Paul O’Connell – By Any Measure, One Of The Great Locks

An Irish Times column about Paul O'Connell's test debut in 2002 and his long test career to follow. Also reference to some other Irish sporting centurions.

Scottish Horror, Expansive Italians and the curious tale of Peter O’Mahony

A look back at some more of the weekend's Six Nations points of note, including the continuation of a strange statistical streak

Ireland vs Wales: Kicking Kings

A look at the numbers from Ireland vs Wales, and ahead to Twickenham, for the Irish Examiner

Six Nations Stats – Week 1

A dance through the stats from last weekend's Six Nations rugby for the Irish Examiner

Brian O’Driscoll, the greatest Ireland scrum half we never had

As Brian O'Driscoll prepares to face Wales for a final time in a test match, I had a look back at his 2013 cameo at scrum half in Cardiff and some misty-eyed halfback memories from a former teammate.

Samoa to be close at half time; Wales to continue losing less badly

A preview of the weekend's rugby for Paddy Power

Warren Gatland hasn’t picked a back as Lions captain. It’s not a surprise.

Warren Gatland has never picked a forward as his test captain. Don't believe me?

Final Weekend of the Six Nations

France need to score 52 points against Scotland to avoid being the lowest-scoring French team ever in the Six Nations. I look at some good and bad points for each team going into the final weekend.

Six Nations Week 2: English discipline and lazy thinking about the French

Only six tries over the weekend with some dour matches. But the English gameplan was worth admiring. Less so the lazy commentary about the French.

Some Days The Try Gods Are Smiling

The opening weekend of the 2013 Six Nations was brim-full of points, tries and excitement. A big shock, a near-comeback, and the Scots kicking the ball. A lot. I have a quick skip through the numbers: