Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Leinster took on Montpellier last December

Irish provinces' Champions Cup pool opponents confirmed

Leinster have been paired with Bath and Montpellier, while Munster will face matches against Wasps and Castres as the four Irish provinces' Heineken Champions Cup pool stage opponents were confirmed.

Rugby • 21 Jul 21

Champions Cup format confirmed for next season

The format and qualifier rankings for next season's Heineken Champions Cup have been finalised with Leinster and Munster confirmed as the top two ranked sides from the Guinness Pro14.

Rugby • 28 Jun 21

The Galway native made 60 appearances for Connacht

Connacht's O'Brien forced to retire due to concussion

Connacht have announced that flanker Sean O'Brien has been advised to retire from rugby on medical grounds following a concussion injury.

Rugby • 22 Jun 21

Four-time winners Leinster lost out in this year's semi-final

All four Irish provinces confirmed for Champions Cup

All four Irish provinces will be among the new United Rugby Championship's eight representatives in next season's Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 16 Jun 21

Shayne Bolton is moving to the Sportsground

Connacht sign Irish-qualified back Bolton

Connacht have confirmed the signing of Irish-qualified South African back Shayne Bolton.

Rugby • 10 Jun 21

Peter Sullivan scoring Connacht's fourth try

Early blitz sufficient as Connacht hold off Ospreys

A free-scoring first half gave way an entirely scoreless second half but Connacht held off Ospreys to claim a 26-19 win in the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup at the Sportsground this evening.

Connacht • 04 Jun 21

Abraham Papali'i has picked up three red cards for Connacht inside a year

Connacht's Papali'i banned for four weeks

Connacht's Abraham Papali'i has been hit with a four-week suspension after receiving a red card during last weekend's Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup defeat to Benetton.

Rugby • 04 Jun 21

Bundee Aki: 'I was pinching myself, it's a huge honour'

Lions pick Aki 'overwhelmed' by community support

Bundee Aki says the support he's received from Galway and Connacht has been fundamental to his Lions call-up.

Rugby • 02 Jun 21

Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion is tackled by Toa Halafihi

Connacht crash to Benetton defeat

Connacht's hopes of reaching the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup final were ended by a 20-12 defeat away to Benetton.

Rugby • 29 May 21

Denis Buckley is set to win cap 200 for Connacht

Aki and Buckley named in Connacht team

Denis Buckley will become just the third Connacht player to reach 200 caps tomorrow after he was named in the starting XV to face Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup leaders Benetton.

Rugby • 28 May 21

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