Connacht rugby

Bowen on the double as Connacht lose out in Cardiff

Cardiff's Tom Bowen, who scored a hat-trick in his team's defeat to Munster last weekend, helped himself to a brace as the Welsh side beat Connacht 14-8 in the URC at the Arms Park.

Cardiff Rugby • 11 Oct 25

26 September 2025; Jimmy O'Brien of Leinster in action against Leolin Zas of DHL Stormers during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Leinster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

United Rugby Championship Round 3: All You Need to Know

It's round three of the United Rugby Championship with all four provinces in action following last weekend's storm-affected fixture list. Find out all you need to know here.

Rugby • 16 Oct 25

19 April 2025; Joe Joyce of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Connacht at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

Connacht's Joyce 'learning' rugby again under Lancaster

Connacht lock Joe Joyce is enjoying life under new head coach Stuart Lancaster and says although team meetings are longer he's learning more about rugby at the ripe old age of 31.

Rugby • 08 Oct 25

27 September 2025; Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster before the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Benetton Treviso at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Scarlets postponement 'frustrating' for Connacht

Stuart Lancaster says that Connacht were massively frustrated by the postponement of last weekend's URC clash against Scarlets.

Rugby • 07 Oct 25

5 April 2025; Mack Hansen of Connacht during the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 match between Connacht and Cardiff Rugby at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Hansen back training and available for Cardiff clash

Connacht Rugby announce that Mack Hansen has returned to full training and is available for selection in their BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Cardiff Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.

Rugby • 06 Oct 25

2 March 2024; Sam Lousi of Scarlets in action against Niall Murray of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Scarlets at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Connacht's tie with Scarlets postponed due to Storm Amy

Connacht's BKT United Rugby Championship fixture against Scarlets has been postponed due to the disruption caused by Storm Amy.

Rugby • 04 Oct 25

29 September 2025; Thomas Clarkson during a Leinster rugby squad training session at Pretoria, South Africa. Photo by Frans Lombard/Sportsfile

Leinster and Connacht make sweeping changes for Round 2

Leinster boss Leo Cullen has made seven changes to his side for Saturday's United Rugby Championship meeting with the Bulls in Pretoria.

Rugby • 03 Oct 25

22 March 2025; Scott Penny of Leinster in action against Harold Vorster, left, and Jannes Kirsten of Vodacom Bulls during the United Rugby Championship match between Vodacom Bulls and Leinster at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo by

United Rugby Championship Round 2: All You Need to Know

Everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's Round 2 games in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

United Rugby Championship • 03 Oct 25

27 September 2025; Shayne Bolton of Connacht in action against Benetton Treviso players, from left, Malakai Fekitoa and Louis Werchon during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Benetton Treviso at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Th

Jackman impressed by first look at Lancaster's Connacht

Bernard Jackman was impressed with Connacht's attitude in defence for their opening URC win of the season.

United Rugby Championship • 01 Oct 25

27 September 2025; Sean Naughton of Connacht. centre, celebrates with teammate Cathal Forde after scoring his side's second try during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Benetton Treviso at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas F

Lancaster's Connacht open with bonus-point victory

Connacht began a new era under head coach Stuart Lancaster with a 26-15 URC win over Benetton at the Dexcom Stadium.

Rugby • 27 Sep 25

7 December 2024; Seán Naughton of Connacht during the EPCR Challenge Cup Round 1 match between Connacht and Zebre Parma at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Naughton gets Connacht start for Benetton visit

Full-back Sean Naughton will make his first start for Connacht in tomorrow's United Rugby Championship season opener against Benetton.

Rugby • 26 Sep 25

14 June 2025; Leinster captains Caelan Doris and Jack Conan and retiring teammate Cian Healy lift the URC trophy as they team celebrate after the United Rugby Championship Grand Final match between Leinster and Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo

Familar faces and new blood as URC kicks off

The URC returns this weekend with some familiar faces and some new blood on the scene as Munster, Connacht and Ulster aim to close the gap to defending champions Leinster.

Rugby • 26 Sep 25

27 April 2024; Gus McCarthy of Leinster is tackled by Marcel Theunissen and Ruben van Heerden of DHL Stormers during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Leinster at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Harry Murphy

United Rugby Championship Round 1: All you need to know

The new BKT United Rugby Championship gets under way this weekend, the fifth season of this iteration of the competition.

United Rugby Championship • 26 Sep 25

Who is playing to impress in the URC this season?

With the United Rugby Championship season kicking off this week, Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy pick out some of the young - and not so young - players who could make an impact in 2025/26.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Sep 25

Provinces asked to do more with less as URC returns

As a new United Rugby Championship season begins, Jonny Holland writes that the provinces are being asked to do more with less resources.

Rugby • 23 Sep 25

20 September 2025; Head coach Stuart Lancaster during a Connacht Rugby open training session at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Lancaster excited by Connacht but hopes for Test return

Stuart Lancaster says he would love to return to Test rugby some day, but he doesn't believe his role with Connacht is a stepping stone to becoming the next Ireland head coach.

United Rugby Championship • 22 Sep 25

New Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster and Ulster head coach Richie Murphy

Pressure on Connacht and Ulster to come back stronger

With the new United Rugby Championship just over a week away, it's time to remind ourselves how the four provinces fared in 2024/25, and what lies ahead for the coming year.

United Rugby Championship • 21 Sep 25

16 August 2025; Kathy Baker of Leinster on her way to scoring her side's second try despite the efforts of Munster players Aoife Fleming, left, and Gráinne Burke during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Round 2 match between Leinster and M

Women's interprovincial finals: All you need to know

Today sees the 2025 Women's Interprovincial Championships draw to a close with a familiar 'finals day' in Donnybrook. The third-place play-off once again pits Connacht against Ulster, with Munster and Leinster battling it out for silverware.

Rugby • 30 Aug 25

23 August 2025; Vicky Elmes Kinlan of Leinster in action against Connacht players Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin, left, and Orla Dixon during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Round 3 match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. P

Leinster pip Connacht to qualify for Interpro final

Vicky Elmes Kinlan's 68th-minute try split the sides at Dexcom Stadium where three-in-a-row hopefuls Leinster beat Connacht 17-12 to qualify for next Saturday's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final.

Rugby • 23 Aug 25

Munster storm Leinster to reach interpro final

Munster sealed their place in the final of the 2025 Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship after a convincing 33-22 win over Leinster in Donnybrook.

Rugby • 17 Aug 25

31 August 2024; Leah Tarpey of Leinster in action against Alana McInerney of Munster during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship final between Leinster and Munster at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Women's Interpro's Round 2: All you need to know

Round two of the Women's Interprovincial series promises to be a gripping weekend as we get a repeat of last year's final between Leinster and Munster, while Connacht welcome a strong-looking Ulster squad to Galway.

Rugby • 16 Aug 25

10 August 2025; Emma Brogan of Leinster in action against Ulster players Paige Smyth, left, and Siobhan Sheerin during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Round 1 match between Leinster and Ulster at Energia Park in Dublin. Photo by Shauna C

Leinster and Munster off to perfect start in interpros

Last year's champions Leinster and runners-up Munster got their 2025 Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship campaigns off to perfect starts courtesy of home bonus-point wins over Ulster and Connacht respectively.

Rugby • 10 Aug 25

REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLY 2025 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Launch, IRFU High Performance Centre, Dublin 1/8/2025Connacht's Ava Ryder, Munster's Maeve Óg O’Leary, Leinster's Molly Boyne and Ulst

Women's Interpros 2025: All you need to know

The Vodafone Women's Interprovincial series kicks off this afternoon with a double header that sees defending champions Leinster host Ulster at the Energia Stadium and Connacht visit Munster in Cork.

Rugby • 10 Aug 25