Joe Schmidt Archives - Marking The Spot

Andy Farrell signs new IRFU contract until 2031

Andy Farrell has signed a new deal to remain as Ireland’s head coach until 2031, removing any chance of England luring him back to Twickenham after next year’s Rugby World Cup. Instead, Farrell has opted to stay put in Dublin and will now preside over their next two World Cup campaigns. Farrell, who led the British & Irish Lions to a series win in Australia last year, has steered Ireland to two Six Nations titles, including a grand slam in 2023 and a historic Test series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand since replacing Joe Schmidt in late 2019.

Match Report Rugby

Hansen grabs hat-trick as Ireland hammer Australia

November 15, 2025 admin 0 Comments Andy Farrell, Andy Farrell Ireland, Andy Farrell IRFU, Australia, Australia Rugby, Australia Rugby news, Australia Rugby ream, Australia Rugby team, Autumn Internationals, Autumn Nations Series, Aviva, Aviva Stadium, Ben O'Connor, Billy Pollard, Caelan Doris, Fraser McReight, Ireland, Ireland 46-19 Australia, Ireland Rugby, Ireland rugby history, Ireland Rugby news, Ireland Rugby team, Irish Rugby, Irish Rugby Football Union, Irish Rugby news, Irish Rugby Squad, Irish rugby team, Jack Crowley, Joe Schmidt, Joe Schmidt Australia, Karl Dickson, Len Ikitau, Mack Hansen, Match report, Nick Frost, November Internationals, Quilter, Quilter Nations Series, Quilter Nations Series 2025, Robbie Henshaw, Rugby, Rugby news, Ryan Baird, Sam Prendergast, The Aviva, The Quilter Nations Series, Tommy O'Brien

Mack Hansen scored a superb first-half hat-trick to help lift Ireland to a comprehensive win over Australia in an entertaining Test at Aviva Stadium. Starting an Ireland game at full-back for the first time, Canberra-born Hansen starred in a slick Irish attack on his return from a foot injury with three tries inside the opening 30 minutes. The Wallabies – coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt – stayed in touch at half-time thanks to Len Ikitau and Fraser McReight tries.

Rugby The Lions

Australia outplay the Lions to avoid series whitewash

August 2, 2025 admin 0 Comments Andy Farrell, Brisbane, British and Irish Lions Tour 2025, Carlo Tizzano, Dan Sheehan, Finn Russell, Hugo Keenan, Huw Jones, Jake Gordon, James Slipper, Joe Schmidt, Joe Schmidt Australia, Lions Tour 2025, Lions Tour of Australia, Marcus Smith, Max Jorgensen, Rugby, Rugby news, Sione Tuipulotu, Stadium Australia, Suncorp Stadium, Sydney, Tate McDermott, The British & Irish Lions, The British and Irish Lions, The Lions, The Lions Rugby, The Lions Rugby news, The Lions v Australia, Tom Curry, Tom Lynagh, Tom Wright, Tommy Freeman

On a foul night of torrential rain and threats of lightning strikes in Sydney that forced play to be suspended for 40 minutes, the Wallabies shocked the British and Irish Lions and won a riotous victory in the third and final Test at Stadium Australia. The hosts, and underdogs, were dominant for much of a dramatic evening, outscoring the Lions by three tries to two. They led the Sydney slugfest 8-0 through a Dylan Pietsch try and a Tom Lynagh penalty at the end of an intense first half.

Rugby The Lions

Keenan the hero as Lions seal series with epic comeback

July 26, 2025 admin 0 Comments Andy Farrell, Brisbane, British and Irish Lions Tour 2025, Carlo Tizzano, Dan Sheehan, Finn Russell, Hugo Keenan, Huw Jones, Jake Gordon, James Slipper, Joe Schmidt, Joe Schmidt Australia, Lions Tour 2025, Lions Tour of Australia, Marcus Smith, Max Jorgensen, Rugby, Rugby news, Sione Tuipulotu, Suncorp Stadium, Tate McDermott, The British & Irish Lions, The British and Irish Lions, The Lions, The Lions Rugby, The Lions Rugby news, The Lions v Australia, Tom Curry, Tom Lynagh, Tom Wright, Tommy Freeman

Hugo Keenan wrote himself into the history books of the Lions, the Ireland and Leinster full-back’s try with the final play of the game sealing the 29-26 win and the series, and completing an incredible 18-point comeback against Joe Schmidt’s Australia side.

Match Report Rugby The Lions

Lions dominate Australia to win opening test

July 19, 2025July 19, 2025 admin 0 Comments Andy Farrell, Brisbane, British and Irish Lions Tour 2025, Carlo Tizzano, Dan Sheehan, Finn Russell, Joe Schmidt, Joe Schmidt Australia, Lions Tour 2025, Lions Tour of Australia, Marcus Smith, Max Jorgensen, Rugby, Rugby news, Sione Tuipulotu, Suncorp Stadium, Tate McDermott, The British & Irish Lions, The British and Irish Lions, The Lions, The Lions Rugby, The Lions Rugby news, The Lions v Australia, Tom Curry

The British and Irish Lions beat the Wallabies 27-19 in the opening Test at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Leading 24-5 early in the second half and looking like they might threaten to record one of the biggest victories in their history, the Lions fell away in the last half-hour. A Finn Russell penalty and tries for Sione Tuipulotu and Tom Curry put them ahead by 12 points at the break.

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