Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

'If you give people leeway to take time and slow down a game, if that's what they want to do, they will do that'

Connacht boss Friend airs frustration at in-game delays

Connacht director of rugby Andy Friend says the stop-start nature of recent games is as off-putting for coaches and players as it is for supporters.

Rugby • 04 Oct 22

Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki are available to return for Connacht

Aki, Hansen, Bealham to return for Connacht's SA trip

Connacht have been boosted for this week's trip to South Africa, with Andy Friend confirming that their frontline Ireland internationals will be available to play on the two-game tour.

Rugby • 19 Sep 22

Carty is hoping to be fit for the start of Connacht's season
Photo: www.inpho.ie

Carty 'touch and go' for Connacht's season opener

Connacht captain Jack Carty says he's "touch and go" for the start of the BTK United Rugby Championship next week.

Rugby • 07 Sep 22

Andy Friend (right) becomes Connacht's director of rugby with Peter Wilkins (left) replacing him as head coach

New role for Friend in Connacht coaching restructure

Andy Friend has been promoted to Connacht director of rugby with Peter Wilkins taking over as head coach as part of a coaching restructure ahead of the new season.

Rugby • 24 Aug 22

Saturday will be Ultan Dillane's final game for Connacht if he's selected

Juggling act for Andy Friend ahead of season finale

Andy Friend says he's hoping to give some of his departing players a Sportsground swansong in their final game of the season, but says he still needs to keep a "balance" in his squad to face Zebre Parma.

Rugby • 18 May 22

Cian Prendergast during Ireland training in January after his call-up as a development player

Prendergast extends Connacht contract

Connacht flanker Cian Prendergast has signed a new deal which will keep him at the province until 2025.

Rugby • 13 May 22

Hansen has been an instant success at Connacht

New three-year contract for Mack Hansen at Connacht

Mack Hansen has signed a new long-term contract with Connacht, to keep him at the Sportsground until the summer of 2025.

Rugby • 11 May 22

United Rugby Championship: Lions 30-33 Connacht recap

Look back on how Connacht earned a first Irish win in South Africa this season, beating the Lions 33-30 in a gripping game in Johannesburg

Rugby • 23 Apr 22

Leinster held their captain's run at King's Park in Durban yesterday

Leinster and Connacht braced for South Africa challenge

Munster and Ulster have each fired their shots at winning away in South Africa, but neither could come home with anything more than losing bonus points.

Rugby • 23 Apr 22

Connacht won just one of six Champions Cup games this season

Friend: Leinster not better players, better prepared

Connacht head coach Andy Friend says he takes responsibility for his side's lack of consistency this season.

Rugby • 16 Apr 22

James Lowe has now scored 45 tries in 61 Leinster appearances

Cullen hails 'special talent' Lowe after four-try salvo

Leo Cullen hailed James Lowe after the Leinster wing crossed for four tries in the demolition job over Connacht.

Rugby • 15 Apr 22

Recap: Leinster 56-20 Connacht (Agg: 82-41)

Look back on how Leinster booked their place in the quarter-final of the Heineken Champions Cup with a dominant win against Connacht at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 15 Apr 22

Gibson-Park received the yellow card in the 57th minute of Friday's game at the Sportsground

Gibson-Park cleared to play after citing dismissed

Leinster scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park has been cleared to play in Friday's Heineken Champions Cup last-16 second leg against Connacht, after his citing complaint was dismissed.

Rugby • 13 Apr 22

There were subdued scenes at full time in Galway

'Game on' say Cullen and Friend after close first leg

Connacht's refusal to quit in first leg against Leinster has set up an intriguing decider in Dublin next week, writes Neil Treacy.

Rugby • 09 Apr 22

Gibson-Park was yellow carded in the 56th minute

Friend has no complaints over crucial yellow card

Connacht head coach Andy Friend says he has no complaints over the yellow card shown to Leinster scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park in Friday evening's Heineken Champions Cup last 16 first leg.

Rugby • 08 Apr 22

'It's going to be tough but we also know that we have got nothing to lose and they have everything to' - Andy Friend

Connacht have 'nothing to lose' v Leinster - Friend

Connacht head coach Andy Friend is attempting to deflect the pressure onto Leinster for Friday night's Heineken Champions Cup last 16 first leg at the Sportsground.

Rugby • 05 Apr 22

Peter Dooley and Adam Byrne are among four Leinster players joining Connacht next season

Quality of signings a compliment to Connacht - Friend

Andy Friend says the quality of Connacht's recruitment for next season is a sign of progress made in recent seasons.

Rugby • 23 Mar 22

Shamus Hurley-Langton (green) has spent the last two seasons playing for Manawatu in New Zealand's NPC

Connacht continue recruitment with Kiwi back row

Connacht's busy week in the transfer market continued today with the signing of New Zealander Shamus Hurley-Langton for next season.

Rugby • 11 Mar 22

It was Connacht's heaviest defeat of the season

Dismal Connacht ship eight tries in Edinburgh hammering

Connacht's winning run in the United Rugby Championship came to a humiliating end this evening, with Andy Friend's side shipping their heaviest defeat of the season away to Edinburgh.

Rugby • 04 Mar 22

Connacht's win against the Scarlets was their first in Llanelli since 2004

Connacht must 'back it up' after ending losing run

Saturday's win against Scarlets will count for nothing if Connacht don't "back it up" against the Stormers this weekend, according to head coach Andy Friend.

Rugby • 22 Feb 22

Tom Daly hasn't played since the win against Ulster in October

Connacht boosted by Daly return

Tom Daly looks set to return from a 15-week lay-off for Connacht in this Friday's United Rugby Championship interpro against Ulster.

Rugby • 01 Feb 22

Murphy will be looking to play regular games with the western province

Josh Murphy makes switch from Leinster to Connacht

Connacht have confirmed the signing of Leinster's Josh Murphy on a two-year deal.

Rugby • 31 Jan 22

Connacht fell to a 42-20 defeat to the Scottish side

Friend unhappy with 'unacceptable' Connacht performance

Andy Friend has warned his players that they could lose by "60 or 70" points against Ulster next week if they don't properly address their defeat to Glasgow.

Rugby • 29 Jan 22