Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Jack Crowley before Ireland's U20 Six Nations match against Wales in February 2020

The Irish breakthrough prospects to keep an eye on

Donal Lenihan and Jonny Holland pick out some of the emerging Irish talent to keep an eye on for next season on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast.

Rugby • 27 May 21

Bundee Aki is expected to make his first appearance for Connacht since March

Connacht coach Wilkins wary of Benetton banana skin

Connacht attack coach Pete Wilkins has warned his players that they will need to maintain the standards set in their win over Munster to avoid slipping up against Benetton this weekend.

Rugby • 25 May 21

RTÉ Rugby podcast: Connacht form and refs' performance

The panel review the weekend's Rainbow Cup action.

Rugby • 19 May 21

The proposed new Showgrounds facility would redevelop two stands and build one new stand, as well as the existing Treacy Avenue side

Sligo Rovers lay out plans for €17m stadium and academy

Sligo Rovers have laid out plans to redevelop their existing stadium at the Showgrounds, as well as building a new academy complex in Sligo in an estimated €17.3million project.

Soccer • 18 May 21

Is familiarity starting to bread contempt in the Rainbow Cup?

Error-strewn interpros a consequence of long season

The Rainbow Cup delved further into the unpredictable last weekend in the third of three interprovincial rounds in a row.

Rugby • 18 May 21

(L to R): John Porch, Eoghan Masterson and Sean Masterson celebrate Connacht's win

Thomond win can lift Connacht to another level - Friend

An elated Andy Friend said he believes Connacht's Pro14 Rainbow Cup win at Munster can launch the province "to another level".

Rugby • 15 May 21

Connacht hang tight for Thomond win over Munster

Conor Fitzgerald came back to haunt his home province as his 14-point haul helped Connacht beat Munster 24-20 and claim only their second win at Thomond Park since 1986.

Rugby • 14 May 21

Matt Gallagher makes his first start of the year

Irish provinces name teams for interpro derbies

The four Irish provinces have named their teams for tomorrow's Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup inter-pro derbies.

Rugby • 13 May 21

"In both games, discipline dictated a lot of the exchanges."

It's meaningless but teams can still use Rainbow Cup

It was another weekend of interprovincial action in the season-extending Rainbow Cup and while the results mean nothing, the lack of pressure could see teams develop new approaches for next season.

Rugby • 11 May 21

Quinn Roux has been strongly linked with a move to Toulon

Roux departing Connacht at the end of the season

Quinn Roux will leave Connacht when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

Rugby • 10 May 21

Cullen happy with Leinster players after painful week

Leo Cullen was happy to see Leinster get back to winning ways on Saturday night against Connacht in Galway after European disappointment last weekend.

Rugby • 09 May 21

Jarrad Butler lines out for Connacht in Saturday evening's clash

Butler back for Connacht as Leinster pick three Lions

Jarrad Butler returns for Connacht as they host Leinster in the Rainbow Cup.

Connacht • 07 May 21

Aki Lions pick 'due recognition' says Connacht's Friend

Connacht boss Andy Friend says the inclusion of Bundee Aki in the Lions squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa is "due recognition".

Rugby • 07 May 21

Lizo Gqoboka of the Bulls in action against the Lions

Lancaster: South African beef can't come quickly enough

The Rainbow Cup got off to a false start this year but the introduction of the South African teams can't come soon enough for Leinster, according to Stuart Lancaster.

Rugby • 04 May 21

Mixed approach but still some drama over the Rainbow

The Rainbow Cup is proving to be a mish-mash event but it's better than nothing, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 27 Apr 21

Connacht celebrate their thrilling victory

Connacht snatch dramatic Rainbow Cup win at Ulster

A last-gasp try from replacement winger Peter Sullivan gave Connacht a dramatic 26-24 victory over Ulster at the Kingspan in the Rainbow Cup's opening round.

Rugby • 23 Apr 21

Rainbow Cup: Ulster and Connacht name teams

Iain Henderson starts for Ulster opening round of the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup against Connacht.

Rugby • 22 Apr 21

Mack Hansen will link up with Connacht during the summer pre-season

Connacht sign Australian prospect Mack Hansen

Ireland-qualified Australian Mack Hansen has signed for Connacht ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Rugby • 21 Apr 21

Leinster and Munster meet again on the 24 April

Leinster-Munster set for Rainbow tie, SA sides first up

Munster and Leinster are set to clash again in the opening round of the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup, which gets under way in ten days' time.

Rugby • 04 May 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

John Cooney was top scorer in the tournament with 115 points

Irish provinces dominate Pro14 team of the year

Players from the four Irish provinces make up all but two positions on the Guinness Pro14 team of the year.

Rugby • 01 Apr 21

Duffy leaves Connacht after a 25-year involvement with the province

Duffy leaves coaching post as Connacht exodus continues

Connacht have confirmed that forwards coach Jimmy Duffy will depart the province at the end of the season.

Rugby • 31 Mar 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