Cork Con’s Matthew Bowen: ‘There’s a bit of pressure on you representing a big club with huge history’ Last year he helped Terenure win the All-Ireland League. On Sunday he aims to stop them retaining the title and bring it back to Cork intseadFri Apr 26 2024 - 06:00
Women’s rugby: Ireland-Scotland Six Nations finale could effectively become World Cup qualifier Latest instalment of the old firm fixture affords opportunity for women in green to finish this tournament on a highThu Apr 25 2024 - 06:00
Conor Phillips relishing AIL journey with Terenure after Munster dream endsWinger says departure from province after nearly three years was ‘fairly soul-destroying’ but ‘there’s no bad blood’Thu Apr 25 2024 - 06:00
Cork Con’s James Taylor: ‘To win the AIL would cap everything off in my rugby-playing career so far’The influential Cork Constitution outhalf looks forward to Sunday’s All-Ireland League final against Terenure and discusses the path he has taken, and one road he did not go downWed Apr 24 2024 - 06:00
‘We will do our darndest to win it’: Ireland one victory away from achieving pre-tournament goalTriumph over Scotland in final Six Nations game would secure a third-place finish and direct qualification for the World CupWed Apr 24 2024 - 06:00
Brilliant win over Bulls suggests Munster fans need to raise their game at Thomond A long-term successor to Conor Murray and Jamison Gibson-Park may be emerging in ConnachtTue Apr 23 2024 - 06:00
Struggles in South Africa complicate Leinster’s run-inLeo Cullen says injured trio may be fit in time for Champions Cup showdown with NorthamptonTue Apr 23 2024 - 06:00
Terenure and Cork Con prevail to set up AIL final showdown Defending champions beat Lansdowne at Lakelands while Cork Con work past Clontarf at homeSun Apr 21 2024 - 15:42
Jordie Barrett’s signing is a compliment - Leinster and Ireland garner more intrigue than ever before It’s hard to think of a week when the province flexed their collective muscle to the extent they could announce signings, new coaches and a new home venueSat Apr 20 2024 - 06:00
All Ireland League season: Crunch semi-final day across all five divisions Interlopers Terenure ready to roll with Cork Con, Clontarf and Lansdowne all back in the final-four mixFri Apr 19 2024 - 21:22
Gerry Thornley: Munster’s coffers would benefit from a rare home knockout tie Province hasn’t hosted a playoff game in Thomond Park in either the URC or Champions Cup since the European tie two seasons ago against ExeterFri Apr 19 2024 - 18:59
Six Nations: Improving Ireland face toughest test of Bemand era away to EnglandWith Aoife Wafer making hay out wide, other carriers delivering and Aoibheann Riley maintaining a high tempo, Ireland have shown an attacking identityFri Apr 19 2024 - 16:21
Croke Park sold out for Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final against NorthamptonAverage ticket prices for the match at GAA HQ were €10 lower than Leinster’s clash with Toulouse in last year’s semi-finalFri Apr 19 2024 - 14:45
Liam Turner determined to seize chance to shine for Leinster in South AfricaThe versatile player says he hopes performances against the Lions and Stormers will ‘create headaches for the selectors’Fri Apr 19 2024 - 06:00
Blue bloods: IRFU ‘national’ contract system will continue to load the dice in Leinster’s favourLeinster are set to have 10 players on Ireland central contracts next season with just three from the other provinces on national dealsWed Apr 17 2024 - 06:00
Leinster fans savouring prospect of RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett in blueProvince targeting two wins on South African tour before return for Champions Cup semi-final against NorthamptonTue Apr 16 2024 - 06:00
Ronan O’Gara’s role as pantomime villain added further fuel to Leinster fireRouting of La Rochelle a huge vindication for Leinster coach Leo Cullen’s selection strategyTue Apr 16 2024 - 06:00
Jordie Barrett will join Leinster on short-term contract next DecemberAll Blacks utility back keen to return to Ireland where he spent 18 months in his formative yearsMon Apr 15 2024 - 21:35
Leinster v Northampton tickets: ECPR lower prices for Croke Park semi-finalTickets for Champions Cup game against Northampton an average of €10 lower than last yearMon Apr 15 2024 - 17:47
Dan Sheehan signs new two-year contract with IRFU‘I am delighted to commit my future to Leinster and continue my playing career in Ireland,’ says hookerMon Apr 15 2024 - 12:45
Prolific Ross Byrne adds lustre to Leinster points tally against vanquished La Rochelle ‘They’re very important moments … it’s pretty swirly in the Aviva. Thankfully they went over today’Mon Apr 15 2024 - 06:00
Super Leinster prove impervious to Kryptonite as they hit La Rochelle where it hurtsJacques Nienaber effect kicks in as Leinster find their defensive edge - and sharpen their attack before a fully engaged 51,700 crowd at the Aviva StadiumMon Apr 15 2024 - 06:00
Leinster v Northampton: Don’t ‘rip people off’ with semi-final tickets, Cullen says ‘Hopefully EPCR price the tickets appropriately for an 82,000 venue because you want a big crowd, don’t you’Mon Apr 15 2024 - 06:00
Leinster end La Rochelle’s three-in-a-row hopes in stunning fashionLeo Cullen’s side book semi-final date at Croke Park against Northampton after victory over defending championsSun Apr 14 2024 - 13:07
‘We didn’t hit our stride’: Ronan O’Gara disappointed by La Rochelle performanceLeo Cullen desperately hoping a huge home crowd will be drawn to Croke Park in three weeks’ timeSat Apr 13 2024 - 22:14
La Rochelle never panic but their up-and-down form gives Leinster reason to believe Jacques Nienaber could help concoct a plan for Leinster to finally oust Ronan O’Gara’s team from the Champions Cup when the sides renew their rivalry on SaturdaySat Apr 13 2024 - 06:00
If Leinster are to win ‘they will have to go through us’, say La RochelleHome advantage and Jacques Nienaber factor may swing Champions Cup tie home side’s way in a likely titanic tussleSat Apr 13 2024 - 06:00
Ronan O’Gara: ‘Our mentality is good, but we have to be better at our rugby’La Rochelle head coach hopes trip to Cork will galvanise his team into finding their best performanceSat Apr 13 2024 - 01:00
Gerry Thornley: Champions Cup quarter-finals tend to produce best rugby and dramaLeinster-La Rochelle looking like most competitive game, with home teams heavy favouritesFri Apr 12 2024 - 16:08
Leinster opt for Will Connors over Josh van der Flier ahead of quarter-final date with La Rochelle Leo Cullen makes two changes to the starting XV which beat Leicester Tigers in last weekend’s round of 16 victoryFri Apr 12 2024 - 15:17
Robbie Henshaw: ‘It is an obsession. We are not shy about saying what we want to achieve’ The Leinster player explains how his team hope to beat their bête noire, La Rochelle, on Saturday and close in on the Champions Cup success they craveFri Apr 12 2024 - 06:00
Scrumhalf Matthew Devine signs first professional contract with ConnachtDevine will become a senior squad player after completing his second season win Connacht’s academy in the summerThu Apr 11 2024 - 15:10
Van der Flier has endured his share of grief at the hands of La RochelleLeinster openside lost only two games last season, but loss to La Rochelle hit hardWed Apr 10 2024 - 06:00
Jacques Nienaber aims to bring South African knockout secrets to Leinster’s formulaRugby World Cup-winning coach is planning for accuracy in execution against La RochelleTue Apr 09 2024 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: La Rochelle’s ability to rise to big occasion there for all to seeFacing Leinster at the Aviva will hold no fears for O’Gara’s La Rochelle after the champions recorded their 10th successive knock-out Champions Cup win by defeating Stormers in Cape TownTue Apr 09 2024 - 06:00
Munster’s European exit could well be the end of an era with a number of players facing uncertain futures Ulster and Connacht gain impressive wins to advance in Challenge CupMon Apr 08 2024 - 06:00
Leinster to face La Rochelle in Champions Cup quarter-final next Saturday at the AvivaTickets have gone on sale for rematch of last year’s final, with game to be screened live on RTÉSun Apr 07 2024 - 17:45
No sick note excuses as Munster take European exit ‘on the chin’ Graham Rowntree and captain Tadhg Beirne don’t blame defeat to Northampton on bug in the campSun Apr 07 2024 - 16:11
Munster run out of gas as Northampton keep foot down to make quarter-finalsIrish side’s challenge falls away following stirring first half at Franklin’s GardensSun Apr 07 2024 - 15:17
All-Ireland League round-up: Terenure and Cork Con seal home semi-finalsLansdowne and Clontarf also make the Division 1A playoffs; full list of promotion/relegation playoff semi-finalsSun Apr 07 2024 - 12:33
Northampton favourites to progress but Munster capable of derailing opponentsSimon Zebo and RG Snyman return for Irish province while experienced Tom Ahern and Conor Murray fill out the benchSun Apr 07 2024 - 11:09
Conor Murray: ‘No hiding from the abuse’ after Six Nations defeat to EnglandMunster scrumhalf was criticised for kicking to touch in the end game of the defeat, a decision which he said he would come to againSat Apr 06 2024 - 06:00
All-Ireland League: Terenure look to make it 12 in a row to secure third home semi-final in succession Little to separate the top squads in Division 1A, and while first place has been secured in other four divisions, playoffs are unresolvedFri Apr 05 2024 - 21:39
Gerry Thornley: Results can often defy logic in the Champions CupUp-and-down form guides make forecasting this weekend’s eight ties fiendishly difficultFri Apr 05 2024 - 19:35
Gavin Coombes energised by the tough task facing Munster Ever-present Gavin Coombes believes Munster will draw on their rich heritage in Europe’s premier competition when they visit Premiership leaders NorthamptonFri Apr 05 2024 - 06:00
Denis Leamy confident Munster will relish Northampton assignment RG Snyman’s availability a timely boost for Munster as they brace themselves for Champions Cup visit to Premiership leaders NorthamptonThu Apr 04 2024 - 06:00
RG Snyman set to be fit for Munster’s game against NorthamptonDenis Leamy not so optimistic about Calvin Nash's availability for Champions Cup last 16 matchWed Apr 03 2024 - 17:40
South African prop Steven Kitshoff set to leave Ulster at the end of the seasonThe 32-year-old double World Cup winner was initially signed on a three-year deal but will leave after oneTue Apr 02 2024 - 13:17
Irish provinces face tricky paths to glory as European competitions returnSecuring home advantage could pay off for Leinster, while Munster, Ulster and Connacht all face daunting away assignmentsTue Apr 02 2024 - 06:00
AIL Round-up: Terenure defeat Clontarf to close in on home semi-final spotNenagh Ormond, Instonians and Clogher Valley seal divisional titles on a hectic day of club action in the All Ireland LeagueSun Mar 31 2024 - 18:27
