Gerry Thornley: Empty seats the abiding memory of opening two rounds of Champions CupThe Premiership has never been at a lower ebb and do the PRL and the LNR actually give a damn?Tue Dec 27 2022 - 05:00
Munster v Leinster: Munster locked and loaded but Leinster still have the firepowerInterprovincial derby is back in its traditional festive slot with a full house, making this a true celebration of Irish rugbyMon Dec 26 2022 - 06:00
Leinster evolution: ‘On and off the pitch we’d grown, and the rest is history’As he steps down as Leinster CEO, Mick Dawson looks back on the team’s transformation - and credits rivalry with Munster as the spur to successSat Dec 24 2022 - 06:00
URC: Leinster make 10 changes for Munster clash with Andrew Porter set to play 100th gameMunster retain all but two of starting line-up from Champions Cup victory over NorthamptonFri Dec 23 2022 - 13:19
Antoine Frisch working through split family loyalty ahead of Munster-Leinster clashFrench-born, Irish-qualified centre relishing prospect of taking on LeinsterFri Dec 23 2022 - 05:00
Mike Prendergast insists Munster hold no mental baggage ahead of Leinster visitIn-form Gavin Coombes set to carry a big load againThu Dec 22 2022 - 05:00
Munster set to avoid major rotation and name strong line-up for Leinster clashSquad depth more likely to be tested on New Year’s Day visit to UlsterWed Dec 21 2022 - 18:17
Gerry Thornley: Ulster’s lose-lose match with La Rochelle in empty Aviva could cost up to €700,000 Circumstances behind the switch to Dublin could be costly but second-half fightback might save the team’s seasonTue Dec 20 2022 - 06:00
‘We’re not going to take the foot off’ - Ross Molony and Leinster ready for St Stephen’s Day clash with MunsterThe 7.30pm kick-off means players can spend Christmas Day with their families and loved onesTue Dec 20 2022 - 06:00
Graham Rowntree hopes Munster’s battling win in Northampton proves a ‘launch pad’ Invaluable 17-6 win at Franklin’s Gardens keeps Champions Cup hopes aliveMon Dec 19 2022 - 06:00
Leinster sitting pretty but Leo Cullen keen to keep the pedal down through busy stretchHead coach will use depth of his squad for upcoming derby games over ChristmasMon Dec 19 2022 - 06:00
Munster reaction: ‘That’s the proper stuff, to hold a team out like that’Much credit given to defence coach Denis Leamy for resilience shown in win at NorthamptonMon Dec 19 2022 - 05:00
Graham Rowntree hails Munster’s ‘exceptional’ effort in away win at Northampton ‘To dig in like that, that’s massive for us going forward’Sun Dec 18 2022 - 16:26
Gavin Coombes double and epic defensive effort gets Munster back on trackBrilliant second-half backs to the wall effort earns victory away to NorthamptonSun Dec 18 2022 - 15:42
Gavin Coombes and Munster braced for a defining few weeksGavin Coombes acutely aware of his roots and the iconic jersey he wears as Munster face difficult Northampton assignmentSun Dec 18 2022 - 07:00
Under-pressure Munster bolstered by Murray and Earls for must-win Northampton clash Season-defining game likely to be decided on the gainlineSat Dec 17 2022 - 06:00
Second-string Gloucester ruthlessly swept away by nine try LeinsterLeinster secure another impressive Champions Cup win on a Baltic night at the RDSFri Dec 16 2022 - 22:36
Leinster must beware of complacency against much-changed GloucesterComplacency is the first opponent Leo Cullen’s men must vanquish against much-changed visitorsFri Dec 16 2022 - 06:00
Mike Haley: ‘With Munster in Europe, there’s no expectation other than to go over and win’The fullback is relishing his return to Northampton for a must-win matchFri Dec 16 2022 - 06:00
Johnny Sexton makes bench as Leinster opt for ‘fresh’ line-up for GloucesterLuke McGrath, Rónan Kelleher, Ross Molony and Jack Conan all to start in Champions CupThu Dec 15 2022 - 15:44
Leamy relishes Northampton challenge as under-pressure Munster seek key Champions Cup winDefence coach praises province’s performance in defeat to Toulouse ahead of important away matchThu Dec 15 2022 - 05:00
Denis Leamy sees a lot of positives from Munster’s performance against ToulouseDefence coach very pleased with Jack Crowley’s display in Champions Cup matchWed Dec 14 2022 - 17:19
Gerry Thornley: Formidable usual suspects make strong cases at start of European campaignsLeinster, La Rochelle and Toulouse were among the sides to impress while Munster and Ulster must play catch-up alreadyTue Dec 13 2022 - 05:00
Same result but contrasting emotions for Munster and Ulster after opening defeatsGraham Rowntree upbeat after solid performance while Sale hammering sends Ulster back to the drawing boardMon Dec 12 2022 - 05:00
Gavin Coombes keeping the faith in Munster’s progress despite Toulouse defeat Number eight aware that Munster performed admirably according to a number of metrics but still made crucial errorsSun Dec 11 2022 - 19:52
Powerful Toulouse hold on in the fog to see off Munster at Thomond ParkFrench side had the upper hand at breakdown, maul and scrum to secure a significant victorySun Dec 11 2022 - 17:25
Champions Cup may yet deliver vintage tournament despite its perplexing, spectator-unfriendly formatEPCR have managed the curious trick of both curtailing and expanding the tournament at the same timeSat Dec 10 2022 - 06:00
Munster out to avenge painful quarter-final defeat as Toulouse touch down at Thomond Antoine Dupont says French side are fully aware of the challenge that awaits them on SundayFri Dec 09 2022 - 17:12
Champions Cup: Gerry Thornley’s club-by-club guide to Irish teams and their opponentsLeinster are after that fifth star and have the added incentive of the final being in DublinFri Dec 09 2022 - 13:00
IRFU says AIL not fit for purpose amid new developments introduced to women’s gameGoverning body pledges €1 million towards boosting facilities and pathways developmentThu Dec 08 2022 - 15:06
Andrew Porter wary of Racing set-piece prowess ahead of Champions Cup openerLeinster prop recovering from lengthy shift against Ulster after deputising for sent off Cian HealyThu Dec 08 2022 - 05:00
Rejuvenated Munster primed for challenge of Dupont and ‘juggernaut’ Toulouse Graham Rowntree admits his spirit sank when French scrumhalf was cleared to face provinceThu Dec 08 2022 - 05:00
‘It’s a special competition to the club’ - Rowntree and Munster relishing Toulouse testHead coach insists last season’s penalty shootout against the French outfit has not been discussedWed Dec 07 2022 - 15:58
Former Crusaders coach Goodman draws healthy comparisons with Leinster’s squad strengthNew Zealander looking forward to the challenge of the ‘best club competition in the world’Tue Dec 06 2022 - 06:00
Gerry Thornley: This season’s Champions Cup looks more competitive than everRevised Champions Cup format makes Europe's premier rugby trophy harder to win than everTue Dec 06 2022 - 05:00
Sexton and Furlong both concerns for Leinster’s European opener against Racing 92 Sexton hasn’t played since picking up a calf injury in the warm-up before Ireland’s win over AustraliaMon Dec 05 2022 - 16:06
Ross Byrne on that winning penalty against Australia: ‘I knew straight away I was going for it’The Leinster fly-half is looking forward to the next Ireland call-up after his spectacular return to international action last monthSat Dec 03 2022 - 06:00
Rónan Kelleher happy to get stuck into the ‘nitty-gritty’ at LeinsterLast Saturday Kelleher made just his second start for Leinster in six months, ending a two-month absence due to a hamstring injuryFri Dec 02 2022 - 06:00
Munster will face tough task turning around their poor away form on visit to EdinburghGraham Rowntree brings in a more experienced frontrow with John Ryan winning his 200th capThu Dec 01 2022 - 16:21
Gerry Thornley: France end year as World Cup favourites but top tier has never been so competitiveFrance end year as clear World Cup favourites as Ireland show they can cope without SextonTue Nov 29 2022 - 06:00
Stuart Lancaster says internationals returning has increased intensityUlster game is both a summit meeting and perfect preparation for return to EuropeTue Nov 29 2022 - 06:00
Leinster’s Robbie Henshaw out until new year with wrist injuryAll of province’s other frontline Irish internationals have returned to trainingMon Nov 28 2022 - 14:45
Munster must banish thoughts of Toulouse to win in Edinburgh Connacht face a similarly crucial game against BenettonMon Nov 28 2022 - 05:00
Munster make the most of home comfort and potent maul to maintain momentumMunster's ambition secures bonus-point win but Connacht coach Friend aggrieved with refereeing inconsistencyMon Nov 28 2022 - 05:00
Graham Rowntree happy with Munster’s ‘smart’ approach against ConnachtKeith Earls might come into the mix for next Friday’s game away to Edinburgh, says head coachSat Nov 26 2022 - 23:18
URC: Munster subdue spirited Connacht to secure much-needed victoryEvenly balanced game was high on competitiveness if a little low on qualitySat Nov 26 2022 - 22:18
Leinster looking to take up where they left off as Glasgow come looking for revengeLeo Cullen’s side ran in 12 tries in a 76-14 URC quarter-final win over the Scottish side last JuneSat Nov 26 2022 - 06:00
Needs must as Munster and Connacht roll out big guns for high-stakes derby clashInternational players straight back into action in search of a winning restart to URC campaignSat Nov 26 2022 - 06:00
Munster vs Connacht: No rest for internationals as Beirne and Bealham among those selectedBeirne, O’Mahony, Casey, Bealham and Prendergast among those who return from Ireland camp to startFri Nov 25 2022 - 12:48
Leinster vs Glasgow: Kelleher returns from injury as Ruddock is named captainRoss Byrne starts after Ireland heroics with younger brother Harry back from injury on the benchFri Nov 25 2022 - 12:28
