2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Pools confirmed.
EPCR Media release The countdown to the start of the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup officially began today as the Pool Draws for the competitions took place at the Premier Sports studios in Dublin. Hosted by presenters Elma Smit and Benjamin Boyet (beIN SPORTS), the event featured Premier Sports pundit and former […]
Leinster weakened for 2026/7 season.
Frank Schnittger With the club season finally over, the time has come to turn our attention to next year’s squad for each of the provinces, starting with Leinster for what will be Leo Cullen’s final season in charge. On the face of it, Leinster’s squad for next season looks significantly weaker with Rieko Ioane (Blues), […]
Bordeaux break Leinster hearts in Bilbao to retain the Champions Cup.
Tommy Mc Loughlin – New Ross RFC After years of European final pain, I genuinely thought this might finally be Leinster’s year. Instead, the long trip back to Lourdes will feel even longer after Union Bordeaux Bègles produced a devastating first-half display to defeat Leinster Rugby 41–19 in the Investec Champions Cup Final at San […]
Leinster survive late Toulon surge to keep Bilbao dream alive.
Tommy McLoughlin – New Ross RFC Leinster Rugby’s quest for a fifth European star remains on track after a chaotic, bruising 29-25 victory over Toulon. In a match defined by yellow cards, TMO interventions, and overwhelming scrum dominance, the hosts held their nerve in front of 38,555 fans at the Aviva Stadium to secure their […]
Richie Murphy’s ‘win or go home’ Ulster message for European semi-final.
Ciaran Donaghy Head coach Richie Murphy accepts there will be no second chance if Ulster don’t get it right against Exeter Chiefs in the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup at home on Saturday evening. It’s Ulster’s first home European last-four tie since beating Stade Francais on route to lifting the 1999 European Cup and […]
A quality addition to the Munster coaching team but the optics are all wrong.
Peter Burke It was announced that Roger Randle has been appointed the new attack coach for Munster, and while his pedigree as a coach is not in doubt his past certainly is. Now I am all for fairness and tranparency and all that but the court of public opinion seems to be ignored. Ok a […]
Investec Champions Cup semi-final fever hits boiling point as Union Bordeaux Bègles v Bath Rugby clash sells out.
EPCR Media Release. Rugby fans have sent a resounding message ahead of the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals, with General Admission tickets for the blockbuster clash between Union Bordeaux Bègles and Bath Rugby at the 42,100-captacity Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole selling out within hours of general on-sale. The extraordinary demand underlines the scale of anticipation surrounding […]
Richie Murphy embracing Ulster’s ‘really nice headache’ in silverware push across two fronts.
Ciaran Donaghy Ulster’s Richie Murphy feels playing every week has provided a nice headache as he primes his squad to challenge on two fronts for silverware. After qualifying for the European Challenge Cup by beating La Rochelle last weekend, Ulster will play 10 consecutive games and that could rise by another four if they beat Exeter and […]
Bordeaux Uncork A Vintage Blend.
Mike Pearce – The Sportsdragon Many years ago when my liver and I were much younger I spent a few nights in Saint-Émilion a beautiful medieval city situated in the Bordeaux wine region that produces one the world’s finest red wines. In the early mornings I used to don my trainers and run through the […]
Breaking the Blockade: Leinster Overcome Breakdown Protest to Reach Semi-Finals.
Tommy McLoughlin – New Ross RFC If Ulster’s win last night was about grit in the rain, today in Dublin was about overcoming a stubborn, organised resistance. In a high-stakes encounter at the Aviva Stadium, Leinster survived a stagnant opening to eventually pull clear of Sale Sharks, cruising to a 43–13 victory that keeps the […]