Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

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 25

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 25

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 25

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 25

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 25

13 December 2025; Mike Haley of Munster celebrates with teammates, from left, Shane Daly Dan Kelly, Craig Casey and Tadhg Beirne after scoring their side's second try during the Investec Champions Cup match between Munster and Gloucester at SuperValu Páir

Munster secure late bonus-point win against Gloucester

It took a final-quarter surge, but Munster are up and running in their Champions Cup pool thanks to a bonus-point 31-3 win against a plucky Gloucester side at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Rugby • 13 Dec 25

10 November 2007; Lewis Moody, Leicester Tigers, is tackled by Leo Cullen, Leinster. Heineken Cup, Pool 6, Round 1, Leinster v Leicester Tigers, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture credit; Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE

Cullen gives his support to former team-mate Moody

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen took time out to speak about his former Leicester team-mate Lewis Moody's battle with Motor Neurone Disease, ahead of his team's meeting with the Tigers.

Rugby • 12 Dec 25

6 April 2024; Jack Conan of Leinster dives over to score his side's fifth which was subsequently disallowed during the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 match between Leinster and Leicester Tigers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Spo

Champions and Challenge Cup R2: All You Need To Know

All four Irish provinces are back in action this week across the Investec Champions and Challenge Cup pool stages. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's games.

Rugby • 13 Dec 25

6 December 2025; Rieko Ioane of Leinster after the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ioane to start as Cullen shuffles Leinster deck

Rieko Ioane will make his first Leinster start in Friday night's Investec Champions Cup encounter with Leicester Tigers, with Leo Cullen shuffling his deck for the Pool 3 meeting.

Rugby • 11 Dec 25

22 November 2025; Jack Crowley of Ireland contests a high ball with Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Jackman doesn't agree with kicking game criticism

Bernard Jackman doesn't believe the current laws around the kick-chase are having a negative effect on the game.

Rugby • 10 Dec 25