Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

2 January 2026; John Hodnett of Munster leaves the pitch with an injury during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Munster lose Hodnett, Kendellen but internationals back

Munster will welcome back their Ireland contingent for Sunday's Champions Cup clash against Toulon but back rows John Hodnett and Alex Kendellen are out through injury.

Rugby • 9 hrs

Champions Cup games are a natural step towards the intensity of a Test match

Six Nations a chance for Ireland to blood new players

Ireland could use the Six Nations as a chance to blood new players, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 16 hrs

5 January 2026; Andrew Porter during Leinster Rugby squad training at UCD in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Porter: System changes far from straightforward

Andrew Porter admits that managing different systems across three different teams has played into Leinster's unusual start to the season.

Rugby • 16 hrs

27 December 2025; Robbie Henshaw of Leinster leaves the pitch to receive medical attention for an injury during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Henshaw fit for Leinster, Snyman and Ringrose training

Leinster's Robbie Henshaw has recovered from a finger injury and is available for Saturday's Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle, while the province will assess RG Snyman, Rabah Slimani, Garry Ringrose and Harry Byrne during the week.

Rugby • 05 Jan

La Rochelle's Irish head coach Ronan O'Gara

O'Gara's Stade thrash Toulon ahead of Leinster tie

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle warmed up for Saturday's Champions Cup clash against Leinster with a 66-0 victory over Toulon in the Top 14.

Rugby • 05 Jan

Toulon's players celebrate their victory

Toulon and Castres pick up wins in Munster's Euro pool

Munster's Pool 2 rivals Toulon came out on top over Bath in an entertaining nine-try contest and took a 45-34 victory in the Champions Cup, while Castres beat Edinburgh 33-0.

Rugby • 14 Dec 25

13 December 2025; Ben O'Connor of Munster and Rob Russell, left, George Barton of Gloucester contest possession during the Investec Champions Cup match between Munster and Gloucester at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster back-three steel pleases McMillan

Among the nine changes Clayton McMillan made to his Munster side for Saturday's win against Gloucester, the head coach performed some surgery on the back three, which had been badly exposed by Bath's kicking game at The Rec.

Rugby • 15 Dec 25

6 December 2025; Munster head coach Clayton McMillan before the Investec Champions Cup match between Bath and Munster at The Recreation Ground in Bath, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

McMillan: Munster must use Bath 'embarrassment'

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan is hoping his team can put their 'embarrassing' loss to Bath last weekend to good use when they host a competitive fixture in Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the first time on Saturday evening.

Rugby • 13 Dec 25

Joe McCarthy of Leinster celebrates during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leicester Tigers and Leinster at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Leicester, England.

Leinster come from behind to win at Welford Road

Harry Byrne's goal-kicking proved the difference as error-strewn Leinster held off a determined Leicester to claim a 23-15 Investec Champions Cup victory at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Rugby • 12 Dec 25

1 December 2025; Michael Ala'alatoa arrives for Munster Rugby squad training at the University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ala'alatoa's first Munster start, Connacht change it up

Former Leinster star and Samoa international Michael Ala'alatoa will make his first start for Munster this weekend as he's named in the starting line-up for their Investec Champions Cup clash against Gloucester at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.

Rugby • 12 Dec 25

6 December 2025; Harry Byrne of Leinster during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Lenihan: Leinster and Munster in must-win Cup clashes

Donal Lenihan previews this weekend's Champions Cup action stating that both Leinster and Munster face must-win clashes.

Rugby • 12 Dec 25

10 November 2007; Lewis Moody, Leicester Tigers, is tackled by Leo Cullen, Leinster. Heineken Cup, Pool 6, Round 1, Leinster v Leicester Tigers, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture credit; Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE

Cullen gives his support to former team-mate Moody

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen took time out to speak about his former Leicester team-mate Lewis Moody's battle with Motor Neurone Disease, ahead of his team's meeting with the Tigers.

Rugby • 12 Dec 25

6 April 2024; Jack Conan of Leinster dives over to score his side's fifth which was subsequently disallowed during the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 match between Leinster and Leicester Tigers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Spo

Champions and Challenge Cup R2: All You Need To Know

All four Irish provinces are back in action this week across the Investec Champions and Challenge Cup pool stages. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's games.

Rugby • 13 Dec 25

6 December 2025; Rieko Ioane of Leinster after the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ioane to start as Cullen shuffles Leinster deck

Rieko Ioane will make his first Leinster start in Friday night's Investec Champions Cup encounter with Leicester Tigers, with Leo Cullen shuffling his deck for the Pool 3 meeting.

Rugby • 11 Dec 25

The kick-escort debate and a mixed provincial Euro week

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast to discuss a mixed week of results for the Irish provinces in the Investec Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 10 Dec 25

29 November 2025; Jack Crowley of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and DHL Stormers at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Munster trio 'tracking well' for Gloucester return

Munster appear confident that Jack Crowley, Jean Kleyn and Michael Milne will all be able to return for Saturday's crucial Champions Cup Pool 3 meeting with Gloucester in Cork.

Rugby • 09 Dec 25

'Sport is fascinating because what is written on paper is partially irrelevant to how the game plays out'

Leinster hampered by lack of quality time together

Most teams that win a Champions Cup game 45-28 while scoring seven tries along the way would be happy with their day's work. Not Leinster, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 09 Dec 25

Dublin , Ireland - 6 December 2025; Leinster players, from left, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via

Conan: No time for 'panic' with Leinster or Ireland

Leinster may have their "backs against the wall" but finding themselves in an unusual position at the start of their season might just be the wake-up call they need, according to Jack Conan.

Rugby • 10 Dec 25

12 October 2024; James Lowe of Leinster celebrates with teammates Caelan Doris and James Ryan after scoring their side's first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Spor

Ryan, Lowe set for Leinster returns, Larmour ruled out

Leinster look set to welcome back James Ryan and James Lowe for Friday's Champions Cup trip to Leicester but in-form wing Jordan Larmour has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Rugby • 08 Dec 25

England , United Kingdom - 6 December 2025; Ruadhan Quinn of Munster reacts after his side's defeat in the Investec Champions Cup match between Bath and Munster at The Recreation Ground in Bath, England. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Stricken Munster beaten by Bath in Champions Cup opener

Bath made a huge statement in their opening Investec Champions Cup match with a comfortable 40-14 victory over Munster at the Recreation Ground.

Rugby • 06 Dec 25

Joe McCarthy of Leinster is tackled by Harlequins players Cassius Cleaves, left, and Zach Carr during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Leinster's McCarthy happy to start shaking off the rust

Leinster's Joe McCarthy still sees plenty of room for improvement, despite his side's 45-28 Champions Cup victory over Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 07 Dec 25

Dublin , Ireland - 6 December 2025; Jordan Larmour of Leinster is tackled by Cadan Murley of Harlequins during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile via Getty I

Larmour the merrier as seven-try Leinster dominate

Four-time European champions Leinster opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a 45-28 victory over Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 06 Dec 25

BATH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Joe Cokanasiga of Bath celebrates scoring his team's fourth try during the Investec Champions Cup match between Bath Rugby and Munster Rugby at The Recreation Ground on December 06, 2025 in Bath, England. (Photo by Michael Ste

Champions Cup: Bath 40-14 Munster - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Munster take on Premiership champions Bath in their Investec Champions Cup Pool 2 opener

Rugby • 06 Dec 25

6 December 2025; Ciarán Frawley of Leinster scores his side's fourth try despite the tackle of Cadan Murley of Harlequins during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sport

Champions Cup: Leinster 45-28 Harlequins - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Leinster begin their Investec Champions Cup campaign at home to Harlequins.

Rugby • 06 Dec 25

29 November 2025; Munster head coach Clayton McMillan before the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and DHL Stormers at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

McMillan confident Crowley will be fit for Gloucester

Clayton McMillan has backed JJ Hanrahan to steer the ship for Munster this weekend, but the head coach remains confident Jack Crowley will be fit to return for the province's highly-anticipated meeting with Gloucester at SuperValu Pairc Uí Chaoimh next week.

Rugby • 05 Dec 25