Connacht’s Bundee Aki pens contract extension in advance of URC clash against old foe Leinster
New Zealand-born centre, lauded by coach for his ‘calm’, is available for the game against unbeaten provincial rivals
Connacht Rugby
Leinster without Liam Turner for Connacht game, Jordan Larmour and Tom Clarkson in doubt
Larmour and Clarkson to undergo further assessment this week
Bundee Aki and James Ryan sign new IRFU contract extensions
Aki signs one-year deal to extend stay at Connacht while Ryan agrees three-year deal to stay at Leinster
Mixed fortunes for Irish provinces leaves plenty of room for improvement
Leo Cullen admits Leinster just muddling their way through after win over Clermont while chastened Munster and Ulster now facing important URC derby clash in Belfast
Connacht close in on Challenge Cup knock-out stages after brilliant win in Perpignan
Pete Wilkins’s side pulled away in the final quarter after the French side had got back to within a point
Connacht know away win against Perpignan would put them in strong position to qualify
European Challenge Cup: Perpignan, having drawn 20-20 with Cheetahs in Amsterdam, are still very much in the hunt
Irish rugby is a good place to be, thanks to people such as Dave Fagan
Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman represent the continuation of an old Irish rugby recipe: home-grown talent spiced up by a sprinkling of top international quality
Connacht’s Denis Buckley and Joe Joyce return to fitness ahead of trip to Perpignan
Pete Wilkins’ side took a win over Zebre in their Challenge Cup opener on Saturday
Jordie Barrett shines as Leinster beat Bristol to get search for elusive fifth star under way
Champions Cup: Munster secure bonus-point win over Stade Francais, Connacht beat Zebre, while champions Toulouse pummel Ulster
Connacht win emphatically against Zebre in Challenge Cup
Westerners produced a dominant display, delivering seven tries against Italian opponents
Connacht set to blood new players in Challenge Cup home tie against Zebre
Province rotates quartet of first-teamers after Ireland's Autumn Nations Series
Sam Prendergast starts at outhalf for Leinster as Jordie Barrett named on the bench
Champions and Challenge Cup team news: Leo Cullen confirms Hugo Keenan’s wrist injury will keep him out for ‘around four weeks’
Pat Lam on having the craic with Anthony Foley and bringing Bundee Aki to Ireland
The former Connacht and now Bristol coach talks to The Counter Ruck podcast ahead of the Champions Cup clash with Leinster
Connacht boss Pete Wilkins wants ‘to see a response from the players’ against Zebre
Head coach wants side to make positive Challenge Cup statement after loss to Bulls last time out
Formidable Bulls prove too strong for 14-man Connacht
Loss of Sean Jansen to a red card after 21 minutes proved a significant handicap for the home side
Clare Daly finds a Dublin Central political address once linked to her ally Mick Wallace
Plus: no sign of the next laureate for fiction; the less-than-diverse membership of Aosdána; and Niall Blaney’s poor attendance record
Connacht seek statement victory over Bulls
Western province’s home record against South African teams is 10 wins from 12 matches
Physicality is a ‘non-negotiable’ for Connacht as the Bulls come to visit
Both sides are missing internationals for URC encounter but Pete Wilkins is relishing the challenge
A fleeting moment: How to take the perfect sports photograph
Award-winning photographer James Crombie explains how he got three of his favourite shots
The bird-shaped obsession that drives James Crombie, one of Ireland’s best sports photographers
It started as a pandemic distraction but ended up producing probably the most famous photo the Westmeath man will ever take - the murmuration that went around the world
Connacht captain Cian Prendergast signs new three-year deal
24-year-old backrow will remain at the province until at least 2028
Gerry Thornley’s early season URC review: Leinster pleased, Munster with work to do
Connacht will be satisfied by their start as they seek a top-eight finish
Weekend of contrasting fortunes as Leinster continue to lead from the front
Munster slump to 12th in the table following a third successive URC defeat for the first time in nine years
Connacht Rugby on the rise: ‘We push uphill, but we love pushing up the hill’
Chief executive Willie Ruane is proud of the progress Connacht have made both on and off the pitch in recent years and optimistic about the province’s future
Connacht eye home victory against Dragons in key URC fixture for province
Head coach Pete Wilkins believes result will determine if Connacht on the right track from opening series of games
Connacht Rugby plan to have fully professional women’s team within five years
Connacht’s ambition for women’s team comes as part of new 10-year plan for the province
Connacht looking for ‘crucial’ win over Dragons to carry them through November break
Dragons travel to Galway for the sixth round of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday
Fit and firing, RG Snyman is already making a huge difference to Leinster’s game
The South African lock matched Connacht’s eight offloads by himself in Saturday night’s bonus-point win in Galway
Connacht disappointment at Leinster loss tempered by ‘big game’ against Dragons
‘After a disappointing result like tonight ... I made sure to remind them that the Dragons are coming ... it’s a massive game’
Ciarán Frawley’s availability for Ireland’s clash with All Blacks in doubt
Leinster outhalf limped out of Saturday’s win over Connacht; young hooker Gus McCarthy could come into frame
‘I’m representing my family ... that’s important to me’: Joe Joyce relishing life at Connacht
Happily settled both on and off the pitch, Joyce has no regrets about his move in 2022 from his hometown team Bristol to the province of his heritage
Leinster unlikely to find any calm before the storm in Connacht
Pete Wilkins doesn’t believe this is a must-win game for his side, but it is definitely a litmus test of their performance levels
Leinster’s James Culhane keen to push on after two seasons of stop-start
Emerging Ireland captain fully fit and ready to challenge for a regular Leinster starting place and thereby advance his international ambitions
Shayne Bolton’s journey from South Africa can see him flourish with Connacht
Young player is likely to be given a third start against Leinster in Saturday’s URC meeting
Cathal Forde no longer the quiet man for Connacht as young centre pushes for further recognition
Centre now understands the value of patience after advancing from grassroots rugby to prospect of an Ireland cap
Even before the season started Connacht looked like they would be a good watch. And, so far, it has come to pass
‘We need to be positive and brave in how we play. It’s our best formula for success,’ says head coach Peter Wilkins
Tyler Bleyendaal already making his mark at Leinster
Former Munster outhalf joined Leo Cullen’s setup after four seasons with the Hurricanes
Ulster hold on to come out on top against Connacht in Belfast
Connacht manage two bonus points in defeat with Nick Timoney’s late try sealing the 32-27 win for Ulster
Connacht look to keep up winning form as they head to Belfast to tackle Ulster
Richie Murphy’s Ulster side looking to get back to winning ways after bac-to-back defeats in South Africa
Ciarán Fitzgerald: ‘The IRFU has produced a model the world of rugby envies’
As he prepares to mark a special occasion for rugby in Galway, the former Ireland captain reflects on his student days, Connacht’s dashing style and the significance of the recent win in South Africa for Andy Farrell’s team
Leinster vs Munster: Tom Farrell says move was a ‘no-brainer’
Ex-Connacht centre on prospect of playing in Saturday’s landmark Croke Park URC game
No family allegiances as father welcomes son to Kingspan for Ulster-Connacht clash
Ben Murphy, set to feature for Connacht at scrumhalf, is the son of Ulster head coach Richie Murphy
‘I’ve been through a lot over the last couple of years’: Josh Ioane’s move to Connacht marks new chapter
New Zealander made his try-scoring debut for Connacht against Munster
Connacht welcome back several key players for trip to Belfast
Head coach Pete Wilkins believes victories over Scarlets and Sharks show his side has learned how to eke out a win
‘I’m not sure we would have won that game this time last year’: Connacht happy with hard-fought win
Connacht beat Scarlets 23-24 in URC third round
Connacht leave it late to secure important away win over Scarlets
Hard-earned victory for the visitors by a single point against spirited Welsh opposition
Cathal Forde’s talent and versatility an asset as Connacht welcome back Bundee Aki for visit to Scarlets
The 23-year-old Forde is one of several excellent young centre prospects for Ireland
Bundee Aki to make URC season debut for Connacht against Scarlets
Aki and Jack Carty will make their first appearance of the season
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