Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ross Molony makes a burst during the victory

Win shows Leinster 'character' says Molony

Ross Molony says Leinster's bonus-point win over Connacht was a display of "character" following the team's Champions Cup defeat last weekend.

Rugby • 31 May 24

The Leinster coaching staff and players look on at the end of the Champions Cup final

Wilkins has Leinster sympathy but focus on must-win tie

Pete Wilkins admits to having some sympathy for Leinster as they come to terms with another Champions Cup final defeat but won't let that affect the build-up for Connacht's must-win clash on Friday.

Rugby • 28 May 24

Jack Carty (l) assisted both of Connacht's tries against Munster

Connacht will treat Stormers visit as 'cup final'

Jack Carty says Connacht must treat next weekend's clash with Stormers in the Dexcom Stadium as a "cup final".

Rugby • 13 May 24

Connacht scraped a 22-20 win when the sides met last season

Wilkins: Slaying Dragons a key piece of Connacht jigsaw

With their play-off hopes on the line, Connacht boss Pete Wilkins says Saturday's URC clash against Dragons is a must-win.

Rugby • 25 Apr 24

Mack Hansen is nearing a return from injury

Connacht's Hansen pencilled in for Munster return

Connacht's United Rugby Championship match against Dragons on Saturday will come too soon for Mack Hansen, but the Ireland winger is being pencilled in to face Munster in May.

Rugby • 22 Apr 24

Connacht's season comes down to the next five games

Wilkins: Connacht have narrow focus ahead of URC run-in

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says he has an idea how many games his side need to win to secure a top-eight finish in the BKT United Rugby Championship, but will be keeping that information private for now.

Rugby • 16 Apr 24

Connacht were beaten 18-14 by Benetton last month

Connacht have revenge on the mind for Benetton trip

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says his side are relishing a second shot at Benetton this weekend, when the sides meet in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Rugby • 10 Apr 24

Mack Hansen has been sidelined since New Year's Day

April return on cards for Connacht's Hansen

Connacht have provided a positive injury update on Mack Hansen with the Ireland international expected back at the end of April.

Rugby • 20 Mar 24

Finlay Bealham proved an able replacement for Tadhg Furlong

Bealham form presents Farrell with 'neat challenge'

Connacht boss Pete Wilkins says Finlay Bealham has given Andy Farrell a "neat challenge" when it comes to Ireland's next Six Nations match against Wales.

Rugby • 13 Feb 24

Battle-scarred but Connacht's Ireland duo good to go

Connacht boss Pete Wilkins is confident Ireland duo Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham will be "fighting fit" for the Six Nations after coming through a bruising Champions Cup encounter with Bristol on Friday night.

Rugby • 21 Jan 24

Bundee Aki went to Lyon but was not in the matchday 23

Wilkins explains Aki and Bealham absence

Connacht have explained that Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham missed their Champions Cup loss to Lyon through the IRFU's player-management programme.

Rugby • 17 Jan 24

Pete Wilkins: 'To finish the pool stages with a home game at least gives us an opportunity'

Connacht in 'must-win' territory, says Wilkins

Pete Wilkins reckons Connacht are in "must-win" territory for their Champions Cup clash with Lyon on Saturday.

Rugby • 09 Jan 24

Ulster scored the only try of the game in the side's last meeting in Belfast but went on to lose

Ulster show of force a 'timely' reminder for Connacht

Ulster's Champions Cup win over Racing 92 has provided a "timely" reminder of their strengths, says Connacht boss Pete Wilkins.

Rugby • 19 Dec 23

Mack Hansen has played twice for Connacht this season

Hansen 'ready to go' for Connacht's Ulster clash

Connacht have been boosted by the return to fitness of Ireland wing Mack Hansen ahead of Friday's United Rugby Championship clash trip to Ulster.

Rugby • 18 Dec 23

Jack Carty reacts after Connacht conceded one of eight tries against their English opponents

Wilkins: Connacht gifted Saracens too many points

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins felt there were positives from his side's performance against Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday but felt they made it too easy at times for the Gallagher Premiership side.

Rugby • 16 Dec 23

Pete Wlikins saw his side concede six tries

Wilkins promises 'blunt' review for Connacht players

Head coach Pete Wilkins says Connacht will conduct a "pretty blunt" review of their heavy defeat at the hands of Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup.

Rugby • 09 Dec 23

Bundee Aki is set for his first Connacht appearance of the season

Aki 'good to go' ahead of Connacht clash with Bordeaux

Ireland centre Bundee Aki is "good to go" and will be in the mix for Connacht's Champions Cup clash with Bordeaux Begles on Friday, head coach Pete Wilkins has confirmed.

Rugby • 04 Dec 23

Mack back with a bang as Connacht take silver linings

Pete Wilkins was loath to look for silver linings in the immediate aftermath of an agonising URC derby defeat to Leinster but Mack Hansen's stunning return to action pleased the Connacht boss.

Rugby • 04 Dec 23

Cullen: Great advert for URC but 'a bit too exciting'

It was another great advert for the United Rugby Championship, said Leo Cullen, but Leinster's dramatic win over Connacht was a "bit too exciting" for comfort.

Rugby • 03 Dec 23

Blade: Connacht have 'no one to blame but ourselves'

Captain Caolin Blade said that Connacht have "no one to blame but ourselves" following their last-gasp defeat to Leinster.

Rugby • 02 Dec 23

Connacht lost on their only visit to the Kings Park in April 2022

Connacht keen to keep Sharks on hook

Connacht have no intention of letting the Sharks off the hook but boss Pete Wilkins says they are expecting a different beast from the side that has lost their opening four games.

Rugby • 18 Nov 23

Finlay Bealham featured four times for Ireland at the World Cup

Bealham back for Connacht but Hansen and Aki miss trip

Finlay Bealham is part of the Connacht squad for their trip to South Africa but fellow Ireland internationals Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki are not fit to travel.

Rugby • 13 Nov 23