Opinion
British & Irish Lions
Contributors
Pat McCarry
@patmccarry
Pat McCarry has been covering rugby, across various shows and platforms, for over 16 years. He has two best-selling rugby books, The New Breed and Man & Ball, and penned a sell-out rugby play, Soldier Field, in 2019. He has written for SportsJOE, The42, Guardian, Press Association and Inside Rugby, among others.
67 Articles
Latest
18 days ago United Rugby Championship
Dave Kilcoyne bows out of rugby as a Munster legend
23 days ago International Rugby
Opportunity knocks for uncapped Irish players with 15 away with Lions
29 days ago International Rugby
Sheepish mood at rugby awards catches Ireland at vital crossroads
33 days ago International Rugby
With 6-2 and 7-1 splits, the rise of the hybrid player is here to stay
Opinion
Why Andy Farrell's left-field call is an early Lions masterstroke
In leaving two spots open, the new Lions supremo has dangled a tantalising carrot for those who missed out and kept the content ma…
Pat McCarry
15 May 2025, 17:07
Opinion
Irish provinces in danger of being left further behind, in their own country
As the season has progressed there has been increasing disquiet about the strength of Leinster to the detriment of Ireland's other…
Pat McCarry
30 Apr 2025, 15:12
Interview
Why Jacob Stockdale 2.0 is ready for an Ireland renaissance this summer
The Ulster left-wing, along with Jimmy O'Brien and Cormac Izuckukwu are pushing hard for starring roles on Ireland's summer tour
Pat McCarry
24 Apr 2025, 17:16
Opinion
Leinster lions Van der Flier & Ringrose roaring loudly for overdue tours
Two inspirational Irish figures have yet to earn the Lions call, but are playing with points to prove.
Pat McCarry
18 Apr 2025, 15:57
Analysis
Will wounded Carbery come back to haunt former side Munster?
Discarded by Munster and Ireland, Joey Carbery is flourishing again with Bordeaux.
Pat McCarry
10 Apr 2025, 23:33
Interview
Munster-ROG reunion a ‘love story’ but no return likely for La Rochelle boss
Munster and La Rochelle have "given him the most in rugby", but Ronan O'Gara has no plans to return home soon.
Pat McCarry
03 Apr 2025, 23:41
Opinion
Andy Farrell is draining Ireland’s resources to benefit the Lions
Coaching the Lions is the ultimate honour, but Ireland's recent form has made them a victim of their own success
Pat McCarry
26 Mar 2025, 23:06
Opinion
Was Dublin drubbing the end of an era or a bump in the road for Ireland?
Has an ageing squad been exposed by Les Bleus, or was Saturday's French thrashing merely a blip for the venerated green machine?
Pat McCarry
14 Mar 2025, 3:21
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 5 to 1
Wales' late, late show, Sexton's drop-goal, Russell's pass, Super Saturday 2015 and Wales' first Slam since 70s, but which is No.1…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
07 Mar 2025, 20:41
Opinion
Can 'great' Gibson-Park best 'freakish' Dupont in scrum-half clash for the ages?
A duel between the two best nines on planet rugby is a mouth-watering aspect of the likely Six Nations title decider between Irela…
Pat McCarry
07 Mar 2025, 16:03
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 10 to 6
Wales rock England, Scotland banish hoodoo, and France and Ireland end Grand Slam waits among our next five iconic moments.
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
06 Mar 2025, 17:14
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 15 to 11
Dupont's freakish power, O'Driscoll's genius, Scotland's sensational comeback and a Croke Park cracker feature in our next five o…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
05 Mar 2025, 21:05
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 20 to 16
Capuozzo’s sizzling break, Robinson's electric sidestep and Gatland's third Grand Slam feature among the second five of the tour…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
04 Mar 2025, 22:51
Opinion
25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 25 to 21
Bouthier's 90m boot, Zebo's fancy footwork and Hodge's gala day feature among the first five of the tournament's most iconic momen…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
04 Mar 2025, 0:34
Analysis
The games that defined legendary status for O’Mahony, Murray and Healy
Ireland are losing over 350 caps of Test experience at the end of the Six Nations and fans owe the feted trio immeasurable debt
Pat McCarry
28 Feb 2025, 21:18
Opinion
Jack Conan: A Lion longer in the tooth, but bearing his claws
Often deployed from the bench, the Leinster juggernaut is timing his run perfectly for the tour of Australia.
Pat McCarry
14 Feb 2025, 0:50
Opinion
Is ‘lightning rod’ Lowe edging Lions duel with Van der Merwe?
If Andy Farrell opts to take only one specialist left wing to Australia, Sunday's 'contest within a contest' may prove pivotal.
Pat McCarry
07 Feb 2025, 17:14
Opinion
Ireland are Six Nations favourites but issues are starting to mount
Simon Easterby's men are joint-favourites with France to retain their trophy but there are problems to solve in Ireland
Pat McCarry
31 Jan 2025, 16:40
Interview
'Sam's in the driving seat' - Kearney backs Prendergast for Ireland start
Irish great Rob Kearney explains why Sam Prendergast should start at fly-half ahead of Jack Crowley.
Pat McCarry
22 Jan 2025, 20:22
Opinion
All but two positions locked in for Ireland’s starting XV for England
Even with uncertainty over hooker and left wing, Ireland's XV for their Six Nations opener is set to be distinctly blue-tinted.
Pat McCarry
16 Jan 2025, 21:33
