Connacht book Ulster quarter-final and return to Europe’s top table

Andy Friend’s side get the required result after nervous display at the Sportsground

Five-star Connacht rack up fifth win on the spin at Perpignan

Paddy Jackson manages a solitary penalty as Friend’s side secure bonus point in France

Paddy Jackson to start against Connacht on Friday night

Connacht go into Challenge Cup encounter with four wins in a row in all competitions

Connacht make wholesale changes for the visit of Perpignan

Friend’s squad in confident mood following the successive victories in South Africa

Bundee Aki returns for Connacht against Perpignan

Quinn Roux and Finlay Bealham also back in Andy Friend’s XV for Challenge Cup clash

Connacht’s spirits high as they prepare to face down Cheetahs

Friend’s side firmly focused on completing a successful mission in South Africa

Connacht off to strong start as they take down Bordeaux-Begles

Kyle Godwin scores two tries as hosts win Challenge Cup opener at the Sportground

Connacht aim to rise to challenge and turn positives into points

Andy Friend reshuffles province for physical Champions Cup opener with Bordeaux

The offload: TG4 pundits need to pitch up

Go for entertainment or cold blooded inquisition. Anything else is painful viewing

Robin Copeland set for Connacht debut as Bundee Aki makes first start

Pro14 preview: Connacht v Scarlets, Sportsground (5.15, live on TG4, Premier Sports)

Robin Copeland to make his Connacht debut against Scarlets

Bundee Aki is also included in the starting XV having come off the bench in Murrayfield

Kieran Marmion set to make Connacht return against ‘dangerous’ Zebre

Backs coach Carolan expects province to win but is wary of Italian side’s unpredictability

Jack Carty and Connacht primed for ‘month of champions’

Early home games against Glasgow, Scarlets and Leinster could set tone for the season

Robin Copeland: ‘I’m not on Joe Schmidt’s Ireland radar’

‘What I want to do is take Connacht to the next level, get in the team, start every week’

Rugby: Who’s in and who’s out at the Irish provinces

Leinster contemplate Contepomi as Munster look forward to Carbery’s influence

Leinster serve up fitting RDS farewell for Nacewa and Murphy

Leo Cullen’s side profit from superior skillset and accuracy of their passing

Leinster keep double dream alive as Munster title wait continues

Ding-dong battle at the RDS is decided by a single point at the final whistle

Opportunity knocks for Hanrahan – and Munster

Hosts have physicality to meet Edinburgh head on plus greater variety in attack

Simon Zebo in Munster XV for Thomond Park farewell

JJ Hanrahan is also retained at outhalf with Ian Keatley among the replacements

Gerry Thornley: Kieran Keane didn’t get enough time with Connacht

Kiwi coach’s premature departure comes just as it seems his methods would bear fruit

Munster fightback ends Ulster’s hopes of sneaking into playoffs

Ulster will now face European Champions Cup playoff against Ospreys

Racing start leaves Munster cast adrift in Bordeaux

Munster flourish comes too late as French side set up final date with Leinster

Munster feeling the heat in Bordeaux

‘It’s really hot out there . . . that will definitely be a challenge’

Controversial Goosen returns to the fray for Munster clash

Springbok starts for Cheetahs as Van Graan makes nine changes to visitors’ line-up

Rugby Stats: Tadhg Beirne is one of the Pro14's ironmen

Players who accumulate most Pro14 minutes tend not to be playing Test rugby

Munster’s giant slayers win epic battle with Toulon

Stunning late Andrew Conway try seals place in Champions Cup semi-finals for Munster

Van Graan says Toulon can be beaten ‘the Munster way’

On paper the odds appear stacked against Munster - until Thomond Park factor kicks in

Efficient Munster quell Scarlets’ fire at Thomond Park

Defending champions made to pay for first half profligacy as province turn the screw

Connacht announce the signing of Munster’s Robin Copeland

Backrow signs two-year deal at the Sportsground and heads to Galway in the summer

Munster make 12 changes as Glasgow come to town

Billy Holland captains the side against Glasgow in his 180th appearance for the province

Gerbrandt Grobler makes debut as Munster put Zebre to the sword

South African secondrow receives warm ovation from home supporters at Thomond Park

Leinster’s production line is rugby equivalent of Ajax in the 80s

Other Irish provinces now benefitting hugely from numbers going through the system

Van Graan hits the ground running with Munster

New head coach presides over bonus-point win as Ospreys brushed aside at Musgrave Park

Youthful Munster secure bonus point win away to Zebre

Alex Wootton crosses twice as Johann van Graan watches on from the sidelines

Munster run in seven tries as Dragons demolished in Cork

Simon Zebo grabs an early try while Sammy Arnold runs in two late on on seasonal debut

Chris Cloete set for debut as Munster look for rhythm

Darren O’Shea and Sam Arnold in senior squad for first time as Jean Kleyn returns

Munster and Castres can’t be separated in scrappy stalemate

Province begin Champions Cup campaign with error-strewn draw to forget in France

Johnny Sexton continuing to tick all of the boxes

Return of razor-sharp Earls a significant boost for more ambitious Munster

Johnny Sexton guides Leinster to another home success over Munster

Late try from Keith Earls earns important bonus point for visitors at Aviva Stadium

Peter O’Mahony ready to stand tall as Taute ruled out

Despite some missing men, Munster’s captain is ready to lead by example once again

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