Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Dan McFarland: 'That was a chance to be in a European final'

McFarland rues loss as Ulster blow Euro shot

Dan McFarland admitted Ulster will need some time to get over their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Leicester.

Ulster players react at the full-time whistle to the semi-final defeat

Leicester seal final spot with comeback win over Ulster

Ulster let slip a half-time lead at Welford Road as a second-half turnaround from Leicester Tigers saw the English club claim a 33-24 win the Challenge Cup semi-final.

Rugby • 30 Apr 21

Full-backs Hugo Keenan and Brice Dulin in action

La Rochelle v Leinster: All You Need to Know

Find out all the details as Leinster take on La Rochelle for a place in the Heineken Champions Cup final in Twickenham.

Rugby • 02 May 21

John Cooney has been in fine form for Ulster

Donal Lenihan's Leinster and Ulster predictions

RTÉ Rugby analyst Donal Lenihan previews the weekend's European action.

Rugby • 30 Apr 21

Murphy and McCloskey return for Ulster

Ulster have made five changes ahead of their Challenge Cup semi-final with Leicester Tigers on Friday.

Rugby • 29 Apr 21

Leinster take on La Rochelle on Sunday, 2 May

Times and dates confirmed for European semi-finals

The dates and kick-off times for the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals have been confirmed by the EPCR.

Rugby • 13 Apr 21

Jacob Stockdale scores Ulster's fifth try

Ulster power past Northampton into Challenge Cup semis

Ulster ended Northampton's bid to reach their first European semi-final since 2014 in a superb European Challenge Cup game at Franklin's Gardens.

Rugby • 10 Apr 21

Rob Herring scored two of Ulster's eight tries last week

Ulster keep faith for Northampton quarter-final clash

Ulster have named an unchanged team for their Challenge Cup quarter-final clash at Northampton Saints on Saturday (8pm).

Rugby • 09 Apr 21

Michael Lowry dives over for Ulster's fourth try

Ulster crush Harlequins to reach Challenge Cup quarters

Ulster will play Northampton in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup next Saturday after a 57-21 victory over Harlequins at The Stoop.

Rugby • 04 Apr 21

Kieran Marmion throws a dummy on the way to scoring the opening try

Leicester keep Connacht at bay in free-scoring contest

Connacht rustled up four tries away from home but fell short in a high-scoring encounter against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, exiting the Challenge Cup at the last-16 stage.

Rugby • 03 Apr 21

Big guns return for Ulster and Connacht

Jacob Stockdale starts for Ulster in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash with Harlequins on Sunday, as the Northerners welcome back their Irish internationals.

Rugby • 02 Apr 21

Marseille will now host the finals next year

European rugby finals moved from Marseille again

This season's Heineken Champions and Challenge Cup finals will not be played in Marseille as previously scheduled.

Rugby • 31 Mar 21

Connacht are expecting a similar challenge at scrum-time and lineout as that posed by Munster

Tigers' threat 'very similar' to Munster - Friend

Connacht head coach Andy Friend has taken inspiration from this season's interpros as he plots a path to beat Leicester Tigers in Saturdays Challenge Cup last-16 clash.

Rugby • 30 Mar 21

Ultan Dillane is hoping to add to his 17 Ireland caps, but the primary focus is on performing well for Connacht

Dillane hopeful Connacht will learn from confusion

Ultan Dillane isn't feeling unduly worried over contract talks and his international future, and instead is just hoping to put his best foot forward for Connacht.

Rugby • 20 Jan 21

European competitions to go straight to knockout

Europe's final two rounds of group matches will be cancelled with the Champions and Challenge Cups moving straight into the knockout phase - the format will be confirmed later this month.

Rugby • 14 Jan 21

The Heineken Champions Cup looks set for a drastic restructure this year

Champions Cup format: Lenihan warns against 'disaster'

Donal Lenihan has warned that if the EPCR decide to jump straight to the semi-finals of their European competitions it would be "a disaster".

Rugby • 14 Jan 21

Irish provinces Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht have been involved in the pool stages of this season's Champions Cup

Champions Cup and Challenge Cup 'temporarily suspended'

The Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup have been suspended temporarily, European Professional Club Rugby has announced.

Rugby • 11 Jan 21

Toulon opted not to play their Heineken Champions Cup clash against Scarlets last month due to coronavirus-related health concerns

European season could hinge on French government call

The viability of this season's European cup competitions could be in doubt following a meeting between tournament organisers and the French government.

Rugby • 08 Jan 21

Ireland finished last season in third place

Six Nations still planning for February start

Six Nations organisers have confirmed the 2021 Championship will take place in February and March as planned in response to suggestions it could be moved to the summer.

Rugby • 04 Jan 21

The Stadio Comunale di Monigo was supposed to host Benetton v Agen

Covid-19 forces Challenge Cup postponements

Benetton's European Challenge Cup game against Agen and the clash of Stade Francais and Cardiff Blues have been cancelled.

Rugby • 19 Dec 20

Challenge Cup final will have fans in attendance

Tournament organisers have been given permission to sell 1,000 tickets for Friday's European Challenge Cup final between Bristol and Toulon.

Rugby • 12 Oct 20

Bryce Heem of Toulon celebrates their first try

Toulon tame Tigers to take Challenge Cup final spot

Leicester were unable to prevent Toulon from reaching their sixth European final as the French side ran out 34-19 winners at Stade Felix Mayol to set up a shoot-out with Bristol for the Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 26 Sep 20

Lekso Kaulashvili of Bordeaux-Begles is denied a try by the combined efforts of Luke Morahan, Semi Radradra and Steve Luatua of Bristol Bears

Bristol find extra gear to reach Challenge Cup final

Bristol reached their first European final by staging a stirring fightback to beat Challenge Cup opponents Bordeaux-Begles 37-20 after extra time at Ashton Gate.

Rugby • 25 Sep 20

Leicester have progressed to the semi-finals

Castres forced to forfeit 1/4-final against Leicester

Leicester's Challenge Cup quarter-final at home to Castres has been cancelled due to cases of coronavirus at the French club.

Rugby • 19 Sep 20

Stade Vélodrome will now host the finals of the 2020/2021 season

Champions Cup final moved from Marseille

This season's Heineken Champions Cup final will not be held in Marseille as previously scheduled.

Rugby • 09 Jul 20

Challenge CUp