South African sides make new dawn one of promise for United Rugby Championship
Leinster and Munster both open with games against the newcomers this weekend
Leinster and Munster both open with games against the newcomers this weekend
Damien de Allende, Jean de Villiers and Brian O’Driscoll on the green wall that awaits
Provinces will have to punch above weight when they face financial behemoths of Top14
Maro Itoje’s performance in defeat of Wasps epitomises new confidence in team
Leinster secondrow will make milestone appearance when Toulon visit the Aviva
This weekend it all comes back to the mental strength of the collective
Reigning World Champions are humbled by the Springboks in Parisian Pool A encounter
Ireland captain signs two-year deal with Top 14 side
Money talks and Mourad Boudjellal ’s millions are shouting loud for the European champions
Despite remarks, Munster star most to likely see out his career in Ireland
Munster coach says he has heard nothing of move which is denied by mega-rich French club
Australian back admits side were far from their best in semi-final win over Leinster
Gavin Cummiskey assesses the performances of both sets of players as Toulon reach yet another final
Intercept try from Bryan Habana in extra time gives Toulon daylight in Marseille
Toulon outhalf has resurrected a career that has long mixed the flaky with flawless
Leinster team to face Toulon at Stade Velodrome
Toulon team to face Leinster at Stade Velodrome
Be aggressive . . . don’t let them run at you . . . go helter-skelter at them . . . frontrow key . . . and clearouts . . . Johnny’s gone
Lock says financial divide needs to be solved to avoid ruining international game
French side far from their best as they see off Wasps
Champions should secure eighth successive knock-out win in the European Cup
No-arm charges at rucks are just as dangerous as the highlighted tackles
Size is the bottom line in rugby and the key to optimising physical power is getting access to players when they are young, writes Gavin Cummiskey
Late Bryan Habana try adds gloss to unconvincing win for South Africa in Padova
Matt Williams believes Heyneke Meyer has added flair to physicality and it is a masterstroke
Joe Schmidt’s men braced for the inevitable massive physical challenge the Boks represent
South African flanker has come back from illness and injury to regain a place
A year on and New Zealand heartbreak lingers. Distraction is the way to avoid a repeat against South Africa.
Heyneke Meyer hoping Ulster’s talismanic scrumhalf can overcome knee injury
European champions bring their multi-talented squad to Belfast for the first time
The best outhalf in world rugby graces Irish soil this weekend as European champions arrive in Belfast
Leinster lock’s offloading game, as well as his tackling, has consistently improved
Matt Giteau’s moment of magic lights up flat Heineken Cup finale
The Ulster-born coach eyes up a first European Cup and domestic double for Saracens
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices