Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

28 March 2026; Jack Carty of Connacht beats Jack Walsh of Ospreys to the ball as he races back to gather possession before touching down for a 22 metre drop out and prevent a try for Ospreys during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and

URC Recap: Connacht win again, Munster get losing BPs

Follow our minute by minute coverage of this afternoon's BKT United Rugby Championship action, as Munster take on the Bulls in Pretoria, and Connacht host the Ospreys.

United Rugby Championship • 28 Mar

2 January 2026; Ulster players, from left, Stuart McCloskey, Nick Timoney and James Hume after their side's victory in the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

URC: McCloskey and Timoney return for Ulster

Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney both make welcome returns for Ulster as they look to consolidate their place in the top four of the BKT United Rugby Championship this weekend, while Connacht have made six changes to their side as they go for a fifth win in a row.

United Rugby Championship • 27 Mar

29 November 2025; Jack Crowley of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and DHL Stormers at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Munster looking to tap into Crowley's Six Nations form

In need of a spark to reignite their season, Munster head coach Clayton has drafted both Crowley and Casey to his starting team for Saturday's meeting with the Bulls in Pretoria.

United Rugby Championship • 27 Mar

21 March 2026; Munster head coach Clayton McMillan during the United Rugby Championship match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

McMillan: Munster finances highlight 'challenging times'

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan says this week's news of potential redundancies at the province further highlights their need to qualify for the Investec Champions Cup next season.

United Rugby Championship • 26 Mar

Andrew Porter of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Porter returns for Leinster, Munster welcome back Crowley

Andrew Porter will make his first appearance since early January, with Leinster head coach Leo Cullen making sweeping changes to his team for Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Scarlets at Aviva Stadium.

United Rugby Championship • 26 Mar

31 May 2025; Dan Sheehan of Leinster is tackled by Ioan Lloyd of Scarlets in the lead up to his side's fourth try during the United Rugby Championship quarter-final match between Leinster and Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran

United Rugby Championship Round 14: All You Need to Know

With just five rounds of the regular season to go, here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's BKT United Rugby Championship action.

United Rugby Championship • 27 Mar

Connacht click, Munster and Leinster implode on the road

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast as we look back on a mixed week for the Irish provinces in the URC.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Mar

20 March 2026; Jack Carty of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Connacht at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Connacht's record scorer Carty to retire at end of season

Connacht's all-time record points scorer Jack Carty has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

United Rugby Championship • 24 Mar

21 March 2026; Munster captain JJ Hanrahan talks to his players in the huddle after the United Rugby Championship match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

Another late season run needed to salvage Munster season

It was a year ago this week that Munster's incoming head coach Clayton McMillan flew to Limerick to press the flesh ahead of his summer arrival at the province.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Mar

21 March 2026; Gavin Coombes of Munster in action against Grant Williams, 9, and Jordan Hendrikse, 10, of Hollywoodbets Sharks during the United Rugby Championship match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durba

Munster capitulate in seven-try hammering against Sharks

Munster's tour of South Africa got off to the worst possible start, as Clayton McMillan's side were thrashed 45-0 by Sharks in an abject performance in Durban.

Rugby • 21 Mar