Michael Glennon

RTÉ Sport Journalist

20 October 2025; Jamison Gibson-Park during a Ireland Rugby media conference at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Gibson-Park: World Cup countdown is on for Ireland

Scrum-half Jamison Gibson says Ireland are starting a new chapter this autumn with the 2027 World Cup the "carrot" at the end of their journey.

Rugby • 22 Oct 25

5 November 2016; Ireland players, including captain Rory Best, centre, face the New Zealand 'Haka' ahead of the International rugby match between Ireland and New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago, USA. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

All Blacks Chicago clash 'perfect' for Ireland focus

Ireland's latest clash with the All Blacks is the "perfect" game to focus the minds, says assistant coach John Fogarty, who has no concerns that many of the players are too lightly raced.

Rugby • 21 Oct 25

18 October 2025; Jack Crowley of Munster with James Ryan, left, and Brian Deeny of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Leinster-Munster edge 'good for Irish rugby'

It may have spilled over at times but the edge in the Leinster-Munster URC derby at the weekend was exactly what the Ireland coaches want to see, according to scrum coach John Fogarty.

Rugby • 24 Oct 25

18 October 2025; Tom Farrell of Munster celebrates after scoring his side's second try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

URC recap: Leinster 14-31 Munster

Relive all the action from Croke Park as Leinster hosted Munster in round four of the United Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 18 Oct 25

16 October 2025; A general view inside the stadium during a Leinster Rugby captain's run at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Leinster 'chasing' Munster as derby day arrives

It's not knockout and it's not winner takes all but the 173rd meeting of Leinster and Munster has plenty to recommend it.

Rugby • 18 Oct 25

10 May 2025; The Leinster team huddle after the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Zebre Parma at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Leinster's green army shows size of Munster task

Ahead of the URC derby at Croke Park, Clayton McMillan says he well aware of the ground Munster need to make up on Leinster in order to increase their representation in the Ireland squad.

Rugby • 17 Oct 25

Prendergast and Crowley set for derby match-up

Ireland out-half rivals Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley will face off in Saturday's Leinster v Munster URC clash at Croke Park.

Rugby • 16 Oct 25

2 August 2025; British & Irish Lions players, from left, Finlay Bealham, Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen with the series trophy after the third test match between Australia and the British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Brendan M

Connacht welcome back Lions for Bulls clash

Ireland internationals Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen will start for Connacht in their URC clash against Bulls tomorrow night.

Rugby • 16 Oct 25

29 November 2024; Werner Kok of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Leinster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Updated United Rugby Championship round 4: All you need to know

The Irish derby clash between Leinster and Munster is the standout fixture of round four of the United Rugby Championship.

United Rugby Championship • 18 Oct 25

14 October 2023; Rónan Kelleher of Ireland during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Kelleher determined to get 'one up' on All Blacks

Rónan Kelleher admits that Ireland's loss to New Zealand at the 2023 Rugby World Cup will always be somewhere in the back of his mind.

Rugby • 15 Oct 25