Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Leinster thumped La Rochelle 40-13 in Dublin last January

Champions Cup draw: Leinster and La Rochelle meet again

Leinster have been drawn with familiar foes La Rochelle for the 2025/26 Champions Cup.

Shayne Bolton celebrates with teammates Cathal Forde and Finn Treacy after scoring a try in Connacht's victory

Connacht conquer Cardiff to reach Challenge quarters

Connacht did more than enough to see off Cardiff at Dexcom Stadium in Galway to advance to the last eight in the Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 05 Apr

Pete Wilkins (r) says he's confident Mack Hansen's contract situation will be sorted soon

Hansen contract delay not related to ban, says Wilkins

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says the delay in Mack Hansen's contract extension has nothing to do with the recent disciplinary process the winger went through.

Rugby • 13 Jan

Connacht response to Ulster loss delights Wilkins

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins was delighted to return the focus to on-field matters as his side demolished Lyon 52-24 at the Dexcom Stadium in the Challenge Cup to ensure their qualification as Pool 1 winners.

Rugby • 12 Jan

Hansen gets three-match ban but available for 6 Nations

Ireland winger Mack Hansen has been banned for three games for comments he made following Connacht's defeat to Leinster in the URC in December.

Rugby • 09 Jan

Breaking Hansen gets three-match ban but available for 6 Nations

Ireland winger Mack Hansen has been banned for three games for comments he made following Connacht's defeat to Leinster in the URC in December.

Rugby • 09 Jan

Hansen hearing on referee comments set for Wednesday

Mack Hansen will face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday regarding his comments made in the aftermath of Connacht's URC loss to Leinster before Christmas.

Rugby • 06 Jan

Byron Ralston was among the Connacht tryscorers

Connacht hold off Perpignan to earn another victory

Connacht are the only side to have maximum points after two games in the Challenge Cup after they carved out a fine win in Perpignan.

Rugby • 15 Dec 24

Chay Mullins scores a first try of the night for Connacht

Mullins enjoys dream debut as Connacht blow Zebre away

Connacht defied difficult weather conditions in Galway to get their Challenge Cup campaign under way with a convincing 43-12 win over Zebre, with debutant Chay Mullins bagging a hat-trick of tries.

Rugby • 07 Dec 24

Sharks players celebrate at the final whistle

Sharks sink Clermont to book Challenge Cup final spot

The Sharks booked their place in the Challenge Cup final after striking with a late try to topple Clermont 32-21 at The Stoop.

Rugby • 04 May 24

David McCann of Ulster Rugby is tackled by Bautista Delguy and Alex Newsome of Clermont

Ulster's Challenge Cup hopes ended by ruthless Clermont

Ulster saw their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup crushed by Clermont at Stade Marcel-Michelin as the French heavyweights ran in seven tries.

Rugby • 13 Apr 24

Challenge Cup teams: Changes for Connacht and Ulster

Connacht boss Pete Wilkins has made four changes to his side to take on Benetton in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Rugby • 12 Apr 24

Steven Kitshoff (l) and Iain Henderson (r) are to be monitored during the week

Henderson and Kitshoff injury doubts for Ulster

Ulster may be without forwards Iain Henderson and Steven Kitshoff for Saturday's Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with Clermont. The duo were injured in the last-16 win over Montpellier on Sunday.

Rugby • 10 Apr 24

Connacht were beaten 18-14 by Benetton last month

Connacht have revenge on the mind for Benetton trip

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says his side are relishing a second shot at Benetton this weekend, when the sides meet in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Rugby • 10 Apr 24

Bundee Aki and Caolin Blade got in for Coanncht tries

Connacht finish strongly to advance in Challenge Cup

Connacht battled back late on to defeat Pau by 10 points to set up a Challenge Cup quarter-final trip away to Benetton next weekend.

Rugby • 07 Apr 24

Nick Timoney of Ulster is tackled by Gregory Fichten of Montpellier

Ulster power past ill-disciplined Montpellier

Ulster are through to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, after an emphatic second half display saw them come from behind to hammer French strugglers Montpellier at the GGL Stadium.

Rugby • 07 Apr 24

Bundee Aki and Iain Henderson return for Connacht and Ulster this weekend

Connacht & Ulster name experienced Challenge Cup sides

Connacht and Ulster have named their teams for Sunday's Challenge Cup last-16 games against Pau and Montpellier.

Rugby • 05 Apr 24

Richie Murphy (l) and Pete Wilkins take their teams to France this weekend

Challenging times for Ulster and Connacht

Irish rugby doesn't have a deep and meaningful relationship with the Challenge Cup but with two provinces in the mix it may be a route to salvaging something from the season.

Rugby • 06 Apr 24

Caelan Doris scored Leinster's fourth try when they beat Leicester in January

Irish provinces in Europe: All you need to know

Team news, TV and radio coverage, weather forecasts and everything else you need to know ahead of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cups rounds of 16.

Rugby • 06 Apr 24

The Principality Stadium will play host to European club rugby's showpiece finals in 2025

Champions Cup finals heading to Cardiff and Bilbao

Cardiff has been selected as the host city for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup finals in 2025.

Rugby • 31 Jan 24

Grant Gilchrist received two yellow cards in Edinburgh's game against Scarlets

Gilchrist to miss Scotland's Six Nations opener

Grant Gilchrist will miss Scotland's Six Nations opener against Wales after being handed a one-week suspension.

Rugby • 25 Jan 24

Battle-scarred but Connacht's Ireland duo good to go

Connacht boss Pete Wilkins is confident Ireland duo Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham will be "fighting fit" for the Six Nations after coming through a bruising Champions Cup encounter with Bristol on Friday night.

Rugby • 21 Jan 24

'This is a hugely important moment for Georgian rugby,' said Georgian Rugby Union president Ioseb Tkemaladze

Georgian club Black Lion to make Challenge Cup bow

Georgian club Black Lion will take part in next season's European Challenge Cup competition.

Rugby • 06 Jul 23

Cian Prendergast attempts a break during the defeat

Connacht's Challenge Cup hopes ended by Benetton

Connacht saw their Challenge Cup campaign come to an end after a 41-19 defeat to Benetton Treviso at Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

Rugby • 01 Apr 23

Bundee Aki last lined up for Connacht at Christmas

Aki makes Connacht return for Challenge Cup trip

Grand Slam winners Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki have both returned to the Connacht starting side for Saturday's Challenge Cup last-16 meeting with Benetton in Treviso.

Rugby • 31 Mar 23

Challenge CUp