Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

2 January 2026; The Munster team huddle, including Paddy Patterson, centre, during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Munster must start hitting ceiling to go deep in Europe

With Ireland opening their 2026 Guinness Six Nations campaign away to France in just under four weeks' time, there's an appropriate theme to these next two weekends of Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup rugby.

Rugby • 09 Jan

11 January 2026; Munster supporters, from left, Ben Leahy, Patricia Vieira, Dave O'Keefe and Caolan Scully before the Investec Champions Cup match between RC Toulon and Munster at Stade Felix Mayol in Toulon, France. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Champions Cup round 3: All You Need To Know

All four Irish provinces are back in action this week across the Investec Champions and EPCR Challenge Cup pool stages. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's games.

Rugby • 11 Jan

BATH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Joe Cokanasiga of Bath celebrates scoring his team's fourth try during the Investec Champions Cup match between Bath Rugby and Munster Rugby at The Recreation Ground on December 06, 2025 in Bath, England. (Photo by Michael Ste

Bath 'shocker' not on Munster minds ahead of Toulon tie

Craig Casey insists Munster's defeat to Bath, and the manner of the 40-14 loss, won't play on their minds ahead of Sunday's Champions Cup clash against Toulon.

Rugby • 09 Jan

2 January 2026; John Hodnett of Munster leaves the pitch with an injury during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Munster lose Hodnett, Kendellen but internationals back

Munster will welcome back their Ireland contingent for Sunday's Champions Cup clash against Toulon but back rows John Hodnett and Alex Kendellen are out through injury.

Rugby • 06 Jan

Champions Cup games are a natural step towards the intensity of a Test match

Six Nations a chance for Ireland to blood new players

Ireland could use the Six Nations as a chance to blood new players, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 06 Jan

La Rochelle's Irish head coach Ronan O'Gara

O'Gara's Stade thrash Toulon ahead of Leinster tie

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle warmed up for Saturday's Champions Cup clash against Leinster with a 66-0 victory over Toulon in the Top 14.

Rugby • 05 Jan

2 January 2026; Ulster head coach Richie Murphy and Jacob Stockdale after their side's victory in the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Murphy: Ulster 'buzzing' after statement win v Munster

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy praised the patience of his side as they produced a brilliant second-half performance to hammer Munster 28-3 in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 03 Jan

2 January 2026; Angus Bell of Ulster celebrates his side's first try, scored by Tom Stewart, during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster bully Munster to continue impressive season

Affidea Stadium was a winter wonderland for Ulster as they continued their impressive season with a dominant 28-3 win against a poor Munster in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Jan

2 January 2026; Brian Gleeson of Munster is tackled by Stuart McCloskey, left, and Jack Murphy of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

United Rugby Championship: Ulster 28-3 Munster - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Ulster and Munster meet in the first URC Interpro of 2026.

Rugby • 02 Jan

20 December 2024; Tom Farrell of Munster on his way to scoring his side's first try despite the tackle of Stuart McCloskey and Werner Kok of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo

United Rugby Championship round 9: All you need to know

Round nine of the United Rugby Championship serves up a double helping of derbies on the first weekend of 2026.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Jan

28 November 2025; Iain Henderson of Ulster during the warm-up before the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Benetton at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Henderson back for Ulster, Munster rest internationals

Iain Henderson will make his first provincial appearance since October in Friday night's crucial BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro against Munster in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 01 Jan

Defence trumps attack as Leinster learn valuable lesson

While attacking rugby was in short supply, Leinster's gritty win over Munster at Thomond Park was born out of a ferocious defensive effort.

Rugby • 30 Dec 25

27 December 2025; Andrew Porter of Leinster is tackled by Lee Barron, left, and Tadhg Beirne of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Beirne: 'The style of the game has gone backwards'

Tadhg Beirne is the latest high-profile figure to voice his displeasure at the direction of travel in rugby, stating the style of play in the game has "gone backwards".

United Rugby Championship • 29 Dec 25

27 December 2025; Caelan Doris, right, and Max Deegan of Leinster after the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Defence delights Cullen in crucial Leinster win

Leo Cullen hailed his side's defence, as Leinster came through the "proper cauldron" of Thomond Park with a crucial 13-8 Interpro win against Munster.

United Rugby Championship • 28 Dec 25

27 December 2025; Josh van der Flier of Leinster, third from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/S

Gritty Leinster hold off Munster in Thomond arm-wrestle

Leinster gained revenge for their Croke Park humbling as they recorded a 13-8 victory over Munster in a classic URC arm-wrestle at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 28 Dec 25

27 December 2025; Caelan Doris of Leinster is tackled by Gavin Coombes, left, and Jack O'Donoghue of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

URC recap: Munster 8-13 Leinster

Relive the action from the URC derby clash between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 27 Dec 25

10 October 2025; John Ryan of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Ryan eyeing landmark cap as Munster make seven changes

Munster have made seven changes for their United Rugby Championship interpro clash with Leinster on Saturday while John Ryan could become just the third player from the province to reach 250 caps.

Rugby • 24 Dec 25

27 December 2024; Luke McGrath of Leinster scores his side's first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

United Rugby Championship round 8: All you need to know

Round eight of the United Rugby Championship serves up a double helping of festive derbies on 27 December.

Rugby • 27 Dec 25

25 October 2025; Munster head coach Clayton McMillan before the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Connacht at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

O'Donoghue impressed by McMillan's 'calm presence'

With Munster going well in the United Rugby Championship and a derby game to come against Leinster on Saturday, Jack O'Donoghue believes Clayton McMillan's style of coaching has resulted in a greater air of confidence around the squad.

Rugby • 24 Dec 25

19 December 2025; Ciarán Frawley of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Ulster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Nothing 'official yet' on Frawley Connacht reports

Leinster back Ciarán Frawley look set to join Connacht next season although there's nothing "official yet", according to senior coach Jacques Nienaber.

Rugby • 23 Dec 25

'Leo Cullen's men are still the yardstick by which most teams are measured'

Leinster double could elevate Munster season

Munster's latest clash with URC champions Leinster can have a huge say on how the rest of their season plays out, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 23 Dec 25

20 December 2025; Mike Haley of Munster on his way to scoring his side's fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Ospreys and Munster at Brewery Field in Bridgend, Wales. Photo by Gareth Everett/Sportsfile

Efficient Munster comfortably see off Ospreys in Wales

Munster will spend Christmas second in the BKT United Rugby Championship table, after Clayton McMillan's side produced an impressive 26-10 bonus-point win away to the Ospreys in Bridgend.

Rugby • 20 Dec 25

20 December 2025; Sean O'Brien of Connacht is tackled by Angus O'Brien of Dragons during the United Rugby Championship match between Dragons and Connacht at Rodney Parade in Newport, Wales. Photo by Kian Abdullah/Sportsfile

URC: Mixed results for Connacht and Munster - recap

Munster's 100% record may have disappeared last time out, but they will be hopeful of getting back to winning ways in Wales.