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Wednesday 31 May 2023 Dublin: 14°C

# pro14

All time
# Rugby Weekly
The42 Rugby Weekly: Where do the Irish provinces stand after the weirdest season ever?
Bernard Jackman and Murray Kinsella assess Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht’s campaigns and answer loads of listener questions as the 2020/21 provincial season draws to a close.
# Called Off
Ulster's final home game of the season cancelled after four players test positive for Covid-19
The four players in question are currently asymptomatic.
# at the end of a rainbow
Italy confirmed as hosts for Rainbow Cup final
1,000 supporters will be permitted to attend the game.
# Over The Rainbow
The Rainbow Cup kicks off tonight. But does anyone really care?
Rugby’s authorities have tried their best but this new tournament should have been kicked to touch a long time ago.
# Team news
Ringrose returns from injury to captain Leinster for Rainbow Cup clash against Munster
Munster named a strong side for tomorrow’s game.
# Celtic League
'The whole Pro14 Rainbow Cup has turned into a mishmash competition'
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton thinks the Pro14 is making too many changes.
# No Go
Pro14 confirm that the South African teams are out of the Rainbow Cup
Tournament organisers insist this will not affect the long-term partnership with SA Rugby.
# plans
Rainbow Cup to start this month with final call on South African sides to come
The three rounds of derby games will go ahead as planned.
# Ambition
'You want to be performing to a level where it’s not up for debate, you just have to be picked'
Ulster’s Eric O’Sullivan is eager to push his game on and hit new targets in his career.
# Racing clear
Miserable weekend for Pro14 clubs after Scarlets and Edinburgh thumped
Leinster – courtesy of a walkover – and Benetton are the Pro14′s only victors so far this weekend.
# Award
Ulster's Coetzee named Pro14 Players' Player of the Season
The Springbok has been voted the top performer in this year’s tournament.
# positives
Larkham insists Munster are still evenly matched with Leinster
The southern province must now turn their attention to the visit of Toulouse.
# The Future
Leinster's Scott Penny named Pro14 Next-Gen Star of the Season
The award has been won by a Leinster player four times in the last five seasons.
# belief
'The one thing we really take out of it is that we've got the game plan and the skill'
Munster senior coach Stephen Larkham feels the Pro14 final was “fairly evenly matched.”
# New Arrivals
Cullen thinks South African addition will be shot in the arm for the Pro14
Leinster have won the last four titles – but South Africa’s big four provinces are set to join the competition.
AS IT HAPPENED
Leinster v Munster, Guinness Pro14 final
The two Irish provinces go head-to-head in today’s decider at the RDS.
# Motivated
'Our guys have a chance to do something quite special' - Cullen
Leinster can win a fourth successive Pro14 title today.
# pro14 final
Munster have golden chance to claim statement win against record-chasing Leinster
Johann van Graan’s side are chasing a first trophy since 2011.
# pro14
'A lot of guys are unlucky to miss out, that’s just the nature of the competition'
Leo Cullen has kept a number of Leinster’s frontline internationals on the bench for tomorrow’s Pro14 final.
# cross-hemisphere
Pro14 announces fixture details of Rainbow Cup with South African sides
Changes to the format and scheduling sees three rounds of derbies take place before the Lions, the Stormers, the Sharks and the Bulls arrive in Europe.
# pedigree
'Everyone has Leinster on that pedestal': Beirne bullish about Munster's chances
Tadhg Beirne helped scupper Munster’s last attempt to win a final, but he is a key man in a Munster side that have come a long way since.
# big game player
Quinlan delights as Conor Murray returns to Lions form
‘He’s a big scrum-half who makes a lot of tackles.’
# Against the odds
Carbery on track as Van Graan embraces the pressure of final showdown with Leinster
The Munster head coach has tasted success just once against Leinster, but ha confidence that his side can upset the odds on Saturday at the RDS.
# Collapse
Connacht stunned by Scarlets comeback as 21-point interval lead slips away in Pro14 thriller
Andy Friend’s side coasted to a 33-13 lead by half-time but only scored three points in the second half.
# pro14
Niall Murray hoping to tip the balance for Connacht against Scarlets
The young lock has quickly filled out into a force in the Connacht engine room.
# Team news
Tierney-Martin set for Connacht debut off the bench tomorrow night
Andy Friend has rejigged his team for the visit to Scarlets.
# Meltdown
Final quarter charge sees Ospreys win away at Leinster for first time in nine years
Ospreys come from 19-3 down to record a stunning 24-19 victory.
# pro14
Van Graan hands Munster's youth an opportunity to shine
The province have named an exciting team for tonight’s clash with Benetton.
# opportunity knocks
Cormac Izuchukwu to make first Ulster start
The 21-year-old has been included in the starting XV to play Zebre.
# pro14
Toner to equal Leinster's all-time appearance record as Cullen names team for Ospreys
Head coach Leo Cullen has opted for a number of new combinations in his team.
# Selection
Debut for Cian Hurley as Munster name team to face Benetton
Johan Van Graan’s side close out the regular season at home tomorrow night.
# pro14
Connacht fall to one point defeat against Edinburgh
Andy Friend’s side went down 15-14 at the Sportsground after captain Jarrad Butler was sent off.
# opportunity knocks
Dead rubber can offer a little bounce for Connacht
It’s a Connacht side with debuts and full debuts to celebrate.
# pro14
Carbery has chance to prove he can still play a major part in Munster's season
The outhalf starts his first game in 14 months when the province host Scarlets tonight.
# Big Dan
Set-piece focus has Sheehan standing out among front row prospects
The 22-year-old is a more imposing figure than the average hooker.
# Punishment
Ulster's Warwick receives 2-game ban after red card versus Leinster
The 29-year-old prop was sent off for leading with an elbow as opponent Ed Byrne tried to tackle him.
# SUAF
'It looks like I had a lot of time to think, but it happens in a split-second' - Haley happy to play on instinct
The Munster fullback produced a moment of individual magic in last weekend’s win against Connacht.
# takes one to know one
'We see him as a 10 here' - Larkham clear on Carbery's qualities
The Munster attack coach also stressed that the province will pick on form for the Pro14 final against Leinster.
# opportunity knocks
Tigers the focus for Connacht as they prepare to rotate in Pro14
Andy Friend and Denis Buckley have their eye on European silverware.
# PRO-blem
‘A one-game finish to the season – that is a damp squib’
Ulster coach Dan McFarland has criticised the format of this year’s Pro14 championship – saying his side deserved a play-off game as a reward for their consistency.