Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley

Rugby Correspondent

Gerry Thornley is Rugby Correspondent of The Irish Times

Poignant Munster victory caps perfect weekend for Irish rugby

All four provinces win on the opening weekend of Europe as Munster honour Anthony Foley before turning their attention to Leinster

‘I stood in that circle 10 years ago’: Jack O’Donoghue on an emotional night for Munster

Flanker reflects on Anthony Foley’s influence after team secure 33-25 win over Racing 92 in Cork

Munster honour Anthony Foley’s memory with victory over Racing 92 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Clayton McMillan’s side were far from perfect but had enough to hold off French visitors

Poignant and significant night for Munster as they face Racing 92

Must-win match for Munster in Champions Cup comes 10 years after Anthony Foley’s death

‘It never gets easy:’ 10 years on, Anthony Foley is still inspiring Munster

That Munster are due to host Racing just a day after the 10th anniversary of Foley’s death is uncanny. But then, so much of the spirit of ‘Axel’ seems to live on

Leinster’s chances of Champions Cup glory look slim for a number of reasons

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Leinster is that they will effectively be trying to win with virtually an entirely home-grown team

Charlie O’Shea and Seán Edogbo to make Champions Cup debuts for Munster

Province will play without a number eight jersey against Racing 92, in tribute to the late Anthony Foley

Craig Casey aiming to maximise Páirc Uí Chaoimh factor on emotional night for Munster

Scrumhalf admits he doesn’t know how occasion will affect him but is focused on delivering a performance to honour Anthony Foley

Champions Cup pool guide: Leinster, Munster and Connacht’s opponents reviewed and rated

Toulouse and Bordeaux Bègles joint favourites to win tournament, but shocks may await Top 14 aces

‘The dark arts are slowly going out of the game’: Tadhg Beirne adapting to law tweaks

Munster captain says changes to mauls can ‘clean up the game’

Munster aim to honour Anthony Foley in best way possible – with victory against Racing

Province have several gestures prepared to mark the tenth anniversary of head coach’s death

Edwin Edogbo and Will Harrison likely to return for Munster’s clash with Racing 92

Tom Ahern and Fineen Wycherley may also be back for Champions Cup opener at Páirc Uí Chaoimh

It’s death by a thousand tweaks for the once-great Champions Cup

Changes to the calendar only weaken a competition that has never been truly loved in England and France

How are Munster, Leinster and Connacht looking ahead of Champions Cup openers?

Leo Cullen says Leinster need to improve attacking cohesion, although the form of Sam Prendergast is a bright spark

AIL: Old order rise to the challenge in fiercely competitive Division 1A

Lansdowne fight back against Old Belvedere for first win of the season

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

Common Ground

How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands