Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Pat Lam's Bristol Bears host Leinster in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup

Lam: Champions Cup tie v Leinster 'as good as it gets'

Pat Lam believes Bristol are the best prepared they have been for a Champions Cup campaign ahead of Sunday's blockbuster opener against Leinster.

Rugby • 05 Dec 24

Joe Schmidt and Pat Lam endured tough starts before success at Leinster and Connacht

All's not lost for Munster as Schmidt and Lam prove

While Graham Rowntree's time in charge of Munster has got off to a disappointing start, he can look to Joe Schmidt and Pat Lam for inspiration in how to turn things around.

Rugby • 15 Oct 22

Pat Lam: 'The reality is there are a lot of wealthy people who are losing money'

Clubs may not survive another lockdown - Pat Lam

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said Premiership Rugby clubs may struggle to recover from the financial hit of losing matchday revenue in the event of another Covid-19 lockdown.

Rugby • 22 Dec 21

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

Pat Lam: "We absolutely believe that Wasps and Exeter should be contesting this final."

Bristol ready to play final if Wasps can't - Pat Lam

Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam has said they are ready to step in and play in the Premiership final if Wasps are unable to do so due to an outbreak of Covid-19.

Rugby • 20 Oct 20

Michael Swift and Mike McCarthy are among the contenders

Best XV of the professional era: Connacht second row

We're picking the ultimate Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster teams of the professional era, position by position, province by province, and we want your help. Today, it's Connacht's second row.

Rugby • 16 May 20

Will Hurrell: "It's been a really challenging year for me personally, but I accept this is the right decision for me and my family."

Bristol's Hurrell forced to retire due to head injury

Bristol Bears centre Will Hurrell has retired with immediate effect after medical advice.

Rugby • 10 Apr 20

Bristol's Will Hurrell suffered 'probable stroke'

Bristol centre Will Hurrell suffered a "probable stroke" following last month's game at Leicester, the Gallagher Premiership club have confirmed.

Rugby • 21 Feb 20

Lam extends Bristol stay to become Director of Rugby

Bristol head coach Pat Lam has signed a new four-year contract, the Gallagher Premiership club have annnounced.

Rugby • 22 May 19

Ian Madigan who won the last of his 30 Irish caps two years ago in South Africa

Lam: Competitive Madigan will thrive in top-flight

Former Connacht coach Pat Lam has tipped Ian Madigan to be a huge success with Bristol Bears in the Premiership this season.

Rugby • 05 Sep 18

Pat Lam: "History tells you where you come from, but your vision tells you where you are heading."

Lam sets Euro target as Bristol return to top flight

Bristol head coach Pat Lam has targeted achieving Heineken Champions Cup qualification on their Premiership return.

Rugby • 15 Aug 18

Kieran Keane led Connacht to just seven league wins

Keane departure looks ruthless and drastic - Jackman

Bernard Jackman believes that the reported parting of the ways between Connacht and Kieran Keane after just one season looks drastic and ruthless.

Rugby • 01 May 18

John Muldoon and Pat Lam will work together at Bristol

John Muldoon to reunite with Pat Lam at Bristol

Connacht's John Muldoon will end his 15-year association with the province in the summer, after he confirmed that he will be joining Bristol Rugby as a coach.

Rugby • 12 Apr 18

Bundee Aki is set to make his Ireland debut in November

Bundee will be special in an Ireland shirt - Pat Lam

Bundee Aki can become a "special" player for Ireland, according to his former Connacht coach Pat Lam.

Rugby • 27 Oct 17

John Muldoon believes Connacht are slowly turning things around

Muldoon confident wins will come for Connacht

Connacht captain John Muldoon believes his side are making improvements under new head coach Kieran Keane, despite a poor start to this season's Pro14 campaign.

Rugby • 03 Oct 17

Charles Piutau will link up with Pat Lam at Bristol

'One of the best in world' - Bristol joy at Piutau coup

Bristol say they faced "massive competition" before securing the services of New Zealand star Charles Piutau from Ulster.

Rugby • 11 Aug 17

Northampton's Dylan Hartley consoles John Muldoon of Connacht after the game

Pat Lam 'proud' as Connacht go down fighting

Pat Lam saluted the efforts of his Connacht side in his final game as head coach as they pushed Northampton all the way in a 21-15 Champions Cup play-off semi-final defeat at Franklin's Gardens

Rugby • 20 May 17

The Against The Head panel (l-r) Eddie O'Sullivan, Bernard Jackman and Donal Lenihan

What went wrong for Connacht this season?

The Against The Head panel discuss a difficult campaign for the Westerners.

Rugby • 09 May 17

Lam and Muldoon celebrate last year's Pro12 title

Lam hails Muldoon ahead of 300th Connacht appearance

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has lauded the contribution of captain John Muldoon ahead of his 300th appearance for the province, adding we won't see the likes of his achievements again.

Rugby • 11 Apr 17

Nigel Carolan has been Connacht's Academy Manager since 2004

Carolan & Duffy included in new Connacht coaching team

Connacht Academy manager Nigel Carolan and forwards coach Jimmy Duffy have both been confirmed as part of incoming coach Kieran Keane's new coaching team.

Rugby • 23 Mar 17

Ian Madigan has found opportunities at Bordeaux limited

Ian Madigan to join Pat Lam at Bristol

Ireland international Ian Madigan will join Bristol next season after Bordeaux agreed to release the out-half early from his contract.

Rugby • 06 Mar 17

Kieran Keane joins Connacht in time for next season

Keane will add attacking flair to Connacht - Ruane

Connacht CEO Willie Ruane believes that his team will continue to play the kind of attacking rugby that has become their trademark, under new head coach Kieran Keane.

Rugby • 22 Feb 17

Kieran Keane takes charge at Connacht from next season

Keane the right man for Connacht, says McQuilkin

Former Leinster defence coach Kurt McQuilkin believes that Connacht have completed a 'good bit of business' in bringing in Kieran Keane as their new head coach.

Rugby • 21 Feb 17

Craig Gilroy crashes over against Italy in Rome

Returning internationals boost Connacht & Ulster

Connacht and Ulster have been boosted by the return to the fold of their Ireland internationals for this weekend's Pro12 action.

Rugby • 14 Feb 17

Smith won nine caps as a player with the Springboks

Franco Smith out of the running for Connacht job

Franco Smith has revealed that he was contacted by Connacht about replacing head coach Pat Lam, but insists he is committed to Super Rugby outfit the Cheetahs.

Rugby • 31 Jan 17