The Irish Times

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

Fri Apr 29 2022 - 15:02

Four-try Lowe to the fore as Leinster swat aside Connacht in second leg rout

Likely quarter-final date with Leicester booked in the diary after Aviva hammering

Fri Apr 15 2022 - 19:49

Three changes to Leinster team to face Connacht in Champions Cup

Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher make starting XV

Thu Apr 14 2022 - 12:19

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

Fri Apr 08 2022 - 06:00

Connacht’s Butler focuses on URC meeting in ‘bizarre’ Leinster series

Captain keen to bounce back from ‘embarrasing’ defeat to Edinburgh against champions

Tue Mar 22 2022 - 18:22

Marmion joins Connacht’s 200 club as province clashes with depleted Scarlets

Victory beckons for recharged province as Welsh opponents missing 19 players

Sat Feb 19 2022 - 06:00

Connacht seek improvement as Carty and Heffernan return from Ireland camp

Peter Wilkins says squad levelled off after good start to the year and need to go again

Tue Feb 15 2022 - 16:50

Dave Heffernan replaces injured Rob Herring in Ireland squad for France game

Connacht hooker called up but Keith Earls continues to rehab a hamstring injury

Mon Feb 07 2022 - 14:07

Six Nations: Andy Farrell finding treasure in pool of uncapped Irish talent

Irish coach’s promise to bring emerging players into the squad yielding rewards

Mon Feb 07 2022 - 06:00

Connacht sense a big opportunity to tame the Tigers

High-flying Leicester make their first visit to the formidable Sportsground for key clash

Fri Jan 14 2022 - 18:30

All eyes on the Sportsground as Connacht look to dent Munster’s strong record

Alex Kendellen to make first Munster start in exciting young backrow

Sat Jan 01 2022 - 06:00

Connacht face huge task against Tigers side enjoying purple patch

English side on 12-game winning streak ahead of Sunday’s clash

Sun Dec 19 2021 - 07:00

Andy Farrell’s autumn Ireland squad falls along anticipated lines

Leinster duo Dan Sheehan and Ciarán Frawley the news names in squad of 38

Thu Oct 21 2021 - 06:00

Ben O’Donnell returns to Connacht XV to host the Dragons

Matthew Burke and Paul Boyle have also been brought into Andy Friend’s team

Fri Oct 08 2021 - 13:10

Connacht recover from disastrous start to beat the Bulls

Bulls’coach Jake White says the conditions at the Sportsground did not suit his side

Fri Oct 01 2021 - 22:58

Andy Farrell: ‘You would actually think it was the start of the season, not the end’

Captain James Ryan praises crowd for playing their part in big win over the USA

Sat Jul 10 2021 - 23:28

Sexton excused as 11 uncapped players in Ireland squad

Harry Byrne, Carbery and Burns are the three outhalves selected for summer series

Mon Jun 14 2021 - 11:33

Hugo Keenan keeps himself in Lions frame as ruthless Leinster cut loose

Fullback grabs hat-trick of tries in impressive display as Connacht are overwhelmed

Mon May 10 2021 - 06:00

Leinster back to their best to obliterate Connacht

The visitors crossed the whitewash five times in the opening 40 minutes in Galway

Sat May 08 2021 - 22:54

Farrell’s absence from Lions coaching ticket proves costly for some Irish contenders

Opportunity will knock for several prospects on home front as Lions head for South Africa

Sat May 08 2021 - 06:00

Connacht target rare win across the water to secure European quarter-final spot

Andy Friend optimistic his province can produce third win against a Premiership side

Sat Apr 03 2021 - 01:00

Connacht agree contracts extensions with 21 players

Ireland internationals Dave Heffernan, Ultan Dillane, Finlay Bealham and Jack Carty sign deals

Thu Mar 11 2021 - 17:17

Munster overcome gutsy Connacht to reach Pro14 final

Munster bench had a big impact as questionable refereeing decisions go their way

Fri Mar 05 2021 - 21:56

Pro14: Munster-Connacht rivalry set to take on a sharper edge

Johann van Graan’s side eyeing place in final as Andy Friend’s squad travel in expectation

Fri Mar 05 2021 - 11:01

The interpros give players a chance to prove the coaches wrong

For Munster to match expectations, the generational shift may need to be accelerated

Fri Mar 05 2021 - 06:00

Connacht know any chance of catching Munster requires Thomond triumph

Connacht will have Bundee Aki, Dave Heffernan and Ultan Dillane available for Friday night’s game

Wed Mar 03 2021 - 06:00

Ireland release 13 players for interprovincial clashes

Four Leinster players return and two from Ulster for top of the conference meeting

Mon Mar 01 2021 - 13:38

Bundee Aki’s Connacht return could come against Ospreys on Sunday

Ireland centre is back in training after being sidelined by a knee injury

Wed Jan 20 2021 - 06:00

Connacht to play waiting game on Bundee Aki’s fitness for Munster clash

Ireland centre missed two derbies with knee injury but could return at Sportsground

Tue Jan 05 2021 - 14:28

Connacht come within a score of massive upset against Racing 92

Irish province had an opportunity to take full points with the last play of the game

Sun Dec 13 2020 - 20:10

Andy Farrell to delve deeper into Irish squad for team to play Georgia

Chance to give Stockdale another run at fullback and Burns first Test start at outhalf

Wed Nov 25 2020 - 19:42

Caelan Doris profile: ‘He has almost the perfect temperament’

From a small village in Mayo to the Leinster and Ireland backrow via Blackrock college

Sat Nov 21 2020 - 05:30

Hard work pays off for Roux as he gets the call to face England

‘Real big thing with Quinn is that he has really taken development into his own hands’

Thu Nov 19 2020 - 06:00

‘I am who I am’ – Johnny Sexton apologises for reaction in Paris

James Lowe and Billy Burns among Andy Farrell’s squad for Autumn Nations Cup

Thu Nov 05 2020 - 10:42