Updated 18 Oct 2026, 18:30 IST
Latest stories that have left the Home and team lists. Grouped by the date each story was published. Back to Latest
Ireland Women beat Japan 43–19 at Virgin Media Park (Sat 3 Oct). Tries: Cahill, Hogan, Jones, McGann, Parsons, McInerney, Barrett.
BBC Sport · RTÉ Sport · The42 · Independent Paywall · Irish Examiner Paywall
Sharks 26–20 Leinster at Kings Park, Durban (Sat 3 Oct). Henshaw opened; Tshituka and Bester put Sharks ahead; Clarkson’s try and Prendergast’s penalty edged Leinster close before van der Merwe’s late try. Osborne’s late score secured a losing bonus point — Leinster leave South Africa with 3 pts after Round 2.
Energia All-Ireland League men’s divisions after Round 2: St Mary’s beat Clontarf again in 1A, Nenagh Ormond and Blackrock stay unbeaten in 1B, and Cashel and Galway Corinthians set the early pace in 2A.
Benetton 19–22 Connacht at Stadio Monigo (Fri 2 Oct). Ciarán Frawley scored two tries on debut, including the 77th-minute winner, after tries from Cian Prendergast and Sean O’Brien. Benetton replies: Bautista Bernasconi (2) and Leonardo Marin. Bonus-point win; Finlay Bealham yellow before the break.
The42 · Sky Sports · BBC Sport table · Irish Examiner Paywall · Irish Independent Paywall
Independent (2 Oct): JJ Hanrahan on French advice in the autumn of his career as he covers the Bulls 23 from the bench.
Independent Paywall
Independent (2 Oct): Adams Verling on her debut night and a third start as Ireland Women host Japan in Cork.
Independent Paywall
Independent (2 Oct): Anna Caplice on building Ireland Women strength in depth ahead of the South Africa window — results secondary to options.
Independent Paywall
Independent (2 Oct): Leo Cullen rings the changes for Durban and says Leinster cannot settle for moral victories after the Lions opener.
The42 · RTÉ Sport · Independent Paywall
Irish Times (Gerry Thornley, 1 Oct): Sean Jansen says Connacht expect to win away to Benetton on Friday after sitting out the Stormers opener as a summer tourist; target top-four before November.
Irish Times Paywall
Irish Independent (1 Oct): Croke Park in contention to host a future European Champions Cup final as a 16-team format is considered for later editions.
Irish Independent Paywall
IRFU (1 Oct): Clohessy and Gallagher earn first starts at Virgin Media Park (Sat 14:00); Wafer again unavailable.
Official Munster team news (1 Oct): 11 changes for Vodacom Bulls at Thomond (Sat 19:45); O’Shea’s first start; Aungier debut.
Official Ulster team news (1 Oct): Stockdale’s 150th at full-back; Ward starts at 8; Stewart captains at Scotstoun (Sat 17:30).
Official Connacht announcement (1 Oct): Frawley starts on debut at 10 in Treviso tonight (Fri 19:45); six Ireland summer players return.
Connacht Rugby · The42 · Independent Paywall
Irish Independent (30 Sep): AIL Corner with Billy Corrigan — no shame in being a good club player after leaving the Leinster pathway.
Irish Independent Paywall
The42 (Murray Kinsella, 30 Sep): after Hansen’s Connacht return vs Stormers, analysis of how Farrell could fit Hansen, Baloucoune and Keenan in the same autumn back three — left wing a live option.
Jack Crowley (30 Sep) still hopes to be fully fit by Christmas from his lower-limb vascular injury, while flagging uncertainty about return-to-play. Remains out of November.
RTÉ Sport · The42 · Irish Independent Paywall
Conor O’Tighearnaigh talks to the Independent (30 Sep) about juggling pro rugby with medicine after Leinster’s URC opener in Johannesburg.
Irish Independent Paywall
Cathal Forde tells the Irish Times (30 Sep) Connacht are better prepared for Friday’s Benetton trip after the Stormers loss — focus on starting well in Monigo.
Irish Times Paywall
Richie Murphy tells the Independent (29 Sep) Ulster must respond after the Edinburgh opener, with Ireland summer returnees back in the mix for Saturday at Scotstoun.
Irish Independent Paywall
Munster official (29 Sep): Casey and Loughman available for Sat Bulls. Haley (knee) out; Barron, O’Donoghue and Nankivell on RTP protocols. Ahern, Aungier, Daly and Quinn back in training. Team news Thursday.
Munster Rugby · RTÉ Sport · The42 · Independent Paywall
Former captain Peter O’Mahony tells the Independent (29 Sep) Munster needs major change at the top — he does not believe the province is well run.
Independent Paywall
The42 interview (29 Sep): Munster attack coach Jared Payne on the strike-play brief after the Glasgow opener and working with Mossy Lawler.
Ulster Performance Medicine (29 Sep): Lowry and Baloucoune (concussion) and Arenzana-King (knee) unavailable for Sat Scotstoun. All three started vs Edinburgh.
Muldoon: Prendergast, Murray, Bohan, Illo and Jansen in contention for Friday in Treviso. Ben Murphy sidelined with an ankle ligament injury; Blade trained fully Monday.
Irish Times Paywall
Clayton McMillan says Munster must earn Thomond support again after the Glasgow defeat; Bulls visit next Saturday.
Independent Paywall · Irish Times Paywall · Irish Examiner Paywall
Men’s Test FT in Perth (Optus Stadium): Wallabies hold on 42–38 after finishing with 11 men. Mandela Challenge Plate — one-off men’s international (Rugby Championship on hiatus).
RTÉ Sport · BBC Sport · The42 · Independent Paywall
Anna Caplice (Independent, Sat 26 Sep): finding depth and options is the priority for Ireland Women in this WXV window ahead of Japan in Galway.
Irish Independent Paywall
Peter O’Mahony (Irish Times, Sat) on Munster, Ireland and the Lions — and the doubts that sat with him through his career.
The Irish Times Paywall
Irish Rugby round-up of Energia All-Ireland League men’s divisions after Round 1.
RTÉ Sport (Sat): Lions win 27–26 at Ellis Park; Fintan Gunne scores a first-half hat-trick, Kelly Mpeku’s late try seals it, and Stephen Smyth’s converted score after the hooter earns Leinster two losing bonus points. Leo Cullen (The42): message was about enjoying the outing with so many youngsters; two away points “hugely important.”
RTÉ Sport · Sky Sports · URC · The42 · The42 · BBC Sport · Irish Independent Paywall · The Irish Times Paywall
The42 · RTÉ Sport · BBC Sport · The42 McMillan · RTÉ Sport · Irish Independent Paywall · Irish Independent Paywall
Irish Independent (Fri 25 Sep): Ireland assistant coach Gareth Steenson says the surprise Tallaght defeat to the USA left “a lot of frustration” and believes it will spark the side ahead of Japan in Galway on Sunday.
Irish Independent Paywall
Irish Independent (Fri 25 Sep): Diarmuid Kilgallen on reigniting his Munster career after injury and starting on the wing in the Glasgow 23.
Irish Independent Paywall
Ulster Rugby / The42 / Irish Times (Fri night): Edinburgh win 34–29 at Affidea after leading 34–5; Ulster’s Lowry, Ward, McCann and Knox reply earns two losing bonus points.
Ulster Rugby · The42 · BBC Sport · The Irish Times Paywall · Irish Independent Paywall
RTÉ / The42 (Fri night): Stormers overpower Connacht at Dexcom; Hansen scores on return but four-try visitors win the URC opener 29–15.
RTÉ Sport · The42 · BBC Sport · Irish Independent Paywall
Irish Independent (Thu 24 Sep): season-frame column — Ireland and all four provinces arrive with plenty to prove with the next World Cup cycle already shaping selection and retention.
Irish Independent Paywall
Irish Independent (Thu 24 Sep): wing/full-back Andrew Osborne on working his aerial game as he pushes for URC minutes with Leinster opening in Johannesburg.
Irish Independent Paywall
Irish Independent (Thu 24 Sep): prop Kieran Brookes on his nomadic path and why Munster was always the Irish target as the province opens vs Glasgow.
Irish Independent Paywall
Irish Independent (Thu 24 Sep): scrum-half Ben Murphy on bouncing back from his Leinster release, why Connacht suited him, and aiming toward the next World Cup cycle as Round 1 vs Stormers arrives.
Irish Independent Paywall
Official Connacht / IRFU (Thu 24 Sep): Mack Hansen starts on return from long-term foot injury; Boyle captains; van Wyk and Max Flynn in the 23. Ireland seven still unavailable this week.
Connacht Rugby · Irish Rugby · The42 · RTÉ · Irish Independent Paywall
Official Ulster Rugby (Thu 24 Sep): Lowry captains; Baloucoune starts; McNabney at 8; five summer signings start. Hume remains out for weeks with a hamstring injury.
Ulster Rugby · The42 · RTÉ · BBC Sport NI · Irish Independent Paywall
Former Munster winger Johne Murphy told the RTÉ Rugby podcast (23 Sep) that organisational change is needed at the top of Munster after last season’s off-field issues and governance review, while backing the coaching additions. Colour ahead of Saturday’s Glasgow opener — not a squad or injury update.
Irish Independent (23 Sep): new Munster forwards coach Jimmy Duffy on a well-travelled coaching path into Thomond ahead of the Glasgow URC opener.
Irish Independent Paywall
Ulster official (23 Sep): James Hume hamstring — unavailable for Friday’s URC opener vs Edinburgh (19:45 Affidea). Richie Murphy (BBC Sport NI): out “a number of weeks.” Same update — Matthew Devine, Keynan Knox and Juarno Augustus returned to team training. The42: Murphy says Ulster “in a good place” despite a long injury list.
Independent (Wed evening) + The42: head coach says Ulster have a “hungry squad who want to prove people wrong” despite Hume’s hamstring and a long injury list — Augustus, Devine and Knox back training for Friday’s Affidea opener.
The42 · Ulster Rugby · BBC Sport NI · Irish Independent Paywall
Irish Independent AIL Corner (23 Sep): Jayden Beckett — first New Zealander to captain Old Belvedere — on his path into the All-Ireland League and Ollie Campbell’s impact at the club.
Irish Independent Paywall
Irish Independent (Cian Tracey, 23 Sep 05:30): Munster will back 20-year-old academy out-half Charlie O’Shea to step up and lead the team if JJ Hanrahan is not passed fit for Saturday’s URC opener vs Glasgow at Thomond Park (17:30). Ties to Wood’s shoulder surgery (out to early 2027) and Butler’s short-term return.
Munster Rugby · RTÉ Sport · The42 · The42 · Irish Independent Paywall · Irish Independent Paywall · Irish Independent Paywall
RTÉ’s provincial tour opener: Richie Murphy’s Ulster need a top-eight push and Champions Cup return as the Affidea Stadium URC campaign begins Friday vs Edinburgh.
Academy out-half Tom Wood will have shoulder surgery this week and is out until the new year; Tony Butler returns on a short-term deal with Hanrahan in RTP ahead of Glasgow.
Munster Rugby · The42 · RTÉ Sport · Irish Independent Paywall
Defence coach Jacques Nienaber is determined Leinster kick on from last season as the squad prepares for Ellis Park.
RTÉ Sport · Irish Independent Paywall
Former England coach says he has not spoken to anyone at Leinster about succeeding Cullen and is in positive talks with Connacht’s Willie Ruane and the IRFU’s David Humphreys about staying in Galway.
RTÉ Sport · The42 · Irish Independent Paywall
Player of the Year and Ireland debutant commits until at least 2029; sat out Round 1’s Stormers opener with the summer Ireland seven.
Irish Rugby · Connacht Rugby · The42 · Irish Independent Paywall
WXV opener at Tallaght Stadium (Sun 20 Sep): Ireland led 31–12 before four successive USA tries flipped it. Wall’s late try left it 36–40. Bemand: “first blip” — be smarter under pressure. Ireland answered in Galway on Sunday (27 Sep, 31–24); Cork rematch next.
BBC Sport · RTÉ Sport · The42 · BBC · Bemand · Irish Rugby · RTÉ · Bemand · The42 · reaction · Irish Independent Paywall · Irish Times Paywall · Irish Examiner Paywall
Ireland hooker Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald tells the Independent she disagrees with a smaller ball in the women’s game (18 Sep).
Irish Independent Paywall
Munster centre Alex Nankivell says he “definitely” thinks about representing Ireland after an “unreal” Barbarians run (Independent, 18 Sep).
Irish Independent Paywall
Former Ireland and Leinster hooker returns to pro rugby under Pat Lam; succeeds Gethin Watts (The42, 18 Sep).
Independent’s Leinster season preview asks whether the players will define Leo Cullen’s farewell year as a limp exit or a last push (18 Sep).
Irish Independent Paywall
41-man group includes Porter, Furlong, Ryan, van der Flier, Conan, Carbery and Dooley; Doris out; Lions 26 Sep then Sharks 3 Oct.
Leinster Rugby · The42 · Irish Independent Paywall
O’Shea debut try, Coombes, O’Riordan and Kilgallen score; late Tigers double decides it. Crowd 4,421. URC opener v Glasgow next Saturday.
Munster Rugby · The42 · Irish Examiner Paywall
BBC Sport (WXV Global Series, Cardiff Arms Park): Wales Women beat South Africa 50–19 in an eight-try demolition — first win after nine Tests without one.
Official 17 Sep: Tallaght USA and Galway Japan on TG4 Player + TG4 YouTube; Cork Japan (3 Oct) on IrishRugby+. Follows Cantwell’s ‘disappointed’ no terrestrial TV note (16 Sep).
Irish Rugby · Irish Examiner Paywall · Irish Independent Paywall
Ireland Women head coach Scott Bemand told RTÉ Sport (17 Sep) the home WXV block is about developing depth before the next World Cup cycle.
Bernard Jackman tells RTÉ Sport the league title should be the floor, not the ceiling, as Leinster open the new campaign (17 Sep).
Springbok hooker, back in full training, tells Independent / Irish Times (17 Sep) he wants South African physicality at Munster and is hungry to win trophies.
Irish Independent Paywall · The Irish Times Paywall
Independent season preview (17 Sep): Richie Murphy’s Ulster well set to compete — making the URC top eight framed as a must.
Irish Independent Paywall
Ulster Rugby flag the Affidea Stadium home opener against Edinburgh on Friday 25 September (19:45) as the league returns to Belfast.
Cian Tracey column (16 Sep) on Clayton McMillan’s calm under an early-season No.10 injury squeeze before Glasgow.
Irish Independent Paywall
Independent feature (16 Sep) with former Munster prop John Ryan on the end of his playing career.
Irish Independent Paywall
Independent season preview (16 Sep): Mack Hansen’s return and Ciarán Frawley’s arrival as Stuart Lancaster builds on year one.
Irish Independent Paywall · Irish Independent Paywall
Independent (16 Sep): NZR braced for a major restructuring amid a projected multi-million euro loss.
Irish Independent Paywall
Independent feature (15 Sep) on Munster’s Jane Clohessy ahead of Ireland Women’s home Tests — following legendary father Peter Clohessy.
Irish Independent Paywall
daa and the IRFU announce a new partnership offering travel supports and profile opportunities for Ireland Women (14 Sep).
Irish Independent (14 Sep): IRFU sanction after incidents at a Women’s All-Ireland League match last season — Carlow club Tullow RFC hit with a three-match ground closure; contact skills coach Seán O’Brien given a 10-match ban.
Irish Independent Paywall
BBC Sport: South Africa beat New Zealand 43–28 at M&T Bank Stadium to win Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 3–1. Crowd 68,173 — largest rugby crowd in the USA.
Ireland prop on winning back the starting jersey for the upcoming Test window (RTÉ Sport, 12 Sep).
Jack Nowell scores as La Rochelle make it two Top 14 wins from two after the Toulouse opener; 18-year-old Bouju starts the full match (The42 / Examiner).
The42 · Irish Examiner Paywall
BBC Sport: Aoibheann Reilly says she is grateful and hoping to put injury woes behind her ahead of Ireland’s home Tests.
Monday Independent column after Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht all lost Round 1 — selection for next weekend now carries the reset.
Independent Paywall
