Gordon D’Arcy: Andy Friend would do incredibly well as the next Ireland coach

Since taking over at Connacht the coach has created a really stable period of club rugby

Gerry Thornley: repercussions of captain’s challenge need to be considered

While red card replacement should be scrapped jury remains out on challenge trial

Hugo Keenan keeps himself in Lions frame as ruthless Leinster cut loose

Fullback grabs hat-trick of tries in impressive display as Connacht are overwhelmed

Leinster back to their best to obliterate Connacht

The visitors crossed the whitewash five times in the opening 40 minutes in Galway

Connacht give up 21-point half time lead as Scarlets claim Champions Cup spot

Andy Friend’s side lose out on chance of first win at Parc y Scarlets

Connacht mix things up for visit of Edinburgh

Cian Prendergast and centre Sean O’Brien are both handed their first starts

Contract future still unclear for many of Ireland’s rugby pros

Munster’s Billy Holland among those still unsure what will happen in the summer

Ospreys come from behind as Connacht’s home woes continue

Andy Friend’s side lose a fourth-consecutive fixture in Galway as Rhys Webb impresses

Jack is back: Carty overcomes self-doubt and returns to form

Clearly a thoughtful and sensitive soul, he plays better when he feels the coach’s trust

Connacht use visit of Benetton to give as many players as possible match time

Italians travel to Galway without the 10 internationals named in Franco Smith’s Azzurri team to face Wales

Connacht set to get international boost for trip to Rodney Parade

A number of Ireland players in line to return for game against the Dragons

Connacht coping with Covid case and injuries ahead of trip to Edinburgh

Coach Andy Friend targets his first away win against Scottish side

Van Graan names strong XV as Munster look to secure Leinster semi-final date

Tadhg Beirne returns from injury to partner Fineen Wycherley in the secondrow

Andy Friend to pick a fresh Connacht XV for Sunday’s Munster clash

Quinn Roux to return as head coach sticks to his plan by giving every player a chance

Van Graan reassures Joey Carbery that Munster have his back

Ireland outhalf faces an ‘indefinite’ period of time on the sidelines with ankle injury

Schooled in rugby, Crowley’s curve continues upwards with some quality guidance

Ireland under-20 outhalf bent the ear of Ronan O’Gara as part of his education as a No 10

Irish internationals return as Connacht face Southern Kings

Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan both in the squad for Sunday’s Pro14 encounter

Connacht make four changes to their pack for Edinburgh clash

Injuries force head coach Andy Friend to make changes for trip to Murrayfield

Rugby Stats: Pro14 player rotation could give provinces a boost over Top14 foes

Top 14 bears the reputation of a league that exacts huge physical toll on players

Heineken Champions Cup: kick-off times, TV details, team news and more

Leinster, Connacht, Ulster and Munster are all in action against French opposition

Rampant Leinster expose gulf in quality against Connacht

Deegan gives best ever showing in a blue jersey against injury-ravaged visitors

Leinster expose embarrassingly brittle Connacht defence

James Ryan’s injury a concern as Leinster make easy work of Connacht at the RDS

Coming up short at home hurts error-prone Connacht all the more

Munster retain better possession and played territory through the kicking game of impressive Casey and his partner Hanrahan

Munster stay top of the tree as they contain Connacht’s ambition

Disciplined away performance earns Johann van Graan’s side the points in Galway

Connacht bolstered by return of Tiernan O’Halloran for Munster encounter

Munster coach van Graan makes 10 changes to side that lost out to Saracens

Return of key trio strengthens Connacht for Munster clash

Coach Friend facing a tricky selection poser at outhalf between Fitzgerald and Carty

Connacht come back from the dead against Gloucester

Connacht keep slim hopes alive with last-gasp win over Gloucester at the Sportsground

Jack Carty at fullback for Connacht’s clash with Gloucester

Conor Fitzgerald and Caolin Blade renew their halfback partnership for crucial match

Gerry Thornley: Irish halfback situation now looking less certain

For the first time since the 2011 World Cup, the nine-ten partnership is not certain

Connacht and Friend turn their minds to Gloucester test

Coach looking for big improvement following patchy display against Southern Kings

Bundee Aki celebrates new deal with a try

Ireland centre scores on first Pro14 match of the season for Connacht after extending contract

Connacht coach Friend ‘really proud of our performance’

‘If you look at the 32-17 scoreline it looks like a one-sided game but it certainly wasn’t’

Toulouse break away from Connacht’s tight grip to claim bonus-point win

Four-time champions score two tries in final quarter to end Connacht’s challenge in France

Toulouse to test Connacht’s never-say-die attitude

Godwin and Porch named on the wings for the Irish side, with Farrell coming into midfield

Gerry Thornley: French clubs loom large for the provinces

France’s international contingent set to ensure tough test for Irish provinces in Europe

The Offload: Connacht stay grounded as they fly to Toulouse

A trip to France is next for Friend’s side after they secure a famous win over Montpellier

Connacht defy injuries and the odds to topple Montpellier

Friend’s side produce a mighty performance and start Champions Cup campaign in style

Aki and Carty set for Connacht returns against Leinster on Friday

Coach Andy Friend delighted with contract extensions for Connacht trio

Youthful Connacht bask in the glow of a rare win in Wales

Andy Friend hails Eagles graduates as his side rack up a fourth successive victory

Connacht withstand Ospreys comeback to win again

Irish province secure their first at Liberty Stadium since their Pro12 winning title year

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