Rugby

Yesterday

22nd May 2026

Challenge Cup

Montpellier crush Ulster in Challenge Cup final; Connacht qualify for Champions Cup

The second-placed side in France’s Top 14 proved far too strong for an Ulster side depleted by injury.

Gavan Casey

Reports from Estadio de San Mamés

2 hrs ago

4.8k

Minute-by-Minute

Ulster fall short against Montpellier in Challenge Cup final

5 hrs ago

21.4k

Questions and Answers

Know your sport? Take our weekly quiz

7 hrs ago

1.7k

PodcastThe 42 Rugby Weekly

Preview: One of the biggest weekends in Irish rugby

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Export

Cullen and Leinster acknowledge that friend Noel McNamara will know them 'very, very well'

10 hrs ago

2.0k

Selection

Thomas Clarkson and Robbie Henshaw start for Leinster in Champions Cup final

12 hrs ago

7.3k

Analysis

Quick counters, clever kicking and the occasional maul – how Bordeaux score their tries

17 hrs ago

870

danger man

'He is a pretty special player, I think he's a proper rock star'

18 hrs ago

3.4k

Thursday

21st May 2026

On the rise

Bordeaux's McNamara has always been a fella who was going places

The Clare native has coached in New Zealand, South Africa and France.

Murray Kinsella

21 May

2.5k

Best of the best

Three Ireland players included in Women's Six Nations team of the championship

21 May

2.5k

Champions Cup final

Leinster's underdog status and near misses are intriguing psychological wrinkles against Bordeaux

21 May

2.0k

Team news

Baloucoune returns from injury to start Challenge Cup final for Ulster

21 May

4.3k

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Selections

Leinster add Paddy McCarthy and Jordan Larmour to squad for Champions Cup final

21 May

6.1k

Star

Transcendent Louis Bielle-Biarrey appeals to our primal desire as fans of sport

21 May

1.4k

build up

From sheep farming in Pyrenees to Champions Cup final – Maxime Lucu turning dreams to reality

21 May

2.3k

Opportunity

'The chance to win with this club is special' - Hume gearing up for Ulster's pop at Europe

21 May

951

build up

Memories of San Mamés trigger sense of glory for Leinster's Garry Ringrose

21 May

1.6k

Wednesday

20th May 2026

Top Picks

McCloskey and Moloney-MacDonald clinch top honours at Rugby Players Ireland Awards

20 May

2.4k

Clarkson's continuing progress at tighthead a happy tale for Leinster

20 May

2.1k

looking ahead

Ex-Munster and Ireland star Simon Zebo to release autobiography

20 May

6.2k

L'UBB

€7 tickets, the fan experience, and thrilling rugby - Bordeaux's impressive rise

The Top 14 club was only formed in 2006 when two local sides merged.

Murray Kinsella

20 May

3.6k

CONFIRMED

Ex-All Black prop Clarke Dermody joins Ulster as forwards coach

20 May

2.2k

suftum

'I've really loved my time here and I’m in no rush to get out of Belfast'

20 May

5.9k

Tuesday

19th May 2026

Challenge Cup

Montpellier's Vunipola wary of an Ulster side 'with nothing to lose and everything to gain'

19 May

2.3k

final hurdle

It's all on the line for Ulster at end of a season which promised so much

The province can sign off with a Challenge Cup title and qualify for the Champions Cup, or finish empty-handed.

Ciarán Kennedy

19 May

2.4k

Dates For The Diary

Leinster start in South Africa, Munster home to Glasgow – 2026/27 URC fixtures revealed

19 May

4.0k

Homegrown

Doak an ever-growing influence for Ulster after impressing Farrell

The 24-year-old made his Ireland debut during this year’s Six Nations.

Murray Kinsella

19 May

2.9k

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Robin McBryde

'I didn't realise how much it meant to Leinster as a province, but I fully understand now'

19 May

5.2k

Monday

18th May 2026

Game time

How Leinster have used a 56-player squad to fight on two fronts

Post-Lions season was always likely to be a challenge but Leinster are well positioned.

Murray Kinsella

18 May

4.1k

Comeback

Baloucoune in mix for Ulster selection for Challenge Cup final

18 May

2.7k

PodcastRugby Weekly Extra

Thrilling URC regular-season finale, and Bilbao build-up

Update

Leinster's Tommy O'Brien doubtful for Champions Cup final

18 May

3.8k

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Claim

No citing after Munster's allegation of spitting by Lions player

18 May

2.9k

Ready to go

Benhard Janse van Rensburg features in England's 42-man training squad

18 May

3.1k

Rugby

Revived La Rochelle trounce Top 14 leaders Toulouse

18 May

8.7k

Pressure

Casey: 'There has been a lot thrown at us as a club, it is sad'

18 May

6.5k

The fan view

'The hype isn't as loaded on Leinster... It suits us to be underdogs for once'

Leinster fans come into Champions Cup final week with a mixture of emotions.

Murray Kinsella

18 May

3.0k

Upward Trajectory

This is an exciting young Irish team with the best ahead of them

18 May

875

looking ahead

'The 23 that get picked will deserve to get picked'

18 May

2.6k

Sunday

17th May 2026

Title Winner

England see off gutsy France to clinch another Women's Six Nations

17 May

1.9k