The Counter Ruck end-of-season special!
The Counter Ruck Podcast
The Counter Ruck Podcast
Munster will be the first Irish province in action when they take on Stade Francais on Saturday, December 7th
Munster get Northampton and Bulls, Ulster drawn against Toulouse and Leicester
Progressive Ulster forward playing as a flanker under coach Richie Murphy and has excelled in that position
Disappointing seasons for Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht highlighted how the Irish system needs to change
Ireland U20s outhalf will move to the northern province after this summer’s U20 World Championship
Irish players went into World Cup camp a year ago this week and they have not stopped playing since
URC review: Six tries was a handsome reward, a reflection of Leinster’s ruthlessness inside the Ulster 22
Final scoreline flatters Leo Cullen’s side a tad but they were nonetheless full value for their win at the Aviva
Follow along for live updates as Ulster travel down to Dublin to take on Leinster in the Aviva Stadium
A portion of his sporting genes came from his mother Catríona, a cousin of the Offaly All Ireland hurling-winning brothers, Joe, Billy and Johnny Dooley
All you need to know as Munster take on Ospreys and Leinster welcome Ulster to the Aviva Stadium in the URC knock-out stages
Northern province’s double over Leinster in URC regular season adds intrigue to this quarter-final
The Counter Ruck Podcast
The Leinster hooker says to talk of fatigue towards the end of a long season is to reach for an easy excuse
Ireland centre has had a long season with the 2023 World Cup but one more push is required
Ulster have already registered two URC regular season victories over Leinster but this time Leo Cullen's men will be at full strength and intent on securing a semi-final place
Leinster have lost narrowly to Ulster twice this year, on New Year’s Day and last month in Belfast
Graham Rowntree’s side overcame a deficit to secure the victory with 10 minute remaining in Thomond Park
Munster secured the top seed and home advantage for the URC knockouts while Leinster or Ulster will likely have to travel to South Africa
Northern province now face a trip to Dublin to take on Leinster in the quarters at the Aviva Stadium
Munster know a victory would guarantee them top spot in the URC table and a home run in the knockouts, including a potential final
Leinster’s traditional festive trip to Thomond Park up in the air with dates for that clash as of yet unconfirmed
Ulster have announced current Western Force forwards coach Jimmy Duffy will be at the Kingspan Stadium for next season
New Zealand-born Aidan Morgan qualifies for Ireland through his grandfather and will join Ulster from the Hurricanes this summer
Current system sees each contract fully financed by the union and addresses complaint from other provinces that Leinster had advantage
Ryan last played off the bench in Ireland’s third round Six Nations win over Wales before damaging his bicep in training
ulster seal their place in the top eight and the playoffs as Leinster welcome back James Ryan and Hugh Keenan to competitive action ahead of Champions Cup final
Scrumhalf’s 79th-minute penalty was roared over by a capacity crowd in Belfast in final home game of the season
As he prepares to end his 10-year stint as IRFU high-performance director, the Australian reflects on guiding changes to Irish structure and mentality even when that caused tensions
Leinster and Munster battle for as high a seed as possible while Ulster and Connacht find themselves towards the bottom end of the top eight
It is not up to the IRFU or Ulster executives to interfere unduly with the fledgling senior coach - they have elected to give Murphy the job so let him do it
Coach says his family’s ‘unique situation’ makes this week especially interesting
Henderson will miss Ulster’s URC run-in and Ireland’s two-Test tour to South Africa in July
Garry Ringrose’s participation remains in doubt due to ‘frustrating’ injury
Former Ireland U20s boss signs a two-year deal after leading Ulster to four wins and three defeats so far in his tenure
Former Ireland internationals voice their disapproval at the fact that it will no longer be possible to choose to scrum from a free kick
Despite trailing at half-time, Ulster scored four times against an ill-disciplined Welsh outfit to keep playoff hopes alive
Former Ireland and Leinster outhalf Ian Madigan found Belfast a place of welcome and warmth where rugby was the all-consuming common ground
Home side worst-performing team in league but visitors far from convincing in victories against Cardiff and Benetton
Jimmy O’Brien makes first Leinster start since December against Ospreys; Ulster make five changes for trip to Scarlets
Rob Herring, Kieran Treadwell and Stewart Moore back from injury for the visit to Parc y Scarlets
The Offload: Speaking to a kicker as they line up a shot at goal has become a regular phenomenon since the introduction of the shot clock
A frenetic, forward and back contest sees Richie Murphy’s side boost their URC playoff hosts
Richie Murphy’s side go in search of a much-needed victory over Benetton on Friday night to boost URC standing
Richie Murphy makes seven changes to his backline ahead of home fixture with significant URC playoff ramifications
Munster are treading a similar path to last season, pulling out some great wins away from home. They know the virtues of timing a run, better than most
South African loosehead prop will head home to undergo knee surgery
The Offload: University of Pittsburgh finds new way of testing for concussions; battle for the URC playoffs heats up
With so many of Leinster’s best talent paid for by the IRFU, there are concerns this represents an unfair advantage
Last gasp John Cooney penalty hands Ulster a much-needed win in a scrappy affair at the Kingspan Stadium
Taulupe Faletau is back for Cardiff after breaking his arm at the World Cup
Deal means lender will sponsor Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster rugby out to 2028
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices