The Irish Times

Connacht face tough challenge in looking to complete South African clean sweep

Andy Friend’s side take on a strong Sharks side in Durban on Saturday

Fri Apr 29 2022 - 15:02

Four-try Lowe to the fore as Leinster swat aside Connacht in second leg rout

Likely quarter-final date with Leicester booked in the diary after Aviva hammering

Fri Apr 15 2022 - 19:49

Three changes to Leinster team to face Connacht in Champions Cup

Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher make starting XV

Thu Apr 14 2022 - 12:19

Friend and Connacht looking to make most of a great occasion

Fully-loaded Leinster taking no chances as they make the journey west for Sportsground showdown

Fri Apr 08 2022 - 06:00

Ulster enjoy bonus-point win as Robert Baloucoune grabs double against Connacht

Connacht’s hopes hit by two yellow cards as poor run continues for Andy Friend’s side

Fri Feb 04 2022 - 22:44

Jarrad Butler calls for Connacht response against Ulster in Belfast

Club captain admits review of Glasgow defeat ‘didn’t beat around the bush’

Tue Feb 01 2022 - 17:48

Leinster hoping decision to award Montpellier victory can be revisited

Cullen says most teams would prefer if games were played rather than decided on a rules basis

Wed Dec 29 2021 - 06:00

Connacht sweating over Jack Carty’s fitness ahead of Munster clash

Andy Friend: ‘the form he is in at the moment, you’d love to have him involved’

Tue Dec 28 2021 - 15:36

Leinster take out their frustration on Connacht after slow start

Leo Cullen’s side get back on track with bonus-point win at the RDS

Fri Dec 03 2021 - 22:15

Connacht’s fire and fury ignites their season as Ulster brushed aside with ease

Head coach Andy Friend calls Aviva Stadium experiment a success after big bonus-point win

Mon Oct 25 2021 - 06:00

Connacht supply the fireworks on memorable night at the Aviva

Bonus-point win over Ulster sees Mack Hansen cross for two tries

Sat Oct 23 2021 - 19:46

Ben O’Donnell returns to Connacht XV to host the Dragons

Matthew Burke and Paul Boyle have also been brought into Andy Friend’s team

Fri Oct 08 2021 - 13:10

Rainbow Cup: Leinster, Glasgow and Connacht name their teams

Andrew Porter is among another six players recalled to Leinster’s matchday squad

Thu Jun 03 2021 - 13:36

Benetton claim Connacht’s scalp to maintain their recent momentum

Error-strewn display from Friend’s side who had replacement Papali’i sent off

Sun May 30 2021 - 14:49

Gordon D’Arcy: Andy Friend would do incredibly well as the next Ireland coach

Since taking over at Connacht the coach has created a really stable period of club rugby

Wed May 19 2021 - 06:00

Gerry Thornley: repercussions of captain’s challenge need to be considered

While red card replacement should be scrapped jury remains out on challenge trial

Tue May 18 2021 - 06:00

Hugo Keenan keeps himself in Lions frame as ruthless Leinster cut loose

Fullback grabs hat-trick of tries in impressive display as Connacht are overwhelmed

Mon May 10 2021 - 06:00

Leinster back to their best to obliterate Connacht

The visitors crossed the whitewash five times in the opening 40 minutes in Galway

Sat May 08 2021 - 22:54

Connacht give up 21-point half time lead as Scarlets claim Champions Cup spot

Andy Friend’s side lose out on chance of first win at Parc y Scarlets

Mon Mar 22 2021 - 22:43

Connacht mix things up for visit of Edinburgh

Cian Prendergast and centre Sean O’Brien are both handed their first starts

Fri Mar 12 2021 - 12:43

Contract future still unclear for many of Ireland’s rugby pros

Munster’s Billy Holland among those still unsure what will happen in the summer

Wed Jan 27 2021 - 01:00

Ospreys come from behind as Connacht’s home woes continue

Andy Friend’s side lose a fourth-consecutive fixture in Galway as Rhys Webb impresses

Sun Jan 24 2021 - 19:31

Jack is back: Carty overcomes self-doubt and returns to form

Clearly a thoughtful and sensitive soul, he plays better when he feels the coach’s trust

Sat Jan 09 2021 - 08:00

Connacht use visit of Benetton to give as many players as possible match time

Italians travel to Galway without the 10 internationals named in Franco Smith’s Azzurri team to face Wales

Thu Dec 03 2020 - 20:51

Connacht set to get international boost for trip to Rodney Parade

A number of Ireland players in line to return for game against the Dragons

Wed Nov 04 2020 - 06:00

Connacht coping with Covid case and injuries ahead of trip to Edinburgh

Coach Andy Friend targets his first away win against Scottish side

Thu Oct 22 2020 - 07:00

Van Graan names strong XV as Munster look to secure Leinster semi-final date

Tadhg Beirne returns from injury to partner Fineen Wycherley in the secondrow

Sat Aug 29 2020 - 06:00

Andy Friend to pick a fresh Connacht XV for Sunday’s Munster clash

Quinn Roux to return as head coach sticks to his plan by giving every player a chance

Wed Aug 26 2020 - 07:00

Van Graan reassures Joey Carbery that Munster have his back

Ireland outhalf faces an ‘indefinite’ period of time on the sidelines with ankle injury

Wed Aug 19 2020 - 06:00

Schooled in rugby, Crowley’s curve continues upwards with some quality guidance

Ireland under-20 outhalf bent the ear of Ronan O’Gara as part of his education as a No 10

Mon May 18 2020 - 06:00

Irish internationals return as Connacht face Southern Kings

Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan both in the squad for Sunday’s Pro14 encounter

Fri Feb 28 2020 - 13:06

Connacht make four changes to their pack for Edinburgh clash

Injuries force head coach Andy Friend to make changes for trip to Murrayfield

Thu Feb 20 2020 - 12:46

Rugby Stats: Pro14 player rotation could give provinces a boost over Top14 foes

Top 14 bears the reputation of a league that exacts huge physical toll on players

Thu Jan 09 2020 - 07:00

Heineken Champions Cup: kick-off times, TV details, team news and more

Leinster, Connacht, Ulster and Munster are all in action against French opposition

Wed Jan 08 2020 - 12:00