Ireland’s Grand Slam dream is over following a 26 points to 19 loss to France at Landsdowne Road. Ireland were never really in control of the game but despite this they were still in contention in the closing stages of the game thanks to an an amazing individual effort from captain Brian O’Driscoll to score a try to keep Ireland in the game.

Eddie O’Sullivan today announced his Irish side to face France in the Six Nations on Saturday. The team contains one change from the side than beat England. That is the inclusion of Kevin Maggs in the centre in place of the injured Shane Horgan. It had been hoped that Gordon D’Arcy would return to the side to fill the vacancy but despite playing 60 minutes for Leinster at the weekend he has been ruled out with the same hamstring injury that has dogged his Six Nations campaign.

Shane Horgan has been ruled out of Ireland’s next Six Nations match against France on Saturday week. Horgan managed to finish the game against England last Sunday but scans on his hand have revealed that he has sustained a minor fracture to the base of his thumb. The injury may also rule him out of the final game against Wales but that has yet to be decided.

Ireland’s win over England at Landsdowne Road yesterday has moved them about France in the official IRB World Rankings. Ireland are now the top ranked Northern Hemisphere team.
Wins over France and Wales could see Ireland move above South Africa in the rankings.

No one expected England to lie down when they came to Landsdowne Road. A tough, physical game was expected and that’s exactly what happened. Ireland started well but a poor defence allowed Martin Corry to go over for the first try of the game, but Ireland didn’t lie down, they were soon back in the game due to the boot of Ronan O’Gara.

Gordon D’Arcy has been left out of the Irish side to face England on Sunday following the news that he has been unable to shake the hamstring injury he picked up in the opening match of the tournament against Italy.

Munster have today confirmed that Munster and Irish International Denis Leamy will be out of action for 3 weeks due to the hamstring injury he picked up last Sunday against Glasgow in the Celtic League.

Things are looking quite good for Ireland on the injury front ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash with England. With Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy said to have responded well to their treatment in Poland and with Johnny O’Connor’s injury not as bad as previously thought it looks like Ireland could have a full compliment […]

Injured Ireland centre’s Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy have flown to Poland today to begin treatment on their injured hamstrings at a specialist facility. The two players who picked hamstring injuries in the first round of the Six Nations against Italy were the source of a great deal of speculation last week as to the severity of the injuries.

Thanks to France’s victory over England today, Ireland will overtake England and move into fifth place in tomorrow’s IRB World Rankings.