Connacht rugby

10 February 2023; Head coach Andy Farrell, left, and Finlay Bealham during the Ireland rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Bealham a 'great fit' for Lions, says Farrell

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell believes replacement call-up Finlay Bealham will prove a "great fit" for the squad following the "heartbreaking" withdrawal of injured Scotland prop Zander Fagerson.

Rugby • 11 Jun 25

Finlay Bealham will go on his first Lions tour

Connacht's Bealham called up to Lions squad

Connacht and Ireland prop Finlay Bealham has been called up to the British and Irish Lions squad in place of the injured Zander Fagerson.

Rugby • 09 Jun 25

7 April 2023; Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster during the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final match between Leinster and Leicester Tigers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Jackman: Connacht rugby 'invigorated' by Lancaster news

Bernard Jackman believes Stuart Lancaster is an "amazing" appointment for Connacht Rugby, after what had been a couple of "rudderless" seasons for the western province.

United Rugby Championship • 04 Jun 25

16 December 2023; Racing 92 head coach Stuart Lancaster before the Investec Champions Cup Pool 2 Round 2 match between Ulster and Racing 92 at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Lancaster says Connacht can be up to '40%' better

New Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster feels the club have plenty of room for improvement and says the hurt of his Racing 92 experience will spur him on.

Rugby • 05 Jun 25

Connacht land Lancaster as URC play-offs provide drama

Neil Treacy, Bernard Jackman and Jonny Holland react to the big news of the week in Irish rugby.

United Rugby Championship • 04 Jun 25

Bordeaux's Mahamadou Diaby (6) in action during yesterday's Champions Cup final

Five-star French domination 'scary' for Irish teams

For the fifth year in a row the Champions Cup has been won by a French team and Bernard Jackman believes more "inclusive" pathways in the country have played a big role.

Rugby • 27 May 25

Leinster last played at DHL Stadium in April 2024

Leinster to start 2025/26 URC campaign in South Africa

Leinster will kick off the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship season with a double-header in South Africa.

Rugby • 21 May 25

Munster survive, Leinster labour and a Sevens shutdown

Neil Treacy is joined by former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan, as we recap the final round of regular season games in the URC, and look ahead at the play-offs.

United Rugby Championship • 21 May 25

The RTÉ Rugby panel discussed the varying fortunes of the provinces

Watch: RTÉ Rugby panel on underperforming provinces

As the BKT URC regular season comes to a close, the RTÉ Rugby panel of Eddie O'Sullivan, Darren Cave and Jamie Heaslip review the fortunes of Munster, Connacht and Ulster.

Rugby • 19 May 25

Connacht captain Cian Prendergast scored the first of their three tries

Connacht finish above Ulster after win v Zebre

Connacht have finished 13th in the BKT United Rugby Championship, ending their season with a 22-12 win away to Zebre in Parma.

United Rugby Championship • 17 May 25

James Ryan comes into the Leinster starting XV

Leinster make nine changes for visit of Glasgow

James Ryan will start for Leinster against Glasgow Warriors in Saturday's BKT URC clash as Leo Cullen makes nine changes to his side.

United Rugby Championship • 16 May 25

Peter O'Mahony will play his final Munster game in his native Cork

Munster unchanged for crucial Benetton meeting

Munster interim coach Ian Costello is doubling down for Friday's must-win United Rugby Championship meeting with Benetton, naming an unchanged matchday squad for the visit of the Italians to Cork.

Rugby • 15 May 25

Munster and Benetton drew when the sides last met in October 2023

Updated URC Round 18: All You Need To Know

The final round of the United Rugby Championship regular season is here, and there are a variety of stakes on offer for the Irish provinces.

United Rugby Championship • 16 May 25

Pete Wilkins will join Benetton until the summer of 2028

Former Connacht coach Wilkins to join Treviso

Former Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins will join Benetton Treviso as attack coach ahead of next season.

Rugby • 12 May 25

Connacht suffered a 12th defeat of the season

Connacht's play-off hopes ended after Edinburgh loss

Connacht's slim URC play-off hopes were ended as they lost 31-21 to Edinburgh at the Dexcom Stadium.

Rugby • 10 May 25

Bundee Aki will win his 150th Connacht cap this evening

Connacht target 10 points as play-off hopes fade

Interim boss Cullie Tucker knows Connacht's play-off fate is out of their hands but wants his side to go down fighting.

Rugby • 10 May 25

James Ryan hasn't play for Leinster since January

Ryan returns as Leinster loose Lions on Zebre

James Ryan is in line his first appearance since the end of the Six Nations with Leinster naming nine Lions in their squad to take on Zebre on Saturday.

Rugby • 09 May 25

Sam Gilbert: 'I can't wait to make the move, get settled in the province'

Updated Connacht sign Gilbert, with Cordero, Oliver to leave

Connacht have signed of New Zealander Sam Gilbert from the Highlanders ahead of the 2025/26 season, while Conor Oliver and Santiago Cordero are among those leaving the club.

Rugby • 09 May 25

Mack Hansen is set for a return to his native land

Hansen's Lions pick a surprise but Farrell always a fan

Bernard Jackman says Mack Hansen's inclusion in the Lions squad is something of a surprise but that Andy Farrell has always been a big fan of the Connacht wing.

Rugby • 08 May 25

Connacht host Edinburgh at the Dexcom Stadium

Updated URC Round 17: All You Need To Know

With just three rounds of games left in the URC regular season, here's everything you need to know leading into Round 16.

United Rugby Championship • 09 May 25

Mack Hansen will miss the rest of Connacht's season

Hansen ruled out for remainder of URC season

Mack Hansen has been ruled out for the remainder of Connacht's season, a blow to the province as they attempt to force their way into the play-offs in the final two games.

Rugby • 06 May 25

Connacht captain Cian Prendergast is tackled by Morgan Naude

Connacht's URC play-off hopes dented further at Lions

Connacht's hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs suffered a major blow after a 26-7 defeat to Lions in Johannesburg.

Rugby • 26 Apr 25

Leinster's Rónan Kelleher, Connacht's Shayne Bolton and Ulster's Stuart McCloskey

URC team news ahead of Round 16

Rónan Kelleher will captain Leinster for the first time, as head coach Leo Cullen makes nine changes to his side for Saturday's trip to Scarlets.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Apr 25

Munster won 20-15 in their last meeting with Cardiff in March 2024

URC Round 16: All you need to know

With just three rounds of games left in the URC regular season, here's everything you need to know leading into Round 16.

United Rugby Championship • 25 Apr 25

An officiating mess, Ireland march on in Newport

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy to look back on the week's big talking points in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

United Rugby Championship • 23 Apr 25