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Monday 29 May 2023 Dublin: 13°C

# Provincial

All time
# lineage
Munster ethos stands on the shoulders of giants
James Coughlan wants the current Munster crop to follow in the footsteps of legends.
# Breakthrough
Heaslip protégé Murphy eager to stake a claim for big games
The young Leinster back row is eyeing up a starting XV berth when the season begins on September 6.
# SUAF
Tunnels, flags and precise drinking times: take a 22 step walk around Munster's dressing rooms
It’s like MTV Cribs, but with less plasma TVs.
# SUAF
Hardest ever pre-season has Earls conditioned for Munster fight
The flying back took time out with us this week to chat workload, gameplan and, yes, even his position.
# Interview
Murray eager to start season and rediscover that winning high
The scrum-half says Munster have a group of players around his age, ready to step up and lead.
# SWAG
Have you seen Munster's new away kit yet?
Look, it’s raining in Limerick too.
# First Impressions
O'Connor calls on Madigan to step up and into Sexton's shoes
The new Leinster coach hints that the young Irish number 10 may not have the shirt all to himself this season.
# the amazing race
Here are the best bits from Ulster's wacky race to Bundoran
Boats, buses and Paddy’s Sunday best. Tuesday’s trek had it all.
# anti-doping
IRFU report shows 74% decrease in international squad drug testing
However, anti-doping controls have increased at each of provincial, under 20 and academy levels of the game.
# the business end
9 reasons the Pro12 semi-finals are essential viewing this weekend
There’s nothing quite like the intensity of knock-out rugby.
# Incoming
It's official: Matt O'Connor will be Leinster's next coach
The Australian has put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the province.
# big bash
Here's all you need to know about tonight's Pro12 awards
The best try, the top coach and a Kiwi number eight who has won everybody’s respect.
# Pro12
Pro12 report: Ulster maintain pace at summit with bonus point in Connacht
The league leaders rode out Connacht’s first half storm with five different try-scorers.
# Inter-pro
Tom Court: International rugby is a microscope 24/7, now players can relax
As the Six Nations fades out of view, Ireland’s top two Pro12 contenders are on a collision course this Saturday.
# of its time
'I'd prefer Mountjoy': Rugby fans react to Luke Fitzgerald's proposed Munster move
Reports today suggested the Leinster back had signed a new contract with the southern province.
# Provincial
Pro12 Cheat Sheet: Your guide to this weekend's rugby action
Dry your international tears and get back to the warm glow of inter-provincial rugby.
# lidgends
The 8 signs you’re a Munster Rugby fan
PJ’s, All Blacks and blagging your way into away games.
# Stereotypes
The 8 signs you're a Connacht Rugby fan
The Wesht’s Awake, and so on…
# 4 proud provinces
The 8 signs you're a Leinster Rugby fan
It’s not all frappuccinos and alpaca-wool scarves.
# Provincial
New Blue: Here’s what you can expect from Jimmy Gopperth, Leinster fans
The Kiwi will compete with Ian Madigan for a starting place next season.
# Provincial
Pro12 Cheat Sheet: Your guide to this weekend's rugby action
The season is coming around for a final lap, time for our provinces to position themselves for the play-off mix.
# Provincial
Pro12 Cheat Sheet: Your guide to this weekend's rugby action
The Six Nations may be tucked up in bed, but Ulster and Leinster welcome Italian opposition while Connacht and Munster take on the Welsh.
# Provincial
Pro12 wrap: Ulster, Connacht fall to Welsh as Leinster impress in Cardiff
As if a home defeat wasn’t bad enough for the league leaders, Ruan Pienaar left the field injured in the second half.
# Provincial
Heineken Cup Cheat Sheet: your guide to this weekend's rugby action
Even four wins from four may not be enough for our provinces.
# Derby Day
Inter-pro: 3 key battles to decide Munster v Ulster
Ulster’s team selection has left them vulnerable at Thomond Park this evening.
# Provincial
Pro12 Cheat Sheet: Your guide to this weekend's inter-pros
Four provinces, two games. Happy Christmas to us.
# Inter-pro
Leinster looking to laugh off defeat as attention turns north
“What’s done is done”, say Eoin Reddan as he focuses on the imminent Pro12 clash with ulster.
# Provincial
No new injury concerns for Munster as O'Donnell and Dougall return
The scans have not brought such good news for Ulster.
# Provincial
Heineken Cup cheat sheet: Your guide to this weekend's European rugby action
Our four provinces are facing into a pivotal fortnight of the season, here’s all you need to know.
# Back to Work
Pro12 Cheat Sheet: Your guide to this weekend’s rugby action
It’s the last round of league games before the Heineken Cup clicks back into gear.
# unlucky 7
Niall Ronan: ‘There were days I wondered if I’d ever recover at all’
After two appearances in an injury ravaged 10 months, the Munster openside is hoping to make his first team return permanent this weekend.
# First XV
Pro12: Team of the Week
Three out of four provinces won this weekend. These players were the reason why.
AS IT HAPPENED
Munster v Zebre, RaboDirect Pro12
We went minute-by-minute as Munster met the minnows in Thomond Park.
# Behind The Scenes
Promoted: McEntee takes up IRFU high performance role
Leinster academy boss Colin McEntee has been entrusted with Irish Rugby’s next generation.
# Highlights
3 things to look out for, and 1 thing we learned, in the Heineken Cup this weekend
One win down, three to go.
# Provincial
Heineken Cup cheat sheet: Your guide to this weekend's rugby action
We preview the games that matter and ask, is four wins from four provinces really too much to ask for?
# Lessons learned
Heineken Cup: Duffy ready to answer Connacht’s tough questions
The experienced fullback is determined, but realistic about his European goals this season.
# First XV
Pro12: Team of the Week
Here’s the cream of the crop offered up by our four provinces this weekend.
# High hopes
VIDEO: Provincial captains gearing up for Heineken Cup campaigns
Munster’s Doug Howlett declared that Leinster would be ‘watched closely be all the teams’.
# Opinion
Four conclusions from this weekend's Pro12 action
The season gets serious. Starting now.