Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

LYON, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 13: A general view of Parc OL Stadium during a stadium visit ahead of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup on February 13, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Lyon to host 2027 Champions Cup final

Lyon's OL Stadium will host the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals in 2027, EPCR has announced, with the tournament returning to an October start.

Rugby • 27 Feb

Josh Caulfield was sent off against Connacht

EPCR to appeal Caulfield red card decision

Champions Cup organisers are to appeal against the overturning of the red card shown to Josh Caulfield for Bristol against Connacht.

Rugby • 29 Jan 24

Sexton appeared before the disciplinary committee this afternoon

Decision on Sexton hearing due in the coming days

Johnny Sexton will have to wait even longer to discover whether or not he is to incur a suspension, after a prolonged disciplinary hearing today.

Rugby • 13 Jul 23

(L to R): Caelan Doris, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier

Doris, Ringrose & Van der Flier up for top award

Leinster trio Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris and Garry Ringrose have made the five-man shortlist for the European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] Player of the Year award.

Rugby • 03 May 23

Dominic McKay was speaking at the launch of this season's EPCR Champions and Challenge Cup

EPCR 'optimistic' Club Rugby World Cup will happen

European rugby chiefs admit that attempts to set up a Club Rugby World Cup remain ongoing with no deadline set for the concept to get off the ground.

Rugby • 30 Nov 22

Luke Pearce (l) was mic'd up to the stadium PA during Australia v South Africa in last year's Rugby Championship

Rugby referees boss calls for officials to be mic'd up

European rugby officials chief Tony Spreadbury has called for referees to be mic'd up so that fans in the ground can hear their decision-making process.

Rugby • 26 May 22

Next season's final will be played on Saturday 20 May

EPCR to scrap two-legged last 16 Champions Cup games

The EPCR have decided against retaining the two-legged Round of 16 in next season's Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 10 May 22

(L to R): Jimmy O'Brien, Jack O'Donoghue, Josh van der Flier, Michael Lowry ad Caelan Doris.

Five Irish players on EPCR Player of Year long list

Five Irish players have made the long list for the 2022 EPCR European Player of the Year.

Rugby • 01 Feb 22

Toulouse president Didier Lacroix argued that Toulouse would have been able to field a "competitive" team.

Toulouse threaten legal action over cancelled clash

Toulouse president Didier Lacroix said the club would take legal action after their Champions Cup clash against Cardiff on Saturday was cancelled due to a number of positive Covid-19 cases in the French side.

Rugby • 21 Jan 22

Five Champions Cup games will now be scored as 0-0 draws

Postponed Champions Cup games will not be rescheduled

The postponed games from Round 2 of the Heineken Champions Cup will not be rescheduled, with the EPCR confirming that each game will be scored as a 0-0 draw.

Rugby • 11 Jan 22

Leo Cullen is expecting to be out of his isolation period in time for their meeting with Ulster on New Year's Day

Leinster hoping for 'common sense' over EPCR stand-off

Leo Cullen has confirmed he is one of those in the Leinster camp who tested positive for Covid-19 recently, but said he expects to be out of self-isolation before their United Rugby Championship meeting with Ulster on Saturday.

Rugby • 28 Dec 21

All British-French European rugby ties postponed

All Heineken Champions Cup matches between British and French clubs scheduled for this weekend have been called off.

Rugby • 17 Dec 21

O'Gara has been promoted to director of rugby this season

O'Gara wants Euro journey repeat for 'buck-ape' fans

Ronan O'Gara says he's hoping La Rochelle can repeat last season's memorable Heineken Champions Cup run for their supporters.

Rugby • 07 Dec 21

Bristol have been awarded five match points after the Scarlets were unable to field a team

Scarlets give Bristol Champions Cup walkover

Bristol have been awarded full match points for their Heineken Champions Cup opener against Scarlets.

Heineken Champions Cup • 07 Dec 21

Stade Vélodrome will now host the finals of the 2020/2021 season

Champions Cup final moved from Marseille

This season's Heineken Champions Cup final will not be held in Marseille as previously scheduled.

Rugby • 09 Jul 20

Saracens are the reigning European champions

Champions Cup final may take place in October

This year's Heineken Champions Cup final may be played in October, while the competition organisers are looking at the potential for a one-off "exceptional" format for the 2020-21 season.

Rugby • 14 May 20

Cronin receives 1-month doping ban for pharmacy mix-up

Munster prop James Cronin has been banned for one month for an "unintentional anti-doping violation", which saw him test positive for prohibited substances after a pharmacy dispensed him the wrong medication.

Rugby • 20 Apr 20

Ringrose, Cronin & Furlong up for Euro Player of Year

Leinster trio Garry Ringrose, Sean Cronin and Tadgh Furlong have made the short list to be crowned European Player of the Year.

Rugby • 24 Apr 19

Saracens' Billy Vunipola is confronted by a Munster fan

EPCR condemn Munster fan who confronted Vunipola

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) condemned the Munster fan who confronted Saracens' Billy Vunipola at the end of the province's Heineken Champions Cup defeat at the Ricoh Arena.

Rugby • 20 Apr 19

Jason Harries of Cardiff Blues is tackled by DTH Van Der Merwe of Glasgow Warriors during their European clash

EPCR to apologise for Cardiff-Glasgow kit clash

European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] is to apologise to Cardiff Blues and Glasgow Warriors over the clash of kit colours which reduced their Heineken Champions Cup encounter on Sunday to a farce.

Rugby • 22 Oct 18

EPCR