Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Matt Healy and John Muldoon embrace after the victory over Oyonnax

Connacht to face Gloucester in Challenge Cup last eight

Connacht will take on Gloucester in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, but will be on the road should they prevail and reach the last four.

Rugby • 21 Jan 18

Leinster will be looking to make it six wins from six away to Montpellier

Lenihan's European preview: Clean sweep for provinces

RTÉ Rugby analyst Donal Lenihan runs the rule over the final weekend of pool action in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 19 Jan 18

A bonus point win over Castres should secure Munster a home quarter-final

European permutations: Wins needed for Munster & Ulster

Leinster make it six wins from six while Munster and Ulster know what they need to do in order to seal their passage into the last eight.

Rugby • 20 Jan 18

It finished 24-24 against Worcester Warriors.

Connacht rally from behind to secure quarter-final spot

Connacht have qualified for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, following a 24-24 draw against

Rugby • 13 Jan 18

Dillane, Aki & Marmion boost Connacht's Euro push

Irish Internationals Ultan Dillane, Bundee Aki and Kieran Marmion return to Kieran Keane's Connacht side as they travel to Sixways to take on Worcester Warriors in the Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon.

Rugby • 12 Jan 18

Jarrad Butler after training in Galway today

Butler hungry to keep Connacht's European run going

Connacht's Jarrad Butler is eager to continue their good European run following an eventful Christmas period for the province.

Rugby • 09 Jan 18

Jack Carty congratulates Ultan Dillane (l) after a try

Carty buzzing as 'heads-up' Connacht come good

Jack Carty says Connacht are reaping the rewards of sticking to their guns after their 44-16 win over Ulster made it three wins in their last three outings.

Rugby • 24 Dec 17

Ireland are currently third in the world rankings

Irish rugby poised for even greater heights in 2018

As a much improved 2017 for Irish rugby draws to a close, Declan Whooley looks ahead to what could be an even better 12 months ahead for Ireland and the provinces.

Rugby • 24 Dec 17

Leinster's Tadhg Furlong tackled by Matt Kvesic of Exeter

Recap: Leinster come from behind to beat Exeter

Relive all the action from the Aviva where Leinster hosted Exeter looking to extend their lead at the top of Champions Cup Pool 3.

Rugby • 16 Dec 17

Joy Neville is blazing a trail as a referee on the international stage.

History made as Neville referees European club fixture

Former Ireland rugby player Joy Neville has made history by becoming the first woman to referee a European professional club fixture.

Rugby • 16 Dec 17

O'Sullivan predicts back-to-back Irish clean sweep

Eddie O'Sullivan is backing the Irish provinces to follow up last week's wins with more of the same in the Champions Cup this weekend.

Rugby • 15 Dec 17

Kieran Marmion crossed for Connacht's second try against Brive this evening

Connacht overturn 16-point deficit to win in Brive

Connacht shot to the top of the Pool 5 table after their 38-31 victory over Brive in the Challenge Cup in the Stade Amedee-Domenech on Saturday evening.

Rugby • 10 Dec 17

Cillian Gallagher makes his first start for Connacht on Saturday

Cillian Gallagher to make his first Connacht start

Connacht academy player Cillian Gallagher will make his first start for Connacht in their Challenge Cup clash away to Brive on Saturday.

Rugby • 08 Dec 17

Munster and Ulster face crunch Champions Cup ties

Leinster are the best-placed of the Irish provinces in Europe, while Munster and Ulster are in must-win territory ahead of the back-to-back Champions Cup fixtures.

Rugby • 08 Dec 17

Neville is set to referee the Challenge Cup meeting of Bordeaux-Bègles and Enisei-STM.

Neville hopes her success will help female referees

Former Ireland rugby player Joy Neville is blazing a trail as a referee on the international stage and and the Limerick native hopes that her success will benefit other women who want to follow in her footsteps.

Rugby • 03 Dec 17

Joy Neville will break further ground as a female referee in December

Joy for Neville as Irish referee makes more history

Fresh from becoming one of the first female referees to officiate at a men's international, Irish official Joy Neville will break further ground after being appointed to take charge of Challenge Cup game in December.

Rugby • 07 Nov 17

Jarrad Butler will be out of action for up to six weeks for Connacht

No Butler service for Connacht, after he has surgery

Connacht have been dealt an injury blow with the news that they will be without Jarrad Butler for up to six weeks.

Rugby • 31 Oct 17

Paddy Butler (C) enjoyed victory in Italy

Irish abroad: Butler helps Pau to pull off Italian job

Paddy Butler helped Pau to a pulsating 38-33 Challenge Cup defeat of Zebre in Italy on Saturday.

Rugby • 22 Oct 17

Connacht's Eoghan Masterson scores a try

Connacht rise to Challenge against Worcester

Connacht have moved top of Challenge Cup Pool 5 after a 15-8 win over Worcester at the Sportsground.

Rugby • 21 Oct 17

Eoin McKeon gets over the line for a try

Connacht triumph in Challenge Cup opener

Connacht secured an impressive 43-15 win against French Top 14 outfit Oyonnax at the Stade de Geneve in the Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 15 Oct 17

Connacht leave Aki at home for Challenge Cup trip

Connacht head coach Kieran Keane has opted to rest star centre Bundee Aki for Connacht's Challenge Cup trip to face Oyannax on Saturday.

Rugby • 13 Oct 17

Connacht will be looking to return to the consistent level of performance that saw them win the league last year

Pro14 preview: New beginnings for Connacht

New head coach Kieran Keane is looking to build on the work of Pat Lam as the 2016 champions seek to improve on a season that failed to ignite.

Rugby • 31 Aug 17

The draw took place in Neuchatel, Switzerland

Irish provinces learn Champions Cup fate

The Irish provinces have been handed challenging assignments for next season's Champions Cup but avoided the 'group of death' containing last season's finalists Saracens and Clermont.

Rugby • 08 Jun 17

Northampton's Dylan Hartley consoles John Muldoon of Connacht after the game

Pat Lam 'proud' as Connacht go down fighting

Pat Lam saluted the efforts of his Connacht side in his final game as head coach as they pushed Northampton all the way in a 21-15 Champions Cup play-off semi-final defeat at Franklin's Gardens

Rugby • 20 May 17

Stade Francais celebrate their challenge cup win over Gloucester

It's Northampton for Connacht after Stade snatch Cup

Connacht will play Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens next Saturday in the Champions Cup play-offs after Gloucester let an early 10-point lead slip to go down to Stade Francais in the European Challenge Cup final.

Rugby • 13 May 17

Challenge CUp