Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

John Muldoon and Connacht celebrating in 2016

Pro12 victory not on Connacht minds ahead of URC semi

Connacht want to create more history when they face the Stormers rather than look back on past glory.

Tadhg Beirne (blue cap) is central to Scarlets' hopes of another upset

Shocking stuff - Bilbao beckons but Leinster beware

Leinster are overwhelming favourites to beat Scarlets on Saturday but Welsh sides have a tidy record of upsetting the odds when it matters.

Rugby • 20 Apr 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

Connacht's Bundee Aki tackles Adam Hastings of Glasgow

Sloppy Connacht fall to opening day Glasgow defeat

Connacht got their Pro12 campaign off to a losing start at the Sportsground, losing to Glasgow Warriors 18-12 in their first game of the new season.

Rugby • 04 Sep 17

Piutau will link up with Pat Lam at Bristol next year

Blow to Ulster as Piutau to move to Bristol next year

Ulster have confirmed that Charles Piutau has agreed to join Bristol Rugby at the end of the 2017/18 season.

Rugby • 10 Aug 17

Rory Scholes will be lining out for Connacht next season

Rory Scholes makes Connacht switch

Connacht have moved to further strengthen their squad ahead of the new season with the signing of Edinburgh winger Rory Scholes.

Rugby • 08 Aug 17

The Toyota Cheetahs will face Ulster at Kingspan Ravenhill in their first taste of Pro14 action

Ulster to host Cheetahs in opening Pro14 fixture

Ulster will host the Toyota Cheetahs in the first round of the newly expanded Guinness Pro14 Championship.

Rugby • 04 Aug 17

Andrew Deegan (L) in action for the NSW Country Eagles

Connacht snap up Australian outhalf prospect Deegan

Connacht have signed outhalf Andrew Deegan from Super Rugby side New South Wales Waratahs.

Rugby • 03 Aug 17

Marnitz Boshoff: 'There is an incredible group of players representing Connacht and I am proud to say I was part of this group.'

Connacht release Boshoff on compassionate grounds

Connacht have released former Springbok outhalf Marnitz Boshoff on compassionate grounds.

Rugby • 02 Aug 17

Cullen expects 'teething problems' with Pro14 expansion

Connacht captain John Muldoon is enthusiastic about the expansion of the Pro12 to 14 teams, suggesting the arrival of two South African sides will boost the profile of the competition.

Rugby • 01 Aug 17

14 teams will compete for the Cup next season

Kings and Cheetahs join expanded Pro14 league

Celtic Rugby and the South African Rugby Union have confirmed that the Central Cheetahs and the Southern Kings will join an expanded Guinness Pro14 tournament in time for the upcoming 2017/18 season.

Rugby • 01 Aug 17

Michael Bradley pictured during the 2015 Rugby World Cup in his role as Georgia defence coach

Zebre appoint Bradley after O'Shea recommendation

Zebre have confirmed the appointment of Michael Bradley as head coach of Zebre after the recommendation of Conor O'Shea.

Rugby • 31 Jul 17

The Cheetahs look set to be lining out in the PRO14 from next season

South African sides set to be unveiled in new Pro14

The addition of South African sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings to the Guinness PRO12 is expected to be rubber-stamped in the next week when the worst kept secret in rugby is finally revealed.

Rugby • 19 Jul 17

Cheetahs and the Southern Kings in action in Super Rugby

Cheetahs CEO implies his club are about to join Pro 12

The Cheetahs CEO has given the strongest indicator yet that his team are soon to join an expanded Pro12 competition.

Rugby • 13 Jul 17

Chris Cloete will be at Munster for the start of the new season

Munster add Cloete and Grobler to their ranks

Munster have continued to strengthen their squad ahead of the news season with the signings of flanker Chris Cloete and lock Gerbrandt Grobler.

Rugby • 07 Jul 17

Kiwi Francis Saili will play in the Premiership next season

Francis Saili completes switch to Harlequins

Harlequins have signed Francis Saili from Munster on a long-term contract, the club have announced.

Rugby • 21 Jun 17

Jerry Flannery has extended his contract with Munster

New deals for Munster backroom staff

Munster have handed new contracts to their coaching staff, with Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones both signing two-year contract extensions with the province.

Rugby • 13 Jun 17

Bernard Jackman appointed new head coach at Newport Gwent Dragons

Jackman appointed head coach at Newport Gwent Dragons

Former Leinster, Connacht and Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman has been appointed the new head coach of Newport Gwent Dragons.

Rugby • 12 Jun 17

Aaron Dundon won two Heineken Cup and two Pro12 titles during his playing days with Leinster

Aaron Dundon joins Ulster coaching ticket

Ulster have completed the makeup of their coaching team for next season with Aaron Dundon confirmed as the province's new scrum coach.

Rugby • 06 Jun 17

Dominic Ryan joins Leicester Tigers

Leinster and Ireland flanker Dominic Ryan has moved to Leicester Tigers.

Rugby • 01 Jun 17

The Cheetahs could be coming to the Pro12

Cheetahs invited to join Pro12 - report

South African Super Rugby outfit the Cheetahs have been formally invited to join the Pro12.

Rugby • 01 Jun 17

Stephen Fitzgerald has been handed a senior development contracts

Munster promote five academy players

Munster have confirmed that they have awarded five academy players with senior development contracts for next season.

Rugby • 01 Jun 17

Stander comes to terms with defeat in the PRO12 final

Stander: Losing isn't the end of the world

CJ Stander reflected on Munster's Pro12 final defeat by Scarlets, which brought an end to a turbulent and emotional season that put the game in perspective, by insisting that "we're not losers".

Rugby • 28 May 17

Munster's Duncan Williams, Stephen Archer, Donnacha Ryan and Francis Saili stand dejected after the game

'Suck it up and start again' - Erasmus rallies troops

Rassie Erasmus said Munster will "suck it up and start all over again" after their heavy Pro12 final defeat to Scarlets on Saturday evening.

Rugby • 28 May 17

Recap: Munster 22-46 Scarlets

Munster's season ended in disappointment as they simply couldn't live with a rampant Scarlets side that ran in six tries at the Aviva Stadium to win the PRO12 final

Rugby • 27 May 17