Gerry Thornley: Andy Friend has played his part as Connacht continue to defy the odds out west
Province have enjoyed their most consistently competitive period ever under the outgoing director of rugby
Andy Friend
Andy Friend aims to finish with a flourish before Connacht farewell
Playoffs and a Champions Cup on the line in last two matches of regular URC season
Connacht target win at Zebre to break into top eight of URC
Andy Friend makes three changes to side for ‘must-win game’ against bottom-table opponents
‘He’ll be here’ - Andy Friend dismisses rumours of Bundee Aki’s departure
Connacht DOR stands by selection for Challenge Cup defeat to Newcastle
Connacht not bothered about Bundee Aki as they prepare for Newcastle
Coaching director Andy Friend says all is going to plan for Ireland centre, who is ‘probably going to be sensational in the Six Nations’
Munster make the most of home comfort and potent maul to maintain momentum
Munster's ambition secures bonus-point win but Connacht coach Friend aggrieved with refereeing inconsistency
Connacht without Aki and Hansen for dead rubber
Ireland internationals will miss final URC game of the season against Zebre
Connacht face tough challenge in looking to complete South African clean sweep
Andy Friend’s side take on a strong Sharks side in Durban on Saturday
Connacht become just the second European team to win in South Africa
See-saw contest against the Lions at Ellis Park decided by late Jack Carty penalty
URC preview: Seven changes to Connacht team to face Lions in South Africa
Connacht’s leading try scorer in the competition Mack Hansen swaps wing for fullback
Connacht coach Andy Friend has one eye on next season during South Africa trip
Players leaving the province at the end of the season have not travelled for the two games
Cullen ready to juggle playing resources for South African trip
Leinster coach bearing in mind upcoming Champions Cup test against Leicester
Cullen relishes prospect of Tigers test as Leinster ease past Connacht
Head coach praises four-try James Lowe after province secure quarter-final spot
Leinster boosted by key returns as they look to make good on their advantage
Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher back in frontrow for Aviva Stadium second leg
Leinster v Connacht head-to-head: Caelan Doris v Cian Prendergast
Battle of the two young blindsides will be fascinating in the second leg
Three changes to Leinster team to face Connacht in Champions Cup
Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher make starting XV
Gordon D’Arcy: Ulster must improve again to claim a massive European scalp
Full-strength Toulouse will travel to Belfast in expectation, not simply hope
Owen Doyle: Unacceptable face of rugby was on full show over the weekend
Gibson-Park should’ve seen red as too many brutal collisions went far beyond legal limits
‘It’s half-done’ - Leinster and Connacht preparing for unusual second leg
Leo Cullen gives no clues over possible return of Andrew Porter or Ronan Kelleher
Irish provinces have all to play for in second legs of Champions Cup last-16
Munster, Leinster and Ulster all playing at home with quarter-final places on the line
Friend and Connacht looking to make most of a great occasion
Fully-loaded Leinster taking no chances as they make the journey west for Sportsground showdown
Gordon D’Arcy: Munster need to be bolder in selection and tactics
Lack of creative attacking patterns ensures Van Graan’s side are too easy to defend against
Connacht have almost full squad to call on for Leinster first leg
Andy Friend: ‘There is a good buzz but at the same time it’s not a giddy buzz’
Andy Friend proud of Connacht’s character after battling win over Benetton
‘We had them under the pump and then we let them off, but we fought back and got the win’
Connacht target win against Benetton to keep hopes of top-eight finish alive
Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen return to bolster province for crunch match
Friend calls for Connacht response after ‘embarrassing’ defeats
Hansen and Bealham back for province ahead of URC trip to face Benetton
‘I’m a bit flat’ - Connacht find themselves at a low ebb at the worst time
Andy Friend accepts that Connacht must win all of their four remaining URC games
Connacht aim to set the right tone for opening game of series against Leinster
Andy Friend’s side are coming off the back of 56-8 defeat for sold-out Sportsground clash
Leinster and Connacht reveal their teams for URC clash
Ciarán Frawley is back after facial injury in February win against Edinburgh
Connacht’s Butler focuses on URC meeting in ‘bizarre’ Leinster series
Captain keen to bounce back from ‘embarrasing’ defeat to Edinburgh against champions
Mark Sexton continuing to soak up rugby knowledge from family and further afield
‘If you’re not taking stuff off the best coaches in the world then you are going to be in trouble’
Carty and Heffernan return for Connacht’s trip to Edinburgh
Heach coach Andy Friend makes seven changes for fixture pencilled in for victory
Leinster duo Dunne and O’Loughlin to join Exeter Chiefs
Adam Byrne, Dooley and Hawkshaw set to follow Murphy by switching to Connacht
Jack Carty kicks Connacht to first victory in Llanelli since 2004
Win at Parc y Scarlets ends run of four straight defeats for Andy Friend’s team
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