Nothing beats the excitement and thrill of a win in Twickenham. Even in wet conditions Ireland got the tactics right. Unfortunately after a flying start Ireland were unable to build a meaningful lead however thanks to a wall of green neither were England.

Once again Ireland’s line-out was working like a well oiled machine, the scrum still looks a bit rough around the edges but the forwards made up for it at the breakdowns.

O’Gara’s substitution was well timed, experience was the key in the last 10 minutes especially with the loss of O’Driscoll. The kick to the corner which led to Tommy Bowe’s magnificent try was exactly what was needed. I hope that this game has given Ireland the confidence to reach full capacity in the last two games.

Lets not forget the quite man of the moment John Hayes winning his 100th cap, a truly remarkable achievement for any player never mind a prop-forward.

For the Ireland v Wales match you could be Ireland’s bagman! Don’t worry you will be in good hands as you join the legend Rala, Ireland’s head bagman.

Experience a truly “backstage” experience with the Irish Rugby team on 6 Nations match day!

Enter the Competition Here

Full Prize Includes:
Helping the Bagman for the Day
Overnight Stay in a Dublin Hotel
€100 Paddy Power bet on the game
€100 Beer Money (you’ll need a pint after all that hard work!)
Signed Irish Jersey by the Team & Rala

Learn more about Rala!

Puma have replaced Canterbury as the IRFU’s chosen jersey manufacturer. The new shirt returns to Irish Rugby’s roots with a classic design and a new shade or green. Puma call it “power green”.

New Puma Irish Rugby Jersey

Buy your jersey online from the official Irish Rugby store.

Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of PUMA, said:

“Developing the team kit, replica kit and training equipment has been an extremely exciting process for the brand and we’re proud to have worked so closely with both the players and the coaching staff to achieve a really strong and exciting new range of Irish rugby kit.”

“The new kit incorporates PUMA’s latest technologies that have been used in the past for some of the most demanding sporting occasions – and has performed extraordinarily from the Pit Lane at Imola to the 100 metre finals in Beijing and Berlin.

This years Guinness autumn test matches will see Ireland face Australia (15th Nov), Fiji (21st) and South Africa (28th).

Brian O’Driscoll is set to resume captaining duties for the 3 autumn Internationals. There is no doubt Brian has the credentials to lead Ireland after captaining the team to win this years Six Nations Championship.

The Irish Squad are currently training in preparation for their first match against Australia. A number of injury concerns are hanging over the squad with Marcus Horan currently undergoing medical tests after experiencing dizziness in last months Munster match against Benetton Treviso.

Other concerns include Rob Kearney, Jerry Flannery, Tomas O’Leary, Paddy Wallace Denis Leamy, Tony Buckley and Leo Cullen. However most of these players are thought to be available for next weeks test match.

If you are interested in writing articles for this site, maybe match reports or even a one-off Irish rugby traveling story then please get in touch. I would love to hear from any interested fans out there. andrew@irishrugby.co.uk

So what’s new?

Irish Rugby Jersey

In case you have not noticed Puma have replaced Canterbury for this seasons rugby kit. After a long partnership with Canterbury the powers above have decided its time for a fresh start.

I must say while I am a fan of Canterbury, I was not a fan of last seasons jersey. The new puma jersey is reminiscent of a classic Irish jersey sticking with a simple single block of colour for the design. Just have to get used to a new shade of green!

New Puma Irish Rugby Jersey

What are your views on the new kit?

Irish Rugby logo

Along with a new kit, the IRFU has decided to update the official Irish Rugby logo, or identity as they like to call it. The official announcement

Old v.s. New Irish Rugby Logo

Paul O’Connell is soon to take charge of the 2009 Lions first test against the Springboks. Its going to be a very tough game for the Lions you have yet to be totally convincing.

5 Irishmen including O’Connell will start, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip.
O’Callaghan, O’Gara and Kearney will start on the bench, it would be no suprise to see at least two get a run out.

Full Squad:
L Byrne (Ospreys and Wales); T Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland), B O’Driscoll (Leinster and Ireland), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues and Wales), U Monye (Harlequins and England); S Jones (Scarlets and Wales), M Phillips (Ospreys and Wales); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues and Wales), L Mears (Bath and England), P Vickery (Wasps and England), A-W Jones (Ospreys and Wales), P O’Connell (Munster and Ireland, capt), T Croft (Leicester and England), D Wallace (Munster and Ireland), J Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland).

Replacements: M Rees (Scarlets and Wales), A Jones (Ospreys and Wales), D O’Callaghan (Munster and Ireland), M Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales), H Ellis (Leicester and England), R O’Gara (Munster and Ireland), R Kearney (Leinster and Ireland).

As far as we’re concerned it’s between two men, Brian and Paul. But which one? Both had outstanding six nations and are hugely experienced. Does leading a lions tour require a different kind of leader than at a national level?

Please cast your votes!

Enjoy

Dawson Street will be closed to traffic tomorrow (Sunday) as preparations are made for the squad’s homecoming event.

More Information on the official Irish Rugby website

Update: Watch the homecoming online – Looks like the RTE website will be broadcasting the homecoming reception online at around 4:30pm (GMT). Hopefully all you fans from around the world will be able to tune in and watch the the boys welcomed home.

History has been made and Ireland have come out on the winning side. It had everything a championship final has to offer – heart stopping, adrenalin pumping, nerve shattering game.

If you want to see some great photos of the match and celebration try Inpho Photos

Leave a comment on this momentous game here

Now to celebrate – Come on Ireland!!

If you were at the game any photos would be appreciated, send them to andrew@irishrugby.co.uk