Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

George Barton of Gloucester dives over to score the match-winning try

Ulster's Champions Cup hopes rocked by late defeat

Gloucester broke Ulster hearts with a try five minutes into injury time to win a pulsating Heineken Champions Cup clash 38-34 at Kingsholm Stadium.

Rugby • 19 Dec 20

Keith Earls and Mike Haley celebrate after the final whistle

Munster stage remarkable fightback to beat Clermont

Munster came from 19 points down to beat Clermont Auvergne 39-31 in the Champions Cup and extend their unbeaten start to the season.

Rugby • 19 Dec 20

Dave Kearney dives over for Leinster's third try

Injury-hit Leinster still too strong for Northampton

Leinster picked up another bonus-point win in the Champions Cup as they beat Northampton Saints 35-19 at the RDS.

Rugby • 19 Dec 20

Lam expecting 'finals rugby' on return to Sportsground

Pat Lam is ready for "finals rugby" when he takes his Bristol team back to Galway on Sunday.

Rugby • 19 Dec 20

In a statement, Toulon said they had decided "not to play this meeting as planned this evening".

Toulon pull out of Scarlets game due to Covid-19 fears

Scarlets' scheduled Heineken Champions Cup clash against Toulon on Friday is off after the French side decided not to play because of coronavirus-related concerns.

Rugby • 18 Dec 20

Shane Daly starts on the wing for Munster

Wycherley, Daly in for Munster, Aki back for Connacht

Munster have made three changes for for Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel Michelin (5.30pm Irish).

Rugby • 18 Dec 20

Ryan Baird has been handed a starting berth in Leinster's second row against Northampton

Baird starts for Leinster, while Burns captains Ulster

Ryan Baird and Harry Byrne will make their first Heineken Champions Cup starts for Leinster in Saturday's clash with Northampton at the RDS Arena, while Billy Burns is back in the familiar surrounds of the Kingsholm Stadium, this time as Ulster captain.

Rugby • 18 Dec 20

Lam (r) and Marmion meet again on Sunday

Marmion looking forward to Lam's Connacht reunion

Kieran Marmion is looking forward to a reunion with Pat Lam but is sure his former coach will have a few tricks up his sleeve.

Rugby • 17 Dec 20

Defending champions Exeter are not in action this weekend

Champions Cup round 2: All you need to know

The four Irish provinces are back in Heineken Champions Cup action this weekend. Find out all you need to know here.

Rugby • 19 Dec 20

Exeter Chiefs have reported a number of positive tests for Covid-19

Two Euro games cancelled due to Exeter Covid outbreak

Exeter Chiefs' Heineken Champions Cup clash against Toulouse on Sunday, and Glasgow Warriors' meeting with Lyon 24 hours beforehand, have both been called off.

Rugby • 16 Dec 20

Northampton have indicated they will send "youngsters" to face Leinster at the weekend

Lenihan wants Champions Cup sanctions against clubs

Donal Lenihan has called on Heineken Champions Cup organisers to sanction teams who field weakened sides in the competition.

Rugby • 16 Dec 20

Danny Care: "It's a physical sport sometimes.

Danny Care on Munster: 'We thought we were playing PSG'

Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care has hit back at Munster's criticism of their approach to Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup clash, accusing the province of "diving and complaining".

Rugby • 16 Dec 20

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: Champions Cup disgrace and RWC draw

The panel discuss Ireland's draw for the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and review the opening weekend of the Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 16 Dec 20

Leinster beat Northampton in back-to-back European games during the 2019-20 campaign

Henshaw expects struggling Saints to play with no fear

Leinster will look to make it two from two in this week's Heineken Champions Cup clash with Northampton, however, Robbie Henshaw expects a tough challenge on Saturday as the Saints come to Dublin.

Rugby • 16 Dec 20

Cipriani in action against Munster in 2018

Cipriani departs Gloucester with 'mixed emotions'

Scotland international Adam Hastings is set to fill the fly-half void created by Danny Cipriani's departure from Gloucester.

Rugby • 15 Dec 20

Garry Ringrose during Leinster training at UCD in Dublin

Sexton & Ringrose could both return to face Northampton

Johnny Sexton and Garry Ringrose are both in contention to return for Leinster's Heineken Champions Cup clash with Northampton Saints at the RDS on Saturday.

Rugby • 14 Dec 20

'The sooner we catch up with the southern hemisphere and can get the crowds back through the gates the better for supporters, players and boardrooms'

European action excites but fans the missing X-factor

There was a lot to enjoy in the weekend's Heineken Champions Cup games but the lack of supporters had a major impact on the players and the results, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 15 Dec 20

Ben Healy picked up an injury at Thomond

Munster boss hits out at 'unacceptable' Quins tactics

Munster head coach Johann van Graan spoke of his frustration with a couple of "unacceptable" late tackles on young fly-half Ben Healy in their 21-7 Heineken Champions Cup Pool B victory over Harlequins at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 13 Dec 20

Recap: Munster good value for win over Quins

Relive all the action from Thomond Park as Munster hosted Harlequins.

Rugby • 13 Dec 20

Beirne stars as Munster begin with Quins win

Tadhg Beirne starred for Munster as they began their Champions Cup campaign with a 21-7 win over Harlequins at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 13 Dec 20

Connacht came away with a losing bonus point

Connacht scare Racing and leave Paris with bonus point

Connacht almost pulled off a shock victory in Paris as they lost out 26-22 to Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 13 Dec 20

Champions Cup wrap: Wasps join Leinster atop Pool 1

Wasps finished their first outing in this year's Heineken Champions Cup in style as late tries secured them a 24-8 bonus point win at Welsh region Dragons.

Rugby • 12 Dec 20

Recap: Leinster comfortable winners in France

Relive all the action as Leinster traveled to Montpellier for their opening Heineken Champions Cup tie.

Rugby • 12 Dec 20

Impressive Leinster run five past poor Montpellier

Leinster secured a bonus-point 35-14 win away to Montpellier in their opening Champions Cup tie of the season.

Rugby • 12 Dec 20

Connacht have never played at the Paris La Defence Arena

Connacht boss Friend keeping everything in perspective

Connacht boss Andy Friend says his side are not feeling sorry for themselves and "count their blessings" despite a number of set-backs ahead of their clash against Racing 92.

Rugby • 12 Dec 20

Heineken Champions Cup

Ulster's Champions Cup hopes rocked by late defeat

Munster stage remarkable fightback to beat Clermont

Injury-hit Leinster still too strong for Northampton

Lam expecting 'finals rugby' on return to Sportsground

Toulon pull out of Scarlets game due to Covid-19 fears

Wycherley, Daly in for Munster, Aki back for Connacht

Baird starts for Leinster, while Burns captains Ulster

Marmion looking forward to Lam's Connacht reunion

Champions Cup round 2: All you need to know

Two Euro games cancelled due to Exeter Covid outbreak

Lenihan wants Champions Cup sanctions against clubs

Danny Care on Munster: 'We thought we were playing PSG'

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: Champions Cup disgrace and RWC draw

Henshaw expects struggling Saints to play with no fear

Cipriani departs Gloucester with 'mixed emotions'

Sexton & Ringrose could both return to face Northampton

European action excites but fans the missing X-factor

Munster boss hits out at 'unacceptable' Quins tactics

Recap: Munster good value for win over Quins

Beirne stars as Munster begin with Quins win

Connacht scare Racing and leave Paris with bonus point

Champions Cup wrap: Wasps join Leinster atop Pool 1

Recap: Leinster comfortable winners in France

Impressive Leinster run five past poor Montpellier

Connacht boss Friend keeping everything in perspective

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