Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
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160 posts
Rugby writer with the Irish Independent. Email: [email protected]
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 9
Simon Easterby: There is an opportunity to create history – but we've got to prepare in the right way for Wales
Interim head coach Simon Easterby insists Ireland will not get carried away following a pivotal Six Nations weekend that ended with his side’s destiny in their own hands.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 9
Ireland secure bonus-point victory against Scotland to keep Grand Slam dream alive
Ireland have inflicted some serious pain over Scotland recently, and this latest chapter of an increasingly one-sided rivalry resulted in another dark day for the hapless Scots.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 9
Working with Ireland squad makes Johnny Sexton seem destined to kick on as a coach
It didn’t take long for the doubts to creep in. Shortly after he arrived home to Dublin following Ireland’s latest World Cup quarter-final defeat in Paris, Johnny Sexton began to face up to the realit...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 9
James Lowe interview: ‘You’ve got to learn hard and fast, it’s sink or swim, especially in professional rugby’
There is an infectious effervescence to James Lowe — which is great as part of your team, but a complete nightmare when he’s against you.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 8
Caelan Doris backs ‘class’ Calvin Nash to fill Mack Hansen void for Ireland’s clash with Scotland
Ireland captain Caelan Doris has backed Calvin Nash to seize his opportunity after the Munster winger was drafted into the starting team for tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 8
Mack Hansen misses out on Six Nations clash with Scotland in major blow for Ireland
Ireland have been dealt a late blow ahead of tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield, as Mack Hansen is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 8
‘He is incredibly grounded and just really humble’ – Rising Ireland prop star Thomas Clarkson ready to take next step
If there is a rugby equivalent of a ‘cold, rainy night in Stoke’, then Colwyn Bay on a bleak Friday night is tough to top.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 6
Cian Tracey: How Ireland’s pack plan to ‘dismantle’ Scotland in Murrayfield ‘war’
There has already been plenty written and said about the obvious threat that Finn Russell and the Scotland back-line pose this week, but, in reality, Sunday’s Six Nations clash at Murrayfield will be ...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 4
Stick or twist for Simon Easterby? The big Ireland selection issues for Murrayfield clash with Scotland
When the Ireland squad reconvened this week, they will have done so with a pep in their step, safe in the knowledge there’s plenty of scope for improvement following last weekend’s bonus-point win ove...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 2
Cian Tracey’s Breakdown: How Ireland’s bench press clinched priceless bonus-point win
Simon Easterby hit the nail on the head in his post-match press conference on Saturday night when he pointed to the strong foundation that had been laid by Ireland’s starting team before the bench cam...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Feb 1
'The change at 10 was pretty significant’ – England boss Steve Borthwick hails Jack Crowley's impact
Steve Borthwick believes Ireland’s experience was the deciding factor of their opening Six Nations win at the Aviva Stadium, as the England head coach singled out Jack Crowley for having a major impac...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 30
Cian Tracey: Clash of styles awaits as Ryan Baird looks to make his mark for Ireland
Steve Borthwick wasted no time in beginning the mind games last weekend when the England head coach not so subtly urged Ben O’Keeffe, the referee for tomorrow’s Six Nations game, to ensure Ireland’s a...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 30
Simon Easterby reveals Joe McCarthy’s absence for Six Nations opener down to ‘nasty blow’ to the head
Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby has revealed that Joe McCarthy suffered a “nasty blow” to the head in training yesterday, which has ruled the Leinster lock out of Saturday’s Six Nations open...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 30
Who’s hot and who’s not in Irish rugby – A player-by-player form guide for Simon Easterby’s Six Nations squad
With one major enforced change at the helm, consistency of selection has been the name of the game for Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 29
Sam Prendergast to get nod at out-half for England opener with Joe McCarthy in line for surprise bench role
Sam Prendergast is set to make his Six Nations debut from the start in Ireland’s opener against England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (4.45), as interim head coach Simon Easterby considers shaking ...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 27
‘I was sick of watching everyone else play and wanted that nervous feeling of getting back on the pitch’ – Dan Sheehan
Dan Sheehan started the day pacing around his apartment, not knowing where to look as the nervous energy that had been building all week reached boiling point.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 25
‘He’s in the dressing room fine’ – Leo Cullen allays injury fears over Luke McGrath after Leinster win
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has allayed fears over Luke McGrath after the scrum-half was stretchered off in a neck brace just before half-time in his side’s 36-12 bonus point win over the Stormers ...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 25
Leinster blow Stormers away as Dan Sheehan scores two tries during comeback
For Leinster, the objective here was two-fold: One, maintain their unbeaten season by racking up their 14th consecutive win, and two, ensure that Dan Sheehan and James Lowe came through it unscathed.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 24
How Springbok Siya Kolisi inspired Dan Sheehan to make a miraculous ACL recovery
Eleven minutes after he tore the ACL in his left knee, Dan Sheehan tackled Siya Kolisi, who, as it turned out, would soon point the way in terms of his miraculous recovery from a similarly serious inj...
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 22
‘Although I was bitter, I did well to hold it together’ – Ex-sevens captain Billy Dardis rues Olympics snub
There is a certain irony to how Billy Dardis’ career ended where he had spent much of his playing days – in the shadows, far away from the glitz and the glamour of rugby’s bright lights.
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Cian Tracey
@ciantracey.bsky.social
· Jan 21
Cian Tracey: Calvin Nash delivers a timely reminder of his quality as he looks to force his way into Ireland team
Calvin Nash spent the month of November in Ireland camp without playing a single minute of any of the four Autumn Nations Series games.
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