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Irish Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland combined player ratings from summer clashes with Georgia and Portugal
What were the Ireland summer tour takeaways, who were the star performers, who has enhanced their reputation... The trip to Georgia and Portugal may have been undertaken without four senior coaches, 16 players away on Lions and having to 'find' a new captain. But with a convincing win over the team ranked 11th in the world and a record score, a ton-up against the other in the second game, this may be a trip referenced for a long time to come. We take a post-mortem look at the most important things, and we counted seven, about the last two weekends and the Ireland squad. TOMMY O'BRIENLeinster 10-year project but overnight sensation has had a sensational 2025 to here and will be first choice right-winger for Leinster next season and for Ireland though the 2025 Six Nations.O'Brien first surfaced making his Leinster debut in 2019, with the footnote he was a Leinster Schools 110m hurdle champion - however, getting his rugby career to the starting blocks was continually stalled by delivered last Christmas though, as he started only his second game of the season, against Munster on Dec 27 and was starring for Ireland A by had the no14 shirt the Champions Cup quarter and semi-final, URC quarter, semi and final and, in between among his URC starts there was a Man of the Match display against Ulster.O'Brien four tries on the 2025 Ireland summer tour is just a beginning. PAUL O'CONNELLHome alone and left to his own devices Paul O'Connell put down his had been valid scepticism when the former Lions and Ireland captain was parachuted onto the national coaching roster without having to do any rites of passage at AIL or provincial if a tour is about picking a squad, logistics, cohesion, choosing the right staff to delegate to and then picking the team, it would seem O'Connell got it Prendergast and Denis Leamy have worked well with him while choosing Craig Casey as captain was inspired. That's both off and on the pitch by the way, Casey's press conferences were cracking insight/infotainment while he was outstanding in both Tbilisi and Lisbon. WELCOME ABOARD - NINE DEBUTS There were two new caps in the starting line-up for Georgia, Tommy O'Brien and Connacht second-row Darragh Murray. Connacht's Ben Murphy, Jack Aungier, Munster's Tom Ahern and Michael Milne made debuts from the bench. There were three new caps starting the Portugal game, Connacht's Hugh Gavin, Shayne Bolton and Munster's Alex Kendellen with none making a debut from the bench. A lot good news there for Connacht, five new Ireland internationals COMBINED RATINGS - (20 points = starting two games) Tommy O'Brien 17/20 Craig Casey, Ryan Baird 16/20 Thomas Clarkson 15/20 Jimmy O'Brien, Stuart McCloskey 14.5/20 Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, Darragh Murray 14/20 also notable: Jamie Osborne 9 v Georgia, Gavin Coombes 8.5 v Geor, Cian Prendergast 8 v Port, Calvin Nash 8 v Georgia Alex Kendellen 7.5 v Port, Nick Timony 7.5 v Geor, Sam Prendergast 7.5 v Geor. SIX NATIONS Georgia's rise to 11th in the world rankings, their player presence in Top14/PROD2 rugby and EPCR's help in allowing a DD10 domestic league squad play in Challenge Cup rugby since 2022 has been a thing. Meanwhile Portugal had qualified for RWC 2023, beat Fiji, drew with Georgia and gave Wales a 60-minute scare. But an Ireland squad, demonstrably a 'B' team as 16 players were on the Lions tour and a further two big stars injured, demolishing both of them this past fortnight has put their Six Nations chances back 20 years. There has been lots made of Six Nations promotion/relegation and Georgia coach Richard Cockerill used the first game as a political tool to practically demand a play-off with Wales for a spot. Here's the thing, none of the Home Unions will hear of cutting themselves out of the Six Nations party, France's TV money never mind their quality, makes them a bulwark and that leaves Italy. The Six Nations committee might agree Georgia and Italy might be on a similar level but what they don't say out loud is that none of the unions, none of the sponsors, none of the TV stations want to swap Rome for Tbilisi. Ireland have saved them having to make any statements at all - it is as you were now and for a long Six Nations time to come. RECAP ONE Georgia 5 (Jalagonia try) Ireland: 34 (O'Brien 2 tries; Casey, Timoney try each; Prendergast 2 pens, 4 cons). Georgia: D Niniashvili; A Tabutsadze, D Tapladze (T Kakhoidze 60), G Kveseladze, S Todua; L Matkava, V Lobzhanidze; G Akhaladze (G Tetrashvili 53),, V Karkadze (I Kvatadze 53), I Aptsiauri (G Tetrashvili 53); M Babunashvili, L Chachanidze; L Ivanishvili (I Spanderashvili 77), B Saghinadze (capt), T Jalagonia (G Ganiashvili 53). Ireland: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, J Osborne, S McCloskey, J Stockdale (C Nash 36); S Prendergast (J Crowley 69), C Casey (capt) (B Murphy 69); J Boyle (M Milne 58), G McCarthy (T Stewart 58), T Clarkson (J Aungier, 67); C Izuchukwu (T Ahern 62), D Murray; R Baird, N Timoney, G Coombes (M Deegan 63). Referee: A Piardi (Italy) RECAP TWO PORTUGAL 7 (Martins try; Aubry con.) IRELAND 106 (T O'Brien, Bolton, Gavin, C Prendergast 2 tries each; McCloskey, Clarkson, Casey, Nash, Frawley, Kendellen, Murphy try each, Penalty Try; Crowley 12 cons.) Portugal: N Sousa Guedes; S Bento, V Pinto, T Appleton (capt) (G Aviragnet 20) (F Almeida 32), M C Pinto; H Aubry, H Camacho (A Campos 54); D Costa (P S Lopes 56), L Begic (A Cunha 56), D H Ferreira (G Costa 56); A R Andrade (M Souto 50), P Ferreira; D Wallis, N Martins, D Pinheiro (V Baptista 62). Ireland: J O'Brien; T O'Brien (C Nash 52), H Gavin, S McCloskey (C Frawley 51), S Bolton; J Crowley, C Casey (capt) (B Murphy 61); J Boyle (M Milne 51), G McCarthy (T Stewart, 51), T Clarkson (T O'Toole 51); T Ahern, D Murray (C Izuchukwu 59); R Baird (M Deegan 51), A Kendellen, C Prendergast. Referee: A Leal (England) Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
Irish Examiner
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Paul O'Connell on Portugal pasting: "We can only beat what is put in front of us"
A record win for Ireland and a biggest ever defeat for Portugal, but Paul O'Connell was more interested in effort and attitude than any line his team added to the history books in Lisbon on Saturday evening. The 106-7 defeat of the Portuguese by his second-string side made for the biggest ever victory and the most points scored in the history of the men's senior Test team. For the hosts it was a black day in the history less than two years since a breakthrough World Cup. Ireland claimed 16 tries and conceded just the one against a Tier 2 team that was blown away from minute one, and the interim head coach put it that all his side could do was tend to their own garden on the night at the Estadio Nacional. 'Listen, we can only beat what is put in front of us and they have performed quite well against Scotland and South Africa in the last few years so we were ready for a big challenge. And it wasn't about them really, it was more about us. 'It wasn't even about the rugby we were going to play. It was more about our mentality and that was a big part for us in terms of how they prepared and how they played. I was hoping it would be sticky and we would see what we were like. 'Then when we were pulling away I was kind of excited to see what our mentality would be like and how we were going to set our own standards. I was really pleased in that. They didn't care about the scoreline, they just kept playing as hard as they could. 'I love seeing some of the kick-chase stuff late in the game. It really shows the mentality of the players so I was really pleased from that point of view. The scoreline isn't ideal and it's not good for them but I was happy with the mentality.' Captain Craig Casey echoed that. The Munsterman said there was no talk of hitting triple digits at half-time when they led 52-0. And Casey had no idea that Ireland's standing record win at that point was an 83-3 defeat of the USA in New Hampshire in 2003. 'God no, no.' For O'Connell, who also guided the side to a comfortable win against Georgia last weekend, the tour has been proof that there are enough players down the depth chart in Ireland to blossom when offered the opportunity. 'We've seen it on the Emerging Ireland tour, just guys dying for the chance. They will do everything and anything once they get their chance. They are great tourists to coach, guys with an incredible attitude and it's your job as coaches not to 'f' that up.' For Portugal, this shows up just how far behind they are. A side that defeated Fiji in France in the global tournament in 2023 was no match for an Irish side flooded with players looking to make their mark and head coach Simon Mannix made the claim that this was a clear reflection of the road they need to travel. 'Explain it? I'm not sure that I can explain it. If it was a boxing fight it would have been called off at half-time,' said the man who once coached at Munster. 'We have bluffed ourselves in the last 12 months believing that we could perform. 'We're not in a performance space at all, we are in a total reset. We are in a development phase, Portuguese rugby, because of the hole that was left after the World Cup in 2023. We need to do a whole rest on what we are doing as a union, what we are doing with our players. 'We are starting to do that, those processes are in place. It is very difficult to play a Tier 1 nation when 1: you don't have access to your players, 2: the players have had no preparation to come and play this game with no warm-up game. 'And 3: we have had players coming off of ten weeks playing in a local championship that just cannot prepare them for this type of opposition, which is an outstandingly organised rugby team. 'Rather than throwing out excuses, we knew where we were at. Did we think we would be a hundred points worse than Ireland? No we didn't. Are we disappointed? We are absolutely devastated but we will work. Good things will come through if we work hard.'
RTÉ News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Craig Casey hopes Irish 'mentality' catches Lions coaches' eyes
Craig Casey suggested that the chance of a late call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad was part of the motivation for Ireland's ruthless demolition job against Portugal. The Munster scrum-half missed out on selection for Andy Farrell's squad and was also overlooked when Wales' Tomos Williams suffered a tour-ending injury against Western Force two weeks ago with Ben White of Scotland getting the nod. After admitting to disappointment at missing out, the stand-in Ireland captain has not given up hope of finishing his season in Australia, where Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell and White are the scrum-half options, if needed. The 26-year-old did his chances no harm as he led Ireland, with 17 players already on Lions duty, to wins over Georgia and Os Lobos, scoring tries in both matches. Interim head coach Paul O'Connell saw his charges break numerous records in Lisbon last night as they scored 100 points in a Test for the first time; a record winning margin, most tries and most conversions (12, all by Jack Crowley). The result was never in doubt with the visitors 28-0 up by the 13th minute and Portugal providing no more than token opposition. However, Ireland have been guilty of switching off in previous encounters against lower class opposition and Casey was glad to oversee an 80-minute performance a week before the first of three Lions Tests against Joe Schmidt's Wallabies. "We talked about staying in it, no matter what the score was, and putting our game on it," Casey said after the 106-7 victory. "Last week [against Georgia] we didn't really play the way we wanted to play, so this week was nice, a dry ball, and we said be ruthless with it. "That's what the coaches wanted, and that's what the coaches in Australia would probably be looking for as well, is mentality and stuff like that. "I think that came out in spades." Portugal, who beat Fiji and drew with Georgia at the 2023 World Cup, lost captain Tomás Appleton to injury in the 21st minute and his replacement, Gabriel Aviragnet, departed 15 minutes later. "It's tough for Portugal," said O'Connell. "They lost 14 players after the World Cup, and they're in a rebuilding phase now. "They played a 6:2 (bench split) as well, and lost their two backs early on. "It made it a real challenge for them. so I was sorry for Portugal but delighted for our boys. "Just their attitude is phenomenal. "It's a different type of tour, particularly when a Lions tour happens, and one like this when we lose so many players. "So, for us to get so many players capped and for them to train with the application they've had, and play with the mentality they had, is very pleasing, and it's good for the future of Irish rugby."
The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
What TV channel is Ireland vs Portugal on? Stream, kick-off time and odds for final summer Test
IRELAND interim boss Paul O'Connel's side face Portugal in Lisbon for their final summer Test. Following up from last week's 2 Craig Casey was named captain in the absence of the injured Caelan Doris 2 The Ireland forwards coach is filling in for Andy Farrell as interim head coach Ireland and Portugal have never faced each other in a Test rugby game before. Os Lobos were back to back runners-up in the Europe International Championships in 2023 and 2024 behind Georgia who have won 12 of the last 13 competitions. An O'Connell's team will be hoping to back up the good team performance against Georgia and get another positive result. Read more on Irish sport Here is everything you need to know before watching the game: WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF? The match kicks-off at 7pm Irish time on Saturday July 12 in the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon. WHAT TV CHANNEL IS IRELAND VS PORTUGAL ON? The Test is being shown live on Virgin Media One with coverage starting at 6:30pm for the 7pm kick-off. It will also be available to stream live for free on the Most read in Rugby Union WHAT ARE THE ODDS? Despite losing key players to the Lions tour in Australia and handing out three debuts, Ireland are the extremely heavy favourites at 1/41 to win the match. A Portugal home win is set at 50/1 and the odds of a draw are 200/1 with the handicap being set at 36 points in favour of O'Connell's side. Craig Casey shares hilarious 'fear' weighing on him before captaining Ireland for first time vs Georgia WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN THE BUILD-UP? O'Connell was The Leinster centre was due to start but will now be replaced by Connacht's Hugh Gavin to make his Ireland debut. He is joined by two other debutants as club teammate Shayne Bolton and Munster's Alex Kendellen have been selected to start the Test. One of last week's five debutants Tom Aherne earns his first start for Ireland replacing Cormac Izuchukwu to partner Darragh Murray. Captain O'Connell said: 'It's a very important position, out-half, more important than it's ever been. "This is an opportunity for Jack to own the week, run it and get after it. The two of them are quite supportive of each other. 'It's another opportunity to give Jack more experience. Sam was excellent last week.'
Irish Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
What time and TV channel is Ireland vs Portugal in international rugby action
Ireland will have three new caps on show for the second of their 2025 summer tour games, against Portugal in Lisbon tonight. Munster back-row Alex Kendellen, Connacht centre Hugh Gavin and south African-born Connacht winger Shayne Bolton gain their first Ireland caps. The 24-year-old Kendellen made his Munster debut in March 2021 just eight short of 1has played 92 times for the province. READ MORERory McIlroy fires warning as PGA Tour star opens up after granting Erica Stoll her wish 21-year-old Gavin was originally selected on the bench but Jamie Osborne's Lions call sees him start at no13. He made 11 appearances this season at Connacht eight in the starting line-up. Bolton was particularly impressive for Ireland 'A' against England last February and started 13 of his 14 Connacht appearances this season, scoring seven tries. Craig Casey is once again captain having taken also taken that task for Georgia. Ryan Baird and Cian Prendergast represent 'senior' players in the pack, Leinster front-row Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson all played 2025 Six Nations while Tom Ahern makes a first start following his Tbilisi debut. Where and when is the match being played? Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon which has a 37,593 capacity 7pm local/7pm Irish. Referee: Adam Leal (Eng), Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Woodthorpe (Eng), Assistant Referee 2: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) TMO: Meteo Liperini (Italy) Did you know? Portugal are ranked 18th in the world in rugby ahead of Tonga, Chile and Romania 19-21. Did you know? The last time Jack Crowley started at out-half with Craig Casey starting at scrum-half was July 6th 2024 against south Africa in 2024. South Africa won 27-20 Did you know? Ireland have never played Portugal in an official international rugby match before. Did you know? the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon, has the traditional home of the Portuguese Fa Cup final since 1946. Portugal's soccer team have played 50 games there since 1946, beating Ireland 3-1 in 1946 and 2-0 in 1948. Ireland Interim Head Coach Paul O'Connell said: 'I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players over the last number of weeks and this is another opportunity to go out and try to play our game. " said O'Connell. "The dedication and diligence of the squad in testing conditions over in Tbilisi demonstrated the players' willingness to embrace challenges and hopefully that bodes well again. "Portugal are another impressive emerging side who look to play an exciting brand of rugby. We know that we're in for another battle hopefully in front of another big crowd of travelling supporters." Ireland matchday captain Craig Casey added: "I think their no15 is absolutely class, Nuno Sousa Guedes, his feet are absolutely electric. The right winger, Simao Bento, he's a very, very good player as well. "I actually played against their no13 Vincent Pinto for French under 20s we know him quite well. "Their no7 Nicolas Martins is a massive threat for them I think, he's awesome at the breakdown, he's a good carrier for them. He's kind of their talisman and they also look for their no12 Tomas Appleton, their captain. "So we know quite a lot about them and we're excited for the game. We know how special it is for Portugal but it's also special for us as well." The game kicks off 7pm local and 7pm Irish/UK time and will be broadcast live on Virgin Media. Portugal 25/1 Draw 50/1 Ireland 1/80 The handicap is Portugal +33 Betting Tip - Notwithstanding the tale of the training spin ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, drawing with Georgia and beating a by-then disorganised Fiji side by a point was a notable achievement. That +33 could be a good bet. IRELAND v Portugal, Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon, 7pm local/7pm Irish, Virgin Media): Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster); Tommy O'Brien (Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Connacht)*, Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*; Jack Crowley (Munster), Craig Casey (Munster) capt; Jack Boyle (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Tom Ahern (Munster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Alex Kendellen (Munster)*, Cian Prendergast (Connacht) Replacements: Tom Stewart (Ulster), Michael Milne (Munster), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Max Deegan (Leinster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Calvin Nash (Munster)
