Event: European Challenge Cup

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

rugby

O’Mahony: Joe has changed outlook for young generations

Despite the disappointment of last Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final exit to New Zealand, Peter O’Mahony insists Joe Schmidt vacates his role as Ireland head coach with considerable credit in the bank.

rugby

Friend’s Connacht turn focus to Cardiff

rugby

Connacht's dramatic comeback seals Challenge Cup quarter-final spot

rugby

Bundee Aki ‘just a small cog’ in the Ireland wheel

rugby

Mike Sherry hopes injury frustrations firmly in rear view mirror

rugby

Leinster must fill void back where Nacewa started out

Ciarán Whelan: The boys in blue are the All Blacks of GAA

To describe this great team of Jim Gavin’s, Ciarán Whelan turns to capital sage Jimmy Rabbitte for inspiration.

Wed, 23 May, 2018

Reds could do with a win as ‘cousins’ square off

The RDS has played host to Grand finals, a European Challenge Cup decider and all manner of memorable Leinster wins in the last half-dozen seasons. It’s even been the backdrop for an unlikely home defeat at the hands of Benetton Rugby. What it hasn’t done lately is open its doors to Munster.

Fri, 18 May, 2018

Earls certain Munster capable of lifting silverware

Keith Earls was crowned Munster Player of the Year yesterday but said he would gladly swap his prize for team silverware at the end of the season.

Thu, 26 Apr, 2018

George North relishing 'new chapter' as he joins the Ospreys

The Welsh Rugby Union revealed today that the Swansea-based Ospreys will be his destination.

Wed, 25 Apr, 2018

Connacht look to buck quarters trend

Connacht coach Kieran Keane is happy with his side’s progression in his first season in charge, but admits they need to beat Gloucester on Saturday to have any hope of Champions Cup rugby next season.

Fri, 30 Mar, 2018

Connacht aim to send John Muldoon out on high

John Muldoon looks set to remain involved in rugby and having built up considerable coaching experience during his playing career, Connacht supporters will be hoping that the province’s finest player will return in due course when he hangs up his boots in May.

Thu, 25 Jan, 2018

Conor Oliver is tackled by Gavin Thornbury 6/1/2018

Johann Van Graan facing Paris poser for back row, says CJ Stander

CJ Stander believes Johann van Graan will have headaches finalising his back-row trio for next Sunday’s all-important European Champions Cup game against Racing 92.

Tue, 09 Jan, 2018

Matt Healy scores four of Connacht's seven tries in easy win over Brive

Matt Healy scored four tries as Connacht maintained their 100% record in Pool Five of the European Challenge Cup with a comfortable 55-10 triumph over Brive.

Sat, 16 Dec, 2017

Injured Tommy Bowe ruled out of clash with Harlequins

Tommy Bowe, injured in Sunday’s Champions Cup win at Harlequins, is out of Friday’s return leg with the Premiership side in Belfast.

Wed, 13 Dec, 2017

Connacht’s love affair with France goes on

Their PRO14 form is dodgy to say the least, but Connacht’s pedigree in the European Challenge Cup is obvious and on Saturday night they took a big step not only towards securing a quarter-final spot, but ensuring that they will enjoy home advantage in the last eight.

Mon, 11 Dec, 2017

Gaffney grabs Zebre chance with both hands

Former Irish U20 Ciarán Gaffney is making his mark in Italy after being snapped up during the summer by Michael Bradley at Zebre, writes John Fallon.

Tue, 05 Dec, 2017

Pita Ahki takes centre stage for Connacht in Italy

Connacht coach Kieran Keane says a resurgent Zebre will pose a huge threat in Parma this afternoon as his side aim to bounce back to winning ways before refocusing next week to the European Challenge Cup campaign.

Sat, 02 Dec, 2017

Connacht v Worcester Warriors - European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 5 Round 2

Connacht make it two wins from two in European Challenge Cup

In Pool Five of the European Challenge Cup, Connacht made it two wins from two with an uninspiring 15-8 victory over Worcester, who suffered their ninth away defeat in a row in the competition.

Sat, 21 Oct, 2017

Connacht aim to buck trend against English clubs

Connacht’s record against English clubs in the European Challenge Cup is fairly dismal but they have a great chance to start rectifying that this afternoon when they take on a Worcester Warriors side who are bottom of the Premiership.

Sat, 21 Oct, 2017

Adopted Lancaster won’t blow his own trumpet

After a week when a ghost from Twickenham came back to haunt him, Stuart Lancaster can point this morning to a rattling reminder of Leinster’s European resurrection.

Mon, 16 Oct, 2017

Change of scenery can lift Connacht spirits

There is nearly always a ‘group of death’ each time the draw is made for any competition but whatever term is used to sum up the exact opposite of that scenario probably applies to Pool 5 of the European Challenge Cup. 

Sat, 14 Oct, 2017

Ulster swat Wasps at Kingspan

The European fear factor of the Kingspan Stadium may not be as severe as the once Fortress Ravenhill, but it nevertheless helped carry Ulster over the line against a stuttering Wasps side as Ulster got their Champions Cup Pool 1 campaign off to a winning start last night.

Sat, 14 Oct, 2017

Joy Neville and other female rugby referee become first to ref men's internationals

Joy Neville, from Limerick, has been named as one of two women who will referree a men's fifteen-a-side Rugby Europe international.

Wed, 27 Sep, 2017

Stade Francais battle back and finally get their reward

Gloucester 17 Stade Francais 25: Gloucester let an early 10-point lead slip to go down to Stade Francais at BT Murrayfield as they failed to impose themselves in the European Challenge Cup final.

Sat, 13 May, 2017

Another big Scottish test for Munster

Munster can expect the kind of reception they like to dish out to visiting teams when they take on Edinburgh in tonight’s deferred Guinness Pro 12 game at Myreside.

Fri, 03 Feb, 2017

Golden chance for Rassie’s Munster against Ospreys in Cork

Munster can take another significant step closer to the top of the Guinness Pro12 when they face Ospreys at Musgrave Park tonight.

Fri, 04 Nov, 2016

Flag-bearer Joy Neville ‘never had an issue as a female’

Joy Neville has made a habit out of being a trailblazer.

Tue, 25 Oct, 2016

Leinster v Munster - Guinness PRO12 Round 6

Rassie Erasmus: Too early yet for Peter O’Mahony

Rassie Erasmus is confident captain Peter O’Mahony will be able to continue his comeback from long-term injury with a more significant contribution against Racing 92 next Sunday than his 40-minute effort against Leinster.

Mon, 10 Oct, 2016

Son’s health situation to dictate Joe Schmidt future

He may be on the All Blacks’ watchlist but if Joe Schmidt does decide to return to New Zealand when his contract expires 12 months from now, the Ireland head coach will likely do so for more personal reasons.

Mon, 27 Jun, 2016

John Muldoon insists his Connacht men will rise to the challenge against Leinster

THE growing feeling in the west of Ireland that destiny is gazing favourably upon a Connacht team which has outperformed all expectations this season to reach tonight’s Guinness PRO12 Final at Murrayfield was reinforced by how preparations for the big match panned out yesterday.

Sat, 28 May, 2016

Joe Marler may face another ban as Harlequins reach final

Harlequins 30 Grenoble 6: Joe Marler could face another suspension after appearing to kick hooker Arnaud Heguy in the head as Harlequins saw off Grenoble 30-6 to reach the European Challenge Cup final.

Sat, 23 Apr, 2016

Sportsground braced for mother of all derby battles as Munster arrive

The Galway Sportsground has played host to many magnificent occasions over the past eight months but they will struggle to match the atmosphere that will be generated for tonight’s Guinness PRO12 clash of Connacht and Munster.

Sat, 16 Apr, 2016

Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble slot late drop goal to reach semis

Grenoble 33 Connacht 32: Heartbreaking, but scintillating. Connacht and Grenoble produced an epic European Challenge Cup quarter-final that upped the profile of this second tier European competition and dazzled the 14,876 fans present on Saturday night.

Mon, 11 Apr, 2016

Challenge in the Alps for Connacht

Connacht will face French resistance head-on in the Alps this evening with a European Challenge Cup semi-final at stake.

Sat, 09 Apr, 2016

Andrew Farley set for emotional reunion

Last August, when Andrew Farley returned to Galway as Grenoble team manager for a pre-season clash with Connacht, he was chuffed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the home supporters.

Fri, 08 Apr, 2016

Connacht must be wary of in-form centre Chris Farrell

Former Ulster centre Chris Farrell could cause Connacht untold trouble on Saturday night if he continues to build on the superb form he showed in winning 10 Irish U20 caps.

Thu, 07 Apr, 2016

World Rugby bans Joe Marler for two club games over ‘gypsy boy’ slur

England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler was last night banned for two games after his “gypsy boy” slur against Wales forward Samson Lee during last month’s RBS 6 Nations Championship game at Twickenham.

Wed, 06 Apr, 2016

Connacht's Shane O’Leary ready for return to France

Shane O’Leary will complete a loop of a remarkable journey on Saturday night when he lines out at out-half for Connacht against Grenoble in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Tue, 05 Apr, 2016

Conor O’Shea wants Italy to deliver on potential

Conor O’Shea says he is “honoured, humbled, and excited” to have been appointed Italy’s new head coach on a four-year contract that will incorporate the 2019 World Cup.

Sat, 26 Mar, 2016

Eddie Jones planning to foster winning culture at England

Eddie Jones plans to lift England out of the lower tier of European rugby by reversing a culture where players have been happy to collect caps rather than honours.

Tue, 26 Jan, 2016

Connacht v Enisei-STM - European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 1 Round 6

Connacht left to fly Irish flag in Europe

Connacht 47 Enisei-STM 5: France beckons again for Connacht in this year’s European Challenge Cup quarter-finals and a meeting with Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble in April.

Mon, 25 Jan, 2016

Robbie Henshaw makes try-scoring return and sends Connacht into quarter-finals

Robbie Henshaw handed Ireland an RBS 6 Nations fitness boost as Connacht thrashed Enisei-STM 47-5 to qualify for the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Sat, 23 Jan, 2016

Robbie Henshaw starts for Connacht in final Challenge Cup pool game

All four Connacht players named in the Ireland Six Nations squad this week are included for the match at the Sportsground on Saturday.

Fri, 22 Jan, 2016

Conor O’Shea tipped for Italy after Harlequins exit

Conor O’Shea will leave Harlequins this summer, paving the way for the former Ireland full-back to replace Jacques Brunel as Italy coach.

Thu, 21 Jan, 2016

Euro failure unthinkable for proud Connacht captain John Muldoon

Ahead of tomorrow night’s crunch European Challenge Cup meeting with Brive, Connacht captain John Muldoon says it is unthinkable the province will not advance in the competition.

Fri, 15 Jan, 2016

Conacht's Finlay Bealham expects bruising encounter against Newcastle in Challenge Cup

Connacht’s rising young prop Finlay Bealham, known for his physicality, is expecting another bruising challenge against Newcastle on Sunday in the second of the European Challenge Cup back-to-back fixtures.

Fri, 18 Dec, 2015

Connacht bolster squad as they hand senior contracts to academy trio

Connacht have swooped to secure the signings of three of their talented youngsters, open side James Connolly, hooker Shane Delahunt and centre Rory Parata.

Thu, 10 Dec, 2015

Munster players on trial for Leicester Tigers test

Anthony Foley has laid it on the line for his players ahead of tomorrow’s Guinness PRO12 clash with the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Sat, 05 Dec, 2015

Thomond Park all set for spicy Munster - Connacht derby

It’s a sign of changing times and the massively improved status of Connacht rugby that coach Pat Lam has been able to make nine changes in personnel for today’s top-of-the-table Guinness PRO12 clash with Munster at Thomond Park from the side that defeated Brive in the European Challenge Cup last week.

Sat, 28 Nov, 2015