Irish Rugby

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI Senior Journalist

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Stuart Lancaster's appointment as Connacht boss is exactly the kind of statement of intent the club needed after a trying season.

The Galway-based club finished 13th in the United Rugby Championship, winning just six of their 18 games, and were unable to reach the last four of the Challenge Cup.

But after Munster lured the highly-rated Clayton McMillan away from the Chiefs in New Zealand, Connacht have convinced Lancaster to return to Ireland in a head-turning addition to the IRFU's coaching network.

It is indeed a serious coup. While Lancaster endured a difficult time as England boss, his reign ending after a dismal 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign, he built a reputation as one of rugby's most astute coaches during a trophy-laden stint as Leinster senior coach.

Working with head coach Leo Cullen and building on the impressive body of work put together by Joe Schmidt before he took the Ireland job in 2013, Lancaster helped turn Leinster into one of the most exciting teams in Europe, with the great Johnny Sexton describing him as a "special coach" after the club's Champions Cup triumph in 2018.

Speaking of Leinster, the other provinces have a long way to go before bridging the gap in Irish rugby, but Lancaster has already proved adept at developing players within the IRFU system. Under his watch, the likes of Finn Treacy (centre, 20), John Devine (centre, 21) and Harry West (fly-half, 22) - all of whom have just been promoted from the academy - could progress quickly.

His pre-existing connections in Ireland may also help Connacht's ability to attract players to Galway, too, with Santiago Cordero and JJ Hanrahan among the players leaving the club.

With Harlequins director of rugby Billy Millard's recent recruitment as general manager, Lancaster will be able to focus on senior team matters. It may take time, but the 55-year-old Englishman unquestionably has the rugby IQ and tactical acumen to breathe new life into Connacht.

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Josh van der Flier, Garry Ringrose and Tommy O'Brien are injury doubts for Leinster's United Rugby Championship semi-final against Glasgow on Saturday (14:45 BST).

Van der Flier was forced off with a hamstring issue during the Irish province's quarter-final win over Scarlets, while Ringrose (calf) and O'Brien (foot) both missed the game.

All three will be monitored during the week before Leinster boss Leo Cullen names his team on Friday.

Leinster, chasing a first URC title since 2021, are already without Will Connors, Brian Deeny, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw, but Cullen is set to welcome back Jordan Larmour.

The Irish international winger is available for selection having overcome a hamstring injury that has kept him out since December.

Leinster have beaten Glasgow in both meetings this season; 52-0 in the Champions Cup quarter-final in April and 13-5 in their URC fixture last month.

On Monday, it was also confirmed that Croke Park will host the URC final on 14 June if Leinster qualify.

With the RDS - Leinster's home ground - undergoing redevelopment since last year, the club have used the GAA's headquarters twice this season; against Munster in the URC and Harlequins in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

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Munster captain Tadhg Beirne said "there was nothing more" he could ask of his team-mates after their United Rugby Championship quarter-final loss to Sharks was decided by a place-kick competition.

The Irish side led 21-10 in the second half but, after the game in Durban finished 24-24 and neither side scored during extra time, the match went into a penalty kick shootout.

Sharks were a perfect six-from-six in their shots at goal, while Rory Scannell was the only one wayward off the tee for Munster.

"They're riddled with internationals, they know what they're doing," said Beirne of the Sharks, who will now face South African rivals Bulls in the semi-finals.

"We knew they were going to keep coming at us, we knew they would be a tough battle, and we fought to the bitter end.

"There's nothing more I could ask of the lads. To go to a penalty shootout or whatever you call that there is gutting for us, but that's the way it goes and that's the way we lost the game."

The defeat represented final Munster appearances for Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Stephen Archer.

"There's no tomorrow for us this season and we have to say goodbye to some pretty special characters within this room," added Beirne, who will tour with the British and Irish Lions for a second time this summer.

"It's going to be a weird place without them, we've spoken about it before.

"They epitomise Munster, they love the club and they put blood, sweat and tears in for the club."

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Leinster captain Jack Conan admitted there were "frustrating bits" to his side's performance after they beat Scarlets 33-21 to reach the United Rugby Championship semi-finals.

The Irish province, top seeds in the play-offs, scored tries through James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jamie Osborne and Hugo Keenan to set up a last-four match with holders Glasgow at home next week.

However, Leinster allowed Scarlets back into the game at times, with Conan conceding his side tried to force the issue.

"[We were] good in parts," said the British and Irish Lion back row.

"Our discipline killed us, we gave them a lot of soft penalties. To be fair to Scarlets they stuck at it and battled hard, they're a team with a lot of passion and they pushed us at times.

"We were inaccurate and forced things a little bit. It's good to have another week but there were some frustrating bits there.

"Lads want to have big moments They want to feel like they're doing well, but sometimes there's a bit of over-eagerness and over-zealousness.

"You force things a little bit and get away with things although I thought Hollie [Davidson] was on the money today. I don't think it's anything other than lads trying a bit too hard."

Leinster must now prepare for a third game against Glasgow in the space of seven weeks after beating the Scots in the Champions Cup and URC.

"It's strange when you've played a team twice in the past six weeks so it helps with the prep because you know what they're going to do to a degree," added Conan.

"But it's a little bit different every time you come up against a team. I don't think we were great the last time we played them, we had a good win in Europe, but they had lads coming back in so it'll be a tough test for us."

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Munster interim boss Ian Costello has again named an unchanged team for his side's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Sharks in Durban (17:30 BST).

Jack Crowley is retained at fly-half having overcome a rib injury in recent weeks.

Peter O'Mahony and Stephen Archer are named in the pack in what could be their final game before retirement.

Centre Rory Scannell is set to make his 200th Munster appearance off the bench. Also named among the replacements is former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray, who will leave the club this summer.

The Sharks, who beat Munster 41-24 in Durban in October, name a team loaded with South Africa internationals, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am.

Sharks: Fassi; Hooker, Am, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Nche, Mbonambi, Koch; Etzebeth (capt), Jenkins; Venter, Tshituka, Kolisi.

Replacements: Mbatha, Mchunu, Jacobs, Van Heerden, Buthelezi, Davids, Venter, Penxe.

Munster: Abrahams; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, Kilgallen; Crowley, Craig Casey; Milne, Niall Scannell, Archer; Kleyn, Beirne (capt); O'Mahony, Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: Barron, Wycherley, Ryan, Ahern, Kendellen, Murray, Scannell, Haley.

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Jordie Barrett and Jamie Osborne will form the centre partnership in Leinster's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Scarlets at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Robbie Henshaw, who lined up alongside New Zealand international Barrett in Leinster's last game against Glasgow, was ruled out earlier this week.

British and Irish Lions squad member Garry Ringrose is not included in the Leinster 23 as he is managing a calf problem.

James Lowe returns to start on the left wing with Jimmy O'Brien set to make his 100th appearance for the province on the opposite side.

Jamison Gibson-Park partners Sam Prendergast in the half-backs with Jack Conan again captaining the team from number eight in Caelan Doris' absence.

With Ronan Kelleher named to start at hooker, Dan Sheehan is included on a strong-looking bench alongside Rabah Slimani and RG Snyman.

In addition to Henshaw and Ringrose, Leinster boss Leo Cullen is without Lions prop Tadhg Furlong, with Thomas Clarkson picked at tight-head.

Leinster: Keenan; J O'Brien, Osborne, Barrett, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, Van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Sheehan, Boyle, Slimani, Snyman, Deegan, Penny, McGrath, Frawley.

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India Daley says it will be an "incredible honour" to captain Ulster in the 2025-26 season.

The hooker takes over the role from Irish international Kathryn Dane.

"Representing my home province has always meant a lot to me, so to now lead the team is something I'm really proud of," the 24-year-old told the Ulster Rugby website.

"I feel lucky to be part of such a special group who are building year on year."

Two seasons ago, Ulster secured their first interprovincial victory since 2012, but last season finished bottom of the table with one draw and two defeats from their three matches and were then beaten by Connacht in the play-offs.

"We've got so much talent and potential in this squad, I want us to back ourselves every time we step onto the pitch," Daley added.

"We know that we are capable of more than what we have shown in recent seasons, and we want to prove that in the upcoming interpro campaign."

With the Women's Rugby World Cup to take place in England during August and September, Irish internationals will not feature for their provinces this season.

In their absence, there are eight newcomers to the Ulster panel as they build towards their opener against Leinster on 10 August.

Forwards Cara McLean, Ruby Starrett and Sophie McAlister, and backs Erin McConalogue, Farrah Cartin McCloskey, Georgia Boyce, Katie Gilmour and Siobhan Sheerin, are all included for the first time.

Ulster squad 2025-26

Forwards: Aishling O'Connell, Ava Fannin, Brenda Barr (vice-captain), Bronach Cassidy, Cara McLean, Christy Hill, Ellen Patterson, India Daley (captain), Katie Hetherington, Keelin Brady, Lauren Maginnes, Maebh Clenaghan, Megan Simpson, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Ruby Starrett, Sarah Roberts, Sophie Barrett, Sophie McAlister, Stacey Sloan.

Backs: Abby Moyles, Catherine Martin, Erin McConalogue, Farrah Cartin McCloskey, Georgia Boyce, Katie Gilmour, Kelly McCormill, Lauren Farrell-McCabe, Lucy Thompson, Niamh Marley, Paige Smyth, Rachael McIlroy, Siobhan Sheerin, Sophie Meeke, Tara O'Neill.

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Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley has been passed fit for Munster's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Sharks in Durban on Saturday (17:30 BST).

Crowley has been struggling with a rib injury which led to scrum-half Craig Casey taking over goal-kicking duties in the win over Benetton earlier this month.

Fit-again hookers Diarmuid Barron and Niall Scannell and loose-head prop Jeremy Loughman will also travel with the squad to South Africa.

Loughman has not played since Munster's Investec Champions Cup win away to La Rochelle on 5 April.

Oli Jager (head), Ethan Coughlan (hamstring), Billy Burns (shoulder), Shane Daly (hamstring) and Roman Salanoa (knee) remain unavailable to interim head coach Ian Costello.

2022-23 champions Munster secured sixth place in the URC regular-season standings with successive bonus-point wins over Ulster and Benetton to set up a quarter-final against the Sharks, who are third seeds.

The South African side won 41-24 when the teams met at Kings Park in Durban in October.

Munster travelling squad

Forwards: Tom Ahern, Stephen Archer, Diarmuid Barron, Lee Barron, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Gavin Coombes, Ronan Foxe, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen, Jean Kleyn, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Milne, Jack O'Donoghue, Peter O'Mahony, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Fineen Wycherley, Josh Wycherley.

Backs: Thaakir Abrahams, Tony Butler, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Tom Farrell, Mike Haley, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Conor Murray, Alex Nankivell, Calvin Nash, Sean O'Brien, Paddy Patterson, Rory Scannell, Andrew Smith.

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Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw have been ruled out of Leinster's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Scarlets at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Leinster said tight-head prop Furlong is unavailable after picking up a "minor calf injury" while centre Henshaw has sustained a knee problem which could keep him out for four weeks.

In more positive news, Jordan Larmour is in contention to feature after being sidelined for five months with a hamstring injury.

The 27-year-old wing, who has 32 Ireland caps, has been restricted to just five appearances this season, the last of which came against Munster on 27 December.

Furlong has also endured an injury-plagued campaign. The 32-year-old has only managed eight games for Leinster while calf and hamstring issues restricted him to just one substitute appearance in Ireland's Six Nations campaign.

Despite his lack of game time, he was named in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad earlier this month.

Furlong started all three Tests in the 2017 and 2021 Lions series in New Zealand and South Africa.

Leinster are top seeds in the URC play-offs after finishing the regular season top of the standings, but fell to a shock 35-22 loss to Scarlets in Llanelli last month.

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Ulster announced further contract news and revealed their finalised squad for the 2025-26 season on Thursday.

Following on from Wednesday's announcement that Australian prop Angus Bell would be joining the province later this year, the Irish province have confirmed contract renewals for Conor McKee, David Shanahan, Robert Baloucoune, Ethan McIlroy and Ben Moxham.

Fly-half Jack Murphy, 20, moves onto a senior contract from the Academy following his impressive performances during the 2024-25 campaign.

Scott Wilson, Lorcan McLoughlin and James McNabney all progress as senior players, after their year as Development players.

Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes progress from the Ulster Rugby Academy into the senior side as they begin the season as development players.

The 43-strong squad for next season will consist of 41 fully contracted senior players and Irvine and Hopes as development players.

Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, said: "After a difficult 2024/25 campaign, we are looking forward to starting afresh and focusing on our pre-season preparations.

"With new players being added to the group, and players becoming more experienced, we feel there is a good platform for us to build on.

"Mark Sexton [new backs coach] will bring new energy and ideas to our backline and Willie Faloon will benefit from getting time this summer to focus in on our defence and contact work.

"I'm confident in the ability of this squad to make sure we compete well in both the URC and the Challenge Cup next season."

Ulster squad for 2025-26 season

Forwards (25): Iain Henderson (capt); John Andrew, Juarno Augustus, Angus Bell, Sam Crean, Matthew Dalton, Joe Hopes, Charlie Irvine, Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, James McCormick, Rory McGuire, Lorcan McLoughlin, James McNabney, Bryan O'Connor, Eric O'Sullivan, Tom O'Toole, Marcus Rea, Sean Reffell, Callum Reid, Harry Sheridan, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Scott Wilson, Rob Herring.

Backs (18): Rob Baloucoune, Ben Carson, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, James Hume, James Humphreys, Werner Kok, Michael Lowry, Stuart McCloskey, Conor McKee, Ethan McIlroy, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite, David Shanahan, Jacob Stockdale, Zac Ward.

Coaching staff: Richie Murphy (head coach), Jimmy Duffy (forwards coach), Mark Sexton (backs coach), Willie Faloon (defence and contact skills coach), Dan Soper (development and transition coach).

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Munster have confirmed they will play one of next season's Investec Champions Cup pool fixtures at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork.

Thomond Park in Limerick usually stages Munster's home European games, with Cork last hosting one at Virgin Media Park in December 2002.

Munster have held friendly games against South Africa XV and New Zealand side Crusaders at the 45,000-capacity Pairc Ui Chaoimh in recent years.

The match against Crusaders at the home of Cork GAA attracted a crowd of 40,885 and Munster say they hope for a "significant financial uplift" from hosting a Champions Cup game there compared to the 25,6000-capacity Thomond Park.

"In addition to this, the larger capacity of Pairc Ui Chaoimh will allow even more people to experience a competitive Munster Rugby European matchday which provides a fantastic opportunity to grow our support base, not just in Cork but right across the southern part of the province," said Munster chief operating officer Philip Quinn.

Munster chief executive Ian Costello, who has also served as interim head coach in recent months, said "showcasing a high-profile competitive fixture to a wider audience is a strategic goal of ours and this aligns with the feedback we have received from many of our supporters".

He added: "Unfortunately, the December Champions Cup pool fixtures in Thomond Park have experienced falling attendances over the last two seasons and the staging of this game in Pairc Ui Chaoimh offers us the opportunity to accommodate more supporters at that match and improve our financial stability which in the current climate is imperative."

Munster secured 2025-26 Champions Cup qualification with a United Rugby Championship win over Benetton last week.

They face Sharks in Durban in the URC quarter-finals on 31 May (17:30 BST).

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The draw for the pool stage of the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup is to take place in December, World Rugby have confirmed.

The tournament, which will be staged in Australia from 1 October to 13 November, will be expanded to take in 24 teams rather than 20 as was the case since the 1999 World Cup.

The teams will be divided into six pools of four teams.

Sixteen teams have qualified so far - two-time defending champions South Africa, France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, Japan, Georgia, Spain, Portugal and Romania.

The final qualifying tournament will be held in Dubai from 8 to 18 November.

The opening match of the competition will take place in Perth, with the final being staged in Sydney.

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The quarter-finals of the 2024-25 United Rugby Championship season have yet to be played, but already the fixtures for the 2025-26 campaign have been released.

The Irish provinces learnt their URC schedule for the new term on Wednesday.

The opening round of fixtures will take place on the final weekend of September, with eight-time league winners Leinster taking on DHL Stormers on the opening evening of games on Friday 26 September.

Ulster will host the Dragons on the same day, with Munster travelling to play the Scarlets on Saturday 27 September and Connacht at home to Benetton on the same day.

The second round of matches will include Edinburgh v Ulster on Friday 3 October and Bulls v Leinster, Munster v Cardiff and Connacht v Scarlets on Saturday 4 October.

The festive derby games will see Leinster face Ulster on the run-up to Christmas on Friday 19 December, then on Saturday 27 December Connacht are at home to Ulster and Munster host Leinster.

On Friday 2 January, Ulster face Munster, while Leinster are at home to Connacht the next day.

The competition will follow the same format as recent years, with the top eight teams contesting the quarter-finals on the final weekend of May, followed by semi-finals on Saturday 6 June and the final on Saturday 20 June.

You can view a full list of the fixtures here, external.

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New Zealand-born fly-half Aidan Morgan will leave Ulster this summer "by mutual consent".

Morgan joined Ulster from Super Rugby side Hurricanes on a two-year-deal last year following Billy Burns' departure to Munster.

The 23-year-old, who previously played for the New Zealand Under-20 team, is qualified to represent Ireland through a Belfast-born grandfather.

Morgan made 17 appearances for Ulster, including 12 starts, and scored tries in his first two games.

However, Morgan featured mainly from the bench in the closing stages of the season with Jack Murphy - head coach Richie Murphy's son - preferred in the 10 shirt.

"I want to thank Ulster Rugby fans, the players and staff for the the part they have played in welcoming me in since joining last summer," said Morgan.

"I have enjoyed my time here in Belfast with Ulster, learning and growing as a player and a person.

"Thank you for the great memories and I wish everyone all the best for the future."

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham described Morgan as the "consummate professional", but said releasing the player from his contract was "in the best interests of both parties".

"We thank Aidan for all his efforts over the past season and wish him and his partner all the very best for their next chapter," said Cunningham.

"Going into the 2025-26 season, we will have three fully contracted fly-halves -Jack Murphy, Jake Flannery, James Humphreys - between 21 and 26 years of age, all of which we need to continue to develop and get the very best out of in the seasons ahead."