Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Arthur Bonneval's try essentially sealed the victory for the French side

Frustrated Lam rues Connacht slow start in France

Connacht head coach Pat Lam was frustrated to miss out on qualification to the European Champions Cup quarter-finals by just two points.

Rugby • 22 Jan 17

Toulouse's Yann David crosses the line against Connacht at the Sportsground back in October

Jackman fears worst for Connacht's French mission

Bernard Jackman fears for Connacht's Champions Cup hopes in France this weekend, and warned Toulouse have rediscovered their swagger at the worst possible time for the Irish province.

Rugby • 19 Jan 17

Pat Lam: 'Toulouse will punish us badly if we don't get it right next weekend.'

European progress now in our control - Lam

Connacht head coach Pat Lam believes a quarter-final spot is now in his team's hands after they kept their Champions Cup hopes alive with a 66-21 victory over Zebre.

Rugby • 15 Jan 17

Duffy, left, joined the Connacht backroom team as forwards' coach last year

Jimmy Duffy rules himself out of top Connacht job

Connacht forwards coach Jimmy Duffy has said he isn't considering becoming Pat Lam's successor at the Pro12 champions.

Rugby • 11 Jan 17

Tony Ward is backing Munster to emerge victorious at the Sportsground in the interprovincial derby

Ward backing Munster win away to Connacht

Tony Ward is tipping Munster to buck the away trend in tomorrow's interprovincial derby against Connacht, but believes Leinster will prove too strong for Ulster at the RDS.

Rugby • 30 Dec 16

Bundee Aki has played a starring role for Connacht since joining two years ago

Aki 'over-reacted' to Lam leaving Connacht

Bundee Aki has admitted he initially 'over-reacted' to news of Pat Lam's impending departure from Connacht but he insists he has gotten over his disappointment.

Rugby • 22 Dec 16

Pat Lam will head to Bristol next summer

IRFU chief lays out plan to choose Lam successor

A brains trust will analyse exactly the type of figure Connacht require to take the reins from Pat Lam next summer to ensure the province remains on an upward curve, according to IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora.

Rugby • 22 Dec 16

Buckley, Carty & Roux commit futures to Connacht

Any fears of a Connacht exodus due to Pat Lam's looming departure have been further eased after Denis Buckley, Jack Carty and Quinn Roux all committed their future to the province.

Rugby • 20 Dec 16

Matt Healy, and Rory Parata celebrate with winning goal kicker Jack Carty

Pat Lam heaps praise on match-winner Jack Carty

Pat Lam dubbed the dramatic 20-18 victory over Wasps in the European Champions Cup "one of the highlights of my time in Connacht."

Rugby • 17 Dec 16

Lam: Connacht not distracted by exit news

Pat Lam believes that Connacht's performance in their Champions Cup defeat to Wasps shows that news of his departure at the end of the season did not prove a distraction.

Rugby • 11 Dec 16

Could Bernard Jackman be the man to replace Pat Lam?

Jackman interested in speaking to Connacht

Former Ireland international and current Grenoble head coach Bernard Jackman has revealed that he'd be interested in talking to Connacht about becoming Pat Lam's successor.

Rugby • 08 Dec 16

Pat Lam insists that thoughts of his family are the primary motivation for his move to Bristol

Family was key in Lam's decision to join Bristol

Pat Lam has revealed that the death of Anthony Foley focused his mind on his responsibilities to his family and contributed to his decision to leave Connacht for Bristol next season.

Rugby • 07 Dec 16

Bundee Aki was among the Connacht players disappointed by the news

Lenihan: Connacht must go for top coach

Connacht must appoint a coach of "equal or higher standing" than Pat Lam, according to former Ireland manager Donal Lenihan.

Rugby • 06 Dec 16

Pat Lam will depart after four years in charge

Lam exit no excuse to lose focus - Connacht CEO

Connacht face a crucial Champions Cup tie on Sunday and "sure as hell" won't be using Pat Lam's departure news as an excuse not to perform, says CEO Willie Ruane.

Rugby • 06 Dec 16

Pat Lam brought unprecedented success to Connacht

Connacht have list drawn up to replace Pat Lam

Pat Lam was tempted away by a 'significant and compelling' offer from Bristol but Connacht already have a list of replacements drawn up.

Rugby • 05 Dec 16

Connacht won the Pro12 title following years of struggle

Connacht job will attract huge interest - Corcoran

RTÉ Rugby commentator Michael Corcoran believes the reality of competing with English clubs has come to the fore again for Irish provinces again following the news of Pat Lam's impending departure to Bristol, but the vacancy 'is a big job for somebody'.

Rugby • 05 Dec 16

Pat Lam led Connacht to their first Pro12 title last year

Pat Lam to quit Connacht for Bristol next year

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has announced he will be leaving the province to join English side Bristol next summer.

Rugby • 05 Dec 16

Connacht had scored four tries before half time on Saturday

Lam tested Connacht's mental strength for Wasps

Pat Lam admitted that he tested the mental strength of his side at half-time during their straightforward Guinness Pro12 victory over Treviso on Saturday.

Rugby • 04 Dec 16

Pat Lam was honoured at Galway City Hall

Connacht honoured at Galway civic reception

The Connacht rugby team have been honoured by a civic reception in Galway following their Pro12 final triumph last season.

Rugby • 28 Nov 16

Leinster ran in two tries as they defeated the Pro12 champions

Lam: Loose play turned Leinster game into 'grind'

Connacht boss Pat Lam admitted that his side didn’t play up to their usual level as they fell to an 11-point defeat to Leinster.

Rugby • 29 Oct 16

Cian Kelleher in action against Toulouse last weekend

Connacht make seven changes for Zebre tie

Connacht coach Pat Lam has rang the changes ahead of his side's clash with Zebre as they look for back-to-back wins in the Champions Cup.

Rugby • 21 Oct 16

Lam: Connacht expected to defeat Toulouse

Pat Lam was again bursting with pride after Connacht produced a mammoth performance to defeat French powerhouse Toulouse in the European Champions Cup.

Rugby • 16 Oct 16

Dawai in action for Otago earlier this year

Fijian international on his way to Sportsground

Connacht have signed Fiji international back row Nualia Dawai on a two-year deal, helping to ease the province's injury-crisis.

Rugby • 12 Oct 16

Connacht players thanks the crowd after their win against Ulster

Lam wants to raise bar again for European odyssey

Pat Lam scolded his team for giving him "heart attack moments" in their 30-25 defeat of Ulster at the Sportsground on Friday night, but welcomed a return to old values that kept their Pro12 recovery going.

Rugby • 08 Oct 16

Tommy Bowe starts for Ulster against Connachtafter appearing off the bench against the Ospreys

Bowe returns to starting team for Connacht clash

Ulster winger Tommy Bowe will make his first start in six months while Connacht head coach Pat Lam makes six changes to his team for the inter-provincial derby at the Sportsground on Friday (KO 7.35pm).

pro12 • 07 Oct 16