Irish Rugby

Issy Todd
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Inpho

Ulster second row Fiona Tuite said her side "need to execute more" after their narrow 15-10 defeat against Connacht in the first round of their Interprovincial Championship.

The two sides were level after a tight first half, but a dominant second period from the Westerners helped them to victory.

Despite the home defeat, Tuite believes there were positives to take for her side.

"That was one of the feistiest Ulster performances we've had, particularly in opening games. Usually we leave it until the final, but that was incredible," she told BBC Sport NI.

"Connacht were brilliant. Their backs throw the ball so well and then Anna McGann just glides through to score tries.

"The girls put in a serious shift and I'm really proud of everything they did today. I'm looking forward to building again for next week."

Next up for Ulster is a trip to Musgrave Park to take on Munster on Saturday, 15 August and Tuite wants her side to be better in a number of areas as they hunt a first victory.

"We need to execute a bit more, particularly our lineout. When we get opportunities down towards the 22, we need to be more clinical," she added.

"Our defence today was incredible. We need to continue that. It's our new standard.

"If we focus on those areas and execute them, keep the defence where it is and play in the right areas, we'll be flying.

"We have wins in us. I think they're coming. We're on the brink of it. We have even more young girls coming through and hopefully our internationals will get a few more minutes next week."

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Ulster have added centre Daniel Hawkshaw and back row Martin Moloney to their squad ahead of the new United Rugby Championship season.

Hawkshaw, 24, played under Ulster head coach Richie Murphy with Ireland's Under-20s and won a Grand Slam in 2022.

He came through Connacht's academy and was also part of Ireland's Sevens programme.

Back row Moloney, 26, most recently had a two-year stint with Exeter Chiefs and came through Leinster's academy before he made the move to England in 2024.

Both players have signed one-year deals with Murphy's side.

Rory Best, Ulster's general manager, said he was "delighted" to welcome the pair to the Affidea Stadium.

"Both are talented players who have shown their potential and ability at club level," Best said.

"Both provide us with more depth options and competition for places as we prepare for the new season ahead."

Ulster start their new campaign at home to Edinburgh on 25 September.

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Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath have confirmed the signing of former Ireland and Leinster wing James Lowe on a two-year deal.

Lowe departed Irish rugby at the end of the 2025-26 season after failing to agree a contract extension with Leinster, for whom he scored a record 71 tries.

The 34-year-old won two Six Nations titles with Ireland, including the Grand Slam, and played at the 2023 World Cup.

The New Zealand-born back also won a Champions Cup and six United Rugby Championship titles with Leinster and played two Tests for the British and Irish Lions in last year's series win over the Wallabies in Australia.

Lowe's contract with the Japanese side until 2028 will seemingly rule him out of making an Ireland comeback at next year's World Cup in Australia.

While Ireland boss Andy Farrell did not shut the door on an international return for Lowe, the Irish Rugby Football Union has not selected an overseas-based player since Johnny Sexton while he was with Racing 92 in 2015.

"To everyone in the Suntory Sungoliath family, my family and I are incredibly excited to begin this new chapter of our lives in Japan. I have some very special memories from playing there," said Lowe, who earned 45 Ireland caps.

"I have always admired the passion for rugby, the respect shown both on and off the field and the pride people take in representing their team. I am looking forward to learning more about Japan and its culture. It is a huge honour to join such a prestigious club.

"I will do everything I can to earn the trust of my team-mates, coaches and supporters. I want to bring energy, physicality and a positive attacking mindset to the team. I can't wait to get stuck in! I can't wait to meet you all! Yatte Minahare [Go for it]," he said.

Lowe joins Suntory as a replacement for South Africa World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe, who has rejoined the Stormers.

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Former scrum half Conor Murray believes Ireland lacked the accuracy to carry out their gameplan against the All Blacks in Eden Park on Saturday.

Andy Farrell's side were beaten 40-19 to conclude their first block of Nations Championship fixtures and struggled with errors throughout a first half that left them 28-7 down at the break.

"When the All Blacks get ahead, especially in Eden Park, it's very difficult," said Murray on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast., external

"The way Ireland want to play and move the ball, we don't have those specimens that they have, so in order to do that we need to be really accurate and make very few mistakes.

"Andy Farrell said about the continuity, about a few balls going into touch, and you really need to click in a game like that to have a chance."

With Ireland winning a Six Nations Triple Crown, but also suffering four double-digit defeats, it has been an uneven 2025-26 for Farrell's side.

Over the next 15 months, huge focus will be on the 2027 World Cup in Australia with Murray believing there is still time for players to force their way into the head coach's plans before the tournament.

"Because Ireland were criticised during the season a little bit, do people on the edge of that see the opportunity? That's only going to be good for provincial teams that lads will want to perform."

Murray won his first Test cap in the months immediately prior to the 2011 World Cup and predicts we could see something similar this time around.

He added: "There'll be someone we're not even talking about and that's the beauty of a World Cup year, someone who gets a shot early in the season with the [current international] lads getting the extended break, and grabs it with two hands.

"For bolters or even guys on the edge of the squad, this season is huge because you know what's happening at the end of the year with the World Cup and lads want to put their best foot forward, naturally."

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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell believes his side are "certainly closer" to the All Blacks than they showed during their 40-21 loss in the Nations Championship on Saturday.

The 19-point reverse in Eden Park was Ireland's heaviest among four consecutive losses to the All Blacks with the visitors hampered by a series of errors in the first half.

The Ireland head coach acknowledged that New Zealand won "pretty comfortably" on the day but added his side must now use the loss as a lesson and build towards the World Cup in Australia next year.

"We're full of pride because of the fight, but we're disappointed with how it unfolded in the accuracy of a few parts of our game," said Farrell after the final game of his side's 2025-26 campaign.

"I think the two sides are certainly closer than that, but I suppose the only thing that matters is how both teams keep on improving over the next 15 months.

"If you look back on it, [it was mistakes from] some of our best ballplayers. That's why I say uncharacteristic really, because it's something you don't see on a daily basis or on a weekend either.

"That's what big matches do to you and that's a lesson that's got to be learned, that's for sure."

Farrell was pleased by the resilience shown by his side to outscore the All Blacks in the second half after finding themselves 28-7 down at half-time.

He added: "These lads have not got it in them to give it up after a poor enough start, especially when things are not going our way.

"The flow of our game is not flowing for many different reasons, whether that be penalties conceded or uncharacteristic poor passing, whether it be [passes] into touch or intercept passing or whatever.

"So, the flow of our game never really got going, but how we stuck at it and kept on fighting is there for everyone."

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The 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup fixture details have been confirmed.

Munster will open their Champions Cup campaign at home to Racing 92 on 17 October, a day after the 10th anniversary of Anthony Foley's death.

The province said it is in talks with Cork GAA about hosting the fixture at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Munster will also travel to Bristol Bears and holders Bordeaux-Begles before welcoming Gloucester to Thomond Park.

Beaten 2026 finalists Leinster begin their latest bid for a fifth title away to Clermont on 17 October.

They will host Sale Sharks and Pau at yet-to-be confirmed home venues before travelling to Leicester Tigers.

Connacht host Saracens on 17 October and travel to Exeter Chiefs before hosting six-time champions Toulouse in Galway. Their final game is away to La Rochelle.

In the Challenge Cup, Ulster face away games against Bayonne and Dragons and away ties with Zebre and Perpignan, with Richie Murphy's side hoping to go one better after losing this year's final to Montpellier.

Champions Cup fixtures (times BST & GMT)

Munster

17 October - Munster v Racing 92, TBC, 20:00

12 December - Bristol Bears v Munster, Ashton Gate, 20:00

10 January - Bordeaux-Begles v Munster, Stade Chaban Delmas, 16:15

16 January - Munster v Gloucester, Thomond Park, 17:30

Leinster

17 October - Clermont Auvergne v Leinster, Stade Marcel-Michelin, 15:15

12 December - Leinster v Sale Sharks, TBC, 17:30

9 January - Leinster v Pau, TBC, 17:30

16 January - Leicester Tigers v Leinster, Welford Road, 20:00

Connacht

17 October - Connacht v Saracens, Dexcom Stadium, 17:30

13 December - Exeter Chiefs v Connacht, Sandy Park, 13:00

9 January - Connacht v Toulouse, Dexcom Stadium, 20:00

16 January - La Rochelle v Connacht, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 17:30

Challenge Cup fixtures

Ulster

17 October - Zebre v Ulster, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 15:15

12 December - Ulster v Bayonne, Affidea Stadium, 13:00

10 January - Perpignan v Ulster, Stade Aime Giral, 13:00

16 January - Ulster v Dragons, Affidea Stadium, 15:15