The Irish Times

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

Four-try Lowe to the fore as Leinster swat aside Connacht in second leg rout

Likely quarter-final date with Leicester booked in the diary after Aviva hammering

Fri Apr 15 2022 - 19:49

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

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

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

Jarrad Butler calls for Connacht response against Ulster in Belfast

Club captain admits review of Glasgow defeat ‘didn’t beat around the bush’

Tue Feb 01 2022 - 17:48

‘It doesn’t break us, it makes us stronger’- Connacht punched in guts by Tigers

Andy Friend’s side let 18-point lead slip away but can still reach Champions Cup last-16

Mon Jan 17 2022 - 06:46

All eyes on the Sportsground as Connacht look to dent Munster’s strong record

Alex Kendellen to make first Munster start in exciting young backrow

Sat Jan 01 2022 - 06:00

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’s fire and fury ignites their season as Ulster brushed aside with ease

Head coach Andy Friend calls Aviva Stadium experiment a success after big bonus-point win

Mon Oct 25 2021 - 06:00

Connacht supply the fireworks on memorable night at the Aviva

Bonus-point win over Ulster sees Mack Hansen cross for two tries

Sat Oct 23 2021 - 19:46

Stander and Fardy’s exit signals a changing of Irish import guard

This summer marks a watershed moment in the role of ‘project players’ in Irish rugby

Sat Apr 24 2021 - 01:00

Connacht target rare win across the water to secure European quarter-final spot

Andy Friend optimistic his province can produce third win against a Premiership side

Sat Apr 03 2021 - 01:00

Connacht give up 21-point half time lead as Scarlets claim Champions Cup spot

Andy Friend’s side lose out on chance of first win at Parc y Scarlets

Mon Mar 22 2021 - 22:43

Australian embassy in Dublin to permanently fly Aboriginal flag

Irish office makes history by being one of first diplomatic outposts of Australia to use flag

Fri Mar 05 2021 - 14:57

Pro14: Munster-Connacht rivalry set to take on a sharper edge

Johann van Graan’s side eyeing place in final as Andy Friend’s squad travel in expectation

Fri Mar 05 2021 - 11:01

Ospreys come from behind as Connacht’s home woes continue

Andy Friend’s side lose a fourth-consecutive fixture in Galway as Rhys Webb impresses

Sun Jan 24 2021 - 19:31

Connacht’s basement buys are proving to be bargains

Andy Friend says province must shop at Aldi but their recruitment is looking to be astute

Sat Jan 09 2021 - 06:00

Connacht come within a score of massive upset against Racing 92

Irish province had an opportunity to take full points with the last play of the game

Sun Dec 13 2020 - 20:10

Sloppy Connacht second best in defeat to Cardiff Blues

Visitors lost Finlay Bealham and Dave Heffernan to injuries in the first 20 minutes

Sat Oct 10 2020 - 22:11

Gordon D’Arcy: Munster need to get Ben Healy to 50 caps as quick as they can

Johann van Graan needs to back up his promise to invest in local talent

Wed Oct 07 2020 - 06:00

The Offload: Canterbury get Ireland women’s launch all wrong

Dylan Hartley’s book gives a revealing insight into rugby’s professional ‘guinea pigs’

Mon Aug 31 2020 - 10:34

McFarland and Ulster approaching Connacht clash as ‘a win-and-in’

Andy Friend’s new-look side out to make their own statement on Sunday

Sat Aug 22 2020 - 06:00

Ian Madigan in line for Ulster debut as Aki reaches milestone

New Ulster signing to start among the replacements along with Alby Mathewson

Fri Aug 21 2020 - 14:05

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

Connacht face daunting task against Edinburgh

Andy Friend’s side will seek at Murrayfield to follow up a superb win against Cardiff

Fri Feb 21 2020 - 06:00

Connacht make four changes to their pack for Edinburgh clash

Injuries force head coach Andy Friend to make changes for trip to Murrayfield

Thu Feb 20 2020 - 12:46

Andy Friend believes Connacht have turned a corner after Cardiff shutout

Bonus-point victory over Welsh side keeps side in playoff picture after poor run

Mon Feb 17 2020 - 06:00

Connacht hand Cardiff a dose of the blues

Dave Heffernan impresses as Connacht end losing run

Sat Feb 15 2020 - 22:06

Leinster to face Saracens, the opponents nobody wanted

Formidable champions Saracens can focus fully on European quarter-final test

Mon Jan 20 2020 - 01:00

Connacht determined to make Montpellier clash count for something

With no hope of qualifying for knockout stages, this will be about performance and pride

Sat Jan 18 2020 - 06:00

Connacht’s Irish internationals return for Toulouse challenge

Scrumhalf Stephen Kerins is handed his first Champions Cup start for visit of Toulouse

Fri Jan 10 2020 - 13:40

Rugby Stats: Pro14 player rotation could give provinces a boost over Top14 foes

Top 14 bears the reputation of a league that exacts huge physical toll on players

Thu Jan 09 2020 - 07:00