Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

James Lowe (L) and team-mates during the 2022 final loss to La Rochelle

'Sick obsession' - Lowe determined to deliver star

James Lowe has described Leinster's quest for a fifth Champions Cup title as a "sick obsession".

Rugby • 04 May 24

Caelan Doris: 'It's class, it is an iconic stadium for Irish culture'

Doris: Croke Park 'an iconic stadium for Irish culture'

Caelan Doris says Leinster feel very fortunate to get a chance to play in the "iconic" Croke Park.

Rugby • 03 May 24

Leinster are back at HQ for the first time since 2009

Croker return sparks memories but there's no going back

Rugby returns to the home of the GAA on Saturday afternoon for the first time in 14 years with Leinster hosting Northampton Saints in the semi-final of the Champions Cup.

Rugby • 04 May 24

Leinster and Northampton Saints meet for the 11th time

Leinster v Northampton Saints - All You Need to Know

Team news, TV and radio coverage, weather forecasts and everything else you need to know ahead of the Champions Cup semi-finals.

Rugby • 03 May 24

Leinster lost both games heavily in South Africa in recent weeks

Jackman: Leinster correct in cautious squad rotation

Bernard Jackman believes Leinster's team selection on their recent two-game tour of South Africa was a risk worth taking, ahead of Saturday's Investec Champions Cup semi-final with Northampton.

Rugby • 01 May 24

Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson

Northampton have 'appreciation and respect' for Croker

Northampton have been learning about the history of Croke Park in anticipation of becoming the first English club side to play at the home of Gaelic Games when they clash with Leinster on Saturday.

Rugby • 01 May 24

Dingwall is expected to start in the centre for Northampton Saints against Leinster

Dingwall: Saints won't be overawed at Croke Park

Northampton Saints centre Fraser Dingwall believes his side won't be intimidated by the size of the crowd when they take on Leinster at Croke Park on Saturday.

Rugby • 02 May 24

Ross Byrne: 'I'm feeling fresh and ready to go'

Saints semi-final not just another game, says Byrne

Ross Byrne admits Leinster can't treat Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton as just another game.

Rugby • 01 May 24

Ross Byrne, Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan at Leinster training on Monday afternoon

Fine line between 'battle-hardened and battle-weary'

Leinster's result against Northampton on Saturday will determine if their approach to the Champions Cup semi-final was correct, says Robin McBryde.

Rugby • 30 Apr 24

Garry Ringrose is tackled by Ciarán Frawley (top) and James Lowe during Leinster training on Monday

Ringrose, O'Brien all clear but Keenan a Leinster doubt

Leinster will have Garry Ringrose and Jimmy O'Brien available for selection for Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton, but Hugo Keenan is still being assessed for a hip injury.

Rugby • 29 Apr 24

Jamie Osborne (l) has formed a solid partnership with Robbie Henshaw

No reason to break up Osborne-Henshaw axis - D'Arcy

Gordon D'Arcy doesn't believe there's any reason for Leinster to change their European centre partnership of Jamie Osborne and Robbie Henshaw, even if Garry Ringrose becomes available.

Rugby • 25 Apr 24

Garry Ringrose (l) and Hugo Keenan are rehabbing from injuries

Leinster hopeful on Ringrose and Keenan for Saints tie

Leo Cullen is hopeful that Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose will be available for Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints on 4 May.

Rugby • 22 Apr 24

Leinster beat Munster in the 2009 Heineken Cup final

Sold-out Croke Park 'pilgrimage' perfect for Leinster

Leinster's trip across the Liffey to Croke Park provides a "perfect" backdrop for their Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton, according to Marcus Horan.

Rugby • 19 Apr 24

Munster were knocked out of Europe at the last-16 stage for the second year in a row

Zebo: Stories about unhappy Munster camp 'not true'

Simon Zebo insists Munster is a "happy club" and that stories of an unsettled camp are "not true at all".

Rugby • 11 Apr 24

Munster's Tadhg Beirne (centre) is tackled by Northampton Saints' Burger Odendaal

Illness no excuse for Munster's European exit - Beirne

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne refused to blame a bug in the camp after the province exited the Investec Champions Cup at the Round of 16 for the second successive season.

Rugby • 07 Apr 24

Munster players, from right, Seán O'Brien, Antoine Frisch, Conor Murray and Joey Carbery

Saints finish strong to end Munster's Champions Cup

Munster's Investec Champions Cup hopes are over for another year, as Graham Rowntree's side faded in the final quarter against an impressive Northampton Saints side.

Rugby • 07 Apr 24

RG Snyman won't feature against the Saints

Munster duo Snyman and Daly ruled out of Saints clash

Munster have been hit with a double injury blow with RG Snyman and Shane Daly ruled out of tomorrow's Champions Cup clash with Northampton.

Rugby • 06 Apr 24

Northampton Saints were 26-23 winners when they played Munster in January

Northampton trip has all the traits of a Munster ambush

Munster have their backs to the wall ahead of a big European tie with a well-fancied English high-flyer. We've seen this movie before.

Rugby • 07 Apr 24

Munster had appealed against John Ryan's three game ban

Ryan ban upheld as Munster and Leinster name teams

RG Snyman and Simon Zebo will start for Munster in their Champions Cup last-16 clash against Northampton, while Leinster are able to welcome back Hugo Keenan for their match against Leicester.

Rugby • 06 Apr 24

John Ryan was cited for a clearout against Cardiff

Ryan banned for Munster's clash with Saints

Munster prop John Ryan has been suspended for the province's Investec Champions Cup clash against Northampton on Sunday and their next two games.

Rugby • 04 Apr 24

Langdon (2) was shown a red card just before half time in Northampton's 26-23 win at Thomond Park

Northampton's Langdon banned after Munster red card

Northampton Saints hooker Curtis Langdon has been suspended for four matches after his red card against Munster in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup meeting at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 24 Jan 24

Craig Casey looks on in frustration after the full-time whistle

Rowntree backs Munster to turn form around

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree believes his side have what it takes to turn around their indifferent form, with the province set for an Investec Champions Cup rematch with Northampton Saints in April.

Rugby • 22 Jan 24

Munster's Alex Nankivell is tackled by Alex Mitchell and Rory Hutchinson of Northampton Saints

Munster through despite loss to 14-man Northampton

Munster are through to the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup, courtesy of a losing bonus-point after a 26-23 defeat to the Northampton Saints, but major questions will have to be asked at how they let a promising lead slip for the third time in their four pool games.

Rugby • 20 Jan 24

Champions Cup: Munster 23-26 Northampton - recap

Munster suffered a 26-23 defeat at Thomond Park in their final Investec Champions Cup pool match following a second-half comeback from 14-man Northampton Saints.

Rugby • 20 Jan 24

Munster won both meetings between the sides last season

Munster bracing themselves for 'scary' Saints attack

Munster are preparing to welcome Northampton Saints to Thomond Park in the Investec Champions Cup, knowing their place in the next round is practically guaranteed, with only a very unlikely scenario knocking them out.

Rugby • 17 Jan 24