Following three promotions in just five seasons, Cork side Highfield are set for a huge leap forward when they begin their All-Ireland Division 1B campaign against Malone at Woodleigh Park tomorrow afternoon.

Young players of massive potential will get a chance to make their mark for Munster over the coming months.

It’s not news to anyone that the IRFU dropped the ball on women’s 15s in the wake of the great glory days of 2013-2014 and has now started, belatedly, a process to try to regain it.

With 15 players away with the Ireland team as World Cup preparations intensify, Munster front row forward Stephen Archer says there is a great opportunity for the province’s young stars to stand up and be counted.

Munster Senior Challenge Cup specialists Cork Constitution will open their title defence with a mouth-watering tie against 2018 champions Garryowen.

It has been a tale of perseverance for Highfield as the Cork club finally gained promotion to Division 1B of the All-Ireland League after back-to-back second place finishes in recent seasons.

A rugby club is poised to embark on a near-€1m development plan which includes construction of a new all-weather pitch and a running track.

Ireland have announced their Women's team to take on Scotland in the final home game of the Women's Six Nations this weekend.

New Ireland women’s head coach Adam Griggs believes a daunting test in France tonight will be the making of his team.

There's a first cap for winger Megan Williams in the Ireland women's side for their first Six Nations game against France on Saturday.

Rugby star Sophie Spence wants female Irish players to “receive an equal level of respect and treatment” as their male counterparts.

Munster regained the IRFU Women’s Interprovincial Championship crown by virtue of scoring difference after defeating 2016 champions Leinster (11-5) at Thomond Park on Saturday.

The IRFU Women’s Interprovincial Championship goes down to the wire this afternoon when Munster host champions Leinster in a top of the table clash at Thomond Park (2.30pm).

Norita Duggan, a top club rugby coach, has expressed serious criticism of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) after its latest edict on how to approach the development of the women’s game in Ireland.

Johne Murphy has quickly established his credentials as a coach just two years after signing off on a memorable career that saw him play over 200 top class games for Leicester, Munster, Emerging Ireland and the Wolfhounds.

Cork Constitution advanced from a tough Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup tie against Shannon with a late rally at Coonagh on Saturday.

The Ireland Women’s management team has confirmed a 48-strong training panel to prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Dublin and Belfast in August. 

Captain Paula Fitzpatrick admits Irish discipline must improve if they are to maintain their perfect start to the RBS Six Nations away to Italy tomorrow afternoon (1pm, live on RTE Two).

Ireland head coach Tom Tierney has named Cork woman Elaine Anthony in his side to take on their Italian counterparts at the Stadio Tommaso Fattori in L’Aquila on Sunday, as Ireland look to build on an injury-time win over Scotland last weekend.

Ireland women’s coach Tom Tierney has named five uncapped players in his Six Nations squad but it is the absence of former World Player of the Year nominee Sophie Spence that stood out.

Cork Constitution’s dominance of the Munster Senior Cup will be challenged at Temple Hill (7.30pm) this evening when lower ranked but high-flying local rivals Highfield hope to stun their illustrious opponents.

When you’ve locked horns and beaten women’s rugby giants New Zealand and World Cup champions England in the recent past, taking on highly-ranked Canada isn’t quite the frightening prospect it could be.

Holders Cork Constitution and last year’s beaten finalists Young Munster advanced to the Munster Senior Cup quarter-finals with little difficulty over the weekend but Garryowen and fancied Dolphin were both knocked out.

Rassie Erasmus will not be expecting perfection when he sends his Munster charges into action for the first time tonight.

Young Munster lifted the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup at Musgrave Park for an eighth time in a thrilling final against Cork Constitution.

The glory days have been few and far between in the recent history of All-Ireland League stalwarts Sundays Well but tomorrow’s Musgrave Park clash with Greystones provides a chance to make amends.

Today’s Ulster Bank League Division 1 clash between Clontarf and UCD is expected to be the first of two games between the teams in the next couple of weeks.

There have been many big derby games between Sundays Well and Highfield over the years, but few will have been as important as tonight’s clash at Musgrave Park (7.30pm).

It’s already been a campaign featuring fresh faces and Ireland women’s coach Tom Tierney has continued with that policy for the side’s latest Six Nations outing, against Italy, at Donnybrook on Sunday at 1pm.