Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Backlash to 20-minute red, Interpro talking points

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland to break down the big talking points of the week in the URC.

Connacht's Dave Heffernan has been backed to add to his seven Irish caps in November

Heffernan hitting form at the right time for Ireland

With just over three weeks to go until Ireland take on New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium, the number two jersey for that meeting with the All Blacks is available for someone to grab it.

United Rugby Championship • 16 Oct 24

Stuart McCloskey has missed the last two games due to ankle and knee issues

Ulster given timely McCloskey fitness boost

Stuart McCloskey could become available for Ulster this week in a big boost for Richie Murphy's side ahead of Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Ospreys in Belfast.

United Rugby Championship • 15 Oct 24

Connacht get clean bill of health for visit of Leinster

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins will have close to a full deck to choose from when they welcome Leinster to the Dexcom Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship this Saturday.

United Rugby Championship • 15 Oct 24

Leinster's Luke McGrath, Thomas Clarkson and Jamison Gibson-Park walk out at Croke Park

Leinster and Munster to deliver in Croke Park cauldron

Those who claim Irish rugby's biggest rivalry has lost its bite from back in its 2000s heyday are fighting a losing argument, with 82,300 people packing into a sold-out Croke Park this evening, proving that this Interpro is in pretty rude health.

United Rugby Championship • 12 Oct 24

Ulster were 20-19 winners when they met Connacht last December

Contrasting form sets up intriguing Belfast Interpro

While Leinster and Munster's blockbuster meeting at Croke Park has dominated the headlines this week, the late Saturday Interpro up in Belfast is one that matters just as much to supporters of Ulster and Connacht.

United Rugby Championship • 12 Oct 24

Murphy's Law for Richie as Ulster prepare for Connacht

Ulster coach Richie Murphy says he's looking forward to the "unique situation" of coaching against his son Ben, when his side host Connacht in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

United Rugby Championship • 12 Oct 24

The URC looks likely to remain in its current format

Premiership bosses play down talk of merger with URC

Premiership Rugby appears to have killed off proposals for a British and Irish or Anglo-Welsh league in favour of retaining a ten-team domestic competition.

United Rugby Championship • 12 Oct 24

Croke Park is expected to be sold out for the meeting of Leinster and Munster on Saturday night

United Rugby Championship Round 4: All You Need to Know

Kick-off details, team news, TV coverage and everything else you need to know ahead of this week's Round 4 games in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

United Rugby Championship • 11 Oct 24

All roads lead to Croke Park for blockbuster Interpro

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy as we look ahead to two big Interpros this week in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

United Rugby Championship • 12 Oct 24

Munster and Leinster players tussle during their meeting at the Aviva Stadium in November 2023

Munster-Leinster rivalry healthier than ever - Rowntree

As of Tuesday lunchtime, more than 75,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday's blockbuster BKT United Rugby Championship meeting of Leinster and Munster at Croke Park.

Rugby • 09 Oct 24

Graham Rowntree was proud of his side after they won in challenging conditions

Rowntree proud as Munster respond in style with shutout

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree spoke of his pride after watching his side bounce back from defeat against Zebre with an impressive win over Ospreys.

Rugby • 05 Oct 24

RG Snyman is the only member of Leinster's starting team who isn't an Ireland international

Star-studded line-up shows Leinster mean business

You'd love to have been a fly on the wall when Benetton head coach Marco Bortolami got a first look at the Leinster team sheet this week.

United Rugby Championship • 05 Oct 24

Finlay Bealham starts for Connacht away to the Scarlets

Experience matters as Bealham and Connacht go to Wales

While Connacht won on their last visit to the Scarlets, Finlay Bealham only knows of defeat in Llanelli.

United Rugby Championship • 04 Oct 24

Connacht face the Scarlets on Friday night

United Rugby Championship Round 3: All You Need to Know

Kick-off details, team news, TV coverage and everything else you need to know ahead of this week's Round 3 games in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 04 Oct 24

United Rugby Championship Round 3: All You Need to Know

Kick-off details, team news, TV coverage and everything else you need to know ahead of this week's Round 3 games in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 03 Oct 24

Jack Conan has captained Leinster in each of their URC games this season

Jackman: Domestic players key to Racing move for Conan

Bernard Jackman has expressed some doubt over Racing 92's reported interest in Leinster number 8 Jack Conan.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Oct 24

Form means nothing after seismic shocks in URC and WXV

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland to recap a busy weekend in the URC, while Hannah O'Connor reacts to Ireland's incredible win against New Zealand in the WXV.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Oct 24

Form means nothing after seismic shocks in URC and WXV

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland to recap a busy weekend in the URC, while Hannah O'Connor reacts to Ireland's incredible win against New Zealand in the WXV.

United Rugby Championship • 03 Oct 24

Munster suffered a shock 42-33 defeat to Zebre

Leamy: O'Callaghan's Munster criticism 'on the money'

Munster assistant Denis Leamy says he's in agreement with Donncha O'Callaghan's scathing assessment of the province's recent defeat to Zebre.

United Rugby Championship • 02 Oct 24

Healy made his 281st Leinster appearance on Friday

Emotional Healy soaks up his 'special moment'

Cian Healy has admitted this season will 'probably' be his last in professional rugby, after he became Leinster's all-time appearance holder last Friday night.

United Rugby Championship • 30 Sep 24

Ulster make their point in Joburg defeat to Lions

Ulster fell to a 35-22 loss to Lions in Johannesburg but could take some encouragement from a bonus point on the road in the United Rugby Championship.

Rugby • 28 Sep 24

Jack Conan scored the first of Leinster's six tries

Cullen upbeat as Leinster hold off plucky Dragons

Leinster very much looked in pre-season form for much of their 34-6 win against the Dragons at the Aviva Stadium, but head coach Leo Cullen declare himself delighted to get in and out with a bonus-point win for the second week in a row.

United Rugby Championship • 28 Sep 24

Piers O'Conor joined Connacht from Bristol Bears

O'Conor the latest to follow the Bristol-Connacht path

We're now seven years into what appears to be an unofficial exchange programme between Connacht and Bristol Bears, and Piers O'Conor is the latest to swap one for the other.

United Rugby Championship • 27 Sep 24

Healy will make his 281st Leinster appearance on Friday

Cullen: Healy deserving of 'phenomenal' milestone

Leo Cullen has hailed the "phenomenal" longevity of Cian Healy, ahead of the loosehead prop's milestone appearance for Leinster at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

United Rugby Championship • 26 Sep 24