United Rugby Championship

Ulster set to bring depleted squad for visit to Munster

Richie Murphy says province are ‘under pressure’ as several players picked up injuries against Leinster last week

Jacques Nienaber knows it could end badly if Leinster make the same mistake against Toulon

‘We maybe took our foot off their throats a bit,’ said Leinster assistant of URC win against Ulster

Gerry Thornley: Victory for the ages a ringing endorsement of Connacht project

Stuart Lancaster’s emphasis on youth was rewarded with an improbable Cape Town win that keeps their URC hopes alive

Owen Doyle: All referees should have a serious rethink about how they address players

Andrew Brace was the latest official to adopt a soft approach. Trust me, it’s a waste of breath

Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Andrew Porter to be assessed ahead of Leinster v Benetton

Decision yet to be made on Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Andrew Porter ahead of URC game with Benetton

Gerry Thornley: Ireland head to France ready to put World Cup lessons into action

Scott Bemand’s side searching for first away win to France

Munster survive Jack Crowley and Craig Casey yellows to take much-needed win in Benetton

Province jump to seventh in URC table with seven-try showing

Leo Cullen commends Sam Prendergast’s patience on return to Leinster starting fold

Outhalf put in a man-of-the-match performance in away win over Ulster

Connacht stun Stormers to crack URC top eight

Province overcome half-time deficit to run out nine-point winners

Leinster leapfrog Ulster in table after fending off late fight back by hosts

Ulster scored three tries in 10 minutes to threaten the comeback of the season

Munster must drown out outside noise for must-win game against Benetton

In-form Jack Crowley can make the difference in Italy

Connacht’s scrum must stand up to Stormers if they are to have any chance in South Africa

The Stormers will no doubt be keen to honour the memory of the late Chippie Solomon

URC preview, women’s Six Nations and Munster’s controversial new appointment

The Counter Ruck Podcast

Munster make eight changes for URC clash against Benetton

Clayton McMillan names strong side which is captained by Tadhg Beirne

Leo Cullen must have heard the tut-tutting about his team to face Ulster

Leinster v Ulster: More than URC points on the line as clash of provinces brings several subplots to the fore

Connacht without Bundee Aki for URC trip to South Africa

Province focused on picking up point as they target top-eight finish

Munster players facing up to harsh realities after European disappointment, says Jack Crowley

‘Our basics haven’t been good enough and that’s what’s cost us’

Ulster determined not to let European ambitions distract from Leinster challenge

Richie Murphy’s side host Leinster one week on from securing a home Challenge Cup semi-final

Six Nations stint will help Munster’s Tom Farrell face the Benetton fear factor

Munster will need to get strong squad on pitch on Saturday to counter Tommaso Menoncello threat

Ryan Baird out of Leinster’s trip to Ulster and in a race against time for Toulon showdown

Blindside flanker is the key injury worry ahead of Champions Cup semi-final, with doubts also over Doris, Van der Flier and Porter

Ryan Baird to miss Leinster’s URC clash with Ulster through injury

Prop Alex Usanov is also out, with Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Andrew Porter undergoing further assessment

‘We feel good out there’: Leinster looking forward to Saturday special against Toulon

Blues hope recent improvements in attack will bear fruit in plum Champions Cup semi at Aviva

Matt Williams: How positive affirmations can give you buckets of self-belief

Sports psychologists swear by the technique of self-talk, and many players and teams are out there proving that it works

Munster Rugby has been mismanaged for years. The chickens are now coming home to roost

It will take much more than voluntary redundancies to steady the ship at a proud sporting institution

Transfer rumour mill runs hot as Irish provinces gear up for Europe

The Counter Ruck Podcast

Second-half charge sends Ulster past 14-man Zebre

Simone Gesi red card rallies hosts in Parma

Seamus Hurley-Langton bags a brace as Connacht see off Ospreys

Late Matthew Devine try earns westerners fifth successive URC win

Munster show resilience to take bonus points from Bulls defeat

Clayton McMillan’s side recover from Sharks drubbing to put up a fight in Pretoria

Leinster mix the good with the ugly in bonus-point win over Scarlets

Man-of-the-match Tommy O’Brien and Joshua Kenny go over for two tries apiece at the Aviva

Munster must focus on solutions not problems ahead of clash with Bulls

Playing in South Africa places a huge demand on being able to handle the ferocious physical element of the game

Connacht keen to keep distance from Ospreys with victory in Saturday’s meeting

Stuart Lancaster’s side face a tough run-in including a two-game trip to South Africa

Ulster head to Zebre looking for win that would put recent turbulence behind them

Ireland internationals Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney return to the starting XV after Six Nations

Will Leinster benefit from the IRFU managing player minutes?

Irish players have played fewer games so far than their French and English counterparts

Dan Sheehan says renewing Leinster contract was ‘easy decision’

Hooker craves 'big days’ as Leinster face into pressure phase of season

Connacht well on their way but face tough URC run-in

Stuart Lancaster’s side host Ospreys on Saturday before trip to South Africa

Ulster can’t afford to slip up at Zebre in URC

Izuchukwu and Postlethwaite sidelined but McCloskey and Timoney are back in training

Ireland prop Andrew Porter returns from injury for Leinster’s meeting with the Scarlets

Locks James Ryan and RG Snyman will be assessed later in the week ahead of game on Friday night

Stakes are high for all four provinces as they seek to define their season

Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht sit within seven points and six places of one other in URC table

Leinster’s outhalf dilemma

The Counter Ruck Podcast

Munster boosted by ‘energy’ of returning Ireland stars ahead of tough Bulls test

Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman have joined their team-mates in South Africa

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