Connacht supply the fireworks on memorable night at the Aviva

Bonus-point win over Ulster sees Mack Hansen cross for two tries

Ulster game will be a defining one for Connacht’s season

Andy Friend knows his squad face battle to close points gap with three rival provinces

Ben O’Donnell returns to Connacht XV to host the Dragons

Matthew Burke and Paul Boyle have also been brought into Andy Friend’s team

Connacht left with nothing but the blues yet again in Cardiff

Kieran Marmion goes over for two tries in disappointing showing from Andy Friend’s side

Connacht target rare win across the water to secure European quarter-final spot

Andy Friend optimistic his province can produce third win against a Premiership side

Connacht mix things up for visit of Edinburgh

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

Pro14: Munster-Connacht rivalry set to take on a sharper edge

Johann van Graan’s side eyeing place in final as Andy Friend’s squad travel in expectation

The interpros give players a chance to prove the coaches wrong

For Munster to match expectations, the generational shift may need to be accelerated

Connacht’s basement buys are proving to be bargains

Andy Friend says province must shop at Aldi but their recruitment is looking to be astute

Almost all of Munster’s internationals back for clash with Connacht

Game may come down to which of Hanrahan or Carty is the most composed place kicker

Andy Friend wants Connacht to transfer road form to Sportsground for Munster clash

Coach wants side to follow up brilliant away win over Leinster as they look to close gap

Connacht’s fire burns bright in the ice as they end Leinster’s 26-match streak

Jack Carty notches 25 points as men from the West deliver stirring performance in Dublin

Connacht come within a score of massive upset against Racing 92

Irish province had an opportunity to take full points with the last play of the game

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

Caelan Doris profile: ‘He has almost the perfect temperament’

From a small village in Mayo to the Leinster and Ireland backrow via Blackrock college

Andy Friend explains decision to replace Jack Carty in Cardiff defeat

Connacht preparing for games without their Irish outhalf by giving Fitzgerald minutes

Connacht can edge tight affair against Glasgow and start on front foot

Andy Friend has made some interesting selections ahead of season opener

‘Quiet assassin’ Hugo Keenan earning plaudits at every level

‘Every level he’s got to he’s excelled. He’s been able to keep pushing forward the whole time’

Rugby Stats: Things get ugly when the breakdown breaks down

The Munster v Connacht match featured 21 infringements and led to three yellow cards

Hectic schedule for rugby’s return means last men standing prosper

With no warm-up games and no crowds, it could take a while before teams get up to speed

Ian Madigan in line for Ulster debut as Aki reaches milestone

New Ulster signing to start among the replacements along with Alby Mathewson

Friend impressed with Arnold’s hunger as Connacht prepare for restart

‘He is still hungry and wants to put on the Ireland jersey’

Connacht boss Andy Friend believes new faces have added an edge to resumption

Head coach happy how his side are shaping up despite being out of contention for semi-finals

Connacht continue player hunt as six academy graduates promoted

Head coach Andy Friend outlines qualities of incoming group of players

French clubs still expect to complete European games as Top 14 shelved

Six French clubs still involved at quarter-final stages of the two competitions

Munster enter three-week off-season with goal of August restart

Province confirms departures and arrivals after completing remote training programme

New signings eligible to play for Pro 14 clubs from July 1st

Competition organisers introduce measure to allow players move between clubs

Robin Copeland heading for France as he confirms Connacht departure

Number eight has signed three-year deal with ProD2 side Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente

Munster’s Sammy Arnold among four new Connacht signings

Arno Botha also departing Thomond Park as Andy Friend begins planning for next term

Andrew Conway diary: Nailing the wheelie bin challenge on the double

This week has been a little more of a grind but you find your motivation in all sorts of ways

Munster can maintain momentum as Scannell set for landmark appearance

Pro14 preview: Scarlets v Munster, Parc y Scarlets (5.0, live on TG4, Premier Sports 2)

Munster make seven changes for trip to Parc y Scarlets

Rory Scannell becomes youngest ever Munster player to make his 100th appearance

Depleted Munster can still slay Dragons

Welsh club have really struggled when facing Irish provinces in recent times

Joey Carbery has kicked on from Castres setback

Rugby Statistics: Munster outhalf has landed 20 kicks on the bounce in last four games

Minimal changes and momentum give Ulster the edge

Darren Sweetnam, Jean Kleyn, Conor Oliver and Tommy O’Donnell are back for Munster

Conor Murray primed for first appearance of the season

Chris Farrell also in line to make his comeback when Munster take on Zebre

Conor Murray is back in the Munster squad for Italian job

Munster and Ireland scrumhalf set to make his return for Sunday’s trip to take on Zebre

Conor Murray could make Munster return against Zebre

Murray and Chris Farrell could be eligible to play in Sunday's Pro14 match in Italy

Munster confirm Conor Murray back in full training

Scrumhalf could make first appearance of the season in Pro14 trip to play Zebre

Van Graan doesn’t expect Conor Murray to make Ireland squad

Meanwhile, Munster coach confirms they made approach for Peter Stringer last year

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

The Irish Times ePaper

Stardust

Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people

Common Ground

How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands