https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/en-ieRTÉ 2025-RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Ltd, Registration No: 155076, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland.Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:16:51 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0624/1520028-schmidt-gives-short-shrift-to-player-release-demands/Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has hit back at the British and Irish Lions over their warning he is contractually obliged to release his stars to their Super Rugby franchises throughout the tour.Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:16:49 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0624/1520028-schmidt-gives-short-shrift-to-player-release-demands/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0623/1519856-lions-warn-wallabies-they-have-to-release-test-players/The British and Irish Lions have warned Australia they will be in breach of contract if they fail to release their Test stars for all tour games involving Super Rugby teamsMon, 23 Jun 2025 10:37:13 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0623/1519856-lions-warn-wallabies-they-have-to-release-test-players/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0622/1519761-gibson-park-and-keenan-carry-knocks-down-under/The British and Irish Lions touched down in Australia with head coach Andy Farrell revealing there are lingering injury concerns over Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan.Sun, 22 Jun 2025 15:48:58 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0622/1519761-gibson-park-and-keenan-carry-knocks-down-under/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0621/1519684-russell-glad-to-mend-fences-with-sexton/Finn Russell has revealed that he buried the hatchet with Johnny Sexton with the help of Andy Farrell as the old foes join forces on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.Sat, 21 Jun 2025 19:10:44 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0621/1519684-russell-glad-to-mend-fences-with-sexton/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0621/1519641-aki-lions-must-bounce-back-quickly-after-defeat/Bundee Aki insists the British and Irish Lions must recover rapidly after seeing their goal of completing an unbeaten tour thwarted even before arriving in Australia.Sat, 21 Jun 2025 12:52:42 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0621/1519641-aki-lions-must-bounce-back-quickly-after-defeat/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519566-conan-yet-to-revisit-northampton-loss-with-lions-mates/With 12 Leinster players and four Northampton Saints in this Lions squad, it would be interesting to know when, or if, their Champions Cup semi-final comes up in conversation behind the four walls.Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:58:03 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519566-conan-yet-to-revisit-northampton-loss-with-lions-mates/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519481-early-lions-setback-as-argentina-claim-win-in-dublin/The British and Irish Lions were beaten by Argentina for the first time as their tour to Australia encountered an early setback with a 28-24 loss in Dublin.Fri, 20 Jun 2025 22:18:28 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519481-early-lions-setback-as-argentina-claim-win-in-dublin/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519600-farrell-delivers-scathing-assessment-of-lions-defeat/Andy Farrell didn't hold back in his criticism of his side's performance, as the British and Irish Lions prepared for their tour of Australia with a 28-24 defeat to Argentina at a sold-out Aviva Stadium.Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:52:23 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519600-farrell-delivers-scathing-assessment-of-lions-defeat/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519581-british-and-irish-lions-v-argentina-updates/Follow our minute by minute coverage as the British and Irish Lions take on Argentina at Aviva Stadium, ahead of their summer tour of Australia.Fri, 20 Jun 2025 19:23:05 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519581-british-and-irish-lions-v-argentina-updates/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519362-cohesion-the-key-as-lions-prepare-for-pumas-send-off/Given the make-up of the squad and coaching staff, this Lions tour feels more Irish and British than British and Irish, and Dublin is the first stop, before they head Down Under on Saturday.Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:02:09 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519362-cohesion-the-key-as-lions-prepare-for-pumas-send-off/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519494-munster-name-codling-as-provinces-new-forwards-coach/Munster have confirmed that Alex Codling has been appointed as the province's forwards coach ahead of the new season.Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:09:13 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519494-munster-name-codling-as-provinces-new-forwards-coach/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519476-schmidts-swipe-at-lions-southern-hemisphere-centres/Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has taken a swipe at the British and Irish Lions by describing Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu as a "southern-hemisphere centre partnership".Fri, 20 Jun 2025 09:32:54 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0620/1519476-schmidts-swipe-at-lions-southern-hemisphere-centres/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519397-jackman-farrell-can-deal-with-any-irish-bias-claims/Bernard Jackman believes Andy Farrell has the man-management skills to allay any perception of partiality towards the Ireland contingent in his British and Irish Lions squad as they prepare for Friday's tour opener against Argentina at Aviva Stadium on Friday.Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:50:14 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519397-jackman-farrell-can-deal-with-any-irish-bias-claims/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519310-itoje-keen-to-road-test-second-row-combo-with-beirne/Having roomed together already on this camp, Itoje is looking forward to getting to know his locking partner further, both on and off the pitch.Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:42:56 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519310-itoje-keen-to-road-test-second-row-combo-with-beirne/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519318-munster-trio-train-with-ireland-after-mcnabney-acl/Munster trio Diarmuid Kilgallen, Brian Gleeson and Evan O'Connell have all linked up with the Ireland squad as additional training panellists ahead of the upcoming summer tour games against Georgia and Portugal.Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:32:16 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519318-munster-trio-train-with-ireland-after-mcnabney-acl/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519253-schmidt-overlooks-oconnor-as-lions-loom-for-wallabies/James O'Connor is set to miss out on facing the British and Irish Lions after being left out of the Australia squad to face Fiji.Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:04:52 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0619/1519253-schmidt-overlooks-oconnor-as-lions-loom-for-wallabies/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519191-beirne-ready-for-real-lions-experience-in-2025/While Tadhg Beirne played two Tests on the last British and Irish Lions tour, he didn't get the real Lions experience.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:37:50 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519191-beirne-ready-for-real-lions-experience-in-2025/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519125-good-news-farrell-eases-gibson-park-injury-worries/Andy Farrell has allayed fears over the fitness of Jamison Gibson-Park ahead of the British and Irish Lions' opening game against Argentina on Friday night.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:26:23 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519125-good-news-farrell-eases-gibson-park-injury-worries/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519126-furlong-set-to-return-off-bench-in-lions-opener-v-pumas/Ireland will have three representatives in the opening British and Irish Lions team of the 2025 campaign, while Tadhg Furlong is set to make his return from injury off the bench in Friday's game against Argentina at Aviva Stadium.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:00:13 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519126-furlong-set-to-return-off-bench-in-lions-opener-v-pumas/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519129-ireland-squad-named-for-world-rugby-u20-championship/Head coach Neil Doak has named a 30-player squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:09:58 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519129-ireland-squad-named-for-world-rugby-u20-championship/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0617/1518916-pumas-game-a-massive-opportunity-to-make-test-claim/British and Irish Lions lock Scott Cummings looks ahead to Friday's warm-up game against Argentina, and gives an insight into what to expect from forwards coach John Dalziel.Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:31:42 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0617/1518916-pumas-game-a-massive-opportunity-to-make-test-claim/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0618/1519106-leinsters-end-of-season-grade-lions-come-into-focus/Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Eddie O'Sullivan to recap Leinster's BKT United Rugby Championship final win against the Bulls.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:44:28 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0618/1519106-leinsters-end-of-season-grade-lions-come-into-focus/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519094-new-faces-aplenty-in-argentina-side-to-face-the-lions/Argentina have named a much-changed line-up with a first start for centre Justo Piccardo in their one-off clash against the British & Irish Lions at Aviva Stadium on Friday, and three potential debutants off the bench.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:53:04 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0618/1519094-new-faces-aplenty-in-argentina-side-to-face-the-lions/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518770-delete-social-media-sextons-advice-to-irish-10s/It's been eight months since Johnny Sexton made his move into coaching, so as the former Ireland and Leinster captain sat down for the first media duties, there was a lot to get through.Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:39:33 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518770-delete-social-media-sextons-advice-to-irish-10s/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0617/1518872-van-poortvliet-added-to-lions-squad-as-injury-cover/England's Jack van Poortvliet has been added to the British and Irish Lions squad for Friday's warm-up game against Argentina at Aviva Stadium.Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:43:21 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0617/1518872-van-poortvliet-added-to-lions-squad-as-injury-cover/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0617/1518863-savea-to-spend-season-in-japan-after-november-tests/All Blacks star back row Ardie Savea will skip Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika next year and take a sabbatical in Japan at the Kobe Steelers club, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced.Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:25:58 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0617/1518863-savea-to-spend-season-in-japan-after-november-tests/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518753-badly-needed-trophy-helps-leinsters-healing-process/A four-year gap without a trophy is considered normal for most teams. For a side with the resources and homegrown talent that Leinster have, it's considered a failure if they don't come home with silverware every year.Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:17:49 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518753-badly-needed-trophy-helps-leinsters-healing-process/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518735-sexton-jumped-at-chance-to-make-coach-role-full-time/Johnny Sexton says he always expected to return to rugby, even if his acceleration to a full-time coaching role has arrived earlier than expected.Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:17:17 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518735-sexton-jumped-at-chance-to-make-coach-role-full-time/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518709-farrell-completes-return-to-saracens/Owen Farrell has rejoined Saracens from Racing 92, having spent one season at the French club.Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:40:20 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518709-farrell-completes-return-to-saracens/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518755-sextons-mischievous-take-on-leinsters-ioane-signing/Johnny Sexton has fanned the flames of his feud with New Zealand's Rieko Ioane, suggesting he'll be supporting Munster when Ioane arrives at Leinster next season.Mon, 16 Jun 2025 22:00:57 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0616/1518755-sextons-mischievous-take-on-leinsters-ioane-signing/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/british-and-irish-lions/2025/0615/1518573-sheehan-winning-takes-us-out-of-lions-laughing-stock/Dan Sheehan will arrive into Lions camp today with the broadest smile, feeling like a real winner with Leinster at last, and not among the "laughing stock."Sun, 15 Jun 2025 12:56:43 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/british-and-irish-lions/2025/0615/1518573-sheehan-winning-takes-us-out-of-lions-laughing-stock/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0615/1518583-keep-the-abuse-coming-we-dont-mind-cullen/In the last two games of Leinster's BKT United Rugby Championship title success, there's been a temperature change.Sun, 15 Jun 2025 14:51:59 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0615/1518583-keep-the-abuse-coming-we-dont-mind-cullen/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0615/1518555-mcgraths-relief-at-ending-leinsters-trophy-drought/Luke McGrath reacts to Leinster's BKT United Rugby Championship grand final win against the Bulls, and discusses his role in Jordie Barrett's sensational try.Sun, 15 Jun 2025 10:24:53 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0615/1518555-mcgraths-relief-at-ending-leinsters-trophy-drought/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0614/1518507-croke-park-title-the-stuff-of-dreams-cullen/When the Bulls shocked Leinster to inflict a very rare trophyless season back in 2022, it triggered a long summer of soul-searching.Sat, 14 Jun 2025 21:21:58 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0614/1518507-croke-park-title-the-stuff-of-dreams-cullen/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0614/1518493-leinster-power-past-bulls-to-end-trophy-drought/Leinster have their hands on silverware. A four-year drought – by their standards at least – has finally come to an end, as they crushed the Bulls 32-7 in front of 46,127 people at Croke Park.Sat, 14 Jun 2025 19:02:14 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0614/1518493-leinster-power-past-bulls-to-end-trophy-drought/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0614/1518458-ratings-baird-and-pack-shine-as-leinster-deliver-title/Leinster ended an almost four-year search for a trophy with a brilliant 32-7 victory over the Bulls in the URC final at Croke Park. Here's how we rated the players.Sat, 14 Jun 2025 20:04:33 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0614/1518458-ratings-baird-and-pack-shine-as-leinster-deliver-title/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0614/1518500-conan-lads-put-heads-where-you-wouldnt-put-a-shovel/Jack Conan said a pumped-up Leinster were determined to give their departing teammates "a special day" at Croke Park after they slayed the Bulls at Croke Park to win the URC Grand Final.Sat, 14 Jun 2025 19:50:51 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0614/1518500-conan-lads-put-heads-where-you-wouldnt-put-a-shovel/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0614/1518459-urc-final-leinster-v-bulls-updates/Relive all the action from Croke Park as Leinster hosted the Bulls looking claim a first BKT URC title in four years.Sat, 14 Jun 2025 15:51:12 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0614/1518459-urc-final-leinster-v-bulls-updates/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0614/1518457-gibson-park-ruled-out-for-leinster/Leinster's hopes of a BKT United Rugby Championship success at Croke Park this afternoon have been hit by the forced withdrawal of Jamison Gibson-Park.Sat, 14 Jun 2025 12:19:31 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0614/1518457-gibson-park-ruled-out-for-leinster/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0613/1518302-leinster-have-a-point-to-prove-in-urc-grand-final/Neil Treacy previews this evening's BKT United Rugby Championship Grand Final between Leinster and the Bulls at Croke Park.Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:33:41 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0613/1518302-leinster-have-a-point-to-prove-in-urc-grand-final/United Rugby Championshiphttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0614/1518491-bath-squeeze-past-leicester-to-end-29-year-title-wait/Bath ended their 29-year English title drought when they survived a late surge by old rivals Leicester to triumph 23-21 in the Premiership final and complete a memorable trophy treble at Twickenham.Sat, 14 Jun 2025 17:16:20 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0614/1518491-bath-squeeze-past-leicester-to-end-29-year-title-wait/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0612/1518162-studious-barrett-gone-after-today-but-not-forgotten/Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has hailed All Black Jordie Barrett as a "fantastic" signing on and off the field ahead of his final game in blue in today's URC final.Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:30:34 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0612/1518162-studious-barrett-gone-after-today-but-not-forgotten/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0613/1518292-road-raging-bulls-swap-home-comforts-for-camaraderie/The Bulls have an excellent record on the road in the URC this season, while Leinster have won 11 from 11 home games.Fri, 13 Jun 2025 11:33:23 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0613/1518292-road-raging-bulls-swap-home-comforts-for-camaraderie/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0612/1518075-urc-final-leinster-v-bulls-all-you-need-to-know/Everything you need to know ahead of this Saturday's United Rugby Championship final, as Leinster host the Bulls at Croke Park.Thu, 12 Jun 2025 10:59:59 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0612/1518075-urc-final-leinster-v-bulls-all-you-need-to-know/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0612/1518172-passionate-white-commendation-reveals-bulls-urc-buy-in/Ahead of their final against Leinster, Bulls boss Jake White insisted that the URC is a "phenomenal tournament and you're seeing the best players in the world".Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:17:53 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0612/1518172-passionate-white-commendation-reveals-bulls-urc-buy-in/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0612/1518074-leinster-bulls-teams-urc-final-2025/Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose have overcome injuries to take their place in the Leinster team for Saturday's URC final against Bulls.Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:11:44 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0612/1518074-leinster-bulls-teams-urc-final-2025/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0612/1518086-ireland-to-face-england-in-womens-six-nations-opener/Ireland face the toughest possible start to next year's Guinness Women's Six Nations, with Scott Bemand's side away to England in the opening round.Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:00:20 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0612/1518086-ireland-to-face-england-in-womens-six-nations-opener/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0611/1517886-bulls-need-to-keep-the-rag-to-beat-leinster-coetzee/It didn't affect the results of their previous two meetings but the Bulls figure they must be more disciplined than ever against Leinster in Saturday's URC final.Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:22:56 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0611/1517886-bulls-need-to-keep-the-rag-to-beat-leinster-coetzee/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0611/1517956-bealham-a-great-fit-for-lions-says-farrell/British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell believes replacement call-up Finlay Bealham will prove a "great fit" for the squad following the "heartbreaking" withdrawal of injured Scotland prop Zander Fagerson.Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:11:52 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0611/1517956-bealham-a-great-fit-for-lions-says-farrell/Rugbyhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0611/1517926-excited-bulls-ready-for-leinster-showdown/Bulls hooker Akker van der Merwe has said that a feel-good factor is the driving factor for the side ahead of Saturday's URC final meeting with Leinster in Croke Park.Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:23:28 +0100https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0611/1517926-excited-bulls-ready-for-leinster-showdown/Rugby