Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

As it happened: Connacht foiled at the death

The action as it happened from Connacht's Heineken Champions Cup game against Leicester Tigers at the Sportsground.

Rugby • 15 Jan 22

Kini Murimurivalu scores the first of his two tries for the Leicester Tigers

Heartbreak for Connacht as Tigers win Galway thriller

After 10 minutes at the Sportsground, it looked like Connacht would be learning some harsh lessons.

Rugby • 15 Jan 22

Late Coombes try gives Munster victory in Castres

A try from Gavin Coombes two minutes from time gave Munster victory away to Castres, maintaining their 100% record in the 2021-22 Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 14 Jan 22

Leinster, Ulster and Connacht are all in action this weekend

Champions Cup teams: Sexton returns on Leinster bench

Johnny Sexton is set to make his injury comeback for Leinster on Sunday, after being named on the bench for their Heineken Champions Cup meeting with Montpellier at the RDS.

Rugby • 14 Jan 22

Munster and Castres kick off at Stade Pierre Fabre at 8pm

Covid in Castres squad but Munster game set to go ahead

Munster's Heineken Champions Cup opponents Castres have reported six cases of Covid-19 in their camp, but tonight's Round 3 pool game is still set to go ahead as planned.

Rugby • 14 Jan 22

Jack Carty scores a try for Connacht in their defeat to Leicester in Round 2

Champions Cup Round 3: All you need to know

After an uncertain week, the pool stage continues in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Champions Cup • 15 Jan 22

Thomas Combezou of Castres lets Joey Carbery know he's there in their 2018 meeting at Stade Pierre Fabre

Best of enemies: Munster, Castres and a 27-year rivalry

With Munster and Castres set for their record 18th Heineken Champions Cup meeting tonight, Neil Treacy looks back at a heated rivalry that has developed in the last 27 years.

Rugby • 14 Jan 22

There had been uncertainty over whether several games in France could be played

European games to go ahead between French and UK clubs

This weekend's Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup games involving British clubs in France look set to go ahead as planned after a lifting of travel restrictions.

Rugby • 13 Jan 22

Zebo was red carded after 13 minutes against Ulster

Zebo avoids ban after red card v Ulster

Simon Zebo will be available to play in Munster's Heineken Champions Cup pool game against Castres on Friday night, after escaping a ban following his red card against Ulster.

Rugby • 12 Jan 22

Bath not willing to travel to France under Covid rules

Bath have confirmed they will only fulfil their Heineken Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle on Saturday if French travel restrictions are eased.

Rugby • 12 Jan 22

Gavin Coombes made a team-high 27 carries against Ulster on Saturday

Coombes ready to kick on after 'disappointing' stretch

Having recently returned from a 10-week lay-off, Gavin Coombes is hoping to get back to his best just in time for the Six Nations.

Rugby • 13 Jan 22

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has responded to Peter Stringer

'I absolutely want to be here' - Van Graan

Johann van Graan has hit back strongly at suggestions he is not committed to Munster.

Rugby • 12 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

Hansen also missed the first two rounds of the tournament with a calf injury

Hansen ruled out of Connacht's showdown with Leicester

Connacht will be without leading try scorer Mack Hansen for Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup meeting with the Leicester Tigers at the Sportsground.

Rugby • 11 Jan 22

Munster's coaching team have come under fire in recent weeks

Some criticism fair and some is perception - Van Graan

Munster head coach Johann van Graan says his team are playing better rugby than they are getting credit for, believing some of the criticism is based on perception.

Rugby • 11 Jan 22

Question marks surround La Rochelle's clash with Bath this weekend

EPCR hoping for changes to French Covid restrictions

European rugby chiefs are hoping for a modification of French quarantine rules that could threaten several Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixtures this weekend.

Rugby • 11 Jan 22

The EPCR have confirmed Rounds 3 and 4 will go ahead as planned

Champions Cup confirm pool games to go ahead as planned

The Champions Cup pool stage are set to be completed as planned, after the EPCR confirmed travel exemptions would apply between France and the UK.

Rugby • 07 Jan 22

'I wouldn't be qualified to do it' - Paul O'Connell

O'Connell rules himself out of Munster running

Paul O'Connell has taken himself out of the running to become the next head coach of Munster, saying he's not experienced enough for a job of that size.

Rugby • 07 Jan 22

Leinster's opponents Montpellier have reported several cases of Covid-19

Montpellier Covid outbreak puts Leinster game in doubt

Leinster's Champions Cup meeting with Montpellier is in doubt after an outbreak of Covid-19 at the French club, which has seen their Top14 game this weekend cancelled.

Rugby • 07 Jan 22

Travel restrictions led to five games being postponed in Round 2 of the Heineken Champions Cup

EPCR hoping to avoid further Champions Cup disruption

The organisers of the Heineken Champions Cup say the are hopeful Rounds 3 and 4 of the competition will go ahead as planned this month.

Rugby • 04 Jan 22

Alex Wootton has started Connacht's last four games, having been out injured until November

Wootton has nothing to prove ahead of Munster reunion

Connacht wing Alex Wootton on the growing squad depth at the Sportsground, adapting to the new Connacht style and gearing up to play his former side Munster.

Rugby • 31 Dec 21

'The law variations that are continuously evolving are doing something to keep the players fitter and healthier, although I don't know if the injuries will stop. It is one of the most fascinating parts of the game, dangerous, but definitely interesting'

Henderson latest victim of high-risk breakdown battle

Iain Henderson is the latest player to be injured when competing at the breakdown. Law variations are helping but Jonny Holland - whose own career was ended in a breakdown - does not think you can remove all risk from the games most fascinating area.

Rugby • 21 Dec 21

The outstanding Jack Carty scored 18 points for Connacht as they went down fighting at Welford Road

Connacht leave Leicester with a losing bonus point

Leicester were tested to the limits by a spirited Connacht but a strong second-half rally saw the Tigers continue their impressive run with a 29-23 Heineken Champions Cup victory.

Rugby • 19 Dec 21

Recap: Munster come out on top in Castres arm-wrestle

Munster made it two wins from two in the Heineken Champions Cup, but struggled at times in their scrappy 19-13 win against Castres at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 18 Dec 21

'Would I be frustrated? I'd be really frustrated'

McFarland backs Leinster frustration over cancellation

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland says he can understand the frustrations of Leinster and the Ospreys, after they were forced to give walkovers in round two of the Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 18 Dec 21