The Irish Times

Foreign fields not as promising for Irish rugby professionals

Less money and opportunity on offer as coronavirus impact becomes clearer

Tue Jul 21 2020 - 06:00

Niyi Adeolokun and Tom McCartney among Connacht departures

Province announce a number of players leaving the Sportsground including Eoin McKeon

Fri May 29 2020 - 13:00

Robin Copeland heading for France as he confirms Connacht departure

Number eight has signed three-year deal with ProD2 side Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente

Tue May 19 2020 - 14:22

Rampant Leinster expose gulf in quality against Connacht

Deegan gives best ever showing in a blue jersey against injury-ravaged visitors

Mon Jan 06 2020 - 00:00

Leinster expose embarrassingly brittle Connacht defence

James Ryan’s injury a concern as Leinster make easy work of Connacht at the RDS

Sat Jan 04 2020 - 19:54

Munster stay top of the tree as they contain Connacht’s ambition

Disciplined away performance earns Johann van Graan’s side the points in Galway

Sat Dec 21 2019 - 19:36

Connacht bolstered by return of Tiernan O’Halloran for Munster encounter

Munster coach van Graan makes 10 changes to side that lost out to Saracens

Sat Dec 21 2019 - 06:00

Never-say-die spirit keeps Connacht’s quarter-final hopes alive

Dramatic late win against Gloucester puts Friend’s side in good spirits for upcoming three interpros

Mon Dec 16 2019 - 01:01

Wounded Munster left facing a win-or-bust clash in Paris

Unseemly fracas during defeat to Saracens to be investigated by tournament organisers

Mon Dec 16 2019 - 01:00

Connacht come back from the dead against Gloucester

Connacht keep slim hopes alive with last-gasp win over Gloucester at the Sportsground

Sat Dec 14 2019 - 15:45

Jack Carty at fullback for Connacht’s clash with Gloucester

Conor Fitzgerald and Caolin Blade renew their halfback partnership for crucial match

Fri Dec 13 2019 - 12:58

Toulouse to test Connacht’s never-say-die attitude

Godwin and Porch named on the wings for the Irish side, with Farrell coming into midfield

Fri Nov 22 2019 - 18:13

On-demand grocery delivery service Buymie takes fundraising to over €1m

Company backers include Unilever and former dragon Eamonn Quinn

Wed May 01 2019 - 05:50

Munster with more to play for in push for top place in Conference A

Johann Van Graan’s strong side includes 11 who lined out against Saracens last week

Sat Apr 27 2019 - 06:00

Connacht book Ulster quarter-final and return to Europe’s top table

Andy Friend’s side get the required result after nervous display at the Sportsground

Sat Apr 13 2019 - 17:38

Five-star Connacht rack up fifth win on the spin at Perpignan

Paddy Jackson manages a solitary penalty as Friend’s side secure bonus point in France

Fri Dec 14 2018 - 21:56

Paddy Jackson to start against Connacht on Friday night

Connacht go into Challenge Cup encounter with four wins in a row in all competitions

Thu Dec 13 2018 - 12:43

Connacht make wholesale changes for the visit of Perpignan

Friend’s squad in confident mood following the successive victories in South Africa

Sat Dec 08 2018 - 06:30

Bundee Aki returns for Connacht against Perpignan

Quinn Roux and Finlay Bealham also back in Andy Friend’s XV for Challenge Cup clash

Fri Dec 07 2018 - 12:32

Connacht’s spirits high as they prepare to face down Cheetahs

Friend’s side firmly focused on completing a successful mission in South Africa

Fri Nov 30 2018 - 16:25

Connacht off to strong start as they take down Bordeaux-Begles

Kyle Godwin scores two tries as hosts win Challenge Cup opener at the Sportground

Sat Oct 13 2018 - 18:11

Connacht aim to rise to challenge and turn positives into points

Andy Friend reshuffles province for physical Champions Cup opener with Bordeaux

Sat Oct 13 2018 - 06:00

The offload: TG4 pundits need to pitch up

Go for entertainment or cold blooded inquisition. Anything else is painful viewing

Mon Oct 01 2018 - 11:30

Robin Copeland set for Connacht debut as Bundee Aki makes first start

Pro14 preview: Connacht v Scarlets, Sportsground (5.15, live on TG4, Premier Sports)

Fri Sept 21 2018 - 16:52

Robin Copeland to make his Connacht debut against Scarlets

Bundee Aki is also included in the starting XV having come off the bench in Murrayfield

Fri Sept 21 2018 - 12:33

Kieran Marmion set to make Connacht return against ‘dangerous’ Zebre

Backs coach Carolan expects province to win but is wary of Italian side’s unpredictability

Wed Sept 05 2018 - 06:00

Jack Carty and Connacht primed for ‘month of champions’

Early home games against Glasgow, Scarlets and Leinster could set tone for the season

Thu Aug 30 2018 - 06:00

Robin Copeland: ‘I’m not on Joe Schmidt’s Ireland radar’

‘What I want to do is take Connacht to the next level, get in the team, start every week’

Thu Aug 16 2018 - 09:22

Rugby: Who’s in and who’s out at the Irish provinces

Leinster contemplate Contepomi as Munster look forward to Carbery’s influence

Wed Aug 01 2018 - 06:00

Leinster serve up fitting RDS farewell for Nacewa and Murphy

Leo Cullen’s side profit from superior skillset and accuracy of their passing

Mon May 21 2018 - 06:00

Leinster keep double dream alive as Munster title wait continues

Ding-dong battle at the RDS is decided by a single point at the final whistle

Sat May 19 2018 - 18:00

Opportunity knocks for Hanrahan – and Munster

Hosts have physicality to meet Edinburgh head on plus greater variety in attack

Sat May 05 2018 - 06:00

Simon Zebo in Munster XV for Thomond Park farewell

JJ Hanrahan is also retained at outhalf with Ian Keatley among the replacements

Fri May 04 2018 - 12:56

Gerry Thornley: Kieran Keane didn’t get enough time with Connacht

Kiwi coach’s premature departure comes just as it seems his methods would bear fruit

Tue May 01 2018 - 06:35