Gerry Thornley: Is a slimmed down Champions Cup the answer to the competition’s woes?
A revamped 18-team tournament has been proposed by France’s LNR
Munster Rugby
Champions Cup team news: O’Mahony returns for Munster; Ringrose named on Leinster wing
Diarmuid Kilgallen makes his Munster competitive debut on the left wing; Leinster makes five changes for Bath clash
Matt Williams: Begrudgers in Ireland must never be permitted to pull Leinster down
Without the province’s exceptional production line and the qualifying of overseas-born players, Irish rugby would be in a much weaker state
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster need to hone their attack to win titles
Leo Cullen’s men eked out a dogfight win over rivals La Rochelle but struggled to build a consistent attacking shape
Munster head to Northampton with their destiny in their own hands
Interim head coach Ian Costello says Munster are looking at extending Chris Boyd’s time with the province
Champions Cup permutations: What is on the line for Leinster, Munster and Ulster in final pool matches?
Leinster look to secure home advantage as 24 teams become 16
Ireland’s historic Six Nations title bid bolstered by return of key players
Those named in Ireland squad on Wednesday will be able to focus on next weekend’s important Champions Cup clashes
Tickets sell out for Connacht’s URC clash against Munster in Castlebar
The fixture on March 29th will be played at MacHale Park
Ian Costello credits Denis Leamy for making Munster hard to beat in gritty win over Saracens
English side’s number eight Tom Willis said his team couldn’t get any pace on the ball
‘We’ll see in May’ - Ronan O’Gara strikes defiant note after Leinster’s successful La Rochelle raid
‘I hope we get another crack later in the season because our boys can do better and will do better’
Ian Costello praises Munster’s determination in defeat of Saracens
The impact from the bench, led by try scorer John Hodnett was significant in that end game
Munster secure gritty victory over Saracens to keep hopes of home knockout tie alive
The 22,002 inside Thomond Park breathed a collective sigh of relief as the home team battled back from a deficit
Champions Cup Round Three: TV details, kick-off time, team news and more
Leinster, Ulster and Munster are in action at the weekend in the next round of the pool stage
What Ronan O’Gara has done at La Rochelle is exceptional. What comes next will be fascinating
It would be fascinating to see the Cork coach try to translate his French success to Test level
Munster host Saracens knowing defeat could be very costly
Attack coach Mike Prendergast believes the deciding factor for Munster will be their ability to take their chances
Champions Cup team news: Furlong back for Leinster, Crowley starts for Munster
Furlong will win his 150th Leinster cap against La Rochelle
New deal fuels Tom Ahern’s motivation for the challenges ahead
Waterford man has extended his Munster contract by two years and is looking forward to locking horns with Saracens at Thomond Park
Chris Farrell released by French side Oyonnax following conviction in connection with gang rape
Former Munster player was convicted of failing to prevent a crime, and given a four-year sentence, with two years suspended
Tom Farrell revelling in the Munster experience
In-form former Connacht centre looking forward to another big European night at Thomond Park, a must-win encounter as Saracens come calling
Sam Prendergast’s next task is to make Leinster less predictable
Munster can only succeed against Saracens and Northampton if Jack Crowley regains his best form
Munster set to regroup in advance of crunch Saracens clash in Limerick
Province ‘massively looking forward’ to Champions Cup fixture that ‘is probably going to come down to moments’
Home advantage the name of the game as Champions Cup nears knock-out stages
An away side has only progressed from two knock-out fixtures over the last two seasons
Paying public deserved to see Jack Crowley-Sam Prendergast battle in Christmas interpros
Irish player management system was designed 20 years, when I was playing, and hasn’t evolved much since then
Munster bring the fight but Leinster take the spoils at Thomond Park
Leinster continue winning streak with bonus-point win in Limerick
Injury-hit Munster face mammoth test against ‘brilliantly boring’ Leinster
Leo Cullen was unhappy about several aspects of the Leinster team play against Connacht
Jamie Osborne returns to Leinster team to face Munster in URC clash
Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray fail fitness tests to make match for Munster
Munster confirm Craig Casey will miss Six Nations as Nankivell could also face spell on sidelines
Thaakir Abrahams and Jean Kleyn also out long-term, as could Dave Kilcoyne, as injury woes continue
Your complete guide to all the festive sporting action including TV details
From rugby to darts, there is something for everyone over the Christmas period
Fantastic Farrell hat-trick snatches win for Munster over 14-man Ulster
Tom Farrell’s third try of the evening won the game for the visitors at the death
Munster could do more damage to confidence of injury-hit Ulster
Return of Gavin Coombes is a sign of Munster's intent against Ulster
John Cooney returns at scrumhalf for Ulster’s interpro clash with Munster
Munster make six changes from the side that lost to Castres for the trip to Belfast on Friday night
Ulster v Munster: Richie Murphy’s side look to end losing streak in interpro URC clash
Forwards coach confident injury-hit Ulster can return to a ‘good place’ after four consecutive defeats
Munster skills coach Mossy Lawler backs Mike Prendergast for head coach role
Former Munster winger signs two-year extension to remain with home province to 2027
Jeremy Davidson eyes an eventual return to Ireland
Castres coach eyeing further Champions Cup success following well-plotted win over Munster
Last weekend crystallised the waning appeal of the Champions Cup
The inclusion of the South African sides is not working. One-off long haul treks to Europe are not wanted by anyone
Owen Doyle: Referees should not strive to be everyone’s pal. Foul play needs real disapproval
Dangerous carded actions must get more than just a nonchalant wave of the card from the referee
Munster’s Craig Casey to undergo knee surgery after injury against Castres
Scrumhalf looks to be in a race against time for to be available for Ireland’s opening Six Nations game
Mixed fortunes for Irish provinces leaves plenty of room for improvement
Leo Cullen admits Leinster just muddling their way through after win over Clermont while chastened Munster and Ulster now facing important URC derby clash in Belfast
Ian Costello defends Munster team selection after Castres defeat
Craig Casey’s serious knee injury places further strain on Munster squad
Munster must wait to find out extent of Craig Casey’s knee injury
Friday night’s defeat to Castres came at a cost after an attritional encounter
Joey Carbery embracing his new challenge at Bordeaux Bègles
The former Leinster, Munster and Ireland outhalf has warned his team-mates what to expect when they lock horns with a chastened Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium
Disconnected Munster pay the price against Castres in scrappy defeat
Irish province could not take advantage of the three yellow cards for a Castres side that played on the edge
Castres 16 Munster 14 as it happened: Champions Cup
Munster lose in Stade Pierre-Fabre in big blow to their chances in the competition
Matt Williams: Ulster’s decision to run up the white flag a bleak day for Irish rugby
The title ‘Champions Cup’ is a sham when the competition structure allows clubs to not select their best players yet still progress deeper into the competition
Opportunity knocks for Brian Gleeson as Munster face formidable Castres
The impressive Gavin Coombes rested for difficult assignment against a side that boasts an exceptional home record in the Top 14
Calvin Nash says Munster looking for consistency as they eye familiar foes Castres
Though Munster have faced the formidable French club a record 19 times over the years, surprisingly the Ireland winger has yet to play against them
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