Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

John Cooney has been in fine form for Ulster

Donal Lenihan's Leinster and Ulster predictions

RTÉ Rugby analyst Donal Lenihan previews the weekend's European action.

Rugby • 30 Apr 21

Mixed approach but still some drama over the Rainbow

The Rainbow Cup is proving to be a mish-mash event but it's better than nothing, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 27 Apr 21

Connacht celebrate their thrilling victory

Connacht snatch dramatic Rainbow Cup win at Ulster

A last-gasp try from replacement winger Peter Sullivan gave Connacht a dramatic 26-24 victory over Ulster at the Kingspan in the Rainbow Cup's opening round.

Rugby • 23 Apr 21

Rainbow Cup: Ulster and Connacht name teams

Iain Henderson starts for Ulster opening round of the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup against Connacht.

Rugby • 22 Apr 21

Sexton of Leinster with Leinster head physiotherapist Garreth Farrell in the Exeter game

Sexton out for Leinster as Ulster monitor Henderson

Johnny Sexton will miss Leinster's Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup derby clash with Munster this weekend (Saturday, 7.35pm) as he continues his return to play protocols after failing a HIA against Exeter.

Rugby • 19 Apr 21

Leinster take on La Rochelle on Sunday, 2 May

Times and dates confirmed for European semi-finals

The dates and kick-off times for the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals have been confirmed by the EPCR.

Rugby • 13 Apr 21

Leinster and Munster meet again on the 24 April

Leinster-Munster set for Rainbow tie, SA sides first up

Munster and Leinster are set to clash again in the opening round of the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup, which gets under way in ten days' time.

Rugby • 04 May 21

Jacob Stockdale scores Ulster's fifth try

Ulster power past Northampton into Challenge Cup semis

Ulster ended Northampton's bid to reach their first European semi-final since 2014 in a superb European Challenge Cup game at Franklin's Gardens.

Rugby • 10 Apr 21

Rob Herring scored two of Ulster's eight tries last week

Ulster keep faith for Northampton quarter-final clash

Ulster have named an unchanged team for their Challenge Cup quarter-final clash at Northampton Saints on Saturday (8pm).

Rugby • 09 Apr 21

Munster fans at Thomond Park before the Guinness Pro14 semi-final play-off match against Edinburgh in 2018

Munster needed fans to get under French skin - Best

Rory Best feels Munster could have really rattled Toulouse on Saturday if they had the power of the Thomond roar behind them.

Rugby • 05 Apr 21

Michael Lowry dives over for Ulster's fourth try

Ulster crush Harlequins to reach Challenge Cup quarters

Ulster will play Northampton in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup next Saturday after a 57-21 victory over Harlequins at The Stoop.

Rugby • 04 Apr 21

Big guns return for Ulster and Connacht

Jacob Stockdale starts for Ulster in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash with Harlequins on Sunday, as the Northerners welcome back their Irish internationals.

Rugby • 02 Apr 21

John Cooney was top scorer in the tournament with 115 points

Irish provinces dominate Pro14 team of the year

Players from the four Irish provinces make up all but two positions on the Guinness Pro14 team of the year.

Rugby • 01 Apr 21

Marseille will now host the finals next year

European rugby finals moved from Marseille again

This season's Heineken Champions and Challenge Cup finals will not be played in Marseille as previously scheduled.

Rugby • 31 Mar 21

Burns was injured during Ireland's Six Nations camp

Burns an Ulster injury doubt ahead of Harlequins clash

A decision on whether out-half Billy Burns will be fit to face Harlequins in Ulster's Challenge Cup fixture on Saturday will be made later in the week.

Rugby • 29 Mar 21

James Hume of Ulster in action against Connacht back in December

Rainbow Cup to kick off with three rounds of derbies

The inaugural Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup will kick off with three rounds of inter-provincial derbies.

Rugby • 26 Mar 21

Brad Roberts of Ulster scores his side's seventh try

Ulster sign off Pro 14 season with Zebre hammering

Ulster finished their Guinness Pro 14 season by running in seven tries in a 49-3 victory over a battling Zebre at the Kingspan Stadium.

Rugby • 19 Mar 21

Pro14 teams: Toner to set Leinster appearance landmark

Devin Toner will win his 261st cap for Leinster and so equal Gordon Darcy's all-time record when he lines up to face the Ospreys in Friday's Guinness Pro14 clash at the RDS, kick-off 8.15pm.

Rugby • 18 Mar 21

Bonus-point win for Ulster against Dragons

Ulster recorded a 26-22 bonus-point win over Dragons in their Guinness Pro14 clash at the Principality Stadium.

Rugby • 13 Mar 21

Dan Sheehan crosses for Leinster's fifth try

Leinster defeat Ulster to book final date with Munster

Leinster booked a Pro14 final date with Munster on 27 March after a bonus-point victory over Conference A rivals Ulster in Belfast.

Rugby • 06 Mar 21

Rhys Ruddock and Josh van der Flier return to the Leinster team to form a strong back row

Leinster include Ireland quartet; Coetzee in for Ulster

Leinster have included four players released from the Ireland camp for Saturday's Pro14 encounter against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, while the hosts welcome back number 8 Marcel Coetzee from injury.

Pro14 • 05 Mar 21

Connacht and Munster last met in January, where Johann van Graan's side edged out their hosts at the Sportsground in a thrilling finish

Lenihan: Final incentive should be enough for Munster

Donal Lenihan expects Munster to seal their place in the Pro14 final as they welcome Connacht to Thomond Park, while a Leinster win in Belfast will effectively put paid to Ulster's hopes of reaching the decider.

Rugby • 05 Mar 21

McBryde: Missed tackle count 'unacceptable' vs Glasgow

Leinster scrum coach Robin McBryde is expecting a "sterner test" this weekend as the province takes on Ulster in a Pro14 fixture.

Leinster • 02 Mar 21

Munster scrum-half Craig Casey (L) returns to the province after making his debut last weekend

Ireland release 13 players to provinces for interpros

Thirteen Ireland internationals will play with their provinces in this weekend's interpros after being released from training camp to get some game time.

Rugby • 01 Mar 21

Iain Henderson (R) speaks with forwards coach Paul O'Connell before the France game

Henderson: O'Connell improvement not about reinvention

Ireland second row Iain Henderson discusses Paul O'Connell and John Fogarty's influence on the set-piece, his new contract with Ulster and the experience of captaining his country against France.

Rugby • 24 Feb 21

Ulster