Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Pete Wilkins has resigned as Connacht head coach

Wilkins steps down as Connacht head coach

Pete Wilkins has resigned from his position as head coach of Connacht with immediate effect, with Cullie Tucker placed in charge until the end of the season.

United Rugby Championship • 23 Apr

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins is on sick leave

Updated Wilkins remains absent for Connacht's Castlebar trip

Connacht will once again be operating without head coach Pete Wilkins for this week's BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro against Munster in Castlebar. Wilkins was away from the team in the build-up to last week's defeat to the Ospreys, and the province have confirmed he remains on "sick leave".

United Rugby Championship • 25 Mar

Cian Prendergast missed Ireland's win over Wales through injury

Prendergast boost for Connacht with trio ruled out

Cian Prendergast has recovered from illness and looks set to feature for Connacht against Benetton in Saturday's URC clash.

Rugby • 25 Feb

Pete Wilkins: 'In days gone by, we probably wouldn't have been able to reassert ourselves'

Updated Wilkins: Keeping calm key for Connacht in crucial win

Connacht boss Pete Wilkins hailed his side for not panicking after blowing a 19-0 lead against Cardiff in Galway on Saturday night.

Rugby • 17 Feb

Pete Wilkins' side are 14th in the URC table with just three wins this season

Wilkins urges Connacht to 'deliver' URC results

With a record nine players involved in the wider Ireland squad for the Guinness Six Nations, Connacht are demonstrably doing something right but their URC form is a problem.

Rugby • 14 Feb

Mack Hansen is serving a three-match ban

Hansen to come back 'just a little wiser', says Wilkins

Pete Wilkins is confident Mack Hansen won't lose any of his personality after he completes his URC-mandated education session about how to conduct dealings with the media.

Rugby • 20 Jan

Hansen to return 'just a little wiser', says Wilkins

Pete Wilkins is confident Mack Hansen won't lose any of his personality after he completes his URC-mandated education session about how to conduct dealings with the media.

Rugby • 20 Jan

Connacht have never won a competitive game away to Glasgow

Connacht's 'inconsistency label fair', says Wilkins

Pete Wilkins admits that Connacht fully deserve their "inconsistent" label but wants them to use it as motivation against Glasgow Warriors.

Rugby • 21 Jan

Connacht's 'inconsistency label fair', says Wilkins

Pete Wilkins admits that Connacht fully deserve their "inconsistent" label but wants them to use it as motivation against Glasgow Warriors.

Rugby • 20 Jan

Knockout rugby back in Connacht 'huge', says Wilkins

Pete Wilkins says Connacht have "given themselves a chance" in the Challenge Cup after completing a Pool 1 full house with victory over Cardiff last night.

Rugby • 17 Jan

Knockout rugby back in Connacht 'huge', says Wilkins

Pete Wilkins says Connacht have "given themselves a chance" in the Challenge Cup after completing a Pool 1 full house with victory over Cardiff last night.

Rugby • 18 Jan

Pete Wilkins (r) says he's confident Mack Hansen's contract situation will be sorted soon

Hansen contract delay not related to ban, says Wilkins

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says the delay in Mack Hansen's contract extension has nothing to do with the recent disciplinary process the winger went through.

Rugby • 13 Jan

Connacht have lost six of their nine URC games this season

Wilkins: Ulster defeat has 'huge implications'

Connacht boss Pete Wilkins admitted that last night's URC loss to Ulster could have "huge implications" for their season.

Rugby • 29 Dec 24

Mack Hansen's comments have dominated the fallout from Connacht's defeat to Leinster

Wilkins backs Mack as Connacht wait on URC response

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says the province are yet to find out whether or not Mack Hansen will be sanctioned for his comments on the officiating in Saturday's 20-12 defeat to Leinster.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Jan

Mack Hansen was extremely frustrated after the game

'Like 16 men against us' - Hansen blasts officials

Mack Hansen blasted the officiating following Connacht's 20-12 URC defeat to Leinster, saying he felt his side were up against 16 men.

Rugby • 22 Dec 24

Bundee Aki has agreed a contract extension

Wilkins: Aki contract 'great for Connacht'

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins believes Bundee Aki's new contract is a hugely important piece of business for the province.

United Rugby Championship • 17 Dec 24

Connacht get clean bill of health for visit of Leinster

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins will have close to a full deck to choose from when they welcome Leinster to the Dexcom Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship this Saturday.

United Rugby Championship • 15 Oct 24

Josh Ioane wants to bring his best game to Connacht

'A lot more mature' - Ioane happy with Connacht call

Josh Ioane, a surprise signing for Connacht, is delighted to have made the move to the club and settling in well in Galway.

Rugby • 09 Oct 24

'A lot more mature' - Ioane happy with Connacht call

Josh Ioane, a surprise signing for Connacht, is delighted to have made the move to the club and settling in well in Galway.

Rugby • 08 Oct 24

Cathal Forde scored 14 of Connacht's points

Reeling in Sharks an 'enormous boost' for Connacht

Pete Wilkins says Connacht's thrilling comeback win over the Sharks provides an "enormous boost" after they kickstarted their URC season.

Rugby • 29 Sep 24

Reeling in Sharks an 'enormous boost' for Connacht

Pete Wilkins says Connacht's thrilling comeback win over the Sharks provides an "enormous boost" after they kickstarted their URC season.

Rugby • 29 Sep 24

Shane Daly (11) is congratulated after scoring Munster's fifth try

Rowntree hails Munster character after comeback win

Graham Rowntree praised the character of his Munster side, after they came from behind on four separate occasions to produce a bonus-point 35-33 win against Connacht at Thomond Park.

United Rugby Championship • 21 Sep 24

Pete Wilkins: 'A large part of my reflection was how much time I spent down in the weeds'

Wilkins: Much to reflect on after tough Connacht season

Pete Wilkins has had plenty of time to reflect on his first year in charge of Connacht.

Rugby • 29 Aug 24

Mack Hansen suffered a shoulder injury on New Year's Day

Hansen back in 'full training' ahead of URC season

Ireland wing Mack Hansen is in "full training" and on course to return to action during Connacht's pre-season schedule.

Rugby • 28 Aug 24

Josh Ioane in action for the Maori All Blacks against Ireland in July 2022

Connacht sign All Blacks out-half Ioane from the Chiefs

Connacht have confirmed the signing of All Black out-half Josh Ioane from the Chiefs.

Rugby • 10 Jul 24