‘Opportunity knocks’: Ian Flanagan’s departure will intensify calls for a Munster reboot
He presided over decline on and off the pitch, the nadir being the bid to sign Roger Randle as attack coach
United Rugby Championship
‘No extra pressure’ on Munster to make strong start to season at home, says Payne
Assistant coach Jared Payne focusing on green shoots in opening defeat to Glasgow
What is behind a sobering whitewash URC weekend for the Irish provinces?
Absence of international quality a clear contributor to sobering opening-round results
Connacht’s forward power to be strengthened with return of Irish internationals
All five forwards from Andy Farrell’s summer squad are in contention to play in Treviso
Leinster putting great emphasis on attack this season, says Tyler Bleyendaal
Coach has been particularly impressed with the halfback pairing of Gunne and Caspar Gabriel so far this season
Max Deegan and Harry Byrne unavailable for Leinster’s clash against Sharks
Caspar Gabriel is expected to start at outhalf after an assured display on his full first-team debut
Munster have ‘a lot to be optimistic about’, Clayton McMillan says
Although the home defeat by Glasgow was disappointing, Munster’s coach saw positives in the performance and is looking forward to the returns of injured players
Performance of Munster’s young scrumhalf Ben O’Donovan a positive from Glasgow defeat
Glasgow’s superior quality off the bench counts as home side suffer disappointing defeat
Leinster impress despite narrow Lions defeat as Fintan Gunne scores hat-trick
Young side lose by a point in South Africa but collect two precious bonus points
Munster with the greater need for positive start in URC opener against Glasgow
Warriors come to Limerick with experience and recent form on their side
Connacht fall to defeat against dominant Stormers in opening match
Irish province punished by Stormers side who wore them down with strong pack
Ulster’s late comeback not enough against Edinburgh in URC opener
Only a madcap second 40 allowed Ulster get in range after they trailed by 29 points
Chance for Leinster’s young stars to shine in URC opener against Lions
Sizeable task ahead for Irish province away in South Africa to win without strongest side
Luck of the Irish only lasted 83 minutes against Kosovo
Ireland off their game in Pristina, Lisa O’Rourke seals gold in Sofia
Recuperating Caelan Doris remains Leinster captain, but a doubt for Ireland’s November games
Max Deegan to lead callow side featuring three academy players for Blues’ URC opener at Lions
Confident Connacht ready for stern test as they welcome Stormers to Dexcom
Mack Hansen back in action as Stuart Lancaster looks to thrill home crowd
‘You get a good spell and never look back’: Munster’s Diarmuid Kilgallen on overcoming injury
Winger has been dogged by hamstring, but is named on right for opening URC game against Glasgow
URC has been enriched by South African infusion, but Leinster remain the team to beat
Third successive title would be the perfect sendoff for Leo Cullen
Ulster fighting fit as they face ailing Edinburgh in URC opener
Robert Baloucoune and James McNabney back in action for Richie Murphy’s side
Mack Hansen returns to URC action for Connacht after 11 months out
Team news: Caspar Gabriel gets the nod at outhalf for Leinster’s URC opener against the Lions
‘I’ve never played there in 18 years’: Kieran Brookes relishing Thomond Park debut
Irish-qualified prop targeting silverware with Munster as they begin URC campaign
Head coach Richie Murphy says Ulster have learned lesson from lousy end to last season
Ulster missed out on Champions Cup action for a second season after finishing ninth in the URC and losing Challenge Cup final
Gus McCarthy primed to tame the Lions as Leinster face URC opener in South Africa
Hooker has consistent exposure to the ultimate benchmarking experience for a frontrow forward
Munster forwards coach confident province has depth to endure injury-prompted outhalf shortage
Tom Wood joins Jack Crowley on the sidelines after being ruled out until new year
URC fixtures list: Leinster start campaign with a trip to South Africa
Connacht and Ulster head for South Africa in late October while Munster do so next April
Jacques Nienaber didn’t miss a beat when asked if he was in the running for Leinster job
After a swift reply on the matter, province’s senior coach turned his attention to the URC opener in Johannesburg
Deafening sound of September silence tells us where rugby has messed up
It will nearly be October when the season finally starts. Can’t we just go back to the old way?
Leinster name strong squad for season opening two-match tour to South Africa
Leo Cullen has named 15 players who took part in Ireland’s opening Nations Championship games in Australia and New Zealand
Alex Nankivell: ‘I had a real deep dive into why I behaved like I did on the pitch’
Calmer is better for ‘Cranks’ Nankivel as he enters his fourth season with Munster. Could an Ireland jersey be on the cards?
‘I want to win trophies’: Munster newcomer Marnus van der Merwe raring to prove his worth
South African hooker praises set-up and environment after switch from Scarlets
‘It just felt like a perfect storm was building here’: Will Connors on Connacht move
Former Leinster man relishing fresh challenge out west and fighting for Ireland place
Munster’s Clayton McMillan: ‘There were a few things that I would have had a strong opinion on’
Head coach is focusing on change, saying team must be more multidimensional to meet challenges of game
Clayton McMillan faces formidable task with Munster, with young guns key to any revival
Continuing commitment of head coach and emerging stars crucial to their chances
Connacht face demanding tests ahead but Lancaster effect bodes for improvement
Young players were given their opportunities and flourished under Stuart Lancaster’s watch last season
Ulster turn to new recruits and youthful energy in push to end trophy drought
Silverware a realistic goal, but Richie Murphy may have to get by without his Ireland contingent more often than he would like
Munster, Leinster and Connacht head to France for preseason games to test out new signings
Edinburgh-bound Ulster now include some of Richie Murphy’s former Ireland under-20s charges
Ulster and Ireland secondrow Iain Henderson to miss start of season after hip surgery
The 34-year-old also underwent hip surgeries in 2014 and 2020; Bryn Ward, Juarno Augustus and Jude Postlethwaite also underwent surgeries
‘That success fed the players’: Reggie Corrigan on pivotal 2001 Celtic League win
Former captain on Leinster’s triumph and what the future holds as new jersey recalls glory days
Matt Williams: New Zealand are planning a very public sacrificial act on rugby’s greatest altar
Eden Park could descend into a blowout if Ireland do not lift intensity and quality
Jimmy O’Brien making the most of late call-up after rediscovering his best form
Leinster man taking his opportunities in Nations Championship after injury struggles
‘There’s little moments that are pretty cool’: Prendergast brothers shine in Australia
Sam relishing chance to play alongside Cian as they soak up ‘class’ atmosphere Down Under
Jamie Osborne cements status as Ireland’s Mr Versatile with number 11 role against Australia
Andy Farrell places faith in Leinster fullback’s aerial work and left-footed kicking game for Wallabies clash
‘The senior leadership group has had to step up’: Jack Conan ‘gutted’ to lose Caelan Doris
Leinster man ‘excited’ about the atmosphere in Irish camp before Australia clash
‘I’m itching to get back into the green jersey’: Hugo Keenan relishing return to Australia
Leinster fullback puts injury woes behind him as he heads back Down Under
Matt Williams: Leo Cullen deserves a final season, but Leinster must avoid the long goodbye
Speculation over a coach’s successor can destabilise the team unless the process is handled properly
Owen Doyle: Rugby union cannot prioritise spectacle over player safety
Issue of 20-minute red card is central to future existence of the sport
‘I still made loads of errors’: Sam Prendergast sidesteps praise after redemptive performance
Outhalf turns his focus to Ireland after a fine display for Leinster in the URC Grand Final
‘An exceptional day’: Leo Cullen pleased with season after URC triumph
Caelan Doris to ‘see how it unfolds over the next 24 hours’ after picking up foot injury in win over the Bulls
Leinster run riot against Bulls to retain URC title
Leo Cullen’s side eclipse last year’s victory in front of 39,184 fans in Croke Park
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