Ulster target first win of season in European Challenge Cup opener against Zebre
Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney absent as Richie Murphy rings the changes for Ulster
United Rugby Championship
‘The dark arts are slowly going out of the game’: Tadhg Beirne adapting to law tweaks
Munster captain says changes to mauls can ‘clean up the game’
How are Munster, Leinster and Connacht looking ahead of Champions Cup openers?
Leo Cullen says Leinster need to improve attacking cohesion, although the form of Sam Prendergast is a bright spark
Leo Cullen relieved to see Leinster ‘up and running’ with returning frontliners
Nine Leinster players made their first appearance of the season against Cardiff in the province’s triumphant RDS return
Leinster live up to the occasion of long-awaited homecoming to blow Cardiff away
Sam Prendergast in fine form with man-of-the-match display at redeveloped Laya Arena
‘We’re playing matches like they’re training sessions’: Richie Murphy frustrated by Ulster’s lack of intensity
Head coach urges consistency after Ulster fight back for second week running
Ulster overcome slow start to claw back draw against Munster
Jacob Stockdale with a brace of tries on his 150th appearance for Ulster
Leinster look to restore their home fortress against Cardiff
Province return to competitive action at the redeveloped Laya Arena
Improving Ulster can claim home win against revitalised Munster
But visitors hope return of captain Tadhg Beirne could tilt game in Clayton McMillan’s side’s favour
Poor discipline costly for Connacht in Glasgow defeat
High penalty count and two yellow cards spell destruction for Connacht at Scotstoun
‘Cool, quirky, lots of character’: Leo Cullen wants Laya Arena to be special place to play
After absence of more than two years, Leinster host Cardiff on return to redeveloped home ground
‘Massive challenge’ for Connacht as they look to upset the odds against Glasgow
Bundee Aki will start as all Irish internationals return to starting lineup for URC clash
‘It’s a proper club ground’: Captain Dan Sheehan relishing Leinster’s return home
Blues’ opener at revamped Laya Arena against Cardiff is getting players and fans excited
‘I’m a young buck still’: Joe McCarthy on becoming a senior figure at Leinster
Second row taking on more leadership as part of his continuing development in dressingroom
Clayton McMillan not interested in a revenge motif ahead of Ulster clash
Munster head coach said last fixture in Belfast was ‘one of those games you remember in detail, but not for the right reasons’
Depleted Connacht need to iron out wrinkles against Glasgow, says Woodman
Province aiming to build on victory over Benetton, but must do it without several key players
‘He’s still young and learning’: Sam Prendergast’s development coming along nicely at Leinster
Leinster kicking coach Emmet Farrell says outhalf has ‘learned a lot over the last couple of years’
‘I didn’t even dream of it’: Ciarán Frawley enjoys a madcap Connacht debut
Outhalf loving life out west as he renews partnership with ‘mentor’ Stuart Lancaster
Munster have been digging this hole for years as they slide into tortured mediocrity
Change of leadership at the top of the organisation is desperately needed but there are no miracle cures
Charlie O’Shea shines for Munster on encouraging weekend for Irish provinces
Ciarán Frawley enjoys dream debut as Connacht beat Benetton in Treviso
Charlie O’Shea produces dream display and guides Munster to important win over Bulls
Outhalf making his first start for the province scores two tries in URC victory at Thomond Park
Young Leinster side outmuscled by physical Sharks in Durban
Exposing young players to high-level rugby will be arguably more valuable as the season unfurls despite defeat
Ulster draw with Glasgow in high-scoring URC thriller
Terrific game saw both sides reduced to 13 men at different points in Scotstoun Stadium
Why has rugby largely avoided gambling sponsorship?
Other sports are awash with money from betting companies, but rugby is a different story – for reasons that could change
Ciarán Frawley’s stunning debut try helps Connacht pull off away win over Benetton
Irish province had the kitchen sink thrown at them against a stacked Benetton team
Much-changed Munster hope new faces push them to victory at end of difficult week
Jack Aungier in for his debut while Marnus van der Merwe to make first start in home URC clash
Front-footed Ulster can cause an upset in Glasgow
Last half-hour against Edinburgh last weekend was Ulster at their dazzling best
Leinster pack must front up as Sharks will take no prisoners
Leo Cullen’s side move on to Durban after narrow opening defeat at altitude
Return of Ireland contingent just what the doctor ordered for Connacht in Treviso clash
All eyes on Ciarán Frawley as Stuart Lancaster’s men aim to bounce back from Stormers disappointment
Leinster with some improving to do against strengthened Sharks, says Cullen
Head coach taking little satisfaction from opening defeat to the Lions despite two bonus points
‘Opportunity knocks’: Ian Flanagan’s departure will intensify calls for a Munster reboot
He presided over decline on and off the pitch, the nadir being the bid to sign Roger Randle as attack coach
‘No extra pressure’ on Munster to make strong start to season at home, says Payne
Assistant coach Jared Payne focusing on green shoots in opening defeat to Glasgow
Connacht’s forward power to be strengthened with return of Irish internationals
All five forwards from Andy Farrell’s summer squad are in contention to play in Treviso
What is behind a sobering whitewash URC weekend for the Irish provinces?
Absence of international quality a clear contributor to sobering opening-round results
Leinster putting great emphasis on attack this season, says Tyler Bleyendaal
Coach has been particularly impressed with the halfback pairing of Gunne and Caspar Gabriel so far this season
Max Deegan and Harry Byrne unavailable for Leinster’s clash against Sharks
Caspar Gabriel is expected to start at outhalf after an assured display on his full first-team debut
Munster have ‘a lot to be optimistic about’, Clayton McMillan says
Although the home defeat by Glasgow was disappointing, Munster’s coach saw positives in the performance and is looking forward to the returns of injured players
Performance of Munster’s young scrumhalf Ben O’Donovan a positive from Glasgow defeat
Glasgow’s superior quality off the bench counts as home side suffer disappointing defeat
Leinster impress despite narrow Lions defeat as Fintan Gunne scores hat-trick
Young side lose by a point in South Africa but collect two precious bonus points
Munster with the greater need for positive start in URC opener against Glasgow
Warriors come to Limerick with experience and recent form on their side
Connacht fall to defeat against dominant Stormers in opening match
Irish province punished by Stormers side who wore them down with strong pack
Ulster’s late comeback not enough against Edinburgh in URC opener
Only a madcap second 40 allowed Ulster get in range after they trailed by 29 points
Chance for Leinster’s young stars to shine in URC opener against Lions
Sizeable task ahead for Irish province away in South Africa to win without strongest side
Luck of the Irish only lasted 83 minutes against Kosovo
Ireland off their game in Pristina, Lisa O’Rourke seals gold in Sofia
‘You get a good spell and never look back’: Munster’s Diarmuid Kilgallen on overcoming injury
Winger has been dogged by hamstring, but is named on right for opening URC game against Glasgow
URC has been enriched by South African infusion, but Leinster remain the team to beat
Third successive title would be the perfect sendoff for Leo Cullen
Recuperating Caelan Doris remains Leinster captain, but a doubt for Ireland’s November games
Max Deegan to lead callow side featuring three academy players for Blues’ URC opener at Lions
Confident Connacht ready for stern test as they welcome Stormers to Dexcom
Mack Hansen back in action as Stuart Lancaster looks to thrill home crowd
Ulster fighting fit as they face ailing Edinburgh in URC opener
Robert Baloucoune and James McNabney back in action for Richie Murphy’s side
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Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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