Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Leo Cullen have extended his Leinster deal

Leo Cullen extends Leinster contract until 2023

Leo Cullen has extended his contract with Leinster, which will take the head coach up until the end of the 2022/23 season.

Rugby • 16 Feb 22

A player undergoes a head-injury assessment

One season of pro rugby can affect brain, study finds

A leading brain injury academic believes rugby union could be "a lot more aggressive" in tackling contact reduction in the sport.

Rugby • 31 Aug 21

Hugh Hogan: "I'm privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Leinster."

Highly rated Leinster coach Hogan moves to Scarlets

Highly rated Leinster coach Hugh Hogan has left the province Leinster Rugby after eight and a half years to take up a role as defence coach with Scarlets.

Rugby • 22 Jul 21

Gio Aplon is tackled by Benetton's Marco Zanon

Benetton stun Bulls to win Rainbow Cup final

Benetton capped a remarkable Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup campaign by upsetting the odds to thump the Bulls 35-8 in the final.

Rugby • 19 Jun 21

Four-time winners Leinster lost out in this year's semi-final

All four Irish provinces confirmed for Champions Cup

All four Irish provinces will be among the new United Rugby Championship's eight representatives in next season's Heineken Champions Cup.

Rugby • 16 Jun 21

United Rugby Championship live on RTÉ and TG4

RTÉ Sport and TG4 will broadcast over 50 free-to-air games for next season's inaugural United Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 16 Jun 21

The 16-team league, forged from an agreement between Pro14 Rugby and SA Rugby, will start in September.

SA & Pro14 combine for new United Rugby Championship

Plans have been unveiled for a new United Rugby Championship next season that will feature northern and southern hemisphere teams.

Rugby • 15 Jun 21

Jordan Larmour, Josh van der Flier and Devin Toner acknowledge the fans at the RDS

Leinster defeat Dragons to delight of returning fans

Retiring duo Scott Fardy and Michael Bent bowed out on a winning note as Leinster closed out the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup with a 38-7 bonus-point victory over the Dragons at the RDS.

Rugby • 11 Jun 21

Gavin Coombes crashes over the line for a try in Parma

Coombes cousins bag tries in Munster victory

Gavin Coombes scored four tries and Liam Coombes also crossed the whitewash as Munster secured second place in the northern section of the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup with a convincing 54-11 victory over Zebre in Parma.

Rugby • 11 Jun 21

Benetton will play Sharks or Bulls in the Pro14 Rainbow Cup final

Pro14 SA clash off after Lions players test positive

The Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA match between the Lions and Stormers has been cancelled after a number of positive Covid-19 tests in the Lions squad.

Rugby • 11 Jun 21

Shayne Bolton is moving to the Sportsground

Connacht sign Irish-qualified back Bolton

Connacht have confirmed the signing of Irish-qualified South African back Shayne Bolton.

Rugby • 10 Jun 21

Fans will be in the RDS to watch Leinster take on Dragons

Gibson-Park in side as fans return to Leinster game

Jamison Gibson-Park will start for Leinster as they welcome fans back to the RDS for the Pro 14 Rainbow Cup game against Dragons on Friday.

Rugby • 10 Jun 21

Damian de Allende in action against Cardiff Blues on 28 May

Petrol explosion led to Munster players' burn injuries

Munster centre Damian De Allende says a decision by one of his team-mates to "throw petrol on the fire" resulted in the fire pit accident that left four of the province's players with burn injuries.

Rugby • 08 Jun 21

'I look forward to having people in the stadium and having a real atmosphere'

Fardy glad Leinster goodbye will be in front of fans

As his retirement looms, Scott Fardy is grateful that his final run-out for Leinster this weekend against Dragons will take place in an RDS with a limited number of spectators returning.

Rugby • 08 Jun 21

Ulster ring changes for Edinburgh encounter

The Ulster side to face Edinburgh at Murrayfield in the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup on Saturday shows seven changes from the one that travelled to the RDS to play Leinster three weeks ago.

Rugby • 04 Jun 21

Abraham Papali'i has picked up three red cards for Connacht inside a year

Connacht's Papali'i banned for four weeks

Connacht's Abraham Papali'i has been hit with a four-week suspension after receiving a red card during last weekend's Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup defeat to Benetton.

Rugby • 04 Jun 21

Ulster are missing a number of players for their final Rainbow Cup match

Ulster missing host of players for Edinburgh clash

Ulster will be without a host of players for Saturday's Rainbow Cup trip to Edinburgh.

Rugby • 01 Jun 21

Denis Buckley is set to win cap 200 for Connacht

Aki and Buckley named in Connacht team

Denis Buckley will become just the third Connacht player to reach 200 caps tomorrow after he was named in the starting XV to face Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup leaders Benetton.

Rugby • 28 May 21