Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Connacht players celebrate after Oisin McCormack scored a try during the United Rugby Championship match between Zebre and Connacht at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma

Connacht dig out bonus-point victory at Zebre

Connacht secured a bonus point deep into overtime as they clinched a 31-15 United Rugby Championship victory at Zebre.

United Rugby Championship • 2 hrs

Ulster Rugby Head Coach Richie Murphy during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Cardiff and Ulster at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales.

Live United Rugby Championship: Ulster v Cardiff latest score

United Rugby Championship: Ulster v Cardiff latest score

Rugby • 1 hr

26 September 2025; Andrew Sparrow of Leinster after the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Leinster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

URC: Leinster, Connacht and Ulster name teams for R11

Ruben Moloney, Andrew Sparrow and Ciarán Mangan will make their first Leinster starts in Saturday's URC clash against Edinburgh.

Rugby • 30 Jan

21 March 2025; Sean O'Brien of Munster in action against Kyle Rowe of Glasgow Warriors during the United Rugby Championship match between Glasgow Warriors and Munster at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Ewan Bootman/Sportsfile

Updated URC Round 11: All you need to know

It's the last round of the United Rugby Championship before attention fully turns to the Guinness Six Nations with all four Irish provinces in action. Find out all you need to know here.

Rugby • 30 Jan

3 January 2026; Bundee Aki of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Aki dropped from Ireland squad over disciplinary issues

Ireland could be without Bundee Aki for their Guinness Six Nations opener against France next week, after the centre was cited for comments made to match officials following Connacht's defeat to Leinster on Saturday.

Rugby • 28 Jan

3 January 2026; Will Connors of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Connors the latest to swap Leinster for Connacht

Connacht have confirmed the signing of back row Will Connors, with the 29-year-old following Ciarán Frawley in swapping Leinster for the Dexcom Stadium next season.

United Rugby Championship • 27 Jan

Lancaster has ingredients for Connacht success

With new and improved facilities, top quality coaching and talent development, Connacht have the ingredients to show the tangible benefits expected under Stuart Lancaster, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 27 Jan

Billy Bohan during the Ireland team assembly day at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin ahead of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship.

Jackman: Baby-faced Bohan was going to get there anyway

Billy Bohan's call-up to the Ireland squad for this year's Guinness Six Nations may have been prompted by an injury crisis among the class of props, but Bernard Jackman believes it was only going to be a matter of time before the Connacht player would have graduated to senior international level.

Rugby • 27 Jan

24 January 2026; Ciarán Frawley of Leinster scores a try despite the efforts of Bundee Aki of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Cullen delighted as Leinster grind out another win

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was delighted as his side spoiled Connacht's Clan Stand party to record their 10th win in a row after the 34-23 URC win.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Jan

24 January 2026; Charlie Tector of Leinster, centre, celebrates with teammates Andrew Sparrow, left, and Luke McGrath after scoring their side's third try during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway

Leinster spoil Connacht's party in thrilling interpro

It was meant to be a famous night for Connacht, but Leinster didn't get the memo and recorded a bonus-point 34-23 URC victory at the new Dexcom Stadium.

Rugby • 24 Jan

24 January 2026; James Lowe of Leinster is tackled by Shane Jennings of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

URC recap: Connacht 23-34 Leinster

Relive all the action as Connacht hosted Leinster at the newly developed Dexcom Stadium in round ten of the United Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 24 Jan

URC team news: New Connacht half-backs, debut for Smyth

Connacht have opted for a new half-back pairing for Saturday's historic United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium with Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane at 9 and 10, respectively.

Rugby • 23 Jan

17 January 2026; Connacht players huddle as head of athletic performance Allan Temple-Jones watches on before the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Connacht and US Montauban at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Lancaster backs Connacht to 'thrive' in new surrounding

Whether by accident or design, it feels appropriate for the ribbon to be cut on Connacht's new and improved home this weekend.

Rugby • 24 Jan

3 January 2026; Josh Ioane of Connacht is tackled by Jack Conan, left, and Diarmuid Mangan of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Connacht v Leinster: All You Need to Know

The Interpro between Connacht and Leinster headlines the weekend's URC action, as we move into the second half of the regular season.

United Rugby Championship • 24 Jan

10 January 2026; The Leinster team huddle during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Leinster given Easter Sunday date in Champions Cup

Leinster will have a rare Sunday evening kick-off for their Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 meeting with Edinburgh, after dates and times for the first knock-out round were confirmed by the EPCR.

Rugby • 22 Jan

3 January 2026; Cian Prendergast of Connacht celebrates his side's second try, scored by team-mate Finlay Bealham, hidden, during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sport

Prendergast: Connacht ready to rise to the occasion

Connacht captain Cian Prendergast has called on his side to "lean into the occasion" as the province prepare for their new dawn on Saturday.

United Rugby Championship • 21 Jan

27 December 2025; Finlay Bealham of Connacht celebrates his side's first try, scored by Finn Treacy, not pictured during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ulster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Lancaster hopeful of Bealham fitness for Six Nations

Stuart Lancaster remains optimistic that Finlay Bealham will be available for Ireland's opening Six Nations clash with France in Paris, although the tighthead prop will miss the province's big Interpro with Leinster on Saturday.

United Rugby Championship • 20 Jan

Paul Boyle of Connacht scores a try despite the attention of Jean Seux of Montauban during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Connacht and US Montauban at Dexcom Stadium in Galway

Connacht demolish Montauban to march into last 16

Connacht ran riot at the Dexcom Stadium to demolish Montauban 75-14 and seal a place in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 17 Jan

Craig Casey of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Team news: Casey boost for Munster, Leinster trio back

Munster have received a huge boost for Saturday's must-win Investec Champions Cup tie with Castres, with Craig Casey passed fit to start after overcoming a shoulder injury.

Rugby • 16 Jan

13 December 2024; Peter O'Mahony of Munster and Rémy Baget of Castres Olympique during the Champions Cup Pool 3 match between Castres Olympique and Munster at Stade Pierre Fabre in Castres, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Champions Cup round 4: All You Need To Know

All four Irish provinces round off their Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage campaigns this week. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's games.

Rugby • 16 Jan

22 November 2025; Finlay Bealham of Ireland during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Bealham out for 'a couple of weeks' as injuries pile up

Ireland's Six Nations preparations have experienced another hiccup, with Finlay Bealham the latest prop to pick up an untimely injury.

Rugby • 13 Jan

Connacht scrum-half Ben Murphy gets his pass away against Montpellier

Connacht let slip 17-point lead in Montpellier

There was more agony for Connacht as a winning hand was again let slip as Montpellier came from 17 points adrift 24 minutes from time to maintain their winning run in the Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 11 Jan

11 January 2026; Munster supporters, from left, Ben Leahy, Patricia Vieira, Dave O'Keefe and Caolan Scully before the Investec Champions Cup match between RC Toulon and Munster at Stade Felix Mayol in Toulon, France. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Champions Cup round 3: All You Need To Know

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

Rugby • 11 Jan

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 • 06 Jan

3 January 2026; Sam Prendergast of Leinster scores his side's third try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Leinster's composure under pressure pleases Cullen

While Leinster easily brushed aside Connacht in the second half of their BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro at Aviva Stadium, the 52-17 win could have been very different had it not been for the final three minutes of the first half.

United Rugby Championship • 03 Jan

Connacht Rugby

Connacht dig out bonus-point victory at Zebre

Live United Rugby Championship: Ulster v Cardiff latest score

URC: Leinster, Connacht and Ulster name teams for R11

Updated URC Round 11: All you need to know

Aki dropped from Ireland squad over disciplinary issues

Connors the latest to swap Leinster for Connacht

Lancaster has ingredients for Connacht success

Jackman: Baby-faced Bohan was going to get there anyway

Cullen delighted as Leinster grind out another win

Leinster spoil Connacht's party in thrilling interpro

URC recap: Connacht 23-34 Leinster

URC team news: New Connacht half-backs, debut for Smyth

Lancaster backs Connacht to 'thrive' in new surrounding

Connacht v Leinster: All You Need to Know

Leinster given Easter Sunday date in Champions Cup

Prendergast: Connacht ready to rise to the occasion

Lancaster hopeful of Bealham fitness for Six Nations

Connacht demolish Montauban to march into last 16

Team news: Casey boost for Munster, Leinster trio back

Champions Cup round 4: All You Need To Know

Bealham out for 'a couple of weeks' as injuries pile up

Connacht let slip 17-point lead in Montpellier

Champions Cup round 3: All You Need To Know

Six Nations a chance for Ireland to blood new players

Leinster's composure under pressure pleases Cullen