Ross Byrne set to be named as one of four outhalves in Ireland Six Nations squadJohnny Sexton likely to be fit for Six Nations opener despite inclusion of Byrne, Carbery and CrowleyWed Jan 18 2023 - 19:38
Murray and Earls back in the mix for Munster’s trip to Toulouse Team likely to be without Jack O’Donoghue following his red card against NorthamptonWed Jan 18 2023 - 19:00
Gerry Thornley: Ireland’s Six Nations squad will be named tomorrow. Who will be in it?With old reliables to the fore, Andy Farrell has plenty of options as he prepares to name his squadWed Jan 18 2023 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: With Australia rehiring Eddie Jones, the World Cup just got even more interestingAustralia’s new coach has history with many potential opponents, not least Johnny Sexton and EnglandMon Jan 16 2023 - 19:53
Gavin Coombes in inspired form in Munster’s crucial win over NorthamptonGraham Rowntree feels vindicated after tough selection calls for Champions Cup clashMon Jan 16 2023 - 06:00
Champions Cup: Leinster on course to be top seeds with possible Munster or Ulster clash in last-16Distinct possibility exists of Leinster hosting Munster or Ulster in last 16 tieMon Jan 16 2023 - 06:00
Munster survive red card and Northampton onslaught to hold on for important winGavin Coombes scores two tries as Jack O’Donoghue is sent off in first half for dangerous tackleSat Jan 14 2023 - 18:20
Gerry Thornley: Munster’s discernible increase in fitness paying dividendsProvince far from the finished article with scrum still a concern, but by every measure progress is notableSat Jan 14 2023 - 06:00
Irish provinces return to European action as stakes ramp up in race for qualificationGraham Rowntree sends out signal with Munster selection for game against NorthamptonSat Jan 14 2023 - 06:00
Munster v Northampton: Graham Rowntree rolls the dice for vital Thomond Park clash Head coach places his trust in inexperienced talent as Conor Murray and Keith Earls miss outFri Jan 13 2023 - 19:15
Gerry Thornley: Brittle Ulster need to unpack mental baggage to get back on trackClosing out games has become a psychological issue for Dan McFarland’s sideTue Jan 10 2023 - 05:00
Leinster’s Andrew Goodman still sees room to improve despite hot formURC leaders will use loss to Connacht two years ago as a warningThu Dec 29 2022 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Empty seats the abiding memory of opening two rounds of Champions CupThe Premiership has never been at a lower ebb and do the PRL and the LNR actually give a damn?Tue Dec 27 2022 - 05:00
Munster v Leinster: Munster locked and loaded but Leinster still have the firepowerInterprovincial derby is back in its traditional festive slot with a full house, making this a true celebration of Irish rugbyMon Dec 26 2022 - 06:00
Leinster evolution: ‘On and off the pitch we’d grown, and the rest is history’As he steps down as Leinster CEO, Mick Dawson looks back on the team’s transformation - and credits rivalry with Munster as the spur to successSat Dec 24 2022 - 06:00
URC: Leinster make 10 changes for Munster clash with Andrew Porter set to play 100th gameMunster retain all but two of starting line-up from Champions Cup victory over NorthamptonFri Dec 23 2022 - 13:19
Antoine Frisch working through split family loyalty ahead of Munster-Leinster clashFrench-born, Irish-qualified centre relishing prospect of taking on LeinsterFri Dec 23 2022 - 05:00
Mike Prendergast insists Munster hold no mental baggage ahead of Leinster visitIn-form Gavin Coombes set to carry a big load againThu Dec 22 2022 - 05:00
Munster set to avoid major rotation and name strong line-up for Leinster clashSquad depth more likely to be tested on New Year’s Day visit to UlsterWed Dec 21 2022 - 18:17
‘We’re not going to take the foot off’ - Ross Molony and Leinster ready for St Stephen’s Day clash with MunsterThe 7.30pm kick-off means players can spend Christmas Day with their families and loved onesTue Dec 20 2022 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: Ulster’s lose-lose match with La Rochelle in empty Aviva could cost up to €700,000 Circumstances behind the switch to Dublin could be costly but second-half fightback might save the team’s seasonTue Dec 20 2022 - 06:00
Graham Rowntree hopes Munster’s battling win in Northampton proves a ‘launch pad’ Invaluable 17-6 win at Franklin’s Gardens keeps Champions Cup hopes aliveMon Dec 19 2022 - 06:00
Leinster sitting pretty but Leo Cullen keen to keep the pedal down through busy stretchHead coach will use depth of his squad for upcoming derby games over ChristmasMon Dec 19 2022 - 06:00
Munster reaction: ‘That’s the proper stuff, to hold a team out like that’Much credit given to defence coach Denis Leamy for resilience shown in win at NorthamptonMon Dec 19 2022 - 05:00
Graham Rowntree hails Munster’s ‘exceptional’ effort in away win at Northampton ‘To dig in like that, that’s massive for us going forward’Sun Dec 18 2022 - 16:26
Gavin Coombes double and epic defensive effort gets Munster back on trackBrilliant second-half backs to the wall effort earns victory away to NorthamptonSun Dec 18 2022 - 15:42
Gavin Coombes and Munster braced for a defining few weeksGavin Coombes acutely aware of his roots and the iconic jersey he wears as Munster face difficult Northampton assignmentSun Dec 18 2022 - 07:00
Under-pressure Munster bolstered by Murray and Earls for must-win Northampton clash Season-defining game likely to be decided on the gainlineSat Dec 17 2022 - 06:00
Second-string Gloucester ruthlessly swept away by nine try LeinsterLeinster secure another impressive Champions Cup win on a Baltic night at the RDSFri Dec 16 2022 - 22:36
Mike Haley: ‘With Munster in Europe, there’s no expectation other than to go over and win’The fullback is relishing his return to Northampton for a must-win matchFri Dec 16 2022 - 06:00
Leinster must beware of complacency against much-changed GloucesterComplacency is the first opponent Leo Cullen’s men must vanquish against much-changed visitorsFri Dec 16 2022 - 06:00
Johnny Sexton makes bench as Leinster opt for ‘fresh’ line-up for GloucesterLuke McGrath, Rónan Kelleher, Ross Molony and Jack Conan all to start in Champions CupThu Dec 15 2022 - 15:44
Leamy relishes Northampton challenge as under-pressure Munster seek key Champions Cup winDefence coach praises province’s performance in defeat to Toulouse ahead of important away matchThu Dec 15 2022 - 05:00
Denis Leamy sees a lot of positives from Munster’s performance against ToulouseDefence coach very pleased with Jack Crowley’s display in Champions Cup matchWed Dec 14 2022 - 17:19
Gerry Thornley: Formidable usual suspects make strong cases at start of European campaignsLeinster, La Rochelle and Toulouse were among the sides to impress while Munster and Ulster must play catch-up alreadyTue Dec 13 2022 - 05:00
Same result but contrasting emotions for Munster and Ulster after opening defeatsGraham Rowntree upbeat after solid performance while Sale hammering sends Ulster back to the drawing boardMon Dec 12 2022 - 05:00
Gavin Coombes keeping the faith in Munster’s progress despite Toulouse defeat Number eight aware that Munster performed admirably according to a number of metrics but still made crucial errorsSun Dec 11 2022 - 19:52
Powerful Toulouse hold on in the fog to see off Munster at Thomond ParkFrench side had the upper hand at breakdown, maul and scrum to secure a significant victorySun Dec 11 2022 - 17:25
Champions Cup may yet deliver vintage tournament despite its perplexing, spectator-unfriendly formatEPCR have managed the curious trick of both curtailing and expanding the tournament at the same timeSat Dec 10 2022 - 06:00
Munster out to avenge painful quarter-final defeat as Toulouse touch down at Thomond Antoine Dupont says French side are fully aware of the challenge that awaits them on SundayFri Dec 09 2022 - 17:12
Champions Cup: Gerry Thornley’s club-by-club guide to Irish teams and their opponentsLeinster are after that fifth star and have the added incentive of the final being in DublinFri Dec 09 2022 - 13:00
IRFU says AIL not fit for purpose amid new developments introduced to women’s gameGoverning body pledges €1 million towards boosting facilities and pathways developmentThu Dec 08 2022 - 15:06
Andrew Porter wary of Racing set-piece prowess ahead of Champions Cup openerLeinster prop recovering from lengthy shift against Ulster after deputising for sent off Cian HealyThu Dec 08 2022 - 05:00
Rejuvenated Munster primed for challenge of Dupont and ‘juggernaut’ Toulouse Graham Rowntree admits his spirit sank when French scrumhalf was cleared to face provinceThu Dec 08 2022 - 05:00
‘It’s a special competition to the club’ - Rowntree and Munster relishing Toulouse testHead coach insists last season’s penalty shootout against the French outfit has not been discussedWed Dec 07 2022 - 15:58
Former Crusaders coach Goodman draws healthy comparisons with Leinster’s squad strengthNew Zealander looking forward to the challenge of the ‘best club competition in the world’Tue Dec 06 2022 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: This season’s Champions Cup looks more competitive than everRevised Champions Cup format makes Europe's premier rugby trophy harder to win than everTue Dec 06 2022 - 05:00
Sexton and Furlong both concerns for Leinster’s European opener against Racing 92 Sexton hasn’t played since picking up a calf injury in the warm-up before Ireland’s win over AustraliaMon Dec 05 2022 - 16:06
Ross Byrne on that winning penalty against Australia: ‘I knew straight away I was going for it’The Leinster fly-half is looking forward to the next Ireland call-up after his spectacular return to international action last monthSat Dec 03 2022 - 06:00
Rónan Kelleher happy to get stuck into the ‘nitty-gritty’ at LeinsterLast Saturday Kelleher made just his second start for Leinster in six months, ending a two-month absence due to a hamstring injuryFri Dec 02 2022 - 06:00
