Rugby’s governing body has ruled out buying the FAI’s stake in the Aviva Stadium after speculation that such a move could provide a short-term measure to ease the crisis-ridden sporting body’s financial woes.

A nerveless Conor Fitzgerald penalty 13 minutes from time clinched European victory for Connacht as Andy Friend’s side battled bravely to launch their Champions Cup campaign with an impressive Sportsground win.

Having trailed 10-7 at half-time, Ireland started the second period with intent with two tries before the hour mark

If a thirst for public profile not in keeping with his station has been a key characteristic of John Delaney’s public life, then he can’t ask for much more than this. For the last week-and-a-half the content of every newspaper, online outlet, TV and radio show in the country has been largely about him.

What a tour, what a season, what does it all mean?

Guinness PRO14 boss Martin Anayi has hinted that the league’s final may switch kick-off times in order to avoid a clash with Liverpool’s Champions League decider with Real Madrid on May 26.

Israel Folau has addressed his views on homosexuality following the backlash to his divisive social media comments, while revealing how his switch from rugby league to AFL left him “emotionally broken”.

If it’s Ireland-Wales in the Six Nations then chances are Rhys Ruddock will be nudged in front of the media at some point or other in the week leading up to it — the Leinster back row’s current absence through injury didn’t change that yesterday.

Rugby’s governing body has warned clubs who use drones to record training sessions and matches they are breaking the law.

The England star will undergo further testing to determine his recovery period.

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

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

Joe Schmidt will be hoping Steve Hansen doesn’t bear a grudge when the All Blacks head coach helps pull Ireland’s 2019 World Cup pool opponents out of the bag during today’s draw in Kyoto, Japan.

Chris Robshaw will miss the entire RBS 6 Nations with a shoulder problem that further deepens England’s injury troubles.

As if the stakes for Munster were not high enough ahead of Friday’s Guinness Pro12 showdown with Edinburgh, chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald has warned that defeat in the last two games of the season could cost the province €500,000.

Rugby Challenge 3 will be released on April 22nd and while there hasn’t been much promotion for it to date, a gameplay trailer has just been released.

Despite many claiming that the World Rugby statement about Craig Joubert’s decision at the weekend is unprecedented, it is not the case.

They’ve worked for years for this moment, representing Ireland at the World Cup -then two days before a game they get a bad bout of diarrhoea, lose 3kg and can’t play. Irish team physician, Dr Eanna Falvey on the ‘you are what you eat’ philosophy of modern-day rugby.

Former Irish Rugby International Ronan O’Gara visited Haiti with Irish charity Haven in mid-June. 

Well done to Derek McGrath’s Waterford on their recent victory over Cork in the Munster SHC. Credit to the Cork players too, who fought to the end but they are being let down by things outside their control.

The windfall to national rugby unions and clubs from the final year of the Heineken Cup totalled €43.59m, new figures show.

Wasps flanker Ashley Johnson has been banned for three weeks for his challenge on Dave Kearney that brought a yellow card against Leinster.

The great Jack Kyle passed yesterday, aged 88, but what a full life he lived and he knew it.

Over 50 years have elapsed since Jack Kyle hung up his boots yet half a century later he remains one of Irish rugby’s most iconic figures.

James Coughlan won’t be lining out for the Irish Wolfhounds tomorrow evening at Kingsholm, and nor should he, writes Ronan O'Gara.

Listening to the Joe Duffy show last week I was reminded of the contempt the state and Catholic Church has for dumped children, and the very sad history of the victims.

It took a bit of time, but the Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Italians have come out fighting in a bid to cut renegade English and French clubs off at the pass.

The future of the Heineken Cup, as it’s presently constituted, appears doomed after England’s Premiership clubs yesterday directed their representative body to take “immediate action” to put in place a new European competition for the 2014/15 season.

Protestant church leaders have historically looked ‘the other way’, when it came to dealing with the abuse and neglect children were subjected to in their institutions.

London’s Olympic Stadium has been confirmed as one of 13 venues for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and will host five matches, tournament organisers announced today.

Irish Rugby chiefs have announced a multi-million euro investment plan to develop women’s rugby.

Results, scores and scorers from today's Ulster Bank League ties

Rugby and GAA will be the big winners in the battle for sports sponsorship agreements in 2013 according to a major industry survey.

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), the governing body for domestic rugby in France, has clarified that unless there is a “catastrophic failure in negotiations” it will not consider abandoning the Heineken Cup for a breakaway tournament.

RUGBY fans reckon Northampton coach Jim Mallinder’s decision to drop controversial wing ChrisAshton helped Simon Zebo notch his hat-trick of tries for Munster.

RUGBY is such a simple game, at least according to James Coughlan, as the Munster number eight prepares to practice what he’s preaching at Thomond Park tomorrow.

RUGBY and hurling fans have an opportunity this weekend to get their hands on a range of personal sportswear of their heroes in a special charity sale for the forthcoming Pink Ribbon Walk in Co Clare.

The seven Rugby World Cup matches due to be played in earthquake-hit Christchurch will be moved to other venues in New Zealand, tournament organisers have announced.

JAMES HOOK has underlined his “huge aspirations” to continue playing for Wales after securing a reputed £1 million (€1.1m) deal with French club Perpignan.