Andy Friend

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

Tue Apr 18 2023 - 06:00

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

Wed Apr 12 2023 - 06:00

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

Fri Feb 17 2023 - 15:47

‘He’ll be here’ - Andy Friend dismisses rumours of Bundee Aki’s departure

Connacht DOR stands by selection for Challenge Cup defeat to Newcastle

Tue Jan 24 2023 - 14:19

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’

Wed Jan 18 2023 - 06:00

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

Mon Nov 28 2022 - 05:00

Connacht without Aki and Hansen for dead rubber

Ireland internationals will miss final URC game of the season against Zebre

Tue May 17 2022 - 20:35

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

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

Sat Apr 23 2022 - 19:33

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

Fri Apr 22 2022 - 14:58

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

Wed Apr 20 2022 - 06:00

Cullen ready to juggle playing resources for South African trip

Leinster coach bearing in mind upcoming Champions Cup test against Leicester

Mon Apr 18 2022 - 01:02

Cullen relishes prospect of Tigers test as Leinster ease past Connacht

Head coach praises four-try James Lowe after province secure quarter-final spot

Sat Apr 16 2022 - 01:00

Leinster v Connacht head-to-head: Caelan Doris v Cian Prendergast

Battle of the two young blindsides will be fascinating in the second leg

Fri Apr 15 2022 - 06:00

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

Fri Apr 15 2022 - 06:00

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

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

Wed Apr 13 2022 - 06:00

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

Tue Apr 12 2022 - 06:00

‘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

Mon Apr 11 2022 - 05:30

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

Mon Apr 11 2022 - 01:00

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

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

Wed Apr 06 2022 - 06:00

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’

Tue Apr 05 2022 - 15:54

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’

Sat Apr 02 2022 - 14:29

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

Sat Apr 02 2022 - 01:00

Friend calls for Connacht response after ‘embarrassing’ defeats

Hansen and Bealham back for province ahead of URC trip to face Benetton

Wed Mar 30 2022 - 06:00

‘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

Mon Mar 28 2022 - 05:00

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

Leinster and Connacht reveal their teams for URC clash

Ciarán Frawley is back after facial injury in February win against Edinburgh

Fri Mar 25 2022 - 13:14

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

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’

Mon Mar 07 2022 - 06:00

Carty and Heffernan return for Connacht’s trip to Edinburgh

Heach coach Andy Friend makes seven changes for fixture pencilled in for victory

Fri Mar 04 2022 - 01:00

Leinster duo Dunne and O’Loughlin to join Exeter Chiefs

Adam Byrne, Dooley and Hawkshaw set to follow Murphy by switching to Connacht

Thu Mar 03 2022 - 20:40

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

Sat Feb 19 2022 - 21:50