Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

26 September 2025; Players from both side's including Paddy McCarthy of Leinster, left, tussle during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Leinster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

Champions Leinster thrashed by Stormers in URC opener

Leinster were blown apart by the Stormers in the first game of their BKT United Rugby Championship defence, as they fell to a humiliating 35-0 defeat in Cape Town.

United Rugby Championship • 17 hrs

26 September 2025; Diarmuid Mangan of Leinster is tackled by Adré Smith of DHL Stormers during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Leinster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

URC: Stormers 35-0 Leinster - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Leinster begin the defence of their BKT United Rugby Championship title away to the Stormers in Cape Town.

United Rugby Championship • 17 hrs

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Ellie Kildunne of England makes a break during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Semi Final match between France and England at Ashton Gate on September 20, 2025 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

All pressure on England as they look to end RWC pain

When you are as dominant as the England women's rugby team, the difference between success and failure is paper-thin.

Rugby • 7 hrs

5 September 2025; Munster head coach Clayton McMillan before the pre-season friendly match between Gloucester and Munster at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester, England. Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Sportsfile

McMillan not looking for bedding-in period at Munster

Clayton McMillan is well aware of Munster's history of early-season struggles, and insists he isn't expecting to need a bedding-in process in his first campaign as head coach.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Sep

7 June 2025; Sam Prendergast, right, and Jimmy O'Brien of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship semi-final match between Leinster and Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

URC teams: Internationals back for Irish provinces

Sam Prendergast will start at out-half for Leinster, as Leo Cullen's side get the defence of their BKT United Rugby Championship title under way on Friday against the Stormers in Cape Town.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Sep

27 April 2024; Gus McCarthy of Leinster is tackled by Marcel Theunissen and Ruben van Heerden of DHL Stormers during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Leinster at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Harry Murphy

United Rugby Championship Round 1: All you need to know

The new BKT United Rugby Championship gets under way this weekend, the fifth season of this iteration of the competition.

United Rugby Championship • 26 Sep

Who is playing to impress in the URC this season?

With the United Rugby Championship season kicking off this week, Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy pick out some of the young - and not so young - players who could make an impact in 2025/26.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Sep

20 September 2025; Head coach Stuart Lancaster during a Connacht Rugby open training session at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Lancaster excited by Connacht but hopes for Test return

Stuart Lancaster says he would love to return to Test rugby some day, but he doesn't believe his role with Connacht is a stepping stone to becoming the next Ireland head coach.

United Rugby Championship • 22 Sep

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Justine Pelletier of Canada scores her team's first try during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Semi Final match between New Zealand and Canada at Ashton Gate on September 19, 2025 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Paul Hardi

Women's RWC: New Zealand 19-34 Canada - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as New Zealand take on Canada in Bristol in the first of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

Rugby • 19 Sep

New Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster and Ulster head coach Richie Murphy

Pressure on Connacht and Ulster to come back stronger

With the new United Rugby Championship just over a week away, it's time to remind ourselves how the four provinces fared in 2024/25, and what lies ahead for the coming year.

United Rugby Championship • 21 Sep