Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

14 November 2025; Sam Bishti of Ireland celebrates during the U20 Challenge Match between Ireland and South Africa at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Bishti named captain as Ireland U20 squad confirmed

Leinster's academy prop Sam Bishti has been confirmed as captain for Ireland Under-20s in the 2026 Six Nations Championship, after head coach Andrew Browne named a 29-player squad for the early rounds of the tournament.

Rugby • 20 Jan

17 January 2026; Brian Gleeson of Munster, right, and teammates after their side's defeat in the Investec Champions Cup match between Munster and Castres Olympique at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

McMillan: Champions Cup exit 'doesn't sit well with me'

The most alarming element of Munster's elimination from the Investec Champions Cup is that it's happened in the tournament's bloated era.

Rugby • 19 Jan

17 January 2026; Munster captain Tadhg Beirne during the Investec Champions Cup match between Munster and Castres Olympique at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Beirne: Munster weren't switched on for key moments

A first Champions Cup pool elimination for Munster since 2020, and more worryingly, a first elimination at this stage since the knockouts bloated to 16 teams.

Rugby • 17 Jan

17 January 2026; Craig Casey of Munster reacts during the Investec Champions Cup match between Munster and Castres Olympique at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Munster knocked out after shock defeat to Castres

Munster's Champions Cup campaign is over, the two-time winners crashing out at the pool stage after a dismal 31-29 defeat to Castres at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 17 Jan

10 January 2026; Harry Byrne, right, and Sam Prendergast of Leinster during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Cullen pleased with Leinster's out-half tandem

With a Six Nations squad to be named on Wednesday, Saturday afternoon in Bayonne will serve as a perfect opportunity for Harry Byrne to catch the eye of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.

Rugby • 16 Jan

13 December 2024; Jack O'Donoghue of Munster is tackled by Andrea Cocagi of Castres Olympique during the Champions Cup Pool 3 match between Castres Olympique and Munster at Stade Pierre Fabre in Castres, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

McMillan ready for his Castres rite of passage

As Munster look to book their place in the knockout stages of the Investec Champions Cup, in a sense they are already there with this must-win Pool 2 meeting with Castres.

Rugby • 17 Jan

11 January 2026; Munster head coach Clayton McMillan before the Investec Champions Cup match between RC Toulon and Munster at Stade Felix Mayol in Toulon, France. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Munster's McMillan tight-lipped on All Blacks vacancy

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan says he hasn't given any thought to the vacant New Zealand job, after Scott Robertson's shock sacking this week.

United Rugby Championship • 16 Jan

5 December 2025; Rob Herring of Ulster after the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Ulster and Racing 92 at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Updated New Ulster deals for Herring, Stewart and Crean

Ulster have confirmed contract extensions for three of their key front row forwards, with Rob Herring, Tom Stewart and Sam Crean staying on at the province into next season.

United Rugby Championship • 16 Jan

15 January 2026; Erin King has been named Ireland Women's captain ahead of the 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations. The 22-year-old flanker will lead Ireland into the Championship, which gets underway against England at Twickenham on Saturday, 11 April. Pho

King 'so honoured' to be named new Ireland captain

Erin King has been confirmed as the new captain of the Ireland women's rugby team ahead of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations later this year.

Rugby • 15 Jan

13 December 2024; Peter O'Mahony of Munster and Rémy Baget of Castres Olympique during the Champions Cup Pool 3 match between Castres Olympique and Munster at Stade Pierre Fabre in Castres, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Champions Cup round 4: All You Need To Know

All four Irish provinces round off their Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage campaigns this week. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's games.

Rugby • 16 Jan