The Irish Times

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

Sat Mar 26 2022 - 08:30

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

Connacht boss Andy Friend bringing a touch of Canberra to Knocknacarra

Australian is enjoying a change of pace and embracing life in the wild west of Galway

Sat Apr 18 2020 - 06:00

Irish internationals return as Connacht face Southern Kings

Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan both in the squad for Sunday’s Pro14 encounter

Fri Feb 28 2020 - 13:06

Andy Friend names strong Connacht XV for trip to Montpellier

Province out but Bundee Aki starts and Kieran Marmion returns to action in France

Fri Jan 17 2020 - 13:05

Connacht and Friend turn their minds to Gloucester test

Coach looking for big improvement following patchy display against Southern Kings

Sun Dec 01 2019 - 20:50

Ulster are worthy winners over Connacht to reach semi-finals

Rory Best says goodbye to the Kingspan as a player, but his Ulster days aren’t over yet

Sat May 04 2019 - 20:10

Munster make advances but come up short of their objectives

Away clash with Leinster looms again if Benetton are overcome in quarter-final

Mon Apr 29 2019 - 06:00

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

Quinn Roux set to miss out on Connacht’s Sale showdown

Westerners to tackle European quarter-final without Ireland lock but Aki is good to go

Wed Mar 27 2019 - 06:35

Ultan Dillane slots back into Connacht team to face Benetton

‘We’re there or thereabouts, but need to keep winning to make sure we control our destiny’

Thu Mar 21 2019 - 12:53

Connacht should just about have edge to see off playoff rival

Pro14 preview: Connacht v Ospreys, Sportsground (2.45, live on TG4, Premier Sports 1)

Fri Mar 01 2019 - 15:10

Jarrad Butler returns to lead Connacht in Cardiff

Andy Friend makes 10 changes to his starting XV with six players on international duty

Fri Jan 25 2019 - 12:43

Regrets? Connacht will have a few after a particularly galling loss

Leinster ultimately rewarded for their stubborn refusal to throw in the towel

Mon Dec 24 2018 - 06:00

Leinster complete stupendous comeback against Connacht

Connacht had their 29-12 lead evaporate in dramatic final dozen minutes at the RDS

Sat Dec 22 2018 - 22:19

Leo Cullen and Leinster know Connacht can cause problems

Former Leinster contingent in visitors’ line-up adds extra spice to this festive interpro

Sat Dec 22 2018 - 08:00

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

Paul Boyle seals the deal as Connacht claim bonus in South Africa

Connacht up to second spot in Conference B on back of pack’s performance

Sun Nov 25 2018 - 16:47

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

Connacht tap into feel-good factor to prepare for Bordeaux

Long overdue win in Belfast and stadium announcement have lifted spirits in Galway

Tue Oct 09 2018 - 17:12

Third time unlucky as Connacht succumb to Glasgow Warriors again

Missed penalty late on denies Irish side early-season win under new coach Andy Friend

Mon Sept 03 2018 - 06:45

John Muldoon gets perfect send-off as Connacht demolish Leinster

Skipper enjoys fond farewell from Sportsground crowd on memorable day

Sat Apr 28 2018 - 17:59

Connacht will feel the heat as they chase points from Cheetahs

Experience needed as South African side have lost only one match at home this season

Sat Mar 03 2018 - 01:00

Connacht aiming to get back on track in Treviso

Benetton without a host of players while visitors keen to make up for defeat to Zebre

Sat Feb 24 2018 - 01:00

Finlay Bealham set to earn his 100th cap for Connacht

Ireland prop says it is a ‘massive honour’ to join the elite group who have reached the milestone

Wed Feb 14 2018 - 01:00

‘A special one, bloody wonderful’ says Connacht boss Keane after Ulster rout

‘I suspect now we will be taken seriously as a club, perhaps as an organisation’

Sun Dec 24 2017 - 01:35

Rugby Statistics: European fare brings out the best in Connacht

Green shoots in the province’s development process evident in Challenge Cup games

Thu Dec 14 2017 - 06:30

Tadhg Furlong mixes fire with ice in trenches of the frontrow

24-year-old’s stock keeps rising with chance to prove himself further against huge Springboks

Wed Nov 08 2017 - 16:44

Connacht look to regain their rhythm against Munster

Announcement of Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad will add spice to interprovincial clash

Fri Oct 27 2017 - 06:30

Improving Connacht aiming to maintain momentum

Worcester Warriors the Challenge Cup visitors to the Sportsground

Sat Oct 21 2017 - 01:00

Chastened Ulster can get back on track against Connacht

Defeat to Zebre will have concentrated minds within Jono Gibbes’ Ulster squad

Thu Oct 05 2017 - 18:00

Connacht ‘champing at the bit’ for Glasgow match, says Kieran Keane

New coach downplays injury concerns and eager to capitalise on home advantage

Wed Aug 30 2017 - 01:00

Ronan O’Gara interview: ‘Joey Carbery has all the attributes’

Former Ireland outhalf is enjoying learning from Joe Schmidt as he shadows him on US tour

Sat Jun 10 2017 - 05:30

Gerry Thornley: Sloppy Leinster pay price for off-colour start

Handling errors prove province didn’t even bring a B game to semi-final defeat

Tue May 23 2017 - 07:00