Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The revamped Ravenhill was officially unveiled tonight

Court sees red as Ulster lose to Leinster

Table-toppers Leinster were made to fight tooth and nail for the 22-20 victory, while Ulster's losing bonus point brought them a guaranteed place in the play-offs which could actually see the sides clash again.

Rugby • 02 May 14

Paul O'Connell, James Cronin and JJ Hanrahan will be looking to combine effectively for Munster

Munster make 11 changes for Edinburgh clash

Munster make a total of 11 changes to the side that started against Toulon in their Heineken Cup semi-final loss as they return to action in the RaboDirect PRO12 against Edinburgh.

Rugby • 02 May 14

Jared Payne (centre) will feature for Ulster and Mike McCarthy (left) will start for Leinster

Pro12 preview: Leinster might just edge Ulster

RTÉ Sport's Tadhg Peavoy previews Ulster's clash with Leinster in the RaboDirect Pro12.

Rugby • 02 May 14

Next step for Munster is to secure a home semi-final by finishing in first or second spot

Munster into semis as Ospreys lose at Zebre

Munster are guaranteed a semi-final place in the RaboDirect PRO12 after Ospreys’ surprise 30-27 defeat at Zebre this evening.

Rugby • 01 May 14

Ulster’s Payne returns for Leinster showdown

Jared Payne will return from suspension as one of three changes to Ulster’s starting XV for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Leinster at Ravenhill on Friday evening.

Rugby • 01 May 14

Andrew Smith carries for the Brumbies against the Bulls

Smith joins Munster on one-year deal

Australian centre Andrew Smith will join the Munster Rugby squad for the 2014/15 season on a one-year contract.

Rugby • 01 May 14

Niall Ronan said that it had been an honour to play for Munster

Ronan forced to retire after knee injury

Munster flanker Niall Ronan will retire from professional rugby at the end of the current season after failing to recover from a knee injury.

Rugby • 30 Apr 14

Johne Murphy and Denis Hurley have both proved versatile backs for Munster

Hurley, Murphy sign Munster extensions

Munster have announced that backs Denis Hurley and Johne Murphy have both signed one-year contract extensions that will see them remain with the province until June 2015.

Rugby • 29 Apr 14

Fionn Carr has resumed full training for Connacht

Carr and Ronaldson back for Connacht

Connacht could welcome back Fionn Carr and Craig Ronaldson for their Pro12 clash against the Cardiff Blues after the pair resumed full training.

Rugby • 29 Apr 14

Leinster are being cautious about Sean O'Brien's return from injury

‘Remote’ chance O’Brien will return this season

Sean O’Brien is “training very well” and has a “remote chance” of playing this season should Leinster reach the Rabo Direct Pro12 play-offs, but the club are at pains to play down expectations.

Rugby • 29 Apr 14

Munster's Andrew Conway scored the game's first try

Munster down Connacht in shootout

Munster warmed up for their Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulon with a bonus-point 32-23 victory over Connacht.

Rugby • 19 Apr 14

Ulster's Nick Williams is held up by Glasgow's Ryan Wilson and Josh Strauss

Ulster come undone in Glasgow

Ulster fell to a bruising 27-9 loss to Glasgow in Scotstoun, a result that may put their hunt for a home semi-final spot in danger.

Rugby • 18 Apr 14

Sean Cronin runs in Leinster's second try

Leinster run riot to trounce Treviso

Leinster put on an exhibition at the RDS, running in nine tries to beat Treviso 62-7 and cement their place at the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table.

Rugby • 18 Apr 14

Kieran Marmion will be keen to show that he should be part of the conversation about the scrumhalf pecking order at Test level

Pro12 preview: Connacht to edge crucial derby

Brendan Cole looks ahead to a derby that holds great significance for both Munster and Connacht.

Rugby • 18 Apr 14

Paul O'Connell's return is among four changes to the Munster pack

Pro12 teams: O'Connell back for Connacht trip

Paul O'Connell returns to the Munster side, while Willie Falon is back for Connacht for Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 showdown in Galway.

Rugby • 18 Apr 14

Leinster will be looking to stay clear at the top of the PRO 12 table

Pro12 previews: Leinster to bounce back

Leinster take on Treviso looking to get their campaign back on track after having a lenghty run of Rabo Direct Pro12 victories ended by Ospreys in Wales last week.

Rugby • 17 Apr 14

Brian O'Driscoll sat out last weekend's defeat at Ospreys

Pro12 Teams: O'Driscoll returns for Leinster

Brian O'Driscoll will line out for Leinster as head coach Matt O’Connor makes five changes to the side that lost at Ospreys for Friday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Treviso at the RDS.

Rugby • 17 Apr 14

Tom McCartney has made his mark with both the Blues and provincial side Auckland

NZ hooker McCartney signs for Connacht

Connacht have boosted their ranks with the signing of hooker Tom McCartney from Super Rugby side the Blues.

Rugby • 17 Apr 14

Ricky Lutton has signed a two-year deal with Ulster

Lutton and Andrew sign new Ulster deals

Tighthead prop Ricky Lutton and fullback Ricky Andrew have signed full-time professional contracts at Ulster Rugby.

Rugby • 15 Apr 14

Munster suffer home defeat to Glasgow

Glasgow Warriors became the first Scottish team to win away at Munster in six years as they took the scalp of the Heineken Cup semi-finalists with a 22-5 victory at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 12 Apr 14

Bundee Aki will join Connacht next season on a three-year deal

Connacht sign New Zealand born centre Aki

Connacht Rugby have moved early to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2014/15 season by signing a deal to bring New Zealand born centre Bundee Aki to the Sportsground.

Rugby • 14 Apr 14

Munster will be looking for JJ Hanrahan and Keithg Earls to combine to good effect against the Warriors

Pro12 preview: Munster should see off Warriors

Glasgow arrive in Thomond Park battling for a play-off place in the RaboDirect Pro12 but Munster have targets of their own and home advantage in their favour in this clash.

Rugby • 12 Apr 14

TV Reaction: Ulster Beat Connacht

Brent Pope and Alan Quinlan review Ulster's win over Connacht

Rugby • 11 Apr 14

TV Reaction: Leinster Beaten

Brent Pope and Alan Quinlan review Leinster's loss to Ospreys

Rugby • 11 Apr 14

Ulster demolish Connacht to go second

Ulster put themselves firmly back on track in their bid to reach the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs with a thumping 58-12 bonus point win over Connacht.

Rugby • 11 Apr 14

Rabo Direct Pro 12

Court sees red as Ulster lose to Leinster

Munster make 11 changes for Edinburgh clash

Pro12 preview: Leinster might just edge Ulster

Munster into semis as Ospreys lose at Zebre

Ulster’s Payne returns for Leinster showdown

Smith joins Munster on one-year deal

Ronan forced to retire after knee injury

Hurley, Murphy sign Munster extensions

Carr and Ronaldson back for Connacht

‘Remote’ chance O’Brien will return this season

Munster down Connacht in shootout

Ulster come undone in Glasgow

Leinster run riot to trounce Treviso

Pro12 preview: Connacht to edge crucial derby

Pro12 teams: O'Connell back for Connacht trip

Pro12 previews: Leinster to bounce back

Pro12 Teams: O'Driscoll returns for Leinster

NZ hooker McCartney signs for Connacht

Lutton and Andrew sign new Ulster deals

Munster suffer home defeat to Glasgow

Connacht sign New Zealand born centre Aki

Pro12 preview: Munster should see off Warriors

TV Reaction: Ulster Beat Connacht

TV Reaction: Leinster Beaten

Ulster demolish Connacht to go second