Tonga aim to match Ireland's physicality, says Fekitoa
Malakai Fekitoa says it will be "pretty weird" to play against some familiar faces when Tonga meet Ireland on Saturday (8pm Irish time).
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RTÉ Rugby World Cup podcast: Ireland up and running, but Springboks and France come out hot
Neil Treacy is joined by James Downey and former South Africa World Cup-winner BJ Botha to look back on the opening weekend's games at the Rugby World Cup in France.
Juventus midfielder Pogba provisionally suspended for doping
ROME: Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after a doping control detected the banned substance testosterone, Italian anti-doping authorities (NADO) told AFP on Monday. “The National Antidoping Tribunal informs that, in acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Antidoping Prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete Paul Labile Pogba,” NADO said in a statement to AFP. NADO said the “prohibited substance detected: Non-endogenous testosterone metabolites,” was consistent with a doping infringement. The Italian press reported that the doping test was carried out on the opening day of the Italian Serie A season, a 3-0 win at Udinese on August 20, during which the 30-year-old was an unused substitute. The test concerns the ‘A’ sample, and if the ‘B’ sample also tests positive for testosterone Pogba could face a four-year ban. NADO sent a statement Monday to clarify reports from earlier in the day in the Italian press regarding Pogba, who was hoping to play for Juventus against Lazio this weekend. Pogba was a star player in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph but had an awful 2022-2023 season blighted by injury and a blackmail affair. He played just ten games for Juventus that season and missed the 2022 World Cup with France.
Lessons from Luxembourg but big San Marino win expected for Crawford's U21s
Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Jim Crawford has one key message for his players ahead of this evening's Euro 2025 qualifier against San Marino – there’s no easy game in international football.
Versatile Bosun Lawal still on for doing a job anywhere ahead of U-21s Euro qualifier against San Marino
He has played in the midfield and now operates mainly as a defender.
Southgate doubts Foden's central midfield credentials
Gareth Southgate has raised doubts over Phil Foden's current suitability to play in a central area for England.
Recovery key as Lowe and Doris sweat it out
Ireland may have made it look easy against Romania but James Lowe says the conditions were the most difficult he has ever played in.