA on 20 September will be the first women's Test match held at Dublin's Tallaght Stadium, while Galway's Dexcom Stadium will host the Japan game on 27 September, having been the stage for Ireland's emphatic win over Italy in this year's Six Nations.

Ireland will then host Japan in Cork on 3 October in a Test match outside of the WXV window before travelling to South Africa.

Bemand said the schedule will be an important step in Ireland's development as they look to build on a third-place finish in the Six Nations.

"We're really excited by the opportunities these fixtures present for the squad," said Bemand.

"To have three home matches across Tallaght Stadium, Dexcom Stadium and Virgin Media Park gives us the chance to connect with our supporters right across the country again and build momentum as a group heading into the season ahead.

"Japan and the USA are quality international teams who will challenge us in different ways, and those experiences are invaluable as we continue to grow and develop. We look forward to welcoming them to Ireland.

"Our autumn programme then culminates in a two-Test series against South Africa in Cape Town, which will provide another excellent challenge in a demanding environment and is exactly why the addition of the WXV Global Series is invaluable for us."

Ireland fixtures

WXV Global Series (kick-off times TBC)

Ireland v USA, Tallaght Stadium, 20 September

Ireland v Japan, Dexcom Stadium, 27 September

Test match (kick-off time TBC)

Ireland v Japan, Virgin Media Park, 3 October

WXV Global Series

South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, 24 October (14:00 BST)

South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, 31 October (14:00 GMT)

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Crowley has emerged as a doubt for Ireland's Nations Championship games next month after Munster head coach Clayton McMillan revealed the fly-half has been diagnosed with a blood vessel issue.

Crowley, who finished this year's Six Nations as Ireland's starting out-half, has not played for Munster since 18 April.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell names his squad for the Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand on Wednesday.

"Jack, I don't anticipate he'll be involved in the early part of the internationals," McMillan told the Irish Examiner, external.

"He's got a blood vessel issue in the back of his leg, which is good that something's been identified. He's got a plan around how to manage that but it literally is just a very obscure, unfortunate thing that was really hard to diagnose."

McMillan added: "He's got a diagnosis now, he has a plan around how to get it back, and I'm just not sure medically what the return to play protocols around that are.

"It's not like a concussion or a broken arm or leg, it's something that could literally solve itself overnight, or it might take a month or two. And that's not being cryptic, that's just the nature of what he's going through."

Crowley, 25, made his Ireland debut in 2022 and has earned 35 caps, playing every minute of the 2024 title-winning Six Nations campaign.

While Sam Prendergast started the first two games of this year's Six Nations, Crowley reclaimed the 10 jersey and steered Ireland to wins over England, Wales and Scotland to deliver the Triple Crown.

Ireland face Australia in Sydney on 4 July, Japan in New South Wales on 11 July and New Zealand in Auckland on 18 July.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Munster have appointed former Ireland international Jared Payne as the province's new attack coach on a two-year deal.

The 40-year-old, who spent four years as Ulster defence coach between 2018 and 2022 after a seven-year playing stint in Belfast, will combine attack and backline coaching responsibilities with Mossy Lawler, who has extended his Munster deal until 2028.

New Zealand-born Payne, who earned 20 Ireland caps between 2014 and 2017, also coached Clermont before a three-year spell with Scarlets that ended last month.

Payne said he was "incredibly grateful" for the opportunity to join Munster, whose 2025-26 season ended with a United Rugby Championship quarter-final loss to the Bulls on 30 May.

"Munster is a club with a proud history, strong values and a special connection with its supporters and community. As a family, we're excited to become part of that," he said.

"There is a huge amount of ambition across the club and I'm looking forward to working alongside the players and staff to help move the club forward.

"There is a lot to be excited about and I can't wait to get started."

Welcoming the move, Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said Payne has "developed an excellent reputation for empowering players and assisting them to fulfil their potential".

"I'm equally delighted that Mossy has extended his contract," added McMillan.

"The attack portfolio is vast, and I have always had the view that it is a two-person job.

"There is accountability to bring a higher level of detail to their respective areas of responsibility within our attack framework, and I believe that in Mossy and Jared, we have two innovative and detailed coaches who will work outstandingly well together."

Payne's arrival follows Jimmy Duffy's appointment as forwards coach after leaving Ulster.

Munster initially appointed Roger Randle as attack coach but the move was called off after his planned arrival was met by opposition in some quarters after a 1997 rape allegation resurfaced.

The alleged incident occurred in Durban, South Africa, during Randle's playing days with Super Rugby side Hurricanes - a charge that was dropped by the complainant and one he has always denied.