The 2024-25 rugby season
Saturday, September 14th
Women’s IRFU 150-Year Anniversary Match: Ireland v Australia, Kingspan Stadium (2.30pm).
Friday, September 20th
URC, Round 1: Cardiff v Zebre Parma, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm); Edinburgh v Leinster, Hive Stadium (7.35pm).
The Counter Ruck: the rugby newsletter from The Irish Times
‘We’re trying to be more clinical and accurate': Bundee Aki turns attention to Scotland
Scotland v Ireland: Sam Prendergast set to retain place at outhalf with changes to be kept to a minimum
Ireland under-20s make three changes to starting team for Scotland clash
Saturday, September 21st
URC, Round 1: Hollywoodbets Sharks v Emirates Lions, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (3.45pm local time/2.45pm Irish time); Dragons v Ospreys, Rodney Parade (4pm local time/3pm Irish); DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls, (TBC January); Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park (5.30pm); Benetton v Scarlets, Stadio Monigo (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish); Ulster v Glasgow Warriors, Kingspan Stadium (7.45pm).
Friday, September 27th
URC, Round 2: Glasgow Warriors v Benetton, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm); Leinster v Dragons, Aviva Stadium (7.35pm).
Saturday, September 28th
URC, Round 2: Emirates Lions v Ulster, Emirates Airline Park (12.55pm local time/11.55am Irish); Vodacom Bulls v Edinburgh, Loftus Versfeld (3pm local time/2pm Irish); Zebre Parma v Munster, Stadio Lanfranchi (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Scarlets v Cardiff, Parc Y Scarlets (5.15pm); Connacht v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm); Ospreys v DHL Stormers, Dunraven Brewery Field (7.35pm).
Sunday, September 29th
WXV 1: USA v England, BC Place, Vancouver (12.30pm local time/8.30pm Irish time); Canada v France, BC Place, Vancouver (3.45pm local time/11.45pm Irish); New Zealand v Ireland, BC Place, Vancouver (7pm local time/3am Irish).
![England captain Marlie Packer and the team celebrate after winning the 2023 WXV1 title after beating New Zealand. Photo: Dave Rowland/Getty Images](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LUQDAGJ656YA4JKGPWFT6LZXWY.jpg?auth=9ca015b54edd2361fab00eb8fd144f7e42b87fb5b098405053534be9b398b2f7&width=800&height=533)
Wednesday, October 2nd
Tour match: The Pumas v Emerging Ireland, Bloemfontein (KO TBC).
Friday, October 4th
URC, Round 3: Scarlets v Connacht, Parc Y Scarlets (7.35pm); Cardiff v Glasgow Warriors, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm).
Saturday, October 5th
URC, Round 3: Emirates Lions v Edinburgh, Emirates Airline Park (1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Vodacom Bulls v Ulster, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Benetton v Leinster, Stadio Monigo(6.15pm local time/5.15pm Irish); Dragons v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Rodney Parade (5.15pm); Munster v Ospreys, Virgin Media Park (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v DHL Stormers, Stadio Lanfranchi (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish).
WXV 1: USA v France, Langley (12.30pm local time/8.30pm Irish); Canada v Ireland, Langley (3.45pm local time/11.45pm Irish).
[ Lions intrigue and lingering heartache make Ireland-England the standout match of the campaign ahead ]
Sunday, October 6th
WXV 1: New Zealand v England, Langley (1pm local time/9pm Irish).
Tour match: Western Force v Emerging Ireland, Bloemfontein (KO TBC).
Wednesday, October 9th
Tour match: The Cheetahs v Emerging Ireland, Bloemfontein (KO TBC).
Friday, October 11th
WXV 1: USA v Ireland, BC Place, Vancouver (12.30pm local time/8.30pm Irish).
URC, Round 4: Glasgow Warriors v Zebre Parma, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm).
![Bautista Stavile Bravin scores a try for Zebre in their 9-40 defeat to Glasgow Warriors in last season's URC. Photograph: Craig Watson/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/EN46PUWBNJGDPO736RWMXZ6MGU.jpg?auth=77c50031f00370e56993959b2069a2dc83feca546276814fc01f5e5ff81c2022&width=800&height=566)
Saturday, October 12th
WXV 1: New Zealand v France, BC Place, Vancouver (3.45pm local time/11.45pm Irish); Canada v England, BC Place, Vancouver (7pm local time/3am Irish).
URC, Round 4: Benetton v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stadio Monigo (4pm local tome/3pm Irish); Cardiff v Scarlets, Cardiff Arms Park (3pm); Edinburgh v DHL Stormers, Hive Stadium (5.15pm); Leinster v Munster, Croke Park (5.45pm); Ospreys v Vodacom Bulls, Swansea.com Stadium (7.35pm);
Ulster v Connacht, Kingspan Stadium (8pm).
Sunday, October 13th
URC, Round 4: Dragons v Emirates Lions, Rodney Parade (2.30pm).
Friday, October 18th
URC, Round 5: Scarlets v Vodacom Bulls, Parc Y Scarlets (7.35pm); Ulster v Ospreys, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm).
Saturday, October 19th
URC, Round 5: Zebre Parma v Emirates Lions, Stadio Lanfranchi (1.30pm local time/12.30pm Irish); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Glasgow Warriors, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (3.45pm local time/2.45pm Irish); DHL Stormers v Munster, DHL Stadium (6pm local time/5pm Irish)); Edinburgh v Cardiff, Hive Stadium (5.15pm); Connacht v Leinster, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm); Dragons v Benetton, Rodney Parade (7.35pm).
![Munster will travel to Cape Town to play DHL Stormers in round 5 of the URC. Photograph: Steve Haag Sports/Thinus Maritz/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/NVA73LZTSNHSXIXWIA5DCTSNIM.jpg?auth=ed5fbdcbbf53e0f4d94a9a5d10b87c6ea1e35aef662fb028fe6424b3774e5937&width=800&height=510)
Friday, October 25th
URC, Round 6: Scarlets v Zebre Parma, Parc Y Scarlets (7.35pm); Benetton v Vodacom Bulls, Stadio Monigo (7.35pm).
Saturday, October 26th
URC, Round 6: DHL Stormers v Glasgow Warriors, Danie Craven Stadium (1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Ospreys v Edinburgh, Dunraven Brewery Field (3pm); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Munster, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (3pm); Leinster v Emirates Lions, Aviva Stadium (5.15pm); Connacht v Dragons, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm); Cardiff v Ulster, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm).
Saturday, November 2nd
Autumn Nations Series: England v New Zealand, Twickenham (3.10pm); Scotland v Fiji, Murrayfield (5.40pm).
Friday, November 8th
Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium (8.10pm).
Saturday, November 9th
Autumn Nations Series: England v Australia, Twickenham (3.10pm); Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, Udine (6.40pm local time/5.40pm Irish); France v Japan, Stade de France (9.10pm local time/8.10pm Irish).
Sunday, November 10th
Autumn Nations Series: Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, (1.40pm). Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield (4.10pm).
![Ireland last welcomes Argentina to Dublin as part of the 2021 Autumn Internationals, beating Los Pumas 53-7. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/PEZOMUXYGRCU5JFQGXTS4JFJJY.jpg?auth=c85517970e5943086aa5593fd56887a665550b584004e161112ab81124e0bbdb&width=800&height=471)
Friday, November 15th
Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium Dublin (8.10pm).
Saturday, November 16th
Autumn Nations Series: Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield (3.10pm). England v South Africa, Twickenham (5.40pm). France v New Zealand, Stade de France (9.10pm local/8.10pm Irish).
Sunday, November 17th
Autumn Nations Series: Italy v Georgia, venue TBC (2.40pm local time/1.40pm Irish). Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium (4.10pm).
Friday, November 22nd
Autumn Nations Series: France v Argentina, Stade de France (9.10pm local time/8.10pm Irish).
Saturday, November 23rd
Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium (3.10pm). Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium (5.40pm). Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin (9.10pm local/8.10pm Irish).
Sunday, November 24th
Autumn Nations Series: Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield Stadium, (1.40pm). England v Japan, Twickenham (4.10pm).
Friday, November 29th
URC, Round 7: Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm); Ulster v Leinster, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm).
![Leinster lock Joe McCarthy made his debut for Ireland when Australia last visited the Aviva as part of the 2022 Autumn Internationals. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LZXQKWA7TVHOXG7H5HOXHZEWOM.jpg?auth=eeb46b65429aa77d66894bdbe92c5a8819b09dd1fefa8b81d2208d45558aa926&width=800&height=556)
Saturday, November 30th
Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium (3.10pm).
URC, Round 7: Hollywoodbets Sharks v DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (5pm local time/3pm); Cardiff v Dragons, Cardiff Arms Park (5.15pm); Connacht v Vodacom Bulls, Dexcom Stadium (5.30pm); Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v Ospreys, Stadio Lanfranchi (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish); Edinburgh v Benetton, Hive Stadium (7.35pm).
Friday, December 6th
Champions Cup: Round 1: Bath v Stade Rochelais, The Rec (8pm).
Saturday, December 7th
Champions Cup, Round 1: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Benetton, Stade Marcel-Michelin (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Exeter Chiefs, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (3pm local time/1pm Irish); Northampton Saints v Castres Olympique, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens (3.15pm); DHL Stormers v RC Toulon, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Munster v Stade Francais Paris, Thomond Park (5.30pm); Saracens v Vodacom Bulls, StoneX Stadium (5.30pm); Glasgow Warriors v Sale Sharks, Scotstoun Stadium (8pm); Racing 92 v Harlequins, venue TBC (9pm local time/8pm Irish).
Challenge Cup, Round 1: Connacht v Zebre Parma, Dexcom Stadium (8pm).
Sunday, December 8th
Champions Cup, Round 1: Union Bordeaux-Bègles v Leicester Tigers, Stade Chaban-Delmas (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Stade Toulousain v Ulster, Stade Ernest Wallon (4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Bristol Bears v Leinster, Ashton Gate (5.30pm).
Friday, December 13th
Champions Cup, Round 2: Sale Sharks v Racing 92, Salford Community Stadium (8pm); Castres Olympique v Munster, Stade Pierre-Fabre (9pm local time/8pm Irish).
Saturday, December 14th
Champions Cup, Round 2: Vodacom Bulls v Northampton Saints, Loftus Versfeld (3pm local time/1pm Irish). Ulster v Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Kingspan Stadium (3.15pm). Leinster v ASM Clermont Auvergne, Aviva Stadium (5.30pm). Leicester Tigers v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Welford Road (5.30pm); Stade Rochelais v Bristol Bears, Stade Marcel Deflandre (9pm local time/8pm Irish); Harlequins v DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop (8pm).
Sunday, December 15th
Champions Cup, Round 2: RC Toulon v Glasgow Warriors, Stade Felix Mayol (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Benetton v Bath, Stadio Monigo (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Stade Francais Paris v Saracens, Stade Jean Bouin (4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Exeter Chiefs v Stade Toulousain, Sandy Park (5.30pm).
Challenge Cup, Round 2: Perpignan v Connacht, Stade Aime Giral (2pm local time/1pm Irish).
![Munster's Billy Burns will face his old province when they go to Belfast to meet Ulster in the eighth round of the URC. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/GAAUP4VTTKFM3JXKHEK6E5BMNA.jpg?auth=4e650fec7c8307b4e173240373c3d2f2ad23caf5c08c8bce90fb6449936d0a6c&width=800&height=533)
Friday, December 20th
URC, Round 8: Ulster v Munster, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm).
Saturday, December 21st
URC, Round 8: Benetton v Zebre Parma, Stadio Monigo (2pm local time/1pm Irish); DHL Stormers v Emirates Lions, DHL Stadium (3.45pm local time/1.45pm Irish); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (6pm local time/4pm Irish); Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh, Scotstoun Stadium (5.15pm); Ospreys v Scarlets, Swansea.com Stadium (5.15pm); Leinster v Connacht, Aviva Stadium (5.30pm).
Thursday, December 26th
URC, Round 8: Dragons v Cardiff, Rodney Parade (5.15pm).
Friday, December 27th
URC, Round 9: Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park (7.35pm).
Saturday, December 28th
URC, Round 9: DHL Stormers v Hollywoodbets Sharks, DHL Stadium (5pm local time/3pm Irish); Zebre Parma v Benetton, Stadio Lanfranchi (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors, Murrayfield (3pm); Connacht v Ulster, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm).
Wednesday, January 1st
URC, Round 9: Cardiff v Ospreys, Cardiff Arms Park (3pm); Scarlets v Dragons, Parc Y Scarlets (5.15pm).
Saturday, January 4th
Bateman Cup final.
Friday, January 10th
Champions Cup, Round 3: Glasgow Warriors v Racing 92, Scotstoun Stadium (8pm).
Saturday, January 11th
Champions Cup, Round 3: DHL Stormers v Sale Sharks, DHL Stadium (3pm local time/1pm Irish); Exeter Chiefs v Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sandy Park (3.15pm); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Stade Toulousain, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (5.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park (5.30pm); Stade Francais Paris v Northampton Saints, Stade Jean Bouin (6.30pm local time/5.30pm Irish); Leicester Tigers v Ulster, Welford Road (8pm); Castres Olympique v Vodacom Bulls, Stade Pierre-Fabre (9pm local time/8pm).
Challenge Cup, Round 3: Connacht v Lyon, Dexcom Stadium (8pm).
Sunday, January 12th
Champions Cup, Round 3: RC Toulon v Harlequins, Stade Felix Mayol (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Stade Rochelais v Leinster, Stade Marcel Deflandre (4.15pm local/3.15pm Irish time); Bristol Bears v Benetton, Ashton Gate (3.15pm); Bath v ASM Clermont Auvergne, The Rec (5.30pm).
Friday, January 17th
Champions Cup, Round 4: Ulster v Exeter Chiefs, Kingspan Stadium (8pm).
Challenge Cup, Round 4: Cardiff v Connacht, Cardiff Arms Park (8pm).
Saturday, January 18th
Champions Cup, Round 4: Vodacom Bulls v Stade Francais Paris, Loftus Versfeld (3pm local time/1pm Irish); Northampton Saints v Munster, Franklin’s Gardens (3.15pm); ASM Clermont Auvergne v Bristol Bears, Stade Marcel-Michelin (4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Benetton v Stade Rochelais, Stadio Monigo (6.30pm local time/5.30pm Irish); Leinster v Bath, Aviva Stadium (5.30pm); Harlequins v Glasgow Warriors, Twickenham Stoop (8pm); Racing 92 v DHL Stormers, venue TBC (9pm local time/8pm Irish).
Friday, January 24th
URC, Round 10: Glasgow Warriors v Connacht, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm); Ospreys v Benetton, Swansea.com Stadium (7.35pm).
Saturday, January 25th
URC, Round 10: Emirates Lions v Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Airline Park (2.45pm local tome/12.45 Irish); Scarlets v Edinburgh, Parc Y Scarlets (3pm); Leinster v DHL Stormers, Aviva Stadium (5pm); Cardiff v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Cardiff Arms Park (5.15pm); Dragons v Munster, Rodney Parade (7.35pm).
Sunday, January 26th
URC, Round 10: Ulster v Zebre Parma, Kingspan Stadium (5.30pm).
Sunday, January 19th
Champions Cup, Round 4: Union Bordeaux-Bègles v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stade Chaban-Delmas (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Saracens v Castres Olympique, StoneX Stadium (3.15pm); Stade Toulousain v Leicester Tigers, Stade Ernest Wallon (4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Sale Sharks v RC Toulon, Salford Community Stadium (5.30pm).
Thursday, January 30th:
Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland v England (7.45pm).
Friday, January 31st
Six Nations: France v Wales, Stade de France (9.15pm local time/8.15pm Irish time).
![Ireland's only loss of the 2024 Six Nations came against England at Twickenham. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DNDZS2APHVAZZAPHGSCUODKL6Y.jpg?auth=e5a2153752dc0ce080c519627872e878651c560208d0e73a0696fcd6b2a41bec&width=800&height=535)
Saturday, February 1st
Six Nations: Scotland v Italy, Murrayfield (2.15pm). Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium (4.45pm).
Saturday, February 8th
Six Nations: Italy v Wales, Stadio Olimpico (3.15pm local time/2.15pm Irish). England v France, Twickenham (4.45pm).
Under-20 Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland (7.45pm).
Sunday, February 9th
Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield (3pm).
Friday, February 14th
URC, Round 11: Edinburgh v Zebre Parma, Hive Stadium (7.35pm); Ospreys v Leinster, Swansea.com Stadium (7.35pm).
Saturday, February 15th
URC, Round 11: Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers, Emirates Airline Park (2.30pm local time/12.30pm); Vodacom Bulls v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (5pm local time/3pm Irish); Benetton v Ulster, Stadio Monigo (5.15pm); Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park (5.15pm); Connacht v Cardiff, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm).
Sunday, February 16th
URC, Round 11: Dragons v Glasgow Warriors, Rodney Parade (2pm).
Friday, February 21st
Under-20 Six Nations: Wales v Ireland (7.45pm).
Saturday, February 22nd
Six Nations: Wales v Ireland, Principality Stadium (2.15pm). England v Scotland, Twickenham (4.45pm).
URC, Round 9: Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (2pm local time/12pm Irish).
Sunday, February 23rd
Six Nations: Italy v France, Stadio Olimpico (4pm local time/3pm Irish).
Friday, February 28th
URC, Round 12: Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v Dragons, Stadio Lanfranchi (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish).
![Ireland U20s were runners-up to England in the 2024 U20s Six Nations. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/J3QFO6VFJRDS7JDLI5WFVJM3RM.jpg?auth=95db293c35edac5b50781582790dfc039a45e57e74e39b9417bfa59278c16768&width=800&height=533)
Saturday, March 1st
URC, Round 12: Emirates Lions v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Emirates Airline Park (2.30pm local time/12.30pm Irish); Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (5pm local time/3pm Irish); Leinster v Cardiff, Aviva Stadium (3pm); Ulster v Scarlets, Kingspan Stadium (5.15pm); Connacht v Benetton, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm); Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm).
Friday, March 7th
Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland v France, Virgin Media Park (8pm).
Saturday, March 8th
Six Nations: Ireland v France, Aviva Stadium (2.15pm). Scotland v Wales, Murrayfield (4.45pm).
Sunday, March 9th
Six Nations: England v Italy, Twickenham (3pm).
Friday, March 14th
Under-20 Six Nations: Italy v Ireland (8.45pm local time/7.45pm Irish).
Saturday, March 15th
Six Nations: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Olimpico (3.15pm local time/2.15pm Irish). Wales v England, Principality Stadium (4.45pm). France v Scotland, Stade de France (8pm).
Friday, March 21st
URC, Round 13: Cardiff v Emirates Lions, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm); Glasgow Warriors v Munster, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm).
Saturday, March 22nd
URC, Round 13: Hollywoodbets Sharks v Zebre Parma, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (2.45pm local time/12.45pm local time); Benetton v Edinburgh, Stadio Monigo (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Vodacom Bulls v Leinster, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (5pm local time/3pm Irish); Dragons v Ulster, Rodney Parade (5.15pm); Ospreys v Connacht, Swansea.com Stadium (5.15pm); Scarlets v DHL Stormers, Parc Y Scarlets (7.35pm).
![England claimed their sixth successive title in winning the 2024 Women's Six Nations. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/O2U6W7CRRZFIZEDML47K322HV4.jpg?auth=080bb05e68f400a94785bece016dbe0eb6bbe25f9d6c09d13beaad0173fe58d2&width=800&height=517)
Saturday, March 22nd
Women’s Six Nations: Ireland v France (1pm); Scotland vs Wales (4.45pm)
Sunday, March 23rd
Women’s Six Nations: England vs Italy (3pm).
Friday, March 28th
URC, Round 14: Ulster v DHL Stormers, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm); Edinburgh v Dragons, Hive Stadium (7.35pm).
Saturday, March 29th
Women’s Six Nations: France vs Scotland (1pm); England vs Wales (4.45pm).
URC, Round 14: Vodacom Bulls v Zebre Parma, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (2.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Connacht v Munster, Dexcom Stadium (2.30pm); Scarlets v Ospreys, Parc Y Scarlets (3pm); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Leinster, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (7.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Benetton v Cardiff, Stadio Monigo (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish); Glasgow Warriors v Emirates Lions, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm).
Sunday, March 30th
Women’s Six Nations: Italy v Ireland (3pm).
Fri/Sat/Sun, April 4/5/6
Champions Cup, Round of 16. Challenge Cup, round of 16.
Fri/Sat/Sun, April 11/12/13
Champions Cup, Quarter Finals. Challenge Cup, quarter-finals.
Saturday, April 12th
Women’s Six Nations: France v Wales (1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Ireland v England (4.45pm).
Sunday, April 13th
Women’s Six Nations: Scotland v Italy (3pm).
Friday, April 18th
URC, Round 15: Edinburgh v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Hive Stadium (7.35pm).
![Fiona Tuite celebrates after the final whistle in Ireland's 36-5 win over Wales at Musgrave Park in the 2024 Women's Six Nations. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/SJW24DI3HJHYHAEOIAWAGHAWOY.jpg?auth=c0eeaffbddc0235fea7112dd48360f267318a5600b6c79ab17f373d6bf12b0f5&width=800&height=533)
Saturday, April 19th
Women’s Six Nations: Italy v France (2pm local time/1pm Irish); England v Scotland (4.45pm).
URC, Round 15: Emirates Lions v Benetton, Emirates Airline Park (1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Ospreys v Cardiff, Principality Stadium (3pm); DHL Stormers v Connacht, DHL Stadium (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Munster v Vodacom Bulls, Thomond Park (5.15pm); Dragons v Scarlets, Principality Stadium (5.30pm); Leinster v Ulster, Aviva Stadium (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v Glasgow Warriors, Stadio Lanfranchi (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish).
Sunday, April 20th
Women’s Six Nations: Wales v Ireland (3pm).
Friday, April 25th
URC, Round 16: Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm); Cardiff v Munster, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm).
Saturday, April 26th
Women’s Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland (12.15pm); Italy v Wales (3.30pm local time/2.30pm Irish); England v France (4.45pm).
URC, Round 16: Emirates Lions v Connacht, Emirates Airline Park (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Ospreys v Dragons, Swansea.com Stadium (3pm); DHL Stormers v Benetton, DHL Stadium (6.15pm local time/5.15 Irish); Scarlets v Leinster, Parc y Scarlets (5.15pm); Ulster v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v Edinburgh, Stadio Lanfranchi (7.35pm).
Saturday, April 26th
Women’s Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland (12.15pm); Italy v Wales (3.30pm local time/2.30pm Irish); England v France (4.45pm).
Sunday, April 27th
All-Ireland League women’s and men’s finals, Aviva Stadium.
Fri/Sat/Sun, May 2nd/3rd/4th
Champions Cup, semi-finals.
![Connacht are aiming for a top-eight finish in the URC after finishing 11th last season. Photograph: Craig Watson/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4EB2YAIBFZB73FGFLAPCXVHBLI.jpg?auth=9fcb729abff70dd1f50187b11efc3733064411356ecbe2a041c90a727adde44b&width=800&height=519)
Friday, May 9th
URC, Round 17: Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ospreys, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (7pm local time/6pm Irish); Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park (7.35pm).
Saturday, May 10th
URC, Round 17: Vodacom Bulls v Cardiff, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (4pm local time/3pm Irish); DHL Stormers v Dragons, DHL Stadium (6.15pm local time/5.15pm Irish); Leinster v Zebre Parma, Aviva Stadium (5.15pm); Benetton v Glasgow Warriors, Stadio Monigo (6.15pm local time/5.15pm Irish); Connacht v Edinburgh, Dexcom Stadium (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish).
Sunday, May 11th
URC, Round 17: Emirates Lions v Scarlets, Emirates Airline Park (3pm local time/2pm Irish).
Friday, May 16th
URC, Round 18: DHL Stormers v Cardiff, DHL Stadium (7pm local time/6pm Irish); Edinburgh v Ulster, Hive Stadium (7.35pm); Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park (8pm).
Saturday, May 17th
URC, Round 18: Vodacom Bulls v Dragons, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (3pm local time/2pm Irish); Emirates Lions v Ospreys, Emirates Airline Park (5.15pm local time/4.15pm Irish); Zebre Parma v Connacht, Stadio Lanfranchi (6pm local time/5pm Irish); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Scarlets, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (7.30pm local time/6.30pm Irish); Leinster v Glasgow Warriors, Aviva Stadium (7.35pm).
Friday, May 23rd
Challenge Cup final: Principality Stadium, Cardiff.
Saturday, May 24th
Champions Cup final: Principality Stadium, Cardiff.
Fri/Sat/Sun, May 30th/31st/June 1st
URC quarter-finals.
Fri/Sat/Sun, June 6th/7th/8th
URC semi-finals.
Saturday, June 14th
URC final (3pm).
![Andy Farrell will serve as head coach of the British & Irish Lions for their 2025 Tour to Australia. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/WT7NWX73ZAVOHPH4WFRWQMPELE.jpg?auth=3ebcf58997ee1e1202960cd1263abb3d10dab62ed4d039a0eda7551cfad7a279&width=800&height=563)
Friday, June 20th
Tour warm-up: British & Irish Lions v Argentina, Aviva Stadium.
Saturday, June 28th
v Western Force, Perth.
Wednesday, July 2nd
v Queensland Reds, Brisbane.
Saturday, July 5th
v NSW Waratahs, Sydney.
Wednesday, July 9th
v ACT Brumbies, Canberra.
Saturday, July 12th
v Invitational AU-NZ, Adelaide.
Saturday, July 19th
v Australia (first Test), Brisbane.
Wednesday, July 22nd
v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne.
Saturday, July 26th
v Australia (second Test), Melbourne.
Saturday, August 2nd
v Australia (third Test), Sydney.