Munster

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Munster made it back-to-back Women's Interprovincial Championship titles with a 14-5 win over Leinster at Dexcom Stadium.

Following a handsome win in round one, the defending champions entered the game full of confidence, but were given a much tougher test this time around.

Leinster could have made a dream start when Sarah Delaney seemed set to touch down in the opening minute, but was held up over the line.

Munster were dealt an early blow when Enya Breen was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on but Leinster were unable to take advantage.

With numerical parity restored, Munster hit the front after 21 minutes as Beth Buttimer grabbed her second try of the championship as she squeezed over after a lengthy spell of possession and Caitriona Finn added the extras.

Two minutes before the break, Leinster found a response as from a maul, space opened up and Dannah O'Brien found Kathy Baker for an unconverted try.

Leinster pressed for the go-ahead score early in the second period but couldn't breach the Munster defence, with Erin King then held up when close to touching down.

They couldn't make their opportunities count and with 10 minutes remaining, Munster put daylight between the sides.

From a penalty to the corner, Munster set up the maul and Buttimer rumbled over for her second of the game with Enya Breen converting.

Siobhan McCarthy could have sealed it but was held up over the line, but there was no way back for Leinster as Munster retained their title.

Munster: Aoife Corey; Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Enya Breen, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitríona Finn, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Eilís Cahill; Aoibhe O'Flynn, Clodagh O'Halloran; Sally Kelly, Grace Moore, Maeve Óg O'Leary.

Replacements: Emma Dunican, Caoimhe Murphy, Alisha Flynn, Caoimhe Murphy, Niamh O'Mahony, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Andrea Murphy, Katie Corrigan.

Leinster: Stacey Flood; Robyn O'Connor, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins; Vicky Elmes Kinlan; Dannah O'Brien, Katie Whelan; Caoimhe Molloy, Sarah Delaney (capt), Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Kate Jordan; Regan Casey, Kathy Baker, Erin King.

Replacements: Emma Jane Wilson, Hannah Wilson, Hope Lowney, Roisin Kinch, Aoife Corcoran, Nikki Gibson, Alex Connor, Emma Tilly.

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The 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup fixture details have been confirmed.

Munster will open their Champions Cup campaign at home to Racing 92 on 17 October, a day after the 10th anniversary of Anthony Foley's death.

The province said it is in talks with Cork GAA about hosting the fixture at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Munster will also travel to Bristol Bears and holders Bordeaux-Begles before welcoming Gloucester to Thomond Park.

Beaten 2026 finalists Leinster begin their latest bid for a fifth title away to Clermont on 17 October.

They will host Sale Sharks and Pau at yet-to-be confirmed home venues before travelling to Leicester Tigers.

Connacht host Saracens on 17 October and travel to Exeter Chiefs before hosting six-time champions Toulouse in Galway. Their final game is away to La Rochelle.

In the Challenge Cup, Ulster face away games against Bayonne and Dragons and away ties with Zebre and Perpignan, with Richie Murphy's side hoping to go one better after losing this year's final to Montpellier.

Champions Cup fixtures (times BST & GMT)

Munster

17 October - Munster v Racing 92, TBC, 20:00

12 December - Bristol Bears v Munster, Ashton Gate, 20:00

10 January - Bordeaux-Begles v Munster, Stade Chaban Delmas, 16:15

16 January - Munster v Gloucester, Thomond Park, 17:30

Leinster

17 October - Clermont Auvergne v Leinster, Stade Marcel-Michelin, 15:15

12 December - Leinster v Sale Sharks, TBC, 17:30

9 January - Leinster v Pau, TBC, 17:30

16 January - Leicester Tigers v Leinster, Welford Road, 20:00

Connacht

17 October - Connacht v Saracens, Dexcom Stadium, 17:30

13 December - Exeter Chiefs v Connacht, Sandy Park, 13:00

9 January - Connacht v Toulouse, Dexcom Stadium, 20:00

16 January - La Rochelle v Connacht, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 17:30

Challenge Cup fixtures

Ulster

17 October - Zebre v Ulster, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 15:15

12 December - Ulster v Bayonne, Affidea Stadium, 13:00

10 January - Perpignan v Ulster, Stade Aime Giral, 13:00

16 January - Ulster v Dragons, Affidea Stadium, 15:15

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Ulster will face Cheetahs, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonnais and Zebre in pool one of the 2026-27 European Challenge Cup.

Richie Murphy's side lost this year's final against Montpellier and are back in the second-tier European competition after finishing ninth in the United Rugby Championship table.

They have been drawn against French opposition again in Top 14 sides Bayonnais and Perpignan, who finished 12th and 13th in the division.

The province will also come up against South African side Cheetahs, who they beat in the group stage last year, as well as familiar URC opposition in Italian side Zebre and Welsh team Dragons.

In the Champions Cup, this year's beaten finalists Leinster will be up against French sides Clermont Auvergne and Pau as well as English teams Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks and fellow URC outfit Glasgow Warriors in Pool One.

Due to tournament rules, the URC champions will not play against Glasgow.

Connacht, who sneaked into the URC play-offs and qualified for the Champions Cup ahead of Ulster, have been handed a tough draw in Pool Two.

They will be up against Toulouse, Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle, Saracens, Exeter Chiefs and Lions, who they will not play.

Munster are in Pool Three and will take on back-to-back winners Bordeaux, Racing 92, English sides Bristol Bears and Gloucester and Stormers, who they won't face.

The pool stage of both the 2026-27 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will see the introduction of try-scoring bonus points awarded only to teams who cross at least three more times than their opponents – rather than for simply scoring four or more tries.

There will also be a change in qualification criteria for the last-16 stage with only three teams from each of the four pools going through automatically, with the remaining four last-16 spots allocated on the basis of table points collected.

Champions Cup draw

Pool 1: Leinster, Glasgow, Pau, Sale, Leicester, Clermont

Pool 2: Toulouse, Lions, Saracens, La Rochelle, Exeter, Connacht

Pool 3: Bordeaux-Begles, Stormers, Racing 92, Munster, Bristol, Gloucester

Pool 4: Northampton, Bath, Cardiff, Montpellier, Stade Francais, Bulls

Challenge Cup draw

Pool 1: Cheetahs, Ulster, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonne, Zebre

Pool 2: Treviso, Lyon, Newcastle, Sharks, Castres, Scarlets

Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh, Black Lion, Harlequins, Toulon, Vannes

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Munster prop Oli Jager has retired from rugby at the age of 30 on medical grounds.

Jager, who was born in London but grew up in Ireland, moved to New Zealand when he was 17 and won seven Super Rugby titles with Crusaders.

He signed for Munster in 2023 and became a vital member of the squad, and his sole Ireland cap came as a replacement in the Six Nations against Wales in 2024.

Jager said that sharing the news came with a "heavy heart" and having 10 years as a professional rugby player was "nothing short of a privilege".

"While this chapter comes to an end, I look back with immense pride and gratitude for the experiences, memories, and relationships the game has given me," he said.

"Who knows what the next chapter holds, but I'm excited to see what it has in store."

Clayton McMillan, Munster's head coach, said that Jager was a "hugely respected and popular member of our squad", who can "take great pride in everything he has achieved in the game".

"I have a lot of admiration for how he earned his stripes as a rugby player, taking a chance as a teenager and moving across the world to New Zealand.

"It's an amazing story really, how he earned a contract at one of the biggest club sides in the world at Crusaders and played such a key role in their success.

"He has made a big contribution to Munster Rugby as a player and a person, and is extremely highly-regarded by team-mates, staff and supporters alike."

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Jack Crowley has emerged as a doubt for Ireland's Nations Championship games next month after Munster head coach Clayton McMillan revealed the fly-half has been diagnosed with a blood vessel issue.

Crowley, who finished this year's Six Nations as Ireland's starting out-half, has not played for Munster since 18 April.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell names his squad for the Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand on Wednesday.

"Jack, I don't anticipate he'll be involved in the early part of the internationals," McMillan told the Irish Examiner, external.

"He's got a blood vessel issue in the back of his leg, which is good that something's been identified. He's got a plan around how to manage that but it literally is just a very obscure, unfortunate thing that was really hard to diagnose."

McMillan added: "He's got a diagnosis now, he has a plan around how to get it back, and I'm just not sure medically what the return to play protocols around that are.

"It's not like a concussion or a broken arm or leg, it's something that could literally solve itself overnight, or it might take a month or two. And that's not being cryptic, that's just the nature of what he's going through."

Crowley, 25, made his Ireland debut in 2022 and has earned 35 caps, playing every minute of the 2024 title-winning Six Nations campaign.

While Sam Prendergast started the first two games of this year's Six Nations, Crowley reclaimed the 10 jersey and steered Ireland to wins over England, Wales and Scotland to deliver the Triple Crown.

Ireland face Australia in Sydney on 4 July, Japan in New South Wales on 11 July and New Zealand in Auckland on 18 July.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Munster have appointed former Ireland international Jared Payne as the province's new attack coach on a two-year deal.

The 40-year-old, who spent four years as Ulster defence coach between 2018 and 2022 after a seven-year playing stint in Belfast, will combine attack and backline coaching responsibilities with Mossy Lawler, who has extended his Munster deal until 2028.

New Zealand-born Payne, who earned 20 Ireland caps between 2014 and 2017, also coached Clermont before a three-year spell with Scarlets that ended last month.

Payne said he was "incredibly grateful" for the opportunity to join Munster, whose 2025-26 season ended with a United Rugby Championship quarter-final loss to the Bulls on 30 May.

"Munster is a club with a proud history, strong values and a special connection with its supporters and community. As a family, we're excited to become part of that," he said.

"There is a huge amount of ambition across the club and I'm looking forward to working alongside the players and staff to help move the club forward.

"There is a lot to be excited about and I can't wait to get started."

Welcoming the move, Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said Payne has "developed an excellent reputation for empowering players and assisting them to fulfil their potential".

"I'm equally delighted that Mossy has extended his contract," added McMillan.

"The attack portfolio is vast, and I have always had the view that it is a two-person job.

"There is accountability to bring a higher level of detail to their respective areas of responsibility within our attack framework, and I believe that in Mossy and Jared, we have two innovative and detailed coaches who will work outstandingly well together."

Payne's arrival follows Jimmy Duffy's appointment as forwards coach after leaving Ulster.

Munster initially appointed Roger Randle as attack coach but the move was called off after his planned arrival was met by opposition in some quarters after a 1997 rape allegation resurfaced.

The alleged incident occurred in Durban, South Africa, during Randle's playing days with Super Rugby side Hurricanes - a charge that was dropped by the complainant and one he has always denied.

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Jimmy Duffy has joined Munster as a forwards coach on a two-year deal after leaving Ulster.

Duffy will replace Alex Codling, who moves to Toulon after one season at the province.

The Galway native joined Richie Murphy's coaching ticket in 2024 from Western Force and previously worked with Connacht for six years and the Ireland Under-20s.

"I'm thrilled to be joining Munster Rugby and I'm excited for the challenge ahead. There is a great deal of potential at the club and I'm looking forward to working with the players and staff over the coming seasons," Duffy said.

Head coach Clayton McMillan added: "Jimmy is an excellent addition to our coaching team. He has proven himself as a quality coach with teams across the United Rugby Championship, Super Rugby and the Ireland U20s.

"He comes with a glowing reputation for developing players and driving high standards and accountability. When we spoke, I was impressed with Jimmy's sense of purpose, his attention to detail and work ethic.

"I have no doubt he has the tools to drive us forward and look I forward to working alongside him next season."

Munster also confirmed that Sean Cronin, who coached Munster's scrum in the 2025-26 season, will return to this role as provincial talent coach on a full-time basis.

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Munster have made one change to their starting team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarter-final with the Bulls in Pretoria.

Alex Nankivell comes in at centre to replace Dan Kelly, who drops to the bench.

Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley remains sidelined with a leg injury that head coach Clayton McMillan described as "obscure".

JJ Hanrahan continues to deputise in the 10 jersey and he will partner captain Craig Casey.

On the bench, lock Fineen Wycherley is set to make his 150th Munster appearance as he returns from injury.

Munster are also without a number of other key players such as Ireland internationals Tadhg Beirne, Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell and Calvin Nash.

McMillan's side defeated the Lions on the final day of the URC regular season to secure a play-off place and knock Ulster out of the top eight.

The Bulls finished fourth in the table behind Glasgow Warriors, Leinster and the Stormers.

The sides met at the end of March in Pretoria, with the Bulls winning 34-31 in a thrilling nine-try encounter.

Munster: Haley; Smith, Nankivell, O'Brien, Daly; Hanrahan, Casey (c); Loughman, Scannell, Ala'alatoa; Ahern, O'Connell; O'Donoghue, Hodnett, Gleeson

Replacements: Barron, J Wycherley, Bartley, F Wycherley, Coombes, O'Donovan, Kelly, Kendellen

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Munster have commissioned an independent governance and organisational review after the club decided against bringing in Roger Randle as attack coach last month.

The New Zealander's planned arrival was announced on 15 April but was met by opposition in some quarters after a 1997 rape allegation resurfaced.

The alleged incident occurred in Durban, South Africa, during Randle's playing days with Super Rugby side Hurricanes - a charge that was dropped by the complainant and one he has always denied.

Following his appointment, former players Billy Holland, Killian Keane and Mick O'Driscoll stepped down as independent nominees on the province's Professional Game Committee. There were also resignations from Munster's voluntary Commercial Advisory Group.

Munster then announced on 30 April that the move was off by "mutual agreement" with the province's general manager Ian Costello saying it had been "a difficult conclusion", but that "it became clear that this was the best course of action for Roger, his family and Munster Rugby".

The province announced plans for a review on Tuesday, to "assess the organisation's governance, leadership, culture and communications structures and to provide recommendations back to the board".

The review will be conducted by The Governance Company, an independent consultancy specialising in corporate governance and will be overseen by an external independent chair, who will be "appointed in the coming days".

"It is clear that the past number of weeks have been difficult for staff, players, coaches, supporters, and everyone who cares about Munster Rugby," said CEO Ian Flanagan.

"We recognise the impact that recent events and decisions have had on our stakeholders. This independent review is an important step in ensuring we can learn from past events and strengthen how we can positively operate going forward.

"We look forward to working fully with The Governance Company and independent chair to support an effective review process. The primary and clear objective of this important exercise is the overall wellbeing of Munster Rugby."

Munster are currently sixth in the United Rugby Championship (URC) standings before their final regular-season game against Lions on Saturday, 16 May.

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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United Rugby Championship

Connacht: (19) 26

Tries: B Murphy, Bolton, Hurley-Langton, Jansen Cons: Gilbert (3)

Munster: (0) 7

Tries: Casey Cons: Hanrahan

Connacht boosted their hopes of sneaking into the United Rugby Championship play-offs with a bonus-point 26-7 win over injury-hit Munster at Dexcom Stadium.

The hosts led 19-0 at half-time courtesy of tries from Ben Murphy, Shayne Bolton and Shamus Hurley-Langton.

Sean Jansen added a fourth in the second half to secure the bonus point that moves Connacht a point behind eight-place Ulster, who occupy the final play-off spot.

Clayton McMillan's side, who were missing Jack Crowley, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Farrell, Oli Jager, Jean Kleyn and Calvin Nash for the interpro, drop to sixth after the defeat.

The hosts started well in Galway and were rewarded with the opening try on 12 minutes as Ben Murphy got over to score between the posts and Sam Gilbert added the extras.

Things went from bad to worse for Munster as Diarmuid Barron was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Dylan Tierney-Martin, which was eventually upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

Connacht took advantage of having an extra man as Bolton crossed in the corner for their second try on 20 minutes.

A third arrived five minutes before the break as Hurley-Langton scored after persistent pressure from the home side with Gilbert accurate from the tee.

Munster's hopes of a quick response in the second half were dashed when replacement Alex Kendall's try was chalked off after a television match official [TMO] review spotted that he had lost control of the ball and touched down before the line and then knocked-on.

They did eventually get their first try on 68 minutes with Craig Casey touching down and JJ Hanrahan adding the two points from the tee.

Connacht hit back soon after and claimed a bonus point as Jansen forced his way over.

Stuart Lancaster's side will face a final day trip to Edinburgh on Friday while Munster are at home to Lions on Saturday.

Connacht: Gilbert; Jennings, West, Aki, Bolton; Ioane, B Murphy; Bohan, Tierney-Martin, Illo; D Murray, J Murphy; Prendergast (c), Hurley-Langton, Jansen.

Replacements: de Buitléar, Dooley, Bealham, Joyce, Boyle, Devine, Carty, Naughton.

Munster: Haley; Abrahams, Nankivell, Kelly, Smith; Hanrahan, Casey (c); Loughman, Barron, Ala'Alatoa; Edogbo, Wycherley; Ahern, Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: Barron, Wycherley, Bartley, O'Donoghue, Gleeson, O'Donovan, O'Brien, Kendellen.

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Injury-hit Ulster will hand debuts to three academy players in Saturday's crucial United Rugby Championship trip to inter-provincial rivals Munster.

Flankers James McKillop and Tom Brigg and winger Aitzol Arenzana-King will make their senior bow for the derby at Limerick's Thomond Park (17:30 BST).

Faced with a raft of injuries and with one eye on next week's Challenge Cup semi-final against Exeter, head coach Richie Murphy has made 15 changes from last week's defeat by Leinster in Belfast.

Without props Angus Bell (foot), Scott Wilson (ankle) and Tom O'Toole (hand), Eric O'Sullivan and Bryan O'Connor - the latter making his first start - have been recalled at loose-head and tight-head as James McCormick returns at hooker.

Harry Sheridan and Charlie Irvine start in the second row, while Lorcan McLoughlin joins debutants McKillop and Brigg in the back row.

Joining fit-again full-back Michael Lowry - who will captain the side - in the back three are former Leinster wing Arenzana-King and Ben Moxham, who makes his first start since November 2023 after recovering from two anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

With James Hume (neck) and Jude Postlethwaite (hand) ruled out, Ethan McIlroy and Ben Carson start in midfield, while Conor McKee and Jake Flannery are paired at half-back.

Prop Tom McAllister and centre Jonny Scott, both of whom made their debut last month, are named on the bench alongside John Andrew, Callum Reid, Joe Hopes, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan and Jake Humphreys.

Murphy is without Nick Timoney (hip), James McNabney (knee), Rob Herring (calf), Robert Baloucoune (elbow), Rory McGuire (shoulder) and Stewart Moore (knee), while Ireland internationals Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey and Iain Henderson are among those not included in the squad.

Ulster are fifth in the URC table, a point above sixth-placed Munster, in the race for the play-offs.

Munster, who earned a much-needed 45-15 win over Benetton in Treviso last week, make just one change with Oli Jager replacing Michael Ala'alatoa in the front row.

Head coach Clayton McMillan has included experienced Ireland internationals Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Tadhg Beirne.

Munster: Daly; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, Smith; Crowley, Casey, Loughman, Barron, Jager, Kleyn, Beirne (capt); Ahern, Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: Barron, Milne, Ala'alatoa, Edogbo, Gleeson, O'Donovan, Kelly, Kendellen.

Ulster: Lowry (capt); Arenzana-King, McIlroy, Carson, Moxham; Flannery, McKee; O'Sullivan, McCormick, O'Connor, Sheridan, Irvine, McKillop, Brigg, McLoughlin.

Replacements: Andrew, Reid, McAllister, Hopes, Rea, Shanahan, Humphreys, Scott.

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Munster have appointed Roger Randle as the province's new attack coach on a two-year deal.

Subject to obtaining a valid work permit, Randle will join Munster from the Chiefs in the summer following the completion of the Super Rugby season.

He will replace Mike Prendergast, who will depart Munster at the end of the season to join Bath.

Randle, who won two All Blacks caps, has been with the Chiefs for eight years and worked with Munster head coach Clayton McMillan at the Hamilton-based club.

In his 31-year career as player and coach, the well-travelled Randle has represented clubs and unions across the world, including in New Zealand, France, Italy and Japan.

"I am incredibly excited to be joining a prestigious club like Munster who have such a rich history and incredible supporters," said Randle.

"I'm really looking forward to reuniting with Clayton but my focus for now is on the Chiefs and having a successful end to the season."

McMillan said he was "very pleased" with Randle's appointment.

"I have worked with Roger for many years, and he has always demonstrated an incredible work-ethic and ingenuity when it comes to the attack aspect of the game," said McMillan.

"We are thrilled to have him come on board and believe he will complement the already excellent work that (skills and assistant attack coach) Mossy Lawler is doing on a day-to-day basis."