Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

It is unclear when Zane Kirchner will join up with the European champions

Leinster sign Springboks full-back Kirchner

Springbok full-back Zane Kirchner will join Leinster later this year after signing a two-year contract with the club.

Ian Madigan scored 28 points as he led Leinster to glory at Adams Park

Leinster reach Amlin semi-finals

Leinster booked a home Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against Biarritz with a performance of ruthless efficiency against Wasps at Adams Park, as they won out …

Rugby • 05 Apr 13

As it happened: Wasps 28-48 Leinster

Relive Leinster's 48-28 Amlin Challenge Cup victory over Wasps with Tadhg Peavoy's text commentary.

Rugby • 05 Apr 13

Former Kilkenny College captain Craig Ronaldson

Craig Ronaldson signs for Connacht

Connacht have signed Lansdowne out-half Craig Ronaldson on a one-year contract.

Rugby • 01 Apr 13

Johnny O'Connor made 12 appearances for Ireland

O'Connor calls time on career

Connacht’s Johnny O'Connor has announced his retirement.

Rugby • 27 Mar 13

Luke Fitzgerald is hopeful of being fully fit for the start of next season

Fitzgerald pens deal to stay with Leinster

Luke Fitzgerald has agreed a new two-year deal to remain with Leinster.

Rugby • 26 Mar 13

Michael Allen sign a deal with his home province until 2015

Allen pens two-year deal with Ulster

Ulster back, Michael Allen, has signed his first senior contract with the Province. The two-year deal will keep him at Ravenhill until at least the …

Rugby • 25 Mar 13

Nacewa celebrates last year's Heineken Cup success

Nacewa to call time on rugby career

Leinster have confirmed that Isa Nacewa will leave the province at the end of the season and retire from professional rugby due to family reasons.

Rugby • 20 Mar 13

Andrew Trimble has scored 50 tries for Ulster and 11 for Ireland

Trimble signs new IRFU contract

Ulster winger Andrew Trimble has signed a new IRFU contract, which will see him remain at Ravenhill until at least the summer of 2015.

Rugby • 19 Mar 13

Stephen Ferris is expected to make a full recovery

Ferris out for a further three months

Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris will be out of action for a further three months following an operation on his ankle yesterday.

Rugby • 28 Feb 13

Rodney Ah You won two Junior World Cups with New Zealand

Cooney and Ah You extend Connacht deals

Connacht’s long-term front row options have been strengthened after props Rodney Ah You and JP Cooney signed one and two-year contract extensions respectively.

Rugby • 26 Feb 13

Twenty-five-year-old McCrea will move to Jersey RFC for the remainder of the season and next year

McCrea departs Connacht for Jersey

Mark McCrea has been released early from his two-year contract with Connacht Rugby, the province has announced.

Rugby • 25 Feb 13

29-year-old signs three-year deal with Connacht

Connacht sign Craig Clarke from Waikato Chiefs

Connacht have signed New Zealand-born lock Craig Clarke from Waikato Chiefs on a three year deal.

Rugby • 18 Feb 13

Leinster's Denton banned for six weeks

Leinster lock forward Tom Denton has been banned for six weeks for a dangerous tackle against the Cardiff Blue at Cardiff Arms Park last week.

Rugby • 16 Feb 13

Three sign contract extensions with Ulster

Lewis Stevenson, Neil McComb and Sean Doyle have signed contract extensions with Ulster.

Rugby • 11 Feb 13

Rob Kearney scored six tries in nine Heineken Cup appearances for Leinster last season

Kearney commits to Leinster

Leinster and Ireland back Rob Kearney has agreed a new two-year contract with the IRFU which will see him remain with the province until the …

Six Nations • 05 Feb 13

Johann Muller has made 52 for Ulster since his move from the Sharks

Ulster captain Muller remaining at Ravenhill

Ulster have been boosted by the news that influential captain Johann Muller has signed a one-year contract extension which will keep him at the club …

Rugby • 04 Feb 13

Jonathan Sexton's next contract and destination is likely to be announced in April

Announcement on Sexton unlikely until April

A French rugby ban on announcing signings until April seems the likely reason for uncertainty over whether Jonathan Sexton’s Racing Métro deal has gone through.

Rugby • 28 Jan 13

Johnny Sexton won't be wearing Leinster colours next season after rejecting a contract offer from the IRFU

Sexton set for Racing Metro switch

Jonathan Sexton is to sign for Racing Metro after rejecting a new contract offer from the IRFU.

Rugby • 25 Jan 13

Aly Muldowney is Irish qualified as his father hails from County Kildare

Muldowney exits Exeter for Connacht

Connacht have announced the signing of lock Aly Muldowney on a three-year contract from English Premiership club Exeter.

Rugby • 24 Jan 13

Fionn Carr failed to secure a regular starting berth in the Leinster team

Carr agrees terms with Connacht

Former Connacht favourite Fionn Carr will return to the province next season after a two-year spell at Leinster.

Rugby • 21 Jan 13

Former All Black and Samoa captain Pat Lam

Lam to join Connacht set-up early

Pat Lam will join Connacht in April to work alongside current head coach Eric Elwood for the remainder of the season.

Rugby • 18 Jan 13

Leinster's Heineken Cup survival for this season my ultimately depend on events elsewhere over the weekend

Strauss back in Leinster XV for Exeter assignment

Richardt Strauss returns to the Leinster line-up for Saturday’s crucial Heineken Cup clash away to Exeter Chiefs.

Rugby • 18 Jan 13

Sexton's current IRFU contract runs until the end of this season

French magazine links Sexton to Racing move

Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton has been linked with a move to Top 14 club Racing Metro in an article published by French rugby newspaper Midi …

Rugby • 14 Jan 13

George Naoupu in action against Ulster in October

Naoupu signs new Connacht contract

George Naoupu, Jason Harris-Wright, Mick Kearney and Eoin McKeon have all signed contract extensions with Connacht.

Rugby • 09 Jan 13