Tony Ward

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Tony Ward

Scoring 114 points with no reply will mean nothing to Leinster without completing the jobAfter three victories from four in the European rounds of 16, on balance we got what we deserved over the weekend with Leinster our sole semi-final survivors. Having watched Ulster put it up to Bordeaux Begles the previous week, allied to the depth of Munster’s winning performance at La Rochelle there were genuine grounds for optimism of a repeat performance and similar outcome at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Tony Ward

Perhaps they (the players) and we (the public) are victims to recent high standards, and I appreciate that I can only speak for myself, but what we witnessed on ‘Super Saturday’ was Irish rugby of the highest order – yet absolute extremes in contrasting styles essential to winning.

1 month ago | independent.ie | Tony Ward

Tony Ward: Ireland looked like a team on the decline against Italy – we need to give Stuart Lancaster a callIreland's Hugo Keenan evades the tackle of Italy's Juan Ignacio Brex while on his way to scoring his side's first try against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico. Photo: Seb Daly/SportsfileWhat is it they say about judging a book by its cover? Four wins out of five, three from three on the road and a 14th Triple Crown along the way.

1 month ago | independent.ie | Tony Ward

Tony Ward: Ireland’s defeat to France smacks of World Cup quarter-final syndromeIreland's Hugo Keenan, Jack Crowley and Joe McCarthy come to terms with defeat to France at the Aviva Stadium. Photo: David Fitzgerald/SportsfileIn sport you don’t always get what you deserve – but unfortunately from an Irish perspective we got our just deserts in what was effectively the Six Nations decider on Saturday. The better team – make that squad – certainly won.

1 month ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Tony Ward

Tony Ward: History-making treble of Six Nations titles would be fitting end to special trio’s international careersConor Murray, Cian Healy and Peter O'Mahony have been tremendous servants to Irish rugby. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/SportsfileThe decision to announce the retirement of three of our genuine all-time greats last week should not be perceived as psychological warfare by Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby. For starters, we don’t need it.