Connacht rugby

URC team news: New Connacht half-backs, debut for Smyth

Connacht have opted for a new half-back pairing for Saturday's historic United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium with Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane at 9 and 10, respectively.

Rugby • 23 Jan

17 January 2026; Connacht players huddle as head of athletic performance Allan Temple-Jones watches on before the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Connacht and US Montauban at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Lancaster backs Connacht to 'thrive' in new surrounding

Whether by accident or design, it feels appropriate for the ribbon to be cut on Connacht's new and improved home this weekend.

Rugby • 24 Jan

3 January 2026; Josh Ioane of Connacht is tackled by Jack Conan, left, and Diarmuid Mangan of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Connacht v Leinster: All You Need to Know

The Interpro between Connacht and Leinster headlines the weekend's URC action, as we move into the second half of the regular season.

United Rugby Championship • 24 Jan

10 January 2026; The Leinster team huddle during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Leinster given Easter Sunday date in Champions Cup

Leinster will have a rare Sunday evening kick-off for their Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 meeting with Edinburgh, after dates and times for the first knock-out round were confirmed by the EPCR.

Rugby • 22 Jan

3 January 2026; Cian Prendergast of Connacht celebrates his side's second try, scored by team-mate Finlay Bealham, hidden, during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sport

Prendergast: Connacht ready to rise to the occasion

Connacht captain Cian Prendergast has called on his side to "lean into the occasion" as the province prepare for their new dawn on Saturday.

United Rugby Championship • 21 Jan

27 December 2025; Finlay Bealham of Connacht celebrates his side's first try, scored by Finn Treacy, not pictured during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ulster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Lancaster hopeful of Bealham fitness for Six Nations

Stuart Lancaster remains optimistic that Finlay Bealham will be available for Ireland's opening Six Nations clash with France in Paris, although the tighthead prop will miss the province's big Interpro with Leinster on Saturday.

United Rugby Championship • 20 Jan

Paul Boyle of Connacht scores a try despite the attention of Jean Seux of Montauban during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Connacht and US Montauban at Dexcom Stadium in Galway

Connacht demolish Montauban to march into last 16

Connacht ran riot at the Dexcom Stadium to demolish Montauban 75-14 and seal a place in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 17 Jan

Craig Casey of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Team news: Casey boost for Munster, Leinster trio back

Munster have received a huge boost for Saturday's must-win Investec Champions Cup tie with Castres, with Craig Casey passed fit to start after overcoming a shoulder injury.

Rugby • 16 Jan

13 December 2024; Peter O'Mahony of Munster and Rémy Baget of Castres Olympique during the Champions Cup Pool 3 match between Castres Olympique and Munster at Stade Pierre Fabre in Castres, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Champions Cup round 4: All You Need To Know

All four Irish provinces round off their Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage campaigns this week. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's games.

Rugby • 16 Jan

22 November 2025; Finlay Bealham of Ireland during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Bealham out for 'a couple of weeks' as injuries pile up

Ireland's Six Nations preparations have experienced another hiccup, with Finlay Bealham the latest prop to pick up an untimely injury.

Rugby • 13 Jan

Connacht scrum-half Ben Murphy gets his pass away against Montpellier

Connacht let slip 17-point lead in Montpellier

There was more agony for Connacht as a winning hand was again let slip as Montpellier came from 17 points adrift 24 minutes from time to maintain their winning run in the Challenge Cup.

Rugby • 11 Jan

11 January 2026; Munster supporters, from left, Ben Leahy, Patricia Vieira, Dave O'Keefe and Caolan Scully before the Investec Champions Cup match between RC Toulon and Munster at Stade Felix Mayol in Toulon, France. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Champions Cup round 3: All You Need To Know

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

Rugby • 11 Jan

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

3 January 2026; Sam Prendergast of Leinster scores his side's third try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Leinster's composure under pressure pleases Cullen

While Leinster easily brushed aside Connacht in the second half of their BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro at Aviva Stadium, the 52-17 win could have been very different had it not been for the final three minutes of the first half.

United Rugby Championship • 03 Jan

Dan Sheehan celebrates a try against Connacht in May 2024. Leinster have won the last nine games against the men from the west

Sheehan returns for Leinster, five Connacht changes

Dan Sheehan returns to the Leinster team with the hooker to captain his side for Saturday's BKT URC game with Connacht at Aviva Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

Rugby • 02 Jan

27 December 2025; Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster before the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ulster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

'Frustrating' Connacht set for make or break period

In three weeks, the ribbon will be cut on Connacht Rugby's new and improved Dexcom Stadium, completing the three-year, €40m redevelopment of the Sportsground.

United Rugby Championship • 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

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

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

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

20 December 2025; Bundee Aki of Connacht competes for a high ball against Fine Inisi and Tinus de Beer of Dragons during the United Rugby Championship match between Dragons and Connacht at Rodney Parade in Newport, Wales. Photo by Chris Fairweather/Sports

Connacht fall apart in heavy defeat to Dragons

A late flurry of tries saw Connacht avoid a historically poor defeat away to the Dragons, although Stuart Lancaster's side still fell to a comprehensive loss in Newport.

Rugby • 20 Dec 25

17 October 2025; A dejected Cian Prendergast of Connacht leaves the pitch after his side's defeat in the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Vodacom Bulls at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Prendergast fit ahead of 'huge' run of Connacht games

Connacht will be able to welcome Cian Prendergast and Josh Ioane back to their side for Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship trip to the Dragons, but Finlay Bealham remains a doubt due to concussion.

Rugby • 16 Dec 25

13 December 2025; Caolin Blade of Connacht on his way to scoring his side's seventh try despite the efforts of Luka Tsirekidze of Black Lion during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Connacht and Black Lion at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Tyler Mi

Eight-try Connacht outclass Black Lion

Connacht ran in eight tries to get their Challenge Cup campaign back on track as they outclassed Georgian side Black Lion in the wind and rain in Galway.

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