Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Joe McCarthy and Cian Prendergast are among the uncapped players included in the Ireland starting team

Maori All Blacks v Ireland: All you need to know

Kickoff times, tv and radio coverage, and team news for Wednesday morning's tour match in Hamilton

Aki has won 37 caps since making his Ireland debut in 2017

'A huge honour' - Aki shocked by captaincy call

Bundee Aki says captaining Ireland will be a "huge honour" after he was named captain for Wednesday's tour match against the Maori All Blacks in Hamilton.

Rugby • 28 Jun 22

Iain Henderson will return home due to a knee injury

Tour over for Henderson as Aki named captain for Maori

Iain Henderson has been ruled out of Ireland's tour of New Zealand due to a knee injury, with the Ulster captain now set to return home.

Rugby • 28 Jun 22

Aki has been limited in training this week

Bundee Aki a doubt for Connacht's trip to the Sharks

There's mixed news on the injury front for Connacht ahead of Saturday's United Rugby Championship meeting with the Sharks in Durban.

Rugby • 26 Apr 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

'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

Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki (r) celebrate after beating England

Aki dismisses criticism of playing style

Bundee Aki insists there is no tension between him and his rivals for an Ireland starting jersey.

Rugby • 18 Mar 22

Andy Farrell talks to his players at the Stade de France on Friday morning

Farrell urges Irish to stay cool in Bleus purple patch

Ireland can't let France dictate the game tomorrow in Paris and Andy Farrell wants his side to respond positively to the inevitable Les Bleus purple patch.

Rugby • 11 Feb 22

Connacht's Mack Hansen starts on the left wing for his Ireland debut

Debut for Mack Hansen in Ireland's Six Nations opener

Connacht's Mack Hansen will make his Ireland debut this Saturday, after being picked in the starting XV for the Six Nations opener against Wales.

Rugby • 03 Feb 22

Bundee Aki has been given a warning for his confrontation with Mathieu Raynal

Aki's warning for ref outburst was 'fair', says Friend

Andy Friend says Bundee Aki has learned his lesson, after escaping a suspension for his conduct towards referee Mathieu Raynal on Saturday.

Rugby • 19 Jan 22

Bundee Aki (r) had words with Mathieu Raynal after the final whistle

Aki warned over referee confrontation

Bundee Aki has received a warning for confronting referee Mathieu Raynal following Connacht's Champions Cup defeat to Leicester Tigers.

Rugby • 19 Jan 22

Bundee Aki confronted referee Mathieu Raynal at full-time

Aki issues apology after confrontation with ref

Bundee Aki has apologised for his reaction at full-time in Connacht's narrow loss to Leicester Tigers, in which he angrily confronted referee Mathieu Raynal.

Rugby • 16 Jan 22

Connacht are hopeful Aki will return from a knee injury against Leicester Tigers

Aki on course to return for Connacht against Leicester

Bundee Aki looks to be winning his fitness race ahead of Sunday's Heineken Champions Cup clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

Rugby • 14 Dec 21

Bundee Aki last played for Connacht in October against Munster

Connacht without Aki and Boyle for Champions Cup opener

Bundee Aki and Paul Boyle will both miss Connacht's Heineken Champions Cup opener against Stade Francais this Sunday due to injury.

Rugby • 07 Dec 21

Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe and Bundee Aki at Ireland training during the week

'They are Kiwis in one sense, but they're Irish now'

New Zealand coach Ian Foster was in no mood to big-up the three Kiwis that will represent Ireland on Saturday.

Rugby • 11 Nov 21

Lindsay Peat in acrobatic form during team photos ahead of tomorrow's test with the United States

Women's controversy not discussed by Farrell's squad

The ongoing controversy in the Ireland women's camp has not been discussed in the men's squad, according to Bundee Aki.

Rugby • 11 Nov 21

Bundee Aki is out for Connacht while Damian de Allende and Conor Murray return for Munster

Aki ruled out, Murray and De Allende return in URC

Bundee Aki has been ruled out of Connacht's crucial United Rugby Championship meeting with Ulster at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 22 Oct 21

Bundee Aki is available for selection for Connacht against Munster this Saturday

Connacht ready for 'exciting' Bundee Aki return

If Connacht needed a boost following their humbling defeat to the Dragons, the return of Bundee Aki for this Saturday's trip to face Munster at Thomond Park should certainly do the trick.

Rugby • 13 Oct 21

'The time I've had here has been honestly unbelievable,' says the Connacht centre

Aki having the time of his life on Lions tour

Bundee Aki says he is having the time of his life on the British and Irish Lions tour and that the players have formed a strong bond as they head into the winner-takes-all third Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Rugby • 03 Aug 21

Bundee Aki (left) is reunited with Robbie Henshaw (right) in the Lions midfield but Conor Murray (centre) drops to the bench

Aki starts, Murray benched as Lions ring changes

Bundee Aki will partner Robbie Henshaw at centre for the British and Irish Lions series decider against South Africa while Conor Murray drops to the bench.

Rugby • 03 Aug 21

Bundee Aki on the scoresheet as Lions hammer Sharks

The British and Irish Lions brushed aside the chaos enveloping their tour of South Africa to crush the Sharks 54-7 at Emirates Airline Park.

Rugby • 07 Jul 21

Robbie Henshaw will partner old Connacht team-mate Bundee Aki in the centre

Six Irish in Lions starting side to face Japan

Warren Gatland has named six Ireland internationals in his British & Irish Lions starting team for Saturday's test against Japan at Murrayfield.

Rugby • 22 Jun 21

Bundee Aki: 'I was pinching myself, it's a huge honour'

Lions pick Aki 'overwhelmed' by community support

Bundee Aki says the support he's received from Galway and Connacht has been fundamental to his Lions call-up.

Rugby • 02 Jun 21

Aki Lions pick 'due recognition' says Connacht's Friend

Connacht boss Andy Friend says the inclusion of Bundee Aki in the Lions squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa is "due recognition".

Rugby • 07 May 21

Bundee Aki became just the second Irish player ever to see red in the Six Nations

Aki banned for four games after high tackle on Vunipola

Ireland and Connacht centre Bundee Aki has been handed a four-match ban following his high tackle on Billy Vunipola during Saturday's 32-18 win over England.

Rugby • 23 Mar 21