Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

14 June 2025; Ryan Baird of Leinster, left, and team-mate Dan Sheehan celebrate in the dressing room after their side's victroy in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final match between Leinster and Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan

Ratings: Baird and pack shine as Leinster deliver title

Leinster ended an almost four-year search for a trophy with a brilliant 32-7 victory over the Bulls in the URC final at Croke Park. Here's how we rated the players.

Rugby • 14 Jun

31 May 2025; Ryan Baird of Leinster in action against Arhie Hughes of Scarlets during the United Rugby Championship quarter-final match between Leinster and Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Baird: 'You'll find out if you are a man or a mouse'

Leinster back row Ryan Baird says the province will find out this weekend if they are men or mice when they host defending champions Glasgow Warriors in the URC semi-final.

Rugby • 05 Jun

Ryan Baird takes a lineout against England in the 2023 Six Nations clash in Dublin

Lenihan: Height and experience to swing it for Ireland

RTÉ Rugby analyst Donal Lenihan explains why he thinks Ireland will open their 2025 Six Nations campaign with victory over England.

Rugby • 31 Jan

Baird: I say what's on my mind

Ireland and Leinster forward Ryan Baird is keen to help break down barriers around men's mental health.

Rugby • 04 Apr 24

Ryan Baird is a double Six Nations winner

Baird able to savour second Six Nations success

In many ways, Ryan Baird is the anointed one, set to fill Ireland's number 6 shirt when captain Peter O'Mahony calls it a day.

Rugby • 18 Mar 24

Andy Farrell was pleased with Ireland's preparation this week

Farrell: It would be wrong for us to waste a week

The manner of the win against France won't cause any complacency in the Ireland side, says Andy Farrell.

Rugby • 10 Feb 24

Ryan Baird (right) locks horns with Connacht's Sean Jansen in Saturday's win at the Sportsground

Baird: Derbies were ideal prep for La Rochelle rematch

Ryan Baird says Leinster's recent Interpro wins against Munster and Connacht have been the perfect preparation for his side ahead of their daunting Investec Champions Cup opener away to La Rochelle on Sunday.

Rugby • 07 Dec 23

Baird finds fishing very relaxing in his free time

Ryan Baird: Fishing, Wimbledon and O'Connell's detail

Ireland forward Ryan Baird speaks about how he's unwinding from the intensity of Ireland's Rugby World Cup training camp, and how he's grown to 'love' working with Paul O'Connell.

Rugby • 26 Jul 23

Ryan Baird injured his shoulder playing against Leicester

Leinster hopeful on Baird and Lowe for Toulouse tussle

Leinster are hopeful that both James Lowe and Ryan Baird will be available for their Heineken Champions Cup semi-final with Toulouse in three weeks' time.

Rugby • 10 Apr 23

Baird, centre, came up with a crucial turnover in the second half of Ireland's win

Baird looks back on 'big moments' that swung Grand Slam

Games can swing on big moments, and in the 58th minute of yesterday's Grand Slam decider, Ryan Baird came up with one when it mattered.

Rugby • 19 Mar 23

Baird has been named on the bench for Saturday's meeting with Italy in Rome

Baird determined to make Italian return count

Twelve months on from his most recent Ireland cap, Ryan Baird wants to make an impression on his return to the matchday squad against Italy

Rugby • 24 Feb 23

Harry Byrne and Rónan Kelleher are set to return from injury

Byrne, Baird and Kelleher return to Leinster training

Leinster have received a triple injury boost ahead of their return to BKT United Rugby Championship action with Harry Byrne, Ryan Baird and Rónan Kelleher all set to return to training this week.

Rugby • 21 Nov 22

Caelan Doris could make his second appearance of the season

Doris nears Leinster return but four miss Connacht trip

Four Leinster players have been ruled out of Friday's interprovincial derby against Connacht but Ireland forward Caelan Doris could return after completing his return-to-play protocols.

Rugby • 10 Oct 22

Ryan Baird suffered the injury in the 50th minute

Baird recovering after 'nasty' fall - Cullen

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says Ryan Baird will follow the graduated return to play protocols, but is "OK", after a suffering a nasty fall during this evening's 54-34 win against Sharks in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 08 Oct 22

James Ryan left the field after just two minutes

Ryan and Baird ruled out of Scotland Triple Crown clash

Locks James Ryan and Ryan Baird have been ruled out of Ireland's final Guinness Six Nations match against Scotland.

Rugby • 15 Mar 22

Ryan Baird: 'The only time I get nervous is if I'm coming off the bench'

Baird parks nerves ahead of first Six Nations start

Ryan Baird will win his eighth Irish cap on Sunday but a first Six Nations start will mean an awful lot more.

Rugby • 26 Feb 22

Gavin Coombes, Ryan Baird, Robert Baloucoune, Dave Kilcoyne and Nick Timoney all have opportunities to impress

URC weekend an audition for Farrell's fringe players

With 14 of the Irish squad released back to their provinces for the United Rugby Championship this week, Neil Treacy looks at those who could force their way into contention for the game against Italy.

Rugby • 14 Feb 22

Johnny Sexton scored a try and four conversions in his first appearance since April

Sexton delights returning fans as Leinster beat Quins

Johnny Sexton looked sharp on his return to action as Leinster warmed up for the new season with a 40-21 win against Premiership champions Harlequins, in front of almost 15,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 10 Sep 21

Ryan Baird

The Dubliner played 17 times for Leinster in the 2024/25 season and started in the Champions Cup final.

Leinster • 26 Aug 24

Sexton hasn't played since suffering a head injury against Exeter in April

Sexton to return for Leinster in Harlequins friendly

Johnny Sexton will play his first game since April when he leads Leinster out in tomorrow evening's pre-season friendly with Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 09 Sep 21

Ryan Baird is followed by James Ryan and Devin Toner at Leinster training last October

Baird's emergence into stacked second row excites Ryan

James Ryan believes Ryan Baird's emergence at international level has given an already well-stocked Irish second row another timely boost.

Six Nations • 10 Mar 21

'The future is bright' - Sexton hails Casey and Baird

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton says the "future is bright" after 21-year-olds Craig Casey and Ryan Baird made their international debuts against Italy.

Rugby • 28 Feb 21

Quinn Roux (l) and Caelan Doris will miss Sunday's game against Wales

Updated Doris and Roux ruled out of Wales clash

Caelan Doris and Quinn Roux will miss Ireland's opening Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales through injury, while Munster backrow Gavin Coombes and Leinster lock Ryan Baird have been called up to the squad.

Rugby • 02 Feb 21

'There's a missing ingredient within Munster' - Lenihan

Munster are struggling with their identity and there is no quick-fix, according to Donal Lenihan.

Rugby • 11 Sep 20

Ryan Baird

Ratings: Baird and pack shine as Leinster deliver title

Baird: 'You'll find out if you are a man or a mouse'

Lenihan: Height and experience to swing it for Ireland

Baird: I say what's on my mind

Baird able to savour second Six Nations success

Farrell: It would be wrong for us to waste a week

Baird: Derbies were ideal prep for La Rochelle rematch

Ryan Baird: Fishing, Wimbledon and O'Connell's detail

Leinster hopeful on Baird and Lowe for Toulouse tussle

Baird looks back on 'big moments' that swung Grand Slam

Baird determined to make Italian return count

Byrne, Baird and Kelleher return to Leinster training

Doris nears Leinster return but four miss Connacht trip

Baird recovering after 'nasty' fall - Cullen

Ryan and Baird ruled out of Scotland Triple Crown clash

Baird parks nerves ahead of first Six Nations start

URC weekend an audition for Farrell's fringe players

Sexton delights returning fans as Leinster beat Quins

Ryan Baird

Sexton to return for Leinster in Harlequins friendly

Baird's emergence into stacked second row excites Ryan

'The future is bright' - Sexton hails Casey and Baird

Updated Doris and Roux ruled out of Wales clash

'There's a missing ingredient within Munster' - Lenihan

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