Andy Friend’s side bounce back from defeat to Scarlets

New Ulster signing Bill Johnston makes his competitive debut against Toyota Cheetahs

The Irish provinces begin their season this weekend, with three in action on Saturday

Andy Friend’s side stay in hunt for Pro 14 playoffs and Champions Cup qualification

‘We’ve seen a really positive response after a disappointing result last weekend’

International scrumhalf plays final quarter of entertaining encounter in Galway

Loan signing Stephen Fitzgerald will make his first Connacht start against the Cheetahs

Andy Friend makes sweeping changes to side narrowly defeated by Munster last week

‘We are alive in two competitions and want to reach the knock out stages in both’

Connacht had their 29-12 lead evaporate in dramatic final dozen minutes at the RDS

Connacht go into Challenge Cup encounter with four wins in a row in all competitions

Friend’s side firmly focused on completing a successful mission in South Africa

Tom Farrell expecting tough challenge from South African side with ‘dangerous runners’

Colby Fainga’a and Ultan Dillane return for Connacht, Sean O’Brien is on Leinster bench

Bundee Aki is also included in the starting XV having come off the bench in Murrayfield

Celtic Cup has made some difference but meaningful fixtures are still limited for many

Backs coach Carolan expects province to win but is wary of Italian side’s unpredictability

John Muldoon gets a proper send-off as the province register historic victory over rivals

Captain’s 327th and last game for province ends with stunning 47-10 win over Leinster

Jimmy Duffy: ‘We are looking for continuous improvement and that is the driving factor’

Connacht lose out in thrilling Challenge Cup quarter-final at the Sportsground

Victory could secure both Leinster and Munster a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals

Emphasis on line speed and aggression in tackles pays off for Johann van Graan’s side

Influx of talent from other provinces and abroad can only strengthen Irish rugby

Home defence blunts the attacking prowess of South African visitors at the Sportsground

Coach Kieran Keane makes five changes for game against Oyonnax in Geneva

Kieran Keane: ‘We are going over to beat them obviously. We have put in place a plan’

‘It’s going to be very difficult game for us and we’ve to make sure we build on last week’

Visiting South Africans have yet to prove they will not be whipping boys of Pro14

Kieran Keane’s team fade away after promising first half at Ricoh Arena

After poor season and embarrassing defeat to Munster, it’s winner takes all on Saturday

Pat Lam’s side seeks third win in row against Leinster on night Muldoon wins 300th cap

‘All our games with Glasgow are challenging, particularly in Scotstoun where we’ve never won’

Pat Lam: ‘There’s a lot of rugby to play, we can still close that gap on the top six’

Outhalf has completed just one match for Ireland and Leinster this season and five in the last 12 months

Pro12’s form team Munster also weakened as they seek to retain lead at the top of table

New Zealand-born hooker accepts playing for Ireland could become a future reality

Connacht injury crisis worsens with Kiwi centre to undergo surgery on injured ankle

‘If he’d said no, we’d have a quick tap and go for the try – nothing at all to do with us’

The New Zealand-born hooker has signed a new three-year contract with Connacht