United Rugby Championship

Connacht left frustrated by Matthew Devine’s decision to leave for Ulster – The Irish Times

by

Connacht have expressed disappointment at the announcement that Matthew Devine will join Ulster at the end of the season. The former Ireland under-20 scrumhalf will join on a one-year deal “until at least the summer of 2027”, according to Ulster. The 23-old from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, will renew acquaintances with some of the Ulster coaches, … Read more

Chatty officials in Zebre v Connacht match reminded us why change is badly needed – The Irish Times

by

Less than an hour’s drive from Parma lies the city of Modena, where the great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti was born. Among life’s true pleasures is listening to his arias and his memorable duets. However, Ben Whitehouse and TMO Keith David delivered a different class of duet when Parma hosted the Zebre v Connacht match … Read more

Scott Penny grabs hat-trick as experimental Leinster beat Edinburgh – The Irish Times

by

URC: Leinster 28 Edinburgh 20 The impressive Scott Penny grabbed a hat-trick of tries at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening as an experimental Leinster side moved to second in the United Rugby Championship table with a hard-earned bonus point triumph over Edinburgh. Lining up without their sizeable international contingent – in addition to a … Read more

Leinster face tall task against Edinburgh without international contingent – The Irish Times

by

URC: Leinster v Edinburgh, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, 5.30pm – Live, Premier Sports 1 An experimental Leinster side will be looking to further establish the province’s URC credentials when they welcome Edinburgh to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening. Since losing out to arch rivals Munster at Croke Park on October 18th, Leo Cullen’s have registered … Read more

Bundee Aki handed four-week suspension after being axed from Ireland’s Six Nations squad – The Irish Times

by

Bundee Aki will miss Ireland‘s first three Six Nations matches after he was handed a six-week suspension, with two weeks suspended for two years, after an Independent Disciplinary Committee upheld a misconduct complaint against the centre over interactions with match officials following Connacht’s defeat to Leinster at Dexcom Stadium last Saturday. Aki was a replacement … Read more

Connacht see Will Connors’s ‘potential as a leader’ after backrow signs from Leinster – The Irish Times

by

Connacht senior assistant coach Rod Seib believes Will Connors “has real potential as a leader” after the province announced the signing of the 29-year-old backrow from Leinster on a two-year deal on Tuesday. “I’ve seen Will’s ability first-hand and I know he’ll be another big asset to Connacht next season,” said Seib. “His tackling ability … Read more

5 takeaways as Ireland’s ‘prop crisis’ deepens but Springbok ‘lights the fuse’

by

Following a 34-23 victory for Leinster over Connacht in their United Rugby Championship fixture, here are our five takeaways from Dexcom Stadium. The top line This was another edgy night where Leinster eventually managed to find a winning way despite not delivering a polished performance. Just as they had been doing all winter, they did … Read more

Leinster tear up the script as they rain on Connacht’s opening night parade in Galway – The Irish Times

by

URC: Connacht 23 Leinster 34 Not quite the cherry on top. Connacht gave it the big fight on their big night in front of a record 12,481 to mark the opening of their impressive new Clan Stand, but Leinster remained cool in the Galway furnace to ensure the old order remained intact. The thunderous occasion … Read more