Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

23 August 2025; Vicky Elmes Kinlan of Leinster in action against Connacht players Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin, left, and Orla Dixon during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Round 3 match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. P

Leinster pip Connacht to qualify for Interpro final

Vicky Elmes Kinlan's 68th-minute try split the sides at Dexcom Stadium where three-in-a-row hopefuls Leinster beat Connacht 17-12 to qualify for next Saturday's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final.

Rugby • 23 Aug 25

16 August 2025; Kathy Baker of Leinster on her way to scoring her side's second try despite the efforts of Munster players Aoife Fleming, left, and Gráinne Burke during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Round 2 match between Leinster and M

Munster storm Leinster to reach interpro final

Munster sealed their place in the final of the 2025 Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship after a convincing 33-22 win over Leinster in Donnybrook.

Rugby • 17 Aug 25

31 August 2024; Leah Tarpey of Leinster in action against Alana McInerney of Munster during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship final between Leinster and Munster at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Women's Interpro's Round 2: All you need to know

Round two of the Women's Interprovincial series promises to be a gripping weekend as we get a repeat of last year's final between Leinster and Munster, while Connacht welcome a strong-looking Ulster squad to Galway.

Rugby • 16 Aug 25

10 August 2025; Emma Brogan of Leinster in action against Ulster players Paige Smyth, left, and Siobhan Sheerin during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Round 1 match between Leinster and Ulster at Energia Park in Dublin. Photo by Shauna C

Leinster and Munster off to perfect start in interpros

Last year's champions Leinster and runners-up Munster got their 2025 Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship campaigns off to perfect starts courtesy of home bonus-point wins over Ulster and Connacht respectively.

Rugby • 10 Aug 25

REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLY 2025 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Launch, IRFU High Performance Centre, Dublin 1/8/2025Connacht's Ava Ryder, Munster's Maeve Óg O’Leary, Leinster's Molly Boyne and Ulst

Women's Interpros 2025: All you need to know

The Vodafone Women's Interprovincial series kicks off this afternoon with a double header that sees defending champions Leinster host Ulster at the Energia Stadium and Connacht visit Munster in Cork.

Rugby • 10 Aug 25

12 October 2024; A general view of Croke Park Stadium during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Leinster confirm Croke Park as venue for Munster derby

Leinster have confirmed that next season's URC derby against Munster will be held at Croke Park for the second year in a row.

Rugby • 31 Jul 25

Leinster thumped La Rochelle 40-13 in Dublin last January

Champions Cup draw: Leinster and La Rochelle meet again

Leinster have been drawn with familiar foes La Rochelle for the 2025/26 Champions Cup.

Rugby • 01 Jul 25

7 December 2024; Rory Scannell of Munster before the Champions Cup Round 1 match between Munster and Stade Francais Paris at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Scannell departs Munster after 'rollercoaster' 12 years

Munster have confirmed the departure of centre Rory Scannell, the latest vastly experienced player who will leave Thomond Park this summer.

United Rugby Championship • 05 Jun 25

Jack Crowley waits to take his second kick with Jaden Hendrickse receiving attention close to his line

No disciplinary plan for Sharks 'gamesmanship'

The URC has no plans to take any disciplinary action after the confrontation at the end of Munster's quarter-final defeat to Sharks on Saturday.

Rugby • 04 Jun 25

Connacht land Lancaster as URC play-offs provide drama

Neil Treacy, Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland react to the big news of the week in Irish rugby.

United Rugby Championship • 04 Jun 25

27 December 2024; Jamie Osborne of Leinster is tackled by Tom Farrell of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Four Irish named in URC's Elite XV

Four Irish players have been named in the BKT URC's Elite XV, while RG Snymaan is also included in the championship's team of the season.

United Rugby Championship • 04 Jun 25

'Change is inevitable, but it feels like big changes are coming in Munster'

Munster set for changing of the guard after narrow loss

Munster were knocked out of the URC play-offs after a nerve-wracking penalty shootout that included some questionable sportsmanship.

Rugby • 03 Jun 25

Sharks players clap Munster off following their URC quarter-final clash

Irish 'masters' of sledging, says Nienaber

Former Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber scoffed that the suggestion that Irish players aren't just as adept at rugby's dark arts as their South African counterparts when asked about Munster's controversial exit from the URC.

Rugby • 03 Jun 25

Beirne: 'We fought to the bitter end'

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne says he couldn't ask any more of his team-mates, after their season ended with an agonising BKT URC quarter-final defeat to the Sharks.

United Rugby Championship • 31 May 25

Jaden Hendrikse celebrates with Bradley Davids after the winning Sharks kick

Munster out after dramatic URC shootout loss to Sharks

Munster's season is over following a dramatic URC quarter-final defeat to Sharks after a penalty shootout.

Rugby • 05 Jun 25

Leinster and Munster URC quarter-final recap

Relive all the action as Leinster took on Scarlets and Munster faced the Sharks in the quarter-finals of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 31 May 25

26 October 2024; Tom Ahern of Munster is tackled by James Venter of Hollywoodbets Sharks during the United Rugby Championship match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

Season comes full circle as Munster return to Durban

Seven months on, Munster return to the ground where their season, and future, changed dramatically.

United Rugby Championship • 31 May 25

9 May 2025; Alex Nankivell of Munster is tackled by Jude Postlethwaite of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Ulster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster's Nankivell excited by McMillan arrival

Munster centre Alex Nankivell is excited at the prospect of working with his former Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan when the New Zealander moves to Ireland this summer.

Rugby • 30 May 25

26 October 2024; Calvin Nash of Munster in action during the United Rugby Championship match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

Reds must withstand 'savage' Sharks pressure - Nash

Calvin Nash knows Munster can't afford to give the Sharks a second bite of the cherry when the teams meet in Saturday's URC quarter-final.

Rugby • 28 May 25

16 May 2025; Calvin Nash of Munster in action against Alessandro Garbisi of Benetton Treviso during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Benetton at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Nash demanding more with season on the line

Calvin Nash says he hasn't been happy with his own performances this season ahead of Munster's URC quarter-final against Sharks.

Rugby • 29 May 25

26 April 2025; Jack Boyle of Leinster makes a break during the United Rugby Championship match between Scarlets and Leinster at Parc Y Scarlets in Swansea, Wales. Photo by Chris Fairweather/Sportsfile

URC quarter-finals: All you need to know

Two Irish provinces remain in the URC hunt with Munster aiming to win their second title in two years, while Leinster look to bridge a four-year gap since they last won silverware.

Rugby • 30 May 25

Munster head coach Ian Costello took time in his press conference to offer condolences to the Foley and Payne families

Munster leaning into emotions after difficult week

Munster coach Ian Costello says the province want to honour the Foley and Payne families in this weekend's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Sharks.

United Rugby Championship • 28 May 25

Costello: Quarter-final not a 'free shot' for Munster

While the pressure of securing Investec Champions Cup qualification is off their backs, Ian Costello insists Munster are by no means in bonus-territory ahead of Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Sharks.