Irish Rugby

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Pete Wilkins has stepped down as head coach of Connacht with "a heavy heart" after Saturday's Challenge Cup defeat by Racing 92.

The French side came out on top in a 43-40 thriller in Galway to book their place in the semi-finals.

Wilkins spent eight years at Connacht, who are 13th in the United Rugby Championship table, and became head coach in 2023.

"During this season, I have been having some very open and honest discussions about my future at the club.," Wilkins said in a statement.

"Although incredibly privileged to have been given the responsibility of leading the rugby programme here, the longer I have spent in the role, the further away I have found myself from the aspects of coaching not only that I most enjoy, but also that allow me to contribute most effectively to the team."

Wilkins ed Conacht in 2017 as defence coach and he moved into the role of senior coach in the 2021-22 campaign.

The following year he became head coach under director of rugby Andy Friend as Connacht reached the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship and in 2023 he took full control after the departure of Friend.

Connacht say Cullie Tucker will remain as interim head coach for the remainder of the season and the province will begin the process of recruiting a new head coach for next season.

David Humphreys, director of performance at the Irish Rugby Football Union said Wilkins had "contributed an enormous amount of growth of the game" in Connacht.

"Irish Rugby owes him a debt of gratitude for his dedication and commitment to the province," added Humphreys.

"A quality coach and respected figure in Irish rugby, Pete can his time in Connacht with pride, and I hope that he will continue to progress his coaching career in the years to come."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane will United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup frontrunners Leinster for the 2025-26 season.

Ioane is contracted to the Blues in New Zealand until 2027 but will take a "sabbatical" to the Irish province on a seven-month contract after the November internationals.

The 28-year-old, who can also play on the wing, made his New Zealand debut in 2016 and has scored 37 tries in 81 caps for the All Blacks.

"It's an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something with my family," Ioane posted on his Instagram.

"Will be back refreshed and ready to rock in the second half of 2026."

Ioane is the latest All Black to make the move to Leinster after Jordie Barrett ed the Dublin-based side for the current season.

Barrett has made a big impact at Leinster and was named player of the match as Leinster hammered Glasgow Warriors last weekend to reach the Champions Cup semi-finals.

"Rieko is a world-class, 81-cap All Black who has been operating at the very top level of the international game and Super Rugby for many seasons," said head coach Leo Cullen.

"He is an exciting, versatile outside back who will bring pace, rugby skills and experience to Leinster.

"That experience will add massive value to the group here and our younger players especially will learn so much from seeing how Rieko prepares, trains and plays."

The Blues confirmed the deal just one day after the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced the four Irish provinces will have to contribute 40% to Ireland's national player contracts from August 2026 - as opposed to 30%.

Leinster have by far the biggest number of nationally contracted players and will be the most financially affected by the decision.

Ioane has been an unpopular figure in Irish rugby after a high-profile spat with Leinster and Ireland legend Johnny Sexton.

In his autobiography, Sexton alleged that Ioane ignited a row between the pair by making comments after the final whistle of Ireland's 2023 World Cup exit to the All Blacks, which was the last game of Sexton's career.

When New Zealand beat Ireland in November, Ioane posted 'Put that in the book' on Instagram in reference to Sexton's comments.

• Ioane's move a reminder of Leinster's unrivalled pull

• 142 unanswered points - who can stop Leinster in Europe?

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The four Irish provinces will have to contribute 40% to Ireland's national player contracts from August 2026 - as opposed to 30% - the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has announced.

With Leinster having by far the biggest number of nationally contracted players, the Dublin-based team will be the most financially affected by the decision.

The IRFU said that funds generated by this change will be invested in the player pathways of Connacht, Munster and Ulster, overseen by performance director David Humphreys.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy welcomed the move to help the province close the "massive gap" to Leinster.

"We don't have any central contracted players so we are not paying out for them so if there is money coming back in and it comes to us that will have an impact, so it sounds like a positive move for Ulster," he said.

The altering of the funding model comes following an IRFU review into what it described as the "evolving financial landscape of Irish Rugby and the need to maintain the competitiveness of the national and provincial teams".

"Since last year, we have worked tirelessly with the provinces, players, and our various stakeholders to design a funding model that balances the demands of national and provincial success," said IRFU performance director Humphreys.

"This adjustment follows our initial commitment in May 2024 to review the funding percentage, ensuring the model remains equitable and financially sustainable for all parties involved."

The IRFU said that the updated funding model would be monitored "on an annual basis".

The governing body's statement added that it had also "commenced an organisational efficiency review".

"Financial sustainability is a global challenge for the game, and we are not immune to that," said IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts.

"We may not be able to continue to do everything that we currently do and deliver on our strategic ambitions. As stewards of the game, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are managing our resources in a way that secures the future and ongoing success of Irish Rugby."

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Centre James Hume will miss Ulster's United Rugby Championship contest against leaders Leinster in Dublin on Saturday (19:35 BST) because of a back injury.

Hume sustained the injury in the Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat by Bordeaux nine days ago.

He s Iain Henderson (hamstring), Jake Flannery (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Rob Baloucoune (hamstring), Ben Carson (neck), Ben Moxham (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (knee) and Sean Reffell (calf) on Ulster's injury list.

On the plus side for Richie Murphy's squad, Cormac Izuchukwu (ankle), Werner Kok (hamstring) and Jude Postlethwaite have all recovered from recent injuries and will be available for the Aviva Stadium game.

A three-match winning run in March moved Ulster up to the play-off positions in sixth spot as they defeated Scarlets, Dragons and Stormers, with the latter 38-34 win coming after the Irish province trailed 17-0 early on.

However, it remains a congested table with 13th-placed Connacht only four points behind Ulster.

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Leinster front-rowers Michael Milne and Lee Barron have ed Munster on loan for the rest of the season before their summer moves to the province.

Loose-head prop Milne, 25, and hooker Barron, 23, had already signed two-year deals with Munster in January to at the end of the current campaign.

However, an injury crisis in Munster's front-row, with Jeremy Loughman and Diarmuid Barron having both picked injuries in the past fortnight, promoted the Leinster pair make an earlier-than-anticipated switch to Thomond Park.

They will train with Munster this week and are in line to make their debut for the province against Bulls in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Milne scored 12 tries in 48 appearances for Leinster after making his debut as an academy player in 2019.

He represented Emerging Ireland in 2022 and has twice been called up to train with the Ireland senior squad.

Barron represented Ireland at Under-20 level and contributed three tries in 23 appearances since making his bow for Leinster against the Sharks in 2022.

He has spent the past five years at Leinster and scored one try in seven appearances this campaign.

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Connacht have made five changes for their European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Racing 92 in Galway on Saturday.

The province got the better of fellow United Rugby Championship side Cardiff in the last 16 last weekend without captain Cian Prendergast.

The blind-side flanker returns to the six jersey for the visit from the Top 14 outfit, with Josh Murphy moving back into the second row for the tie (20:00 BST).

He will be partnered by former Bristol Bears lock Joe Joyce, who also missed the game against Cardiff.

Prop Denis Buckley starts at loose-head prop, while scrum-half Ben Murphy is fit again after finger surgery.

Shayne Bolton will miss out because of a quad strain with his place on the wing to be taken by Shane Jennings.

The visitors, who are 10th in the Top 14, have named former England captain Owen Farrell on the bench.

The ex-Saracens fly-half started against Perpignan last weekend but England Under-20s playmaker Dan Lancaster - the son of former England coach Stuart - has been handed the number 10 shirt.

Connacht: Hansen; Jennings, Gavin, Aki, Treacy; Hanrahan, B Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham, J Murphy, Joyce, Prendergast (capt), Hurley-Langton, Jansen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Dooley, Aungier, Dowling, Boyle, Devine, Ioane, Forde.

Racing 92: James; Naituvi, Habosi, Tuisova, Spring (capt); Lancaster, Le Garrec; Ben Arous, Escobar, Bamba, Palu, Rowlands, Baudonne, Kpoku, Joseph.

Replacements: Couly, Gogichashvili, Leota, R Taofifenua, Manyarara, D Taofifenua, Farrell, Chavancy.

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Munster centre Alex Nankivell will start Saturday's Champions Cup quarter-final against Bordeaux after his suspension was lifted.

Nankivell was handed a two-game suspension following his red card against Connacht last month and while he remained banned for last week's win over La Rochelle, his appeal was upheld on Thursday.

The New Zealand-born centre replaces Sean O'Brien in midfield with Josh Wycherley replacing the injured Jeremy Loughman at loose-head prop in the only other change from the win over La Rochelle.

Prolific wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey returns to the Bordeaux XV after missing the club's last-16 win over Ulster, but former Munster and Ireland fly-half Joey Carbery is not included in the squad as Matthieu Jalibert regains the 10 shirt.

Thaakir Abrahams, Calvin Nash and Andrew Smith form an unchanged back three while Jack Crowley, fresh off g a contract extension, continues his half-back partnership with Craig Casey.

Wycherley s Diarmuid Barron and Oli Jager in the front row, while Jean Kleyn and captain Tadhg Beirne continue in the second row.

Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes form the back row, while Mark Donnelly is included as one of the six forward replacements.

Donnelly has not played in the Champions Cup since December 2021, while prop Stephen Archer will earn his 300th Munster cap if called upon.

Bordeaux: J Echegaray; D Penaud, Y Moeffana, J Van Rensburg, L Bielle-Biarrey; M Jalibert, M Lucu; J Poirot, M Lamothe, B Tameifuna; A Coleman, C Cazeaux; M Diaby, G Petti, P Samu.

Replacements: C Sa, M Perchaud, S Falatea, P Bochaton, M Gazzotti, B Vergnes-Taillefer, Y Lesgourgues, P Uberti.

Munster: T Abrahams; C Nash, T Farrell, A Nankivell, A Smith; J Crowley, C Casey; J Wycherley, D Barron, O Jager; J Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (capt); P O'Mahony, J Hodnett, G Coombes.

Replacements: N Scannell, M Donnelly, S Archer, F Wycherley, T Ahern, C Murray, S O'Brien, A Kendellen.

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Full-back Stacey Flood says Ireland must "win the little moments" when they come up against world number one side and defending champions England in their Women's Six Nations match in Cork on Saturday.

Flood, a sevens specialist who was part of the Ireland team at the Paris Olympics, is back in the XVs fold and eager to face England for the first time in the latter code.

Ireland earned a shock win over then world number one ranked New Zealand during their WXV1 campaign in the autumn and Flood hopes they can cause another upset.

"It's going to be tough but we've shown what we can do against bigger sides and we really test ourselves and believe in ourselves," she said.

"We just have to have confidence in the abilities we have and win the little moments and then see what the outcome is.

"You shouldn't be afraid who is standing next to you because on the starting whistle it's just 15 women against 15 women."

Ireland finished third in last year's Six Nations and gave a scare in this year's tournament, before seeing off Italy in their second match of the competition.

"I wasn't involved last year but I know the team has come on leaps and bounds in what we're doing now and we've shown that and we've built so much throughout the last 12 months.

"It's a completely different side and we have way more belief and confidence in our abilities and our structure and we are one unit. I think that will stand to us a lot this weekend in Cork."

Flood, who can also play at centre or fly-half, says she is happy to "take a green jersey in any position" and welcomes the opportunity to test herself against the Red Roses' back three.

"Coming up against one of the best back threes in the world is going to be great. There's no better way to test yourself than playing against the best and we are well capable of it.

"Our kicking game is obviously a big part of our game and we've been working on that non stop for the past few months so I think it will stand to us.

"They will have a good kicking game so there should be good battles but hopefully we'll come out on top in most of them."

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Munster's Alex Nankivell has been cleared to face Bordeaux-Begles in Saturday's Champions Cup quarter-final (15:00 BST).

Nankivell was handed a two-game suspension following his red card against Connacht last month, and while he remained banned for last week's win over La Rochelle, he is available this weekend after his appeal was upheld.

The New Zealand-born centre, 28, was dismissed in Munster's United Rugby Championship win over Connacht by referee Craig Evans after making head with Cian Prendergast.

An appeal consisting of chair Rod McKenzie (Scotland), Achille Reali (Italy) and Rory Bannerman (Scotland) upheld Nankivell's appeal after reviewing the case on Wednesday.

Munster travel to Stade Chaban Delmas on Saturday after edging La Rochelle in a gripping encounter in last weekend.

The Irish province have not reached the Champions Cup semi-finals since 2019.

Munster will name their team to face Bordeaux at 13:00 BST on Friday.

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Jordie Barrett's inclusion and Tadhg Furlong's starting role are among six Leinster changes for Friday's Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow at Aviva Stadium (20:00 BST).

All Blacks star Barrett takes over from Robbie Henshaw at centre with Furlong drafted into a totally changed front row from last weekend's 62-0 win over Harlequins.

Barrett was a replacement in the thumping last-16 victory over the English club.

Henshaw will make his 100th Leinster appearance if he is introduced from the bench on Friday night while the other backs change has Timmy O'Brien handed his first European start as he takes over from Jamie Osborne.

Furlong, who came on as a replacement against Harlequins in his first Leinster appearance since October following a lengthy injury spell, will start in the front row alongside Cian Healy and Ronan Kelleher with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Rabah Slimani dropping to the bench.

Max Deegan is named in the back row in place of Caelan Doris as Jack Conan skippers Leo Cullen's side.

Leinster's second row is unchanged with Joe McCarthy again partnered by South Africa World Cup winner RG Snyman.

Lock Diarmuid Mangan will make his European debut if he is introduced from the bench.

Glasgow make three changes from the win over Leicester which included Scotland prop Zander Fagerson missing out with concussion as he is replaced by Sam Talakai.

Alex Samuel is preferred to JP du Preez in the second row while the suspension of Henco Venter leads to a back row reshuffle as Rory Darge comes into the team at openside flanker, with Sione Vailanu switching to number eight.

Max Williamson could make his long-awaited return from injury off the bench for the Warriors.

Leinster: Keenan; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Barrett, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Furlong; McCarthy, RG Snyman; Deegan, Van der Flier, Conan (capt).

Replacements: Sheehan, Porter, Slimani, Mangan, Doris, McGrath, R Byrne, Henshaw.

Glasgow Warriors: Rowe, Dobie, McDowall, Jordan, Steyn, Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Matthews, Talakai, Brown, Samuel, M Fagerson, Darge, Vailanu.

Replacements: Stewart, Bhatti, Schickerling, Du Preez, Williamson, Ferrie, Afshar, Cancelliere.

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Guinness Women's Six Nations: Ireland v England

Venue: Virgin Media Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 12 April Kick-off: 16:45 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, iPlayer and online, listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and video highlights on BBC Sport website and app.

Ireland have made three changes from the thumping win over Italy for Saturday's Women's Six Nations game against champions England in Cork.

With captain Edel McMahon ruled out by injury, Ulster's Brittany Hogan returns to the back row with Dorothy Wall also recalled to the pack and Emily Lane drafted in at scrum-half.

Wall, who started in the opening defeat by , returns to the second row after coming off the bench in Parma as Ruth Campbell drops to the replacements.

Aoibheann Reilly produced an impressive scrum-half display against Italy but has to be content with a place on the bench as Lane is recalled after starting against .

McMahon's absence means that wing Amee-Leigh Costigan will captain the side.

Enya Breen's unavailability because of injury results in Vicky Elmes Kinlan being drafted into the replacements.

Ireland's back three is unchanged with Anna McGann named at wing after scoring a hat-trick of tries in Parma.

Ireland suffered a record 88-10 Six Nations defeat by England in last year's championship but head coach Scott Bemand said earlier this week that his side are now a considerably "better team".

Ireland: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan (capt); O'Brien, Lane; O'Dowd, Jones, Djougang; Tuite, Wall; Hogan, King, Wafer.

Replacements: Moloney, McCarthy, Haney, Campbell, Moore, Reilly, Fowles, Elmes Kinlan.

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Ireland will take on Scotland and Canada in Tests in early August as part of their preparations for the Women's World Cup which will begin later that month.

Scott Bemand's Ireland side will face Scotland in the opening World Cup warm-up game at Virgin Media Park in Cork on 2 August before a contest against Canada at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on 9 August.

Canada, who defeated Ireland at last autumn's WXV 1 tournament in Vancouver a week after the Irish had shocked world champions New Zealand, are second in World Rugby's rankings behind England.

Ireland will open their World Cup campaign by facing Japan in Northampton on 24 August before further group games against Spain and New Zealand on 31 August and 7 September.

Bemand's Ireland squad will link up in June to begin an extended training stint.

"We are delighted to confirm our two warm-up fixtures against quality opposition in the build up to Women's Rugby World Cup," said the Ireland head coach.

"Our pre-season block that will run throughout June and July in Dublin will be designed to test and prepare the extended squad, ensuring we are in the best possible shape for the tournament ahead and getting the opportunity for valuable match minutes and exposure is vitally important."

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Flanker Dorothy Wall says a healthy competitive environment is benefiting the Ireland camp as they prepare to face England in the Women's Six Nations in Cork on Saturday.

Wall started Ireland's defeat by in their opener and then came off the bench and scored a try in the subsequent win over Italy.

The back-row is hoping to be recalled to the starting line-up for this weekend's encounter with the defending champions.

"We're all incredibly competitive. Our whole environment is around compete so everything we do there is an edge of compete," explained Wall.

"It's great to learn how to compete well with people as well, that you really respect who you're going against. You put it up to each other in training and then you'll have a chat about it after.

"It encomes a really good environment where we'll go after it but we're also helping each other in the process. It's quite fulfilling as a player to compete like that."

Wall says being a replacement is a learning experience in itself.

"I had a few things I needed to work on and it's an important skill to know how to come off the bench too.

"It's very different to starting. You have to judge the momentum of the game, how much energy you need to bring. You just need to come in and do a job and not overcompensate in a way and make mistakes that will go against what you're trying to do as a team.

"It was a great lesson for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the 20 or 30 minutes I got and I've really enjoyed the prep this week too."

Wall explained that head coach Scott Bemand's squad are in positive mood heading into their meeting with the Red Roses.

"There's a good feeling in camp. We've trained hard, we've trained well and we're a very connected unit who know what we're trying to do.

"The focus has been very much on us - how we want to control the set-piece, where we want to play on the park and different aspects of the game.

"We've reviewed what they do and we know they've got their strengths in certain areas. The work we've done this week will hopefully counteract those areas."

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Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley has agreed a two-year contract extension with Munster Rugby and the Irish Rugby Football Union which will keep him at the province until at least 2027.

The 25-year-old has won 24 Ireland caps to date, had been linked with English Premiership club Leicester Tigers.

Crowley's only start in the recent Six Nations campaign came in the final game of against Italy on 15 March, having come off the bench in the previous four matches which saw Sam Prendergast handed the starting role.

The Cork Constitution clubman became part of the senior Munster squad ahead of the 2021-22 season and started his first United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup games for Munster during that term.

In the 2022-23 campaign he helped Munster win the URC title and made his Ireland Test debut against Fiji.

Crowley featured at his first World Cup in 2023 and went on to start seven consecutive games for Ireland during the victorious 2024 Six Nations campaign and the summer tour to South Africa.

He has made 11 appearances for Munster this season and won consecutive player of the match awards in the away wins over La Rochelle and Connacht over the past two weeks.

Last weekend the number 10 scored the winning drop goal against La Rochelle in a 25-24 victory in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.

To date Crowley has scored 305 points in 65 appearances for Munster since making his debut against Ulster.

Last season he was named 2023-24 URC Players' Player of the Year, URC Next-Gen Player of the Year and was named on the URC Elite XV.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ulster wing Zac Ward felt his start in the side's Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat by Bordeaux-Begles last weekend was a "really good learning curve".

In his first season as a XVs player after representing Ireland Sevens at the Paris Olympics, the game was only Ward's fifth senior start and he marked the occasion with two of the five tries Ulster scored in the 43-31 reverse.

"I loved every second of it," he said.

"It was real tough, a real good test, but for myself personally, it was a really good learning curve and one I'll definitely lean on going forward.

"I like competing against the best. I want to be as good as I can so I need to be competing against the best out there."

As he continues to manage the transition between codes, Ward said he found playing in the back-three with Mike Lowry and Jacob Stockdale especially helpful at the Stade Chaban Delmas.

"Little Mikey and Jacob have been massively beneficial for myself," he added.

"It's starting to show on the pitch, we've all got really good chemistry and it's just finding those little one percenters in training that start to pay off on the pitch.

"Jacob on his day is one of the best players in the world so to have someone like that to lean on is massively beneficial to myself.

"I'm constantly asking him questions but Jacob is not the only one, we have plenty of really good back-three players in the club, so I'm not stuck for advice."