Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Munster travel to Castres full of expectation

Lenihan expects mixed weekend for Irish provinces

RTÉ rugby analyst Donal Lenihan takes a look ahead to an exciting weekend of Champions Cup rugby for the Irish provinces.

Champions Cup • 14 Jan 22

Connacht 36-9 Stade Francais - recap

Connacht started their European Cup campaign with a bonus point victory over Stade Francais at the Sportsground. Here's how it happened.

Rugby • 12 Dec 21

Jack Carty is tackled by Cheslin Kolbe of Toulouse

Recap: Connacht 7-21 Toulouse

Connacht welcome Toulouse to the Sportsground for the Heineken Champions Cup Round 5 pool match

Rugby • 13 Jan 20

Recap: Connacht vs Munster

Look back at the key moments after Munster beat neighbours Connacht to extend their lead at the top of Conference B in the Pro14.

Rugby • 21 Dec 19

There will be extra terracing at the Sportsground for the festive season

Connacht to install temporary terracing for Munster tie

Connacht have announced that they will be installing additional temporary terracing in the Sportsground for the Guinness Pro14 clash with Munster on Saturday evening.

Rugby • 17 Dec 19

Bundee Aki's current deal with Connacht runs out in the summer

Aki 'getting closer' to extending Connacht stay

Connacht head coach Andy Friend believes the contract negotiations to keep Bundee Aki at Connacht and indeed Irish rugby are 'getting closer' to a positive resolution.

Rugby • 28 Nov 19

'We believed in ourselves throughout the whole year. We're delighted to be there,' said Bundee Aki.

Friend urges Connacht players to 'have a good night'

The celebrations were in full swing in the Connacht dressing room after a victory over the Cardiff Blues which sent them through to the Guinness Pro14 play-offs.

Rugby • 13 Apr 19

Kieran Marmian got over the try-line for Connacht

Connacht put six tries past Ospreys to stay in the hunt

Connacht put Ospreys to the sword in a six-try win at the Sportsground which keeps them in the hunt for the Guinness PRO14 play-offs and Champions Cup qualification.

Rugby • 02 Mar 19

Ultan Dillane has signed a new deal with Connacht

Ultan Dillane signs new Connacht contract

Connacht have been handed a timely boost with the news that Ultan Dillane has signed a two-year contract extension with the province.

Rugby • 09 Jan 19

Billy Holland will win his 200th cap from the bench

Seven changes for Munster as Daly set for Connacht bow

Munster have made seven changes for the side to face Connacht at the Sportsground in the Guinness Pro 14 on Saturday night.

Rugby • 07 Jan 19

Connacht scored three tries at the Sportsground

Connacht sink Ulster and return to winning ways

Connacht bounced back from their last-gasp defeat to Leinster to end the year with a bruising Pro14 win over Ulster at the Sportsground.

Rugby • 28 Dec 18

Recap: Connacht v Ulster

Connacht defeated Ulster in the Pro14 at the Sportsground in their inter-provincial clash.

Rugby • 28 Dec 18

The Sportsground was battered by wind and rain

Andy Friend: 'We had two seasons - autumn & winter'

Connacht head coach Andy Friend joked that his wingers had hypothermia and the Australian contingent were left scratching their heads after the Westerners scrapped past Perpignan in awful conditions at the Sportsground.

Rugby • 09 Dec 18

Paddy Jackson is enthused by the idea of playing against Connacht but says it's to his coach

Jackson: It would be great to play on Irish soil again

Paddy Jackson said he would like to play against Connacht next weekend in Galway but it remains to be seen if he will be making the trip to the Sportsground.

Rugby • 04 Dec 18

Connacht are to redevelop the Sportsground into a 12,000 capacity stadium

Connacht unveil €30m Sportsground redevelopment plan

Connacht Rugby CEO Willie Ruane says the €30m Sportsground redevelopment plan is a "significant statement" for both the team and the region as a whole.

Rugby • 08 Oct 18

Andy Friend wants Connacht to bounce back from their opening-day defeat to Glasgow

Friend wants Connacht to buck trend against Zebre

Connacht won their first 15 games against Zebre in the league and Europe but have gone down on the last three occasions they have met.

Rugby • 07 Sep 18

Jarrad Butler is the new Connacht captain

New Connacht skipper turns to Muldoon for advice

New Connacht captain Jarrad Butler admits that he'll be turning to John Muldoon for advice as he replaces the Sportsground stalwart.

Rugby • 16 Aug 18

Recap: Munster-Ulster & Connacht-Leinster Pro14

Catch up with all that happened in today's two inter-provincial clashes in the Pro14.

Rugby • 28 Apr 18

David Horwitz (left) is on his way to Connacht

Aussie David Horwitz to join Connacht

Connacht have announced that Australian out-half David Horwitz has agreed a deal to join the province for the start of next season.

Rugby • 23 Mar 18

Cian Kelleher, left,and Craig Ronaldson have signed new deals at the Sportsground

Connacht quartet sign contract extensions

Connacht have confirmed that four members of their backline have signed contract extensions to remain at the Sportsground.

Rugby • 21 Mar 18

John Muldoon celebrates Connacht's Pro12 title in 2016

John Muldoon to retire at the end of the season

Connacht captain John Muldoon will bring to an end an "incredible journey" with the province after confirming he will retire at the end of the season.

Rugby • 24 Jan 18

Cave set to join Ulster 200 club against Connacht

Darren Cave will join an illustrious group of Ulster players at the Sportsground this weekend, while Tiernan O'Halloran returns to the Connacht team for the interprovincial clash on Saturday.

Rugby • 22 Dec 17

The Sportsground can normally hold up to 8,090 spectators

Connacht introduce extra terracing for Ulster clash

Extra terracing is to be in place for Connacht's interprovincial derby with Ulster at the Sportsground on 23 December due to increased demand for tickets.

Rugby • 18 Dec 17

Kieran Marmion has signed a deal that will keep him at Connacht beyond the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Marmion signs on for another two years with Connacht

Ireland international Kieran Marmion has agreed a new two-year contract with Connacht that will see him remain with the province until the end of the 2019/20 season.

Rugby • 14 Dec 17

Adeolokun inspires Connacht to victory over Cheetahs

A superb solo try from Niyi Adeolokun inspired Connacht's 23-15 Guinness PRO14 win over the Cheetahs at the Sportsground.

Rugby • 05 Nov 17