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Leinster Rugby Squad Training

Bloodgate memories of no interest as Dan Sheehan focuses on Harlequins threat

Harlequins is very much on the Leinster hooker’s mind this week but it’s the current players, like Marcus Smith and Fin Baxter, rather than a meeting 16 years ago, occupying his thoughts ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup round of 16 tie at Croke Park.

Jack Crowley 2/4/2025

'I was blown away, just the time he gave me': Jack Crowley thankful for Ronan O'Gara guidance

Ireland Rugby Squad Training and Media Conference

'They’re unbelievably aligned': Crowley envisions easy transition for O'Connell coaching team

RugbyU-AUS-NZL-RC-2022

Lions set to face Japan-based All Blacks in Anzac clash but Folau’s hopes over

Sport Top Picks

Bath Rugby v Stade Rochelais - Investec Champions Cup 2024/2025

O'Gara: 'I promise it’s not over here at La Rochelle'

With La Rochelle's current struggles in mind, Ronan O’Gara admits he has mixed feelings about the match with Munster.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

RUGBYU-EUR-CHAMPIONS-LA ROCHELLE-PRESSER

'It wouldn’t be smart to play him' - O'Gara reveals La Rochelle injury issues

There was some positive and negative injury news from La Rochelle boss Ronan O'Gara ahead of Munster's visit

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

Jack Crowley 2/4/2025

Jack Crowley insists contract talks with Munster and IRFU 'still ongoing'

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has been the subject of a big-money offer from English premiership giants Leicester Tigers.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

Connacht v Munster - United Rugby Championship

S Donal Lenihan: Jack Crowley can kick on with backing of a central contract from IRFU

There are still issues outstanding for Crowley’s contract impasse to be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. The Munster out-half has made it clear he wants to stay but his presence should not be taken for granted.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

Ireland Rugby Captain's Run

O'Connell's Ireland coaching ticket for summer tour confirmed

The touring squad will be announced in mid-June.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

Duhan van der Merwe File Photo

Injury update means Duhan van der Merwe is on track for action with Lions

Edinburgh say the South Africa-born 29-year-old is scheduled to return some time next month.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

Mike Prendergast 1/4/2025

Prendergast plotting old rival and pal O'Gara's downfall

Opposing sides then and now but he and O’Gara are like-minded coaches who speak to each other regularly, and not just small talk.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

Munster Rugby Squad Training

Tadhg Beirne: 'Backlash received by me, Porter and our families for Dupont injury was enough punishment'

Neither Beirne nor Porter was cited by the Six Nations citing officer but Irish management later revealed both player’s families had been targeted for online abuse in the aftermath of Antoine Dupont's injury

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Bath Rugby v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership Rugby

Harlequins boss rules out ever using B-team for Champions Cup ahead of Croke Park showdown

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson said playing a second string side in the Champions Cup would be "disrespecting what the competition is".

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Leinster Rugby Squad Training

Leinster have tunnel vision for Croke Park clash with Harlequins

As Leinster defeated the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, Robin McBryde, Tyler Bleyendaal and Jacques Nienaber were in Dublin preparing for the Champions Cup last-16 clash with Harlequins.

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Connacht v Munster - United Rugby Championship

Munster's Alex Nankivell set to find out disciplinary fate on Wednesday

Munster travel to Stade Marcel Deflandre for their Champions Cup knock-out tie with Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle, with hopes that the New Zealander, a key component of the province's defence and attack, will be cleared to play.

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Cian Prendergast 1/4/2025

Cian Prendergast following return to play protocols while Bolton and Murphy return to full training

Shayne Bolton (foot) and Ben Murphy (finger) have returned to full training following their respective injuries.

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Seán O’Brien, Ruadhán Quinn and Oli Jager after the game 29/3/2025

Oli Jager leads returning Munster cavalry for La Rochelle test

The return of a quartet of Ireland internationals and comebacks form injury for a frontline trio have helped Munster get back on the front foot

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Dave Heffernan 29/3/2025

Connacht have 'to turn the page' after Munster loss for Challenge Cup knock-out against Cardiff

“We know the importance of the game and the magnitude of it. It’s a long, long way away but there’s silverware there at the end of it so it’s massive and we have to turn the page on the URC for the next two weeks and hopefully have a right crack at the Challenge Cup.”

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Aoife Dalton celebrates with the player of the match award 30/3/2025

Big Irish win has been a long time in the making for Dalton

Following a 27-15 defeat at the hands of France in the opening round of the tournament in Belfast eight days earlier, Ireland were looking to pick up their first points in the 2025 edition of the Women’s Six Nations in Parma.

Mon, 31 Mar, 2025

Connacht v Munster - United Rugby Championship

Ian Costello hints Jack Crowley Munster deal not far away

Munster interim coach Ian Costello is confident that star fly-half Jack Crowley is set to pledge his future to Munster and Ireland

Mon, 31 Mar, 2025

Connacht v Munster - United Rugby Championship

Frustrated Tucker rues soft Munster tries with Connacht sweating on playoffs

A memorable day in front of a provincial record 27,870 crowd for Connacht’s first fixture at MacHale Park ended with the bitter taste of regret

Mon, 31 Mar, 2025

Bundee Aki tackles Jack Crowley 29/3/2025

Costello wants focus off O'Gara and onto Munster's European heritage

Munster will head to La Rochelle and a meeting with favourite son Ronan O'Gara in good spirits.

Mon, 31 Mar, 2025

Dorothy Wall and Aoife Dalton celebrate winning 30/3/2025

'That matters for this group' - Bemand's delight as Ireland exorcise Parma demons

A last-gasp 20-18 defeat to Scotland at the same venue in a qualifying tournament for the 2022 Rugby World Cup was put to bed by Sunday's Six Nations win

Sun, 30 Mar, 2025

Amee-Leigh Costigan celebrates scoring a try with Edel McMahon and Stacey Flood 30/3/2025

McGann hat-trick helps irresistible Ireland serve up Parma hammering

Scott Bemand's team turn on the attacking style in an ultra-impressive display to grab first win of Six Nations campaign

Sun, 30 Mar, 2025

Jean Kleyn and head coach Ian Costello after the game 29/3/2025

Munster's MacHale mentality gives Costello confidence for late-season run

'When we were numbers down, character and fight is huge,' says interim head coach after gritty 30-24 win at the home of Mayo GAA

Sun, 30 Mar, 2025

Max Deegan tackeld by James Venter 29/3/2025

Cullen pride after youthful Leinster pull off Sharks kill

It was real backs-to-the-wall stuff at Kings Park but Leinster were up for the battle and dug in for a fine victory.

Sun, 30 Mar, 2025

RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-LA ROCHELLE-TOULOUSE

O'Gara and La Rochelle limp towards Munster as Clermont inflict seventh defeat in eight

Top 14 Round-up: No confidence boost in sight as Corkman's out-of-sorts side are humbled again en route to a 33-19 loss

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Wales v England - Guinness Women's Six Nations - Principality Stadium

Kildunne plunders a hat-trick as rampant England destroy Welsh in Cardiff

It was a 10th successive victory against Wales and came after England were rocked by conceding an early try, but they soon discovered a familiar successful formula

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Scott Penny scores try 29/3/2025

Leinster learn their lesson and close out gritty win over Sharks in Durban

It is only Leinster’s second URC win in South Africa but this is a particularly sweet one, not least after what happened in Pretoria last week.

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Connacht v Munster - United Rugby Championship

Tucker and Connacht vow to keep fighting 'til the end

Tucker, placed in interim charge with head coach Pete Wilkins on sick leave, said: “We'll keep fighting to the death, simple as that.”

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Connacht v Munster - United Rugby Championship

Fourteen-man Munster survive late Connacht rally to secure vital bonus-point victory in Castlebar

Munster and Ireland half-back pair Craig Casey and man of the match Jack Crowley were superb throughout for the visitors.

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Super Rugby Pacific Rd 7 - Crusaders v Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika stun Crusaders, Reds go top in Super Rugby

With the table-topping Waikato Chiefs enjoying a bye, the Crusaders had been expected to move above them but Moana finally produced a complete 80-minute performance to claim a first-ever win over the New Zealand powerhouse.

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

The Connacht backs 28/3/2025

An historic day for Connacht opens door to new opportunities for Castlebar

Bringing a game of this magnitude from the home of Connacht Rugby in the Dexcom Stadium in Galway is not only huge for the province but an important marker for Castlebar as it opens new doors to bring crowds of over 26,000 thousand to the town.

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

A view of Connacht captains run 28/3/2025

Amid novelty of occasion, Munster and Connacht face grave implications of MacHale defeat

For both provinces the importance of leaving Castlebar with the lion’s share of match points outweighs any history being made on Mayo GAA turf.

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Dannah O’Brien 27/3/2025

Belief replaces doubt as Bemand and Ireland bid to prove growth against Italians

The coach insists last Saturday’s opening-round loss to France in Belfast was a significant step in Ireland’s journey when compared to the 27-21 reverse to the Italians in Dublin 12 months ago.

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Linda Djougang and Aoibheann Reilly after the game 22/3/2025

Through injury troubles, World Cup ambitions were main motivator for Aoibheann Reilly

The Ireland scrum-half spent some of her time on the sidelines working the Irish men's team lead performance analyst Vinny Hammond.

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

Jacob Stockdale celebrates scoring a try 28/3/2025

Six-try Ulster fight back for vital victory over Stormers

Stomers had Neethling Fouche red carded for a head on head smash with Ben Carson.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Ireland's Tadhg Furlong 15/3/2025

'Fit and available': Furlong in contention for Lions duty

The Leinster and Ireland tighthead prop returned from hamstring and calf injury problems to play his first Test match in eight months a fortnight ago when he came off the bench in the final-round Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Munster Rugby Squad Training

Craig Casey starts as Munster welcome internationals back for Connacht clash

For Connacht, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham, Mack Hansen and Cian Prendergast all return from international duty to the starting XV.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Edel McMahon and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe during the national anthems 22/3/2025

McMahon starts as Bemand names Ireland side for Italy clash

Bemand has made three changes to the 15 that started the loss to France in the opening round.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Jack Crowley 25/3/2025

S Duncan Casey: Jack Crowley must maximise his worth, but he has unfinished business

I don’t think Jack will leave. He has unfinished business he believes he can take care of.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Ireland v France - Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship

Ireland seeking overdue Six Nations away win even as they continue to grow

The opening Championship loss to France in Belfast last week was typical of a team that is still finding its feet.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

British and Irish Lions Coaching Announcement - Johnson Gardens - London

How will the Lions coaches slice up Tour of duties?

Andy Farrell has resisted the temptation to define rigid roles for his assistants.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Leinster Rugby Squad Training

'Huge lift' for Leinster with Healy's arrival in South Africa

“I just hope now with Leinster that we can finish off strong for him. If we could bring home two trophies, I think that would be hugely deserving for a player of the kind of standard that he is."

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Glasgow Warriors v Munster - United Rugby Championship

Flying winger Andrew Smith making early impression at Munster

The 24-year old Olympic sevens player has joined Munster on loan from Connacht where he struggled to get game-time this season despite impressing when he made the initial switch from sevens

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Cian Prendergast during the warm-up 17/1/2025

Cian Prendergast puts Six Nations disappointment behind him

He knows this sellout at the home of Mayo GAA in Castlebar is a special occasion in Connacht’s history and that there’s pressure on them to deliver.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Bill Sweeney file photo

RFU chief Sweeney wins confidence vote

Members back him by 466 votes to 206.

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

John Dalziel 26/3/2025

John Dalziel will tap into Gregor Townsend's Lions knowledge ahead of Tour

John Dalziel, who has been a Scotland coach since 2020, said the Lions was never on his radar until he first heard from Andy Farrell late last month.

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Vodacom Bulls v Leinster - United Rugby Championship

RG Snyman pens contract extension with Leinster

Snyman made his Leinster debut against Benetton in October 2024.

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Andy Farrell with John Fogarty 26/3/2025

Andy Farrell says Lions will aid Ireland as Paul O’Connell steps up

Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, and John Fogarty were unveiled in London on Wednesday morning to help head coach Farrell meet his objective of victory over Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025