Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

17 January 2026; Cian Prendergast of Connacht during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Connacht and US Montauban at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Prendergast returns as Connacht rotate for Sharks

Cian Prendergast returns to captain Connacht for Friday's EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash with Sharks at Dexcom Stadium, as Stuart Lancaster makes seven changes from the team that defeated Ospreys last week.

Rugby • 3 hrs

South Africa challenge coming at right time for Connacht

With five victories on the spin, Connacht head for South Africa with genuine ambitions of Champions Cup qualification.

Rugby • 31 Mar

28 March 2026; Connacht players and supporters celebrate a late try by Matthew Devine during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ospreys at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Lancaster: Why can't we have a crack at it?

Stuart Lancaster has tasted success in Bilbao and urged his Connacht side to target a place in the Challenge Cup final.

Rugby • 29 Mar

28 March 2026; Matthew Devine of Connacht celebrates after scoring his side's third try with Sam Illo during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ospreys at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Devine intervention as Connacht maintain winning run

Matthew Devine's try seven minutes from time saw Connacht edge past Ospreys in a 21-14 arm-wrestle at Dexcom Stadium, as Stuart Lancaster's side maintained their impressive recent form.

United Rugby Championship • 28 Mar

28 March 2026; Jack Carty of Connacht beats Jack Walsh of Ospreys to the ball as he races back to gather possession before touching down for a 22 metre drop out and prevent a try for Ospreys during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and

URC Recap: Connacht win again, Munster get losing BPs

Follow our minute by minute coverage of this afternoon's BKT United Rugby Championship action, as Munster take on the Bulls in Pretoria, and Connacht host the Ospreys.

United Rugby Championship • 28 Mar

2 January 2026; Ulster players, from left, Stuart McCloskey, Nick Timoney and James Hume after their side's victory in the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

URC: McCloskey and Timoney return for Ulster

Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney both make welcome returns for Ulster as they look to consolidate their place in the top four of the BKT United Rugby Championship this weekend, while Connacht have made six changes to their side as they go for a fifth win in a row.

United Rugby Championship • 27 Mar

31 May 2025; Dan Sheehan of Leinster is tackled by Ioan Lloyd of Scarlets in the lead up to his side's fourth try during the United Rugby Championship quarter-final match between Leinster and Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran

United Rugby Championship Round 14: All You Need to Know

With just five rounds of the regular season to go, here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's BKT United Rugby Championship action.

United Rugby Championship • 27 Mar

Connacht click, Munster and Leinster implode on the road

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast as we look back on a mixed week for the Irish provinces in the URC.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Mar

20 March 2026; Jack Carty of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Connacht at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Connacht's record scorer Carty to retire at end of season

Connacht's all-time record points scorer Jack Carty has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

United Rugby Championship • 24 Mar

20 March 2026; Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster and Sean Jansen after their side's victory in the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Connacht at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Lancaster delights in Connacht's defensive grit

Stuart Lancaster hailed his side's defence after Connacht made it four wins in a row in the BKT United Rugby Championship last night.

Rugby • 21 Mar

20 March 2026; Finn Treacy of Connacht is tackled by Jacob Stockdale of Ulster on his way to scoring his side's fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Connacht at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Connacht hold off Ulster to break derby drought

Connacht ended their long wait for an Interpro victory in the BKT United Rugby Championship in impressive fashion as Stuart Lancaster's side held off Ulster for a bonus-point 26-19 victory at Affidea Stadium.

United Rugby Championship • 20 Mar

20 March 2026; Finn Treacy of Connacht, 11, is congratulated by teammate Bundee Aki after scoring their side's fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Connacht at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

URC Round 13: Ulster 19-26 Connacht - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Ulster host Connacht in a BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro in Belfast.

Rugby • 20 Mar

2 January 2026; Jacob Stockdale of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Team news: Internationals back as Stockdale starts at 13

Ulster and Connacht will both welcome back multiple Ireland internationals for Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro at Affidea Stadium in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 19 Mar