Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

20 December 2025; Sean O'Brien of Connacht is tackled by Angus O'Brien of Dragons during the United Rugby Championship match between Dragons and Connacht at Rodney Parade in Newport, Wales. Photo by Kian Abdullah/Sportsfile

URC: Mixed results for Connacht and Munster - recap

Munster's 100% record may have disappeared last time out, but they will be hopeful of getting back to winning ways in Wales.

Rugby • 20 Dec

19 December 2025; Jack Conan, right, and Jack Boyle of Leinster celebrate winning a penalty during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Ulster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Conan: Leinster have 'a bit of fight and a bit of dog'

Whatever way Leinster's season finishes, it feels like these last two games will be referenced in the retrospective analysis.

United Rugby Championship • 21 Dec

19 December 2025; Dan Sheehan of Leinster, hidden, dives over to score his side's fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Ulster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Cullen: 'We need to get a hell of a lot better'

Leo Cullen hailed the attitude of his Leinster players as they staged a second-half comeback for the second week in a row, but the head coach admitted his side can't make a habit of it.

United Rugby Championship • 19 Dec

19 December 2025; Rieko Ioane of Leinster, second from left, celebrates with teammates, from left, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley and James Lowe after scoring their side's first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Ulster at t

Leinster hold off Ulster with late fightback at Aviva

For the second Friday in a row it looked like Leinster's season was about to hit another stumbling block, but for the second week in a row they found a way to win.

United Rugby Championship • 19 Dec

5 December 2025; Ulster head coach Richie Murphy before the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Ulster and Racing 92 at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Jackman: Ulster may have to move fast to lock in Murphy

Bernard Jackman believes Ulster may have competition to keep head coach Richie Murphy beyond this season.

Rugby • 17 Dec

17 October 2025; A dejected Cian Prendergast of Connacht leaves the pitch after his side's defeat in the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Vodacom Bulls at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Prendergast fit ahead of 'huge' run of Connacht games

Connacht will be able to welcome Cian Prendergast and Josh Ioane back to their side for Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship trip to the Dragons, but Finlay Bealham remains a doubt due to concussion.

Rugby • 16 Dec

11 October 2025; Stuart McCloskey of Ulster after the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Vodacom Bulls at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

McCloskey gives Ulster timely fitness boost

Stuart McCloskey looks set to provide Ulster with a much-needed injury boost ahead of the Christmas Interpro period.

Rugby • 16 Dec

13 December 2025; Shane Daly of Munster celebrates after the Investec Champions Cup match between Munster and Gloucester at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Daly: 'We always struggle against Ospreys'

When Clayton McMillan spoke about raising Munster's floor rather than their ceiling at the start of the season, these are the weeks he was talking about.

Rugby • 17 Dec

13 December 2025; Ben O'Connor of Munster and Rob Russell, left, George Barton of Gloucester contest possession during the Investec Champions Cup match between Munster and Gloucester at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster back-three steel pleases McMillan

Among the nine changes Clayton McMillan made to his Munster side for Saturday's win against Gloucester, the head coach performed some surgery on the back three, which had been badly exposed by Bath's kicking game at The Rec.

Rugby • 15 Dec

13 December 2025; Tadhg Beirne of Munster, hidden, scores his side's fifth try, as teammate Tom Ahern, centre, celebrates during the Investec Champions Cup match between Munster and Gloucester at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/

McMillan: 'We could have been a lot better'

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan insists his side still have a lot to improve on after they got their Champions Cup campaign up and running with a bonus-point 31-3 win against Gloucester.

Rugby • 13 Dec