Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Cian Healy will start at loosehead for Leinster

Preview: Leinster and Toulon set for tight battle

RTÉ Sport's Tadhg Peavoy previews Leinster's clash with Toulon in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

Ulster were dejected at full-time in Ravenhill

Saracens relieved to see off Ulster

Saracens coach Mark McCall was mightily relieved after his side reached their second straight Heineken Cup semi-final with a 17-15 win at Ravenhill.

Rugby • 06 Apr 14

Ulster's Luke Marshall can't halt Saracens' Chris Ashton as he runs in a try

Heartbreak as 14-man Ulster pipped by Saracens

Fourteen-man Ulster fought bravely following Jared Payne's early sending off but were eventually edged out 17-15 by Saracens in their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash at Ravenhill.

Rugby • 05 Apr 14

Simon Zebo touches down for Munster's fifth try

Munster hammer Toulouse to reach European semis

Munster booked their place in the Heineken Cup semi-finals with a resounding six-try 47-23 victory over Toulouse at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 05 Apr 14

Keith Earls scores the game's opening try

As it happened: Munster 47-23 Toulouse

Munster run in six tries en route to hammering Toulouse 47-23 in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 05 Apr 14

Brian O'Driscoll remains an injury doubt for Leinster's encounter against Toulon

Heineken Cup preview: Irish sides well placed

RTÉ Sport's Tadhg Peavoy assesses the prospects of Munster, Ulster and Leinster ahead of their weekend Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

Rugby • 05 Jul 15

Heineken Cup teams: Five changes for Leinster

Leinster, Ulster and Munster have all named their teams for Heineken Cup quarter-finals this weekend:

Rugby • 04 Apr 14

Paul O'Connell described Toulouse as 'an incredible team with incredible players'

O’Connell: Toulouse ‘a massive uphill task’

Paul O’Connell has suggested that Munster face a massive challenge if they are to beat Toulouse in Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Rugby • 03 Apr 14

Simon Zebo and Fergus McFadden could have a crucial chance to impress Ireland boss Joe Schmidt if their sides clash

Aviva awaits Munster and Leinster

The scene has been set for a Leinster v Munster semi-final in the Aviva stadium, with the announcement of the venues for this year’s semi-finals.

Rugby • 03 Apr 14

Eoin Reddan, Gordon D'Arcy, Brian O'Driscoll had been rested during Monday's training, but took a full part on Tuesday

O’Driscoll, Healy among Leinster returnees

Leinster reported no new injury concerns on Tuesday ahead of their Heineken Cup clash with Toulon on Sunday.

Rugby • 01 Apr 14

Peter O'Mahony took part in Munster training, but his hamstring injury is being monitored

O'Mahony expected to be fit for Munster

Munster may have to plan without Donnacha Ryan for their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse on Saturday, but expect Peter O’Mahony to be fit.

Rugby • 01 Apr 14

Leinster have won the Heineken Cup three times

Horgan: IRFU should follow more selfish approach

Former Ireland and Leinster player Shane Horgan has said that the IRFU should consider joining a stronger league at some point in the future.

Rugby • 01 Apr 14

Shane Jennings: 'It’s a massive challenge and it’ll be a real test for us'

Jennings: French forays to stand to Leinster

Leinster flanker Shane Jennings says that his side's experience away to French opposition can help them overcome Toulon on Sunday.

Rugby • 31 Mar 14

Brian O'Driscoll's neck injury is minor and he should be fit to play next weekend

Clean bills of health for Leinster and Munster

Both Leinster and Munster have reported clean bills of health following their RaboDirect Pro12 clash at Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 31 Mar 14

The replacement for the Heineken Cup was expected to be unveiled this week

European rugby talks on hold until Monday

Work on European club rugby's new elite tournament will be put on hold over the weekend and resume on Monday.

Rugby • 28 Mar 14

Gerhard van den Heever has impressed since his move to Munster from Western Province

Munster add three to Heineken Cup squad

Munster have added Gerhard van den Heever, Quentin MacDonald and Gerry Hurley to their squad for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup.

Rugby • 20 Mar 14

An agreement to secure the future of European rugby appears to be close

Saracens chief confident on European deal

English and French clubs have dismissed enough "demons and ghosts" to usher in European rugby reform, according to Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths.

Rugby • 20 Mar 14

The Heineken Cup's future looks increasingly bleak

ERC continue to withhold Heineken Cup payments

Heineken Cup bosses hope shareholder power can force the release of overdue tournament appearance fees after a second board meeting in three weeks failed to break the impasse.

Rugby • 19 Feb 14

Bernard Laporte will be banned from any matchday involvement for 13 weeks

Laporte slammed with 13 week ban

Toulon coach Bernard Laporte has been banned from involvement with the team on matchdays for 13 weeks after an outburst against a match referee last month.

Rugby • 12 Feb 14

Progress has been made in the efforts to secure the future of European rugby

WRU upbeat after 'positive' European talks

The future of top-level European rugby competition finally took a tentative step towards a resolution after a "positive and constructive" meeting in Paris.

Rugby • 12 Feb 14

The future of the Heinken Cup continues to look bleak

ERC ups ante by refusing to sanction payments

Premiership Rugby will seek advice on pursuing a potential breach of contract from ERC after the Heineken Cup organisers withheld overdue tournament appearance payments.

Rugby • 06 Feb 14