https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/en-ieRTÉ 2026-RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Ltd, Registration No: 155076, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:49:37 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/1001/1593713-munster-looking-forward-as-flanagan-falls-on-his-sword/It seemed inevitable that there would be change at the top of Munster Rugby after the Roger Randle saga in April. The only surprise is that it took close to six months for it to happen, writes Neil Treacy.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:49:32 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/1001/1593713-munster-looking-forward-as-flanagan-falls-on-his-sword/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/1001/1593675-cullen-backs-henshaw-as-back-row-cover-in-durban/Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has backed Ireland international centre Robbie Henshaw to do a job in the back-row, if he is called upon on Saturday.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:27:07 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/1001/1593675-cullen-backs-henshaw-as-back-row-cover-in-durban/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/1001/1593664-munster-rugby-chief-executive-flanagan-to-depart/Munster Rugby chief executive Ian Flanagan has confirmed he will resign from his position at the end of the month.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:50:20 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/1001/1593664-munster-rugby-chief-executive-flanagan-to-depart/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/1001/1593622-wholesale-munster-changes-frawley-set-for-connacht-debut/The Irish team news ahead of round 2 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:52:42 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/1001/1593622-wholesale-munster-changes-frawley-set-for-connacht-debut/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/1001/1593621-ireland-make-six-changes-for-japan-rematch/Jane Clohessy and Niamh Gallagher will both make their first starts for Ireland, while Scott Bemand is set to hand three players their debuts in Saturday's rematch with Japan in Cork.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:05 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/1001/1593621-ireland-make-six-changes-for-japan-rematch/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0930/1593558-second-row-otighearnaigh-on-juggling-medicine-and-rugby/Conor O'Tighearnaigh talks about juggling both medicine and rugby after starting Leinster's opening URC game against LionsWed, 30 Sep 2026 18:49:26 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0930/1593558-second-row-otighearnaigh-on-juggling-medicine-and-rugby/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0930/1593509-crowley-targeting-christmas-return-amid-injury-layoff/Jack Crowley is still hoping to return to Munster action at some point over the festive period, but has acknowledged ongoing uncertainty on how his body will recover from a vascular lower limb injury that has kept him out since April.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:00:17 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0930/1593509-crowley-targeting-christmas-return-amid-injury-layoff/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0930/1593564-omahonys-munster-worries-irish-urc-shutout-wxv-recap/Neil Treacy is joined by Ian Keatley on this week's RTE Rugby podcast, as we look back on a tough start to the URC for the four Irish provinces.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:14:19 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0930/1593564-omahonys-munster-worries-irish-urc-shutout-wxv-recap/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0929/1593425-ireland-to-make-aviva-return-for-womens-6n-clash/The IRFU have confirmed that the Ireland women's side will return to Aviva Stadium in 2027 for their Six Nations clash with England next May.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 22:39:55 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0929/1593425-ireland-to-make-aviva-return-for-womens-6n-clash/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0929/1593389-payne-embedding-a-strike-to-score-mentality-at-munster/Munster's new assistant coach Jared Payne has detailed his coaching philosophy and what he wants to see from the side as they look to climb back up the rankings as one of the league's powerhouses.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:31:01 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0929/1593389-payne-embedding-a-strike-to-score-mentality-at-munster/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0929/1593381-casey-back-barron-and-nankivell-ruled-out-of-bulls-clash/Munster will welcome back Ireland internationals Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman to the fold for this weekend's BKT United Rugby Championship clash with the Bulls, but Jack O'Donoghue, Diarmuid Barron and Alex Nankivell have been ruled out.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:23:41 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0929/1593381-casey-back-barron-and-nankivell-ruled-out-of-bulls-clash/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0928/1593277-leinster-need-to-bounce-back-after-opening-day-defeat/It was a disappointing opening weekend of the United Rugby Championship for the Irish provinces. It is the first time in 17 years that all four teams have lost on the opening day of the season.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 20:56:56 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0928/1593277-leinster-need-to-bounce-back-after-opening-day-defeat/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0928/1593268-bleyendaal-business-as-usual-despite-cullens-swansong/Leinster assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal insisted it was "business as usual" for the coaching staff despite Leo Cullen's announcement that this campaign would be his final one as head coach after over a decade in the role.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:25:24 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0928/1593268-bleyendaal-business-as-usual-despite-cullens-swansong/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0928/1593282-deegan-and-byrne-ruled-out-of-durban-trip/Harry Byrne and Max Deegan have been ruled out of Leinster's trip to Durban to face the Sharks in Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 22:48:07 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0928/1593282-deegan-and-byrne-ruled-out-of-durban-trip/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0927/1593100-mcmillan-work-needed-to-get-munster-fans-back-on-side/Munster head coach Clayton McMillan says he and his players have to "work" to get some supporters back on board, but the New Zealander is confident with the direction of travel, despite Saturday's 26-20 defeat to Glasgow Warriors.Sun, 27 Sep 2026 11:32:54 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0927/1593100-mcmillan-work-needed-to-get-munster-fans-back-on-side/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0927/1593095-parsons-breaks-record-as-ireland-hold-off-japan-in-galway/Beibhinn Parsons became Ireland's record tryscorer, as Scott Bemand's side returned to winning ways in the WXV Global Series.Sun, 27 Sep 2026 14:43:18 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0927/1593095-parsons-breaks-record-as-ireland-hold-off-japan-in-galway/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0927/1593117-parsons-breaking-record-on-home-soil-is-really-special/In two Tests at Dexcom Stadium, Beibhinn Parsons has crossed for five Ireland tries, and this afternoon's two against Japan in Galway sent the winger into the record books.Sun, 27 Sep 2026 16:13:44 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0927/1593117-parsons-breaking-record-on-home-soil-is-really-special/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0927/1593113-11-man-australia-hold-on-to-defeat-south-africa/Australia held on with 11 men in a dramatic finish to beat a second-string South Africa outfit 42-38 at Perth Stadium on Sunday and extend their unbeaten run to five games since new coach Les Kiss took over in late July.Sun, 27 Sep 2026 14:43:07 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0927/1593113-11-man-australia-hold-on-to-defeat-south-africa/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0927/1593096-wxv-global-series-ireland-v-japan-updates/Ireland bounce back to see off Japan in Galway's Dexcom Stadium, to secure their first win of the 2026 WXV Global Series.Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:25:29 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0927/1593096-wxv-global-series-ireland-v-japan-updates/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0925/1593014-expect-a-backlash-from-ireland-after-usa-blip/By this afternoon, we should have a better sense of whether last week's defeat to the USA was a bump in the road, or something or real concern.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:48:35 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0925/1593014-expect-a-backlash-from-ireland-after-usa-blip/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593078-mcmillan-highlights-green-shoots-in-spite-of-defeat/Munster head coach Clayton McMillan admits his side were worn down in the final quarter of their 26-20 defeat to Glasgow Warriors, but he believes there were still some "green shoots" in their overall performance.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 20:26:12 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593078-mcmillan-highlights-green-shoots-in-spite-of-defeat/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593053-munster-ground-down-by-glasgow-for-opening-day-defeat/Munster gave up a 10-point half time lead at Thomond Park, as their BKT United Rugby Championship season started with a disappointing 26-20 defeat to Glasgow Warriors.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:28:48 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593053-munster-ground-down-by-glasgow-for-opening-day-defeat/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593052-season-opener-blues-as-leinster-defeated-by-lions/Leinster slipped to a 27-26 defeat against the Lions in their United Rugby Championship opener, despite Fintan Gunne scoring a first-half hat-trick.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:52:22 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593052-season-opener-blues-as-leinster-defeated-by-lions/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0925/1592993-reilly-cites-easy-fixes-as-ireland-look-to-bounce-back/Ireland scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly says there is no sense of panic after last week's second-half collapse against the USA in Tallaght.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:20:25 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0925/1592993-reilly-cites-easy-fixes-as-ireland-look-to-bounce-back/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593051-urc-munster-v-glasgow-updates/Munster will be hoping to start the new season on a high as they face arch rivals Glasgow.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:10:05 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593051-urc-munster-v-glasgow-updates/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593049-urc-lions-v-leinster-updates/The defending champions have been defeated in Johannesburg in their season opener.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:14:17 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0926/1593049-urc-lions-v-leinster-updates/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0925/1592970-connacht-overpowered-late-on-by-four-try-stormers/Stuart Lancaster's second season in charge of Connacht has started with a defeat, after the province fell to a 29-15 loss at home to the Stormers in Galway.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 22:10:40 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0925/1592970-connacht-overpowered-late-on-by-four-try-stormers/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0925/1592971-ulster-fightback-falls-just-short-against-edinburgh/Ulster staged a second half fightback against Edinburgh in Belfast, but Richie Murphy's side had to be content with two losing bonus-points in their 34-29 defeat at Affidea Stadium.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 22:36:37 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0925/1592971-ulster-fightback-falls-just-short-against-edinburgh/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0925/1592981-connacht-v-stormers-and-ulster-v-edinburgh-updates/Connacht and Ulster both get their BKT United Rugby Championship seasons under way this evening, with Connacht hosting Stormers and Ulster hosting EdinburghFri, 25 Sep 2026 19:20:07 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0925/1592981-connacht-v-stormers-and-ulster-v-edinburgh-updates/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0925/1592928-wafer-out-as-ireland-make-six-changes-for-japan-test/Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has made six changes to his side to face Japan on Sunday (12.45pm) in Galway's Dexcom Stadium, with Aoife Wafer missing out due to injury.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:21:58 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0925/1592928-wafer-out-as-ireland-make-six-changes-for-japan-test/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0924/1592790-united-rugby-championship-round-1-all-you-need-to-know/Everything you need to know ahead of the opening round of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:51:21 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0924/1592790-united-rugby-championship-round-1-all-you-need-to-know/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0925/1592063-leinster-set-for-fascinating-year-in-cullens-final-quest/The last stop on our preview tour is the defending champions Leinster, who are heading into their final season under head coach Leo Cullen.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:47:43 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0925/1592063-leinster-set-for-fascinating-year-in-cullens-final-quest/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0924/1592883-second-half-struggles-a-learning-curve-for-ireland/While Ireland's defeat to the USA on Sunday did come as a shock, it exposed a trend in their game that has been quietly bubbling under the surface for a while.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:13:47 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0924/1592883-second-half-struggles-a-learning-curve-for-ireland/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0924/1592838-cullen-stormers-defeat-still-very-fresh/Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has said that last season's opening BKT United Rugby Championship weekend loss to the Stormers is still "very fresh" in his mind as his side prepares to take on the Lions on Saturday.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:46:34 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0924/1592838-cullen-stormers-defeat-still-very-fresh/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0924/1592825-urc-team-news-leinsters-new-15-mack-hansen-returns/The team news for the opening round of the BKT United Rugby Championship.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:01:19 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0924/1592825-urc-team-news-leinsters-new-15-mack-hansen-returns/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0923/1592675-exciting-oshea-can-offer-hope-to-injury-plagued-munster/Injuries to Jack Crowley and Tom Wood have presented an opportunity to another talented out-half from Munster, writes Jonny HollandWed, 23 Sep 2026 14:06:41 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0923/1592675-exciting-oshea-can-offer-hope-to-injury-plagued-munster/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0917/1591899-munster-searching-for-stability-both-on-and-off-the-pitch/Next up on our tour of the provinces is Munster, who will be hoping season two under Clayton McMillan is a little more straightforward than season one.Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:41:58 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0917/1591899-munster-searching-for-stability-both-on-and-off-the-pitch/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0923/1592688-murphy-change-is-needed-at-the-top-of-munster-rugby/Former Munster winger Johne Murphy believes "change is needed" at the top of the province's organisation this season in order for them to thrive.Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:37:45 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0923/1592688-murphy-change-is-needed-at-the-top-of-munster-rugby/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0922/1591673-consolidation-key-for-connacht-under-lancaster/Next up on our tour of the provinces is Connacht, who are looking to kick on after a promising first season under Stuart Lancaster.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:33:04 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0922/1591673-consolidation-key-for-connacht-under-lancaster/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0922/1592567-duffy-wants-munsters-young-forwards-to-take-control/Munster forwards coach Jimmy Duffy discusses his summer switch from Ulster, his coaching style, and this week's URC opener against the Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:24:54 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0922/1592567-duffy-wants-munsters-young-forwards-to-take-control/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0923/1592655-urc-preview-how-are-the-provinces-set-for-2026-27/Neil Treacy is joined by former Munster wing Johne Murphy on a new season of the RTÉ Rugby podcast, as we breakdown all four provinces ahead of the 2026/27 URC season.Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:33:44 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0923/1592655-urc-preview-how-are-the-provinces-set-for-2026-27/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0922/1592482-leinster-looking-to-prove-a-point-in-opening-urc-rounds/Having made a slow start to last year's URC season, Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy has stressed that the defending champions will have a point to prove this time around.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:49:41 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0922/1592482-leinster-looking-to-prove-a-point-in-opening-urc-rounds/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0922/1592554-munster-re-sign-butler-as-wood-joins-out-half-injury-list/Munster have re-signed out-half Tony Butler on a short-term deal as Tom Wood became the latest out-half to join the long-term injury list.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:11:09 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0922/1592554-munster-re-sign-butler-as-wood-joins-out-half-injury-list/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0922/1591631-champions-cup-qualification-a-must-for-ulster-this-season/First up on our tour of the provinces is Ulster, as Riche Murphy's side look to get beck into contention for a play-off and Champions Cup spot.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:06:52 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0922/1591631-champions-cup-qualification-a-must-for-ulster-this-season/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0921/1592413-lancaster-eyes-on-connacht-extension-rather-than-leinster/Stuart Lancaster said he is in talks with Connacht about extending his contract and that there has been no contact with Leinster about taking over there when Leo Cullen departs at the end of the season.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:00:52 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0921/1592413-lancaster-eyes-on-connacht-extension-rather-than-leinster/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0921/1592391-nienaber-were-working-as-hard-as-we-can/Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber has said that despite being two-time defending champions, his squad are working as hard as they can to retain their crown.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:43:35 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0921/1592391-nienaber-were-working-as-hard-as-we-can/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0921/1592350-gibson-park-sidelined-as-porter-obrien-back-training/Leinster have confirmed that Jamison Gibson-Park has been ruled out due to a "minor groin injury" but Andrew Porter, Tommy O'Brien and Joey Carbery are increasing their training loads ahead of the start of the new season.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:17:50 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0921/1592350-gibson-park-sidelined-as-porter-obrien-back-training/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0920/1592270-usa-defeat-doesnt-dampen-debut-feeling-for-adams-verling/A 40-36 defeat to the USA means it won't go down as a dream debut for Ireland's latest international Jemima Adams Verling, but the Connacht back row insists her first cap is still "the most incredible experience" of her life.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:48:06 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0920/1592270-usa-defeat-doesnt-dampen-debut-feeling-for-adams-verling/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0920/1592221-ireland-throw-away-19-point-lead-to-lose-to-the-us/Ireland threw away a 19-point lead to lose to the United States 36-40 in Tallaght in their opening game of the WXV Global Series.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 15:45:06 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0920/1592221-ireland-throw-away-19-point-lead-to-lose-to-the-us/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0920/1592264-bemand-weve-to-be-smarter-when-we-come-under-pressure/Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says his side must get "smarter" after their second half collapse led to a shock 40-36 defeat to the USA in Tallaght.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:21:36 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2026/0920/1592264-bemand-weve-to-be-smarter-when-we-come-under-pressure/Rugby