Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

3 January 2026; Andrew Porter of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Leinster low on props as Munster make 10 changes

Leinster have been dealt a blow ahead of tomorrow's Investec Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle with three of their frontline prop forwards missing.

Rugby • 09 Jan

2 January 2026; The Munster team huddle, including Paddy Patterson, centre, during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Munster must start hitting ceiling to go deep in Europe

With Ireland opening their 2026 Guinness Six Nations campaign away to France in just under four weeks' time, there's an appropriate theme to these next two weekends of Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup rugby.

Rugby • 09 Jan

11 January 2026; Munster supporters, from left, Ben Leahy, Patricia Vieira, Dave O'Keefe and Caolan Scully before the Investec Champions Cup match between RC Toulon and Munster at Stade Felix Mayol in Toulon, France. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Champions Cup round 3: All You Need To Know

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

Rugby • 11 Jan

Will Ulster's form be rewarded in the Six Nations?

Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson outline the case for more Ulster players in the Ireland Six Nations squad.

United Rugby Championship • 07 Jan

3 January 2026; Sam Prendergast of Leinster scores his side's third try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Leinster's composure under pressure pleases Cullen

While Leinster easily brushed aside Connacht in the second half of their BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro at Aviva Stadium, the 52-17 win could have been very different had it not been for the final three minutes of the first half.

United Rugby Championship • 03 Jan

2 January 2026; Ulster head coach Richie Murphy and Jacob Stockdale 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

Murphy: Ulster 'buzzing' after statement win v Munster

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy praised the patience of his side as they produced a brilliant second-half performance to hammer Munster 28-3 in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 03 Jan

2 January 2026; Angus Bell of Ulster celebrates his side's first try, scored by Tom Stewart, during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster bully Munster to continue impressive season

Affidea Stadium was a winter wonderland for Ulster as they continued their impressive season with a dominant 28-3 win against a poor Munster in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Jan

2 January 2026; Brian Gleeson of Munster is tackled by Stuart McCloskey, left, and Jack Murphy of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

United Rugby Championship: Ulster 28-3 Munster - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Ulster and Munster meet in the first URC Interpro of 2026.

Rugby • 02 Jan

Erin King won seven caps for Ireland before her knee injury in April 2025

King set for injury comeback in Celtic Challenge

Ireland women's head coach Scott Bemand has been handed an early new year's boost, with back row Erin King set to make her long awaited return from injury this weekend.

Rugby • 02 Jan

27 December 2025; Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster before the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ulster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

'Frustrating' Connacht set for make or break period

In three weeks, the ribbon will be cut on Connacht Rugby's new and improved Dexcom Stadium, completing the three-year, €40m redevelopment of the Sportsground.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Jan