Tony Tighe

RTE Sport journalist

United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 20-13 Munster recap

Munster made a losing start to the UKT United Rugby Championship season after a below-par performance away to Cardiff.

Rugby • 17 Sep 22

Gavin Thornbury captains Connacht on his 64th appearance for the province

Thornbury confident Connacht can prove doubters wrong

Gavin Thornbury captains Connacht for the first time in Saturday's season opener against Ulster and the talented lock is determined to put his injury problems behind him and rights the wrongs of the last campaign.

Rugby • 17 Sep 22

Andrew Conway chats with Jonathan Davies during last week's URC launch in London. Credit: www.inpho.ie

Five talking points ahead of the new URC season

Can the Irish provinces respond? Will Welsh woes continue? We take a look at some of the big talking points ahead of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season.

Rugby • 16 Sep 22

Connacht said Jack Carty will be available for selection 'in the coming weeks'

Connacht captain Carty ruled out of Ulster opener

Connacht captain Jack Carty has been ruled out of Saturday's season opener against Ulster as he continues his recovery from wrist surgery.

Rugby • 16 Sep 22

Leo Cullen with Luke McGrath during training on Monday

Cullen: Last season's near misses have sharpened focus

Leinster were left with a hollow feeling following the disappointing conclusion to last season but Leo Cullen said it has "sharpened the focus" as they prepare to return to competitive action.

Rugby • 16 Sep 22

James Hume (left) was Ulster's Player of the Year in 2021/22

Time for Ulster to shed 'nearly men' tag

In the third of our provincial previews, Tony Tighe looks at the prospects of Ulster - one of the most consistent sides in Europe last season, who yet once again had little to show for it.

Rugby • 16 Sep 22

Connacht open their season away to Ulster on 17 September

Tough start will test Connacht's top-eight ambitions

In the first of our four provincial season previews, Tony Tighe looks at Connacht's quest for consistency as they prepare for a daunting start to their BKT United Rugby Championship campaign.

Rugby • 16 Sep 22

Stacey Flood is appearing at her second Sevens World Cup

Flood confident Ireland can kick on at Sevens World Cup

Ireland have enjoyed their best season on the Sevens circuit but Stacey Flood believes the best is yet to come.

Rugby • 08 Sep 22

Billy Dardis wants Ireland to build on their historic fifth-place finish in the World Series

Dardis proud of Ireland's rise to World Cup contenders

They once resided in the "basement of Europe" but Billy Dardis says Ireland's Rugby Sevens team are targeting the world's summit in Cape Town this weekend.

Rugby • 08 Sep 22

Rugby Championship: New Zealand 53-3 Argentina recap

New Zealand answered their critics with a ruthless seven-try hammering of Argentina in Hamilton.

Rugby • 05 Sep 22