Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Bryan Habana escapes the efforts of Paul O'Connell

Battling Munster come up agonisingly short

Munster fought valiantly but were undone by a high penalty count and the tenacity of Toulon as they fell to an agonising 24-16 defeat in their Heineken Cup semi-final.

Rugby • 04 Apr 15

Munster left wing Simon Zebo will be crucial to the Irish province's attacking gameplan against Toulon

Preview: Can Munster topple Toulon?

RTÉ Sport's Tadhg Peavoy looks at what Munster must do in order to defeat defending champions Toulon in the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

Rugby • 27 Apr 14

Cian Healy said he was not worried about two defeat in a row for Leinster

Healy: Munster can beat Toulon

Leinster’s Cian Healy has backed Munster to see off the challenge of Toulon in their Heineken Cup semi-final.

Rugby • 17 Apr 14

Bernard Jackman said that Leinster ended up just running at Toulon

Jackman: Leinster ‘didn’t really fire a shot’

Leinster “didn’t really fire a shot” in their Heineken Cup quarter-final loss to Toulon, according to Bernard Jackman.

Rugby • 06 Apr 14

Jonny Wilkinson injured his hamstring playing against Leinster

Toulon say Wilkinson should be fit to face Munster

Toulon hope Jonny Wilkinson will be fit for their Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster following injury in their 29-14 victory over Leinster.

Rugby • 06 Apr 14

Xavier Chiocci's try just after half-time proved crucial for Toulon

O'Connor: Poor third quarter cost Leinster

Leinster coach Matt O'Connor believes his team ultimately lost their Heineken Cup quarter-final due to a poor third quarter when they conceded ten points to Toulon.

Rugby • 06 Apr 14

Juan Smith of Toulon, with team-mate Danie Rossouw in support, takes on Cian Healy

Leinster overpowered by dominant Toulon

Defending Heineken Cup champions Toulon knocked out three-time winners Leinster 29-14 in a titanic struggle in France to set up a semi-final clash with Munster.

Rugby • 06 Apr 14

Cian Healy will start at loosehead for Leinster

Preview: Leinster and Toulon set for tight battle

RTÉ Sport's Tadhg Peavoy previews Leinster's clash with Toulon in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

Rugby • 06 Apr 14

Jamie Heaslip on Toulon: 'Their whole team is littered with international players of pretty high calibre'

Heaslip: European experience key for Leinster

Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip believes the Irish heavyweights' big-game Heineken Cup experience will be crucial against reigning European champions Toulon on Sunday.

Rugby • 05 Apr 14

Shane Jennings: 'It’s a massive challenge and it’ll be a real test for us'

Jennings: French forays to stand to Leinster

Leinster flanker Shane Jennings says that his side's experience away to French opposition can help them overcome Toulon on Sunday.

Rugby • 31 Mar 14

Bernard Laporte will be banned from any matchday involvement for 13 weeks

Laporte slammed with 13 week ban

Toulon coach Bernard Laporte has been banned from involvement with the team on matchdays for 13 weeks after an outburst against a match referee last month.

Rugby • 12 Feb 14

Leigh Halfpenny is set for a move to France

Halfpenny signs Toulon deal

Leigh Halfpenny has underlined his desire to continue playing for Wales after agreeing to join Toulon.

Rugby • 23 Jan 14

Ian Evans will ply his trade with Toulon from next season

Evans signs three-year deal with Toulon

Reigning Heineken Cup champions Toulon have confirmed the signing of Ospreys second row Ian Evans on a three-year deal from next season.

Rugby • 29 Nov 13

Mourad Boudjellal has revolted against LNR regulations to encourage home-grown players in the Top 14

Toulon say they will back Heineken Cup

Current Heineken Cup champions Toulon have backed the Heineken Cup and the ERC by stating that they will compete in the competition next season due to LNR laws on foreign-trained players.

Rugby • 17 Oct 13

Clermont Auvergne and Toulon both seem to be more focused on the Top 14 than the Heineken Cup

Analysis: Jackman on the French challenge

Read Bernard Jackman on the likely strength of the French Heineken Cup challenge this year, and why some of the old clichés about the French are actually based on fact.

Rugby • 08 Oct 13

Clermont's Fiji winger Sitiveni Sivivatu (centre) is tackled by Toulon's prop Carl Hayman (left) and flanker Johann Van Niekerk (up)

Clermont to be well tested by Toulon

Clermont have been everyone’s favourite to win the Heineken Cup since doing the double over Leinster in the pool, but Toulon’s collection of aging superstars may just have an upset in them.

Rugby • 18 May 13

Jonny Wilkinson take centre stage on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium

Heineken Cup puts Wilkinson in spotlight

Ten years after kicking England to World Cup glory, Jonny Wilkinson takes centre stage again as underdogs Toulon take on fellow Top 14 powerhouse Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup final on Saturday.

Rugby • 16 May 13

Bryan Habana to join up with the Heineken Cup finalists

Toulon confirm the signing of Habana

South Africa winger Bryan Habana is to join French club Toulon for the next two seasons, the Top 14 side

Rugby • 30 Apr 13

Jonny Wilkinson is congratulated by teammate Rudi Wulf after kicking a sensational drop goal for Toulon

Toulon defeat Saracens to reach Heineken Cup final

England World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson marked his probable Twickenham farewell by kicking Toulon into their first Heineken Cup final with a 24-12 win over Saracens.

Rugby • 28 Apr 13