Ireland’s Olympic qualification caps exhilarating weekend of rugby action Munster head to South Africa for URC final while Leo Cullen believes defeat will focus Leinster against La RochelleMon May 15 2023 - 05:00
Graham Rowntree: Munster will ‘go down to Cape Town with belief’ for URC decider with StormersHead coach says his side were far from perfect but that the team has become ‘battle-hardened’ after hectic scheduleSat May 13 2023 - 21:41
Jack Crowley’s late drop goal earns Munster the glory as Leinster’s double dream diesGraham Rowntree’s side will head to Cape Town in a fortnight for a final showdown with the StormersSat May 13 2023 - 20:18
Munster’s John Hodnett looking to turn the screw on Leinster and extend his best season to dateCarpentry-loving flanker delighted to be fully fit after losing nearly a year to an Achilles tearSat May 13 2023 - 06:00
Red army expects Munster to deliver, but dominant Leinster are solid favourites Leinster v Munster: Munster have lost 10 of last 11 games against rivals and 12 of 13 at the Aviva — so history weighs heavily against the underdogSat May 13 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: Leinster v Munster is the biggest domestic rivalry in world rugbyA strong domestic rivalry is usually healthy for any team sport, and Irish rugby is lucky to have itFri May 12 2023 - 16:20
Peter O’Mahony cleared to lead Munster in URC semi-final clash against LeinsterLeinster v Munster will see Robbie Henshaw restored to backline as Andy Friend names an unchanged team for Connacht’s tie with Stormers in Cape TownFri May 12 2023 - 13:54
Caolin Blade keen to keep season running as he prepares for biggest game of Connacht career Scrumhalf looking forward to Stormers clash after making a first start in a knock-out game in win over UlsterFri May 12 2023 - 06:00
Stephen Archer aiming to give Leinster a tough test Experienced prop has no designs on a coaching career one dayThu May 11 2023 - 06:00
Ireland’s new women’s coach will face ‘challenging role’, admits IRFU Search begins for replacement for Greg McWilliams as Sevens players will become available for new WXV in the autumnThu May 11 2023 - 05:00
Ireland’s Joy Neville to make history as first woman to officiate at men’s Rugby World CupNeville one of four Irish officials to travel to France with Andrew Brace named on referee panelWed May 10 2023 - 19:58
IRFU deny that sexism is a problem within their organisationUnion clarify departed Irish women’s head coach Greg McWilliams was not sacked, it was a mutual decisionWed May 10 2023 - 15:20
Munster must deal with weight of history against Leinster, especially at fortress AvivaBack-three options thin on the ground for southern province, but forwards coach Andi Kyriacou bullish on replacementsWed May 10 2023 - 05:00
Munster refuse to rule Peter O’Mahony out of URC semi-final against LeinsterAndi Kyriacou said they will give their captain as much time as possible to recover from arm injuryTue May 09 2023 - 17:35
Caelan Doris back to his best in Leinster’s impressive victory over Sharks Hurt and pain driving province in dual hunt for trophiesTue May 09 2023 - 05:00
Terenure riding the crest of a wave but eager to build on AIL successThriving south Dublin club’s rivalry with former champions Clontarf is born out of respect and is mutually beneficialTue May 09 2023 - 05:00
Mack Hansen proud of his war wound and improved breakdown skillsWinger’s refreshingly irreverent sky-is-the-limit mindset typifies Connacht’s approachMon May 08 2023 - 21:16
Injured Munster quartet to miss URC semi-final against LeinsterMalakai Fekitoa, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and RG Snyman all ruled outMon May 08 2023 - 16:04
Andy Friend thrilled with Connacht’s win in Belfast but feels Dan McFarland’s pain‘That’s our third win in the five years I’ve been here, but it’s probably the most pleasing one’Mon May 08 2023 - 06:00
Sharks the latest to suffer as old wounds spur Leinster onDespite defeat and travel fatigue, Sharks coach believes URS is good for South African rugbyMon May 08 2023 - 05:00
AIL final: Terenure prove they can be heroes with a historic title win over ClontarfURC: Leinster increase Aviva capacity to 27,000 in anticipation of an epic semi-final showdown with MunsterMon May 08 2023 - 01:00
Leo Cullen admits concern over Healy knock but confident over Furlong and Ryan injuriesLeinster head coach admits to ‘tricky week’ in run-in to URC quarter-final against SharksSat May 06 2023 - 20:53
Leinster find little bite in Sharks’ challenge as they continue on hunt for the doubleLeo Cullen’s side march on to URC semi-finals and within three wins of finishing season with two trophiesSat May 06 2023 - 19:29
Andy Friend thrilled to add some extra time to Connacht stay after win over UlsterOutgoing head coach praises his side’s defensive effort after titanic struggle in BelfastSat May 06 2023 - 15:13
Clontarf and Terenue face off again in AIL final that could go either wayAll the evidence points to another fluctuating decider between the two best club sides in the countrySat May 06 2023 - 06:00
‘Joey Carbery is obviously a classy player . . . He’s going to bounce back next season’Former Munster outhalf Ian Keatley also believes Rowntree’s slow start at the helm is understandable, and warns of tough Glasgow clashSat May 06 2023 - 06:00
Fearless Connacht beat Ulster to reach URC semi-finalsSemi-final away to either the Stormers or the Bulls next weekend awaitsFri May 05 2023 - 21:55
Gerry Thornley: Extension of URC has already achieved its aimFor Leinster any URC title will be harder earned than the previous Pro14 five-in-rowFri May 05 2023 - 16:44
Clohessy means business as Terenure eye final bid for AIL glory Munster-born backrow relishing the opportunity of another tilt against champions Clontarf at the AvivaFri May 05 2023 - 06:00
New head coach on the horizon for Ireland women as IRFU and Greg McWilliams discuss futureThree Leinster players on five-man shortlist for EPCR Player of the Year awardWed May 03 2023 - 20:59
AIL success matters more than tries to Clontarf record-breaker Dylan Donnellan Clontarf’s Corinthian spirit appeals to the son of a Gaeilgeoir family, writes Gerry ThornleyWed May 03 2023 - 20:15
Gerry Thornley: Ireland Women’s woes came as no surprise, but green shoots can be seenAll is not lost after what was officially the worst Six Nations campaignTue May 02 2023 - 05:00
Clinical Leinster ruthlessly punish Toulouse’s indiscipline Conan back to his Lions best as Cullen’s men deservedly book their final place in styleMon May 01 2023 - 05:00
La Rochelle showdown a fitting final hurdle for LeinsterPrivately, this is the Aviva final Leo Cullen’s side would have wanted as they get the chance to avenge painful defeats to the French club in the last two seasonsMon May 01 2023 - 05:00
Leinster’s win over Toulouse ‘a bitter pill to swallow’, Ugo Mola admitsToulouse’s Antoine Dupont says semi-final scoreline leaves no room for argumentSun Apr 30 2023 - 19:06
Leo Cullen wants Leinster to ‘maximise everything in this window’ with Sharks next‘We talked about a five-week window. Now, it’s a four-week window left, we hope. At least we have three weeks to look forward to’Sat Apr 29 2023 - 19:32
Leinster make light work of Toulouse to book place in Champions Cup finalLeinster will face either La Rochelle or Exeter in the final of the 2023 Champion CupSat Apr 29 2023 - 17:39
Champions Cup: It’s no wonder Leinster have come to like their home from homeImpressive record at the Aviva includes four semi-finals out of four, including three against ToulouseSat Apr 29 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: Leo Cullen rightly wary of the huge threat Toulouse poseLeinster coach uncomfortable with the hype around his team as they face the might and tradition of Europe’s most successful clubFri Apr 28 2023 - 18:16
Leinster can shade Toulouse in what has the makings of an epic encounter Leinster v Toulouse: European rugby royalty face off as four-time winners host five-time winners at the Aviva StadiumFri Apr 28 2023 - 17:16
Leinster’s Robbie Henshaw to miss Toulouse clash but Josh van der Flier returnsIreland and Lions centre will be a major loss ahead of game against five-time European championsFri Apr 28 2023 - 12:24
Dan Sheehan leads Leinster’s voracious batch of players who want to make their own historyHugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien, Ross Byrne, Caelan Doris and Sheehan have all yet to win Champions CupFri Apr 28 2023 - 06:00
Trevor Brennan: ‘If Toulouse hadn’t qualified I’d be glued to the telly shouting for Leinster’His son Josh will miss Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final due to a concussionThu Apr 27 2023 - 05:00
Leinster v Toulouse will feature some of the finest exponents of the 50/22Fullback Hugo Keenan has quickly become a master of the artWed Apr 26 2023 - 06:00
Jordan Larmour set to start in place of the injured James Lowe against Toulouse Securing a top seeding and home advantage guarantees nothing according to Leo CullenTue Apr 25 2023 - 05:00
Gerry Thornley: Munster’s turnaround in South Africa also gives Connacht and Ulster a helping handSuccessful trip to South Africa proves the famed province’s old fire still burnsTue Apr 25 2023 - 05:00
URC confirm dates and kick-off times for next month’s quarter-finals Ulster will host Connacht in the first of the upcoming quarter-finalsMon Apr 24 2023 - 14:42
Gerry Thornley: Andy Friend has played his part as Connacht continue to defy the odds out westProvince have enjoyed their most consistently competitive period ever under the outgoing director of rugbyTue Apr 18 2023 - 06:00
Seán O’Brien hails Leinster’s appointment of Jacques Nienaber as a masterstrokeThis week, O’Brien has effectively been elevated to the role of stand-in head coachTue Apr 18 2023 - 05:00
Rhys Ruddock ruled out of Leinster’s clash with the Bulls with hamstring injuryVakhtang Abdaladze will be assessed ahead of final URC regular season game due to neck injuryMon Apr 17 2023 - 14:48