rugby

Sport Top Picks
La Rochelle v Munster - Pre-Season Friendly
Ian Madigan confident Tom Wood can handle Munster opportunity
After Munster came close to missing the cut-off in the last two campaigns, Madigan believes this could be the season they miss out if they make a poor start.

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Argentina v Australia - Test Match
Australia flyhalf Gordon set for long spell out with broken leg
Gordon suffered the injury in the 70th minute of the Mendoza clash with Argentina

Mon, 07 Sep, 2026

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-LA ROCHELLE-TOULOUSE
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle pull off remarkable comeback to beat Toulouse
La Rochelle beat Toulouse with a late penalty coming back from a 14-point half-time deficit to claim the victory

Sun, 06 Sep, 2026

Denis Leamy and Ronan O’Gara before the game 28/8/2026
Ronan O'Gara looks to new faces as La Rochelle kick off Top 14 campaign against Toulouse
The Corkman will look for his side to make a statement in the Sunday primetime showdown.

Sat, 05 Sep, 2026

RUGBYU-ARG-RSA
Springboks go ahead in series but coach says only by small margin
The sides will meet again in Baltimore next weekend. 

Sat, 05 Sep, 2026

Leinster Rugby Open Training
Leinster have tapped into Joey Carbery's Bordeaux education 
Tommy O'Brien and Carbery have spent quite a bit of time together this summer as they have been working their way back to full fitness

Sat, 05 Sep, 2026

Luke McGrath celebrates after the game 18/1/2025
Ex-Leinster scrum-half Luke McGrath the latest big name to join French rugby ranks 
McGrath, who joined serial Top 14 survivors Perpignan, was not the only one to make the journey from Ireland to France this summer.

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Denis Leamy and Ronan O’Gara before the game 28/8/2026
It’s like the Top 14 never went away as season kicks off 
Here we go again, weeks after Toulouse beat Montpellier to win the Bouclier de Brennus for a fourth time in a row.

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Leinster v La Rochelle - Investec Champions Cup
Ronan O'Gara set for new La Rochelle contract as Leinster eye Contepomi
The idea of luring O’Gara from France to Leinster has won favour with some of the Leinster playing group, say well-placed sources, but not all in the organisation.

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

IRFU Ireland Rugby New Jersey Launch
'He's used to it' but Leo Cullen shouldn't be blamed for Leinster's Europe failures says Josh van der Flier
Speaking at the launch of Ireland's new home jersey in Dublin, van der Flier feels that his fellow Wicklow man has been unfairly singled out for Leinster's inability to get over the line in Europe.

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Ryan Caldwell 11/10/2008
'I had no love for myself': Ex-Ireland rugby player Ryan Caldwell’s journey back from the edge
Ahead of the publication of his warts 'n all autobiography, the retired Ulster second-row on his recovery from addiction, depression and incarceration to find a new life as a meditation teacher

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Clayton McMillan 28/8/2026
Munster have 'things to tidy up' but won't be going back to drawing board
Munster stayed at a spa hotel on the idyllic Île de Ré during their trip to France, just over the bridge from La Rochelle. Ronan O’Gara gave his former province the run of his club’s training facilities

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

South Africa v New Zealand All Blacks
South African airline defends dramatic low-level flyby before Springboks-All Blacks test match in Cape Town
The flyby by two Embraer jets, operated by local airline Airlink, happened on Saturday before the second rugby union Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town.

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

Argentina v Australia - Test Match
Australia defeat Argentina in thriller to maintain Les Kiss’ winning run
Rob Valetini leads heroic Wallabies effort.

Sat, 29 Aug, 2026

Maeve Óg O'Leary lifts the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship trophy 29/8/2026
Buttimer brace proves the difference as Munster secure back-to-back Interpro Championship titles
August has been a month to remember for Buttimer, who turned 21 in recent days and warmed up for the upcoming WXV Global Series as the Interpros' top scorer with eight tries.

Sat, 29 Aug, 2026

South Africa v New Zealand All Blacks
Ferocious Springboks hit back against All Blacks and level series
Kolisi and Marx inspire world champions to victory.

Sat, 29 Aug, 2026

Sean Edogbo 28/8/2026
'He's probably lost 15 kgs': Key takeaways and insights from Munster's camp in La Rochelle
New members of the management team, new signings, a leaner Edogbo and ROG optimism. There was plenty beyond the 47-26 result to take from Munster's trip to France's Atlantic coast 

Sat, 29 Aug, 2026

La Rochelle v Munster - Pre-Season Friendly
'Reasonably happy' Clayton McMillan encouraged by Munster performance 
Munster looked rusty in comparison to La Rochelle, still a month out from their URC opener against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park on September 26.

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

RC Vannes v Connacht - Pre-Season Friendly
Mack Hansen returns from injury as Connacht pipped by Vannes
The 28-year-old played 52 minutes of the preseason friendly while fellow Australian, centre Byron Ralston, returned for his first action since suffering a knee injury last October.

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Ben O'Connor and Ugo Pacome compete in the air for the ball 28/8/2026
O'Gara's La Rochelle gear up for Top 14 with win over Munster at sold-out Stade Marcel-Deflandre
For Munster, there will be satisfaction of valuable minutes in the legs of their travelling squad, both sides having fielded two different teams in each half.

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Maeve Óg O’Leary arrives 22/8/2026
Maeve Óg O’Leary to lead Munster in interpro decider with Leinster 
Both sides have made two changes for the Galway showdown.

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Jack Crowley signs an autograph for a young fan after the game 21/8/2026
Munster to give Jack Crowley time to recover from 'very, very rare' injury
Munster boss Clayton McMillan was speaking exclusively to the Irish Examiner.

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Tom Wood 14/8/2026
Hanrahan and Wood handed chance as Munster prepares for Crowley absence
While head coach Clayton McMillan said Jack Crowley would be missed, he was comfortable with the fly-half cover available to him ahead of the URC kick-off at home to Glasgow Warriors on September 26.

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Evan O'Connell 25/5/2026
'He's still very passionate about Munster': Evan O'Connell on O'Gara camp visit
O’Connell will be looking to stake his claim to more game time when the regular season kicks off following the departure of South African World Cup winner Jean Kleyn to Gloucester

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-MONTAUBAN-LA ROCHELLE
S Ronan O'Gara: Next job I do will be relatively straightforward if it’s in English 
“With a contract coming to an end, it could chime with opportunities to consider other options, but where I sit today, La Rochelle is the only project in my eyeline,” O’Gara writes.

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Clayton McMillan 14/8/2026
Munster to field two different teams in La Rochelle clash 
Each of McMillan’s XVs named on Thursday afternoon will feature a mix of established Munster frontliners, academy players and new tighthead prop signings Kieran Brookes and Jack Aungier.

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Jack Crowley 17/1/2026
Munster and Ireland No 10 Jack Crowley sidelined until January
Munster revealed the prognosis for their first-choice number 10 on Thursday as they prepared for their opening pre-season fixture in France at La Rochelle on Friday evening. 

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Leinster Rugby Media Conference
Leinster aiming to make Laya Arena 'one of the best stadiums to play club rugby in Europe'
CEO Shane Nolan believes the new arena can provide the foundation for the next stage of the province's growth.

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Munster COO explains how lack of central contracts is hurting province financially
Munster COO explains how lack of central contracts is hurting province financially
Munster’s Chief Operating Officer Philip Quinn told the Irish Examiner that the ongoing cost-cutting programme was undertaken to protect investment in the organisation’s player pathway programmes.

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Leinster Rugby Media Conference
'I'm not going to discuss any individuals': Leinster CEO refuses to rule out Ronan O'Gara succeeding Leo Cullen
Leinster have begun the process of finding a replacement for Cullen, who will step down at the end of next season after 12 years in charge

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Matt Brown speaks to the team huddle after the game 22/8/2026
'No excuses': Munster look to successfully defend Women’s Interprovincial Championship title
The Munster boss paid tribute to his squad’s continuing energy as they prepare for their fourth and final game of the championship.

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Richie Mo'unga 20/10/2023
New Zealand's Mo’unga returns to stake World Cup claims
South Africa have named their team for the second Test against New Zealand

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Connacht v Munster - Vodafone Womens Interprovincial Championship Round 3
Seven uncapped players named in Ireland training squad for WXV series
Ireland face USA and Japan in the series

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Katie Corrigan is thrown into the air by her teammates in celebrating her twenty first birthday 22/8/2026
Munster's Brown hopes physical test perfect prep for Leinster rematch
Despite ousting Connacht by 47-12 in the end, Brown felt it was a great preparation for their showdown with Leinster.

Sun, 23 Aug, 2026

RUGBYU-RSA-NZL
Jordan double stuns Springboks as ruthless All Blacks clinch statement victory
Given South Africa's status as the world’s leading side, this goes down as a disintegration.

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

Uillian Eilian and Sally Kelly 22/8/2026
Munster warm up for final meeting with Leinster with big win over Connacht
Munster enjoyed a seven tries to two win over Connacht at Dexcom Stadium.

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

Ulster v Leinster - Vodafone Womens Interprovincial Championship Round 3
Leinster book interpro final spot with mauling of Ulster
Wexford pair Robyn O'Connor and Katie Whelan amassed eight tries between them

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

Caitriona Finn kicks a conversion 16/8/2025
Munster players fighting for final jerseys in Connacht clash
Munster will have six of their nine IRFU centrally contracted players on show at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday while hosts Connacht will have four of their six

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

New Zealand v South Africa - The Rugby Championship
Smoke and mirrors fill the vacuum as Springboks and All Blacks brace for battle
South Africa welcome New Zealand for their Greatest Rivalry series with the suspicion that they plan on beating the tourists at their own game.

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Caitríona Finn takes a conversion kick 15/8/2026
Brown makes two changes to Munster side for Connacht clash
Assistant coach Niamh Briggs had spoken during the week about the need to balance continued momentum with some element of freshness, and they have leaned towards the former for the first of two successive trips to Galway.

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

South Africa v Scotland - 2026 Nations Championship
Springboks replace Kolisi with De Villiers for first All Blacks test
Kolisi has been ‌battling a hamstring injury and while coach Rassie Erasmus said he was fit to play, the coach has selected the inexperienced Paul de Villiers ahead of him.

Thu, 20 Aug, 2026

Niamh Briggs speaks to the team huddle after the game 15/8/2026
Briggs insists Munster won't ease up before interpro final
Niamh Briggs said she's "really proud" of how the Muntser women's team are playing but they are determined to continue improving

Wed, 19 Aug, 2026

Gene O’Leary Kareem 13/10/2025
Gene O'Leary Kareem leaves Munster after deciding to step away from pro rugby
Munster said the 21-year-old, who was a member of Ireland's 2025 U20 Six Nations squad, has decided to leave professional rugby "for now"

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Munster v Ulster - Vodafone Womens Interprovincial Championship Round 2
Dominant Munster on upward curve after trouncing Ulster
Connacht up next for the holders after the ran 10 tries past Munster

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Clodagh O’Halloran celebrates with Aoife Corey after scoring her side's fifth try 15/8/2026
Munster run in 10 tries in demolition of scoreless Ulster 
The hosts made it two wins from two on Leeside. 

Sat, 15 Aug, 2026

Taniela Tupou 9/9/2023
Australia's pack gets the job done as Wallabies hammer Japan in Townsville
The victory sealed Australia's first three-game winning streak since 2024

Sat, 15 Aug, 2026

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Donal Lenihan
Donal Lenihan

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