Gerry Thornley: A deflating and damaging weekend for Leinster, Ulster and Irish rugby
Irish provinces have never seemed farther away from a Champions Cup win
Ulster Rugby
Owen Doyle: Referees get an armchair ride as Leinster and Ulster crash and burn
Discipline, defence and breakdown decisions shape European deciders for Leinster and Ulster
Joey Carbery set for Leinster return, Ulster had eyes on the wrong prize: What we learned from the European finals
Defeats for Leinster and Ulster in Bilbao leaves Irish rugby with some food for thought
Ulster ratings v Montpellier: Rob Baloucoune a rare shining light for exhausted Ulster
Zac Ward and Tom Stewart among those with games to forget in Challenge Cup final
Jim McDowell obituary: Fearless Belfast journalist who took on drug dealers and paramilitaries
Larger-than-life former Northern editor of Sunday World never let up in seeking justice for murdered colleague and writing about paramilitaries’ criminality
‘Incredible’ Rob Baloucoune brings joy despite Ulster’s defeat in Challenge Cup final
The winger impressed as his team-mates wilted around him in stifling heat in Bilbao
Ulster hammered by Montpellier in Challenge Cup final - as it happened
Irish province second best to a dominant French side in Bilbao
Weakened Ulster burn out against ruthless Montpellier in Challenge Cup final
Richie Murphy’s team no match for awesome French side as trophy wait extends into a 21st season
Leinster v Bordeaux Bègles: TV details, weather, kick-off times and team news for Champions Cup final
Everything you need to know as Ulster play Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao on Friday night
Ulster’s Ward and Baloucoune offer inspiration, but key to victory rests with someone else
Scrumhalf is top of the URC for kicks in play and try assists – and a big performance in Bilbao could yield long-overdue silverware
Challenge Cup final preview: Ulster face daunting task against Montpellier in Bilbao
Montpellier v Ulster could see temperatures of 27 degrees at kick-off on Friday night
Ulster and Leinster finals to take place amid extreme heat warning in Spain
Temperatures could be 30 degrees for both games at the San Mamés Stadium while Friday afternoon could see the mercury tip 38 degrees
Ulster get Rob Baloucoune boost ahead of Challenge Cup final against Montpellier
Northern province appear to be travelling to Bilbao without Rob Herring and Jacob Stockdale
Three Irish provinces on the dance card for URC quarter-final fandango
Connacht will take on Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, Munster face Bulls in Pretoria and Leinster have home advantage against Lions
URC final day playoff permutations and Champions Cup qualification explainer
All four Irish provinces cannot make the URC playoffs but all four could yet qualify for Champions Cup next season
Losing bonus points leave Ulster with anxious wait over URC playoffs
Richie Murphy’s side in final playoff spot but only a point ahead of Munster who host the Lions on Saturday
Conor Murray: How the battle for the number nine shirt is shaping the future of Irish rugby
Munster’s hurling culture and the influence of the GAA on Irish rugby’s development pipeline
Ulster walk selection tightrope against Glasgow ahead of defining week
Richie Murphy balances Challenge Cup final priorities against URC qualification in Belfast
Ulster captain Iain Henderson suspended for Challenge Cup final following upgraded red card
Henderson handed three-match ban for Stormers tackle ahead of European decider against Montpellier in Bilbao
Matt Williams: URC organisers should take a bow – and do nothing else
The tightness of the battle to reach the quarter-finals is evidence of the competition’s success
URC permutations: How Irish teams can make that crucial top-eight placing
Munster, Ulster and Connacht could finish in top eight, while Leinster could still finish top of table
Ulster coach calls for consistency in ‘final before the final’ against Glasgow Warriors
Victory against URC leaders would put the province in the right frame of mind ahead of Montpellier clash in Bilbao
Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale ruled out for Glasgow clash
Stockdale underwent surgery last week after sustaining a facial fracture during Exeter win
How Sam Prendergast’s tee illustrates wider debate within world of kicking
Sam Prendergast now uses a telescopic tee, one that elevates the ball with a forward tilt. But why did he change?
Gerry Thornley: Repeating top-eight URC feat would be an even bigger outcome for Irish game
Three of last season’s top eight will not reach the playoffs - all of which makes for a very fluid and competitive league
Owen Doyle: Ulster fans booed the referee, but he got the penalty try decision right
Nathan Doak’s collision with Stomers’ Leolin Zas did not have great force, but it was to the head
Connacht’s win over Munster brings province within single point of URC playoffs
After victory over Munster, a tricky fixture awaits next Friday away to Edinburgh
Werner Kok scores hat-trick as Ulster and Stormers play out high-scoring draw
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was outstanding for the visitors as they fought back for draw in last minute
Conor Murray: Leinster Rugby deserves more than social media cynicism
Leo Cullen’s frustration is visible, but the consistency of this Leinster era deserves more than social media cynicism
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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