Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Will Ulster's form be rewarded in the Six Nations?

Bernard Jackman and Gareth Steenson outline the case for more Ulster players in the Ireland Six Nations squad.

United Rugby Championship • 39 mins

Champions Cup games are a natural step towards the intensity of a Test match

Six Nations a chance for Ireland to blood new players

Ireland could use the Six Nations as a chance to blood new players, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 06 Jan

2 January 2026; Ulster head coach Richie Murphy and Jacob Stockdale after their side's victory in the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Murphy: Ulster 'buzzing' after statement win v Munster

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy praised the patience of his side as they produced a brilliant second-half performance to hammer Munster 28-3 in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 03 Jan

2 January 2026; Angus Bell of Ulster celebrates his side's first try, scored by Tom Stewart, during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster bully Munster to continue impressive season

Affidea Stadium was a winter wonderland for Ulster as they continued their impressive season with a dominant 28-3 win against a poor Munster in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Jan

2 January 2026; Brian Gleeson of Munster is tackled by Stuart McCloskey, left, and Jack Murphy of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

United Rugby Championship: Ulster 28-3 Munster - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Ulster and Munster meet in the first URC Interpro of 2026.

Rugby • 02 Jan

20 December 2024; Tom Farrell of Munster on his way to scoring his side's first try despite the tackle of Stuart McCloskey and Werner Kok of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Munster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo

United Rugby Championship round 9: All you need to know

Round nine of the United Rugby Championship serves up a double helping of derbies on the first weekend of 2026.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Jan

28 November 2025; Iain Henderson of Ulster during the warm-up before the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Benetton at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Henderson back for Ulster, Munster rest internationals

Iain Henderson will make his first provincial appearance since October in Friday night's crucial BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro against Munster in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 01 Jan

27 December 2025; Werner Kok of Ulster and Bundee Aki of Connacht after the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ulster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Ulster boss Murphy 'delighted' with win on the road

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said he was "absolutely delighted" as his side held on for a deserved away win at Connacht.

Rugby • 28 Dec 25

27 December 2025; James Hume of Ulster celebrates after winning a penalty the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ulster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Ulster withstand late Connacht rally to claim away win

A profitable twenty-minute spell either side of half-time saw Ulster dig out a narrow bonus point win over Connacht in an entertaining game in Dexcom Stadium.

Rugby • 28 Dec 25

5 December 2025; Ulster head coach Richie Murphy before the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Ulster and Racing 92 at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster make six changes for Connacht trip

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made six changes for the United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday.

Rugby • 24 Dec 25

14 November 2025; Daniel Ryan of Ireland during the U20 Challenge Match between Ireland and South Africa at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Connacht hand debut to winger Ryan for Ulster visit

Denis Buckley is set to move to second in Connacht's all-time appearance list after being named in Stuart Lancaster's side for Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash with Ulster at Dexcom Stadium.

Rugby • 24 Dec 25

Izuchukwu 'buzzing' with new Ulster deal

Ireland forward Cormac Izuchukwu has signed a new deal with Ulster until the summer of 2028, the province has announced.

Rugby • 23 Dec 25

27 December 2024; Luke McGrath of Leinster scores his side's first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

United Rugby Championship round 8: All you need to know

Round eight of the United Rugby Championship serves up a double helping of festive derbies on 27 December.

Rugby • 27 Dec 25

19 December 2025; Rieko Ioane of Leinster, second from left, celebrates with teammates, from left, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley and James Lowe after scoring their side's first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Ulster at t

Leinster hold off Ulster with late fightback at Aviva

For the second Friday in a row it looked like Leinster's season was about to hit another stumbling block, but for the second week in a row they found a way to win.

United Rugby Championship • 19 Dec 25

12 December 2025; James Ryan of Leinster runs onto the pitch before the Investec Champions Cup match between Leicester Tigers and Leinster at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Leicester, England. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ryan to play 100th Leinster game as Cullen rotates

Leo Cullen has rested a number of frontline internationals for Friday night's United Rugby Championship clash with Ulster at Aviva Stadium, making 11 changes fromt he team that battled past Leicester last week.

Rugby • 19 Dec 25

Jackman: Ulster may have to move fast to lock in Murphy

Bernard Jackman believes Ulster may have competition to keep head coach Richie Murphy beyond this season.

Rugby • 17 Dec 25

11 October 2025; Stuart McCloskey of Ulster after the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Vodacom Bulls at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

McCloskey gives Ulster timely fitness boost

Stuart McCloskey looks set to provide Ulster with a much-needed injury boost ahead of the Christmas Interpro period.

Rugby • 16 Dec 25

Dublin , Ireland - 15 December 2025; James Lowe during a Leinster Rugby squad training at UCD in Dublin. (Photo By Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Lowe: The game is in a weird, confusing place right now

Leinster star James Lowe has expressed some concern about the current state of rugby and feels "the game is in a confusing place at the moment".

Rugby • 16 Dec 25

CARDIFF, WALES - DECEMBER 13: Callum Sheedy of Cardiff Rugby kicks a penalty to win the game for Cardiff 29-26 as he is surrounded by players during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Cardiff Rugby and Ulster Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park on December 13, 2

Sheedy kicks late winner as Ulster lose at Cardiff

Ulster conceded 17 points in the last 15 minutes of their Challenge Cup to lose 29-26 at Cardiff.

Rugby • 13 Dec 25

6 April 2024; Jack Conan of Leinster dives over to score his side's fifth which was subsequently disallowed during the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 match between Leinster and Leicester Tigers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Spo

Champions and Challenge Cup R2: All You Need To Know

All four Irish provinces are back in action this week across the Investec Champions and Challenge Cup pool stages. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's games.

Rugby • 13 Dec 25

Ulster's Zac Ward celebrates his try against Racing 92

Second-half deluge sees Ulster demolish Racing 92

Ulster scored nine tries in a 61-7 European Challenge Cup demolition of Racing 92 at Affidea Stadium.

Rugby • 05 Dec 25

28 November 2024; Angus Bell during an Australia Rugby squad training session at Wanderers RFC in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Ulster hand Bell debut in Challenge Cup opener v Racing

New signing Angus Bell will make his debut for Ulster in Friday night's EPCR Challenge Cup opener against Racing 92 in Belfast.

Rugby • 04 Dec 25

Harlequins proved no match for Leinster in last season's round of 16 clash at Croke Park

Champions Cup round 1: All You Need to Know

The European season kicks off this weekend with an even split of Irish provinces taking part in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. Find out all you need to know here.