Rugby

Rugby fixtures 2024/2025: Ireland matches and major tournament dates for the season

Everything you need to know about the upcoming rugby season

Ireland will look to retain the Six Nations title for a third successive season, opening their 2025 campaign against England on February 1st. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Gerry Thornley
Fri Sept 20 2024 - 06:00
The 2024-25 rugby season

Saturday, September 14th

Women’s IRFU 150-Year Anniversary Match: Ireland v Australia, Kingspan Stadium (2.30pm).

Friday, September 20th

URC, Round 1: Cardiff v Zebre Parma, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm); Edinburgh v Leinster, Hive Stadium (7.35pm).

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Saturday, September 21st

URC, Round 1: Hollywoodbets Sharks v Emirates Lions, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (3.45pm local time/2.45pm Irish time); Dragons v Ospreys, Rodney Parade (4pm local time/3pm Irish); DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls, (TBC January); Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park (5.30pm); Benetton v Scarlets, Stadio Monigo (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish); Ulster v Glasgow Warriors, Kingspan Stadium (7.45pm).

Friday, September 27th

URC, Round 2: Glasgow Warriors v Benetton, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm); Leinster v Dragons, Aviva Stadium (7.35pm).

Saturday, September 28th

URC, Round 2: Emirates Lions v Ulster, Emirates Airline Park (12.55pm local time/11.55am Irish); Vodacom Bulls v Edinburgh, Loftus Versfeld (3pm local time/2pm Irish); Zebre Parma v Munster, Stadio Lanfranchi (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Scarlets v Cardiff, Parc Y Scarlets (5.15pm); Connacht v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm); Ospreys v DHL Stormers, Dunraven Brewery Field (7.35pm).

Sunday, September 29th

WXV 1: USA v England, BC Place, Vancouver (12.30pm local time/8.30pm Irish time); Canada v France, BC Place, Vancouver (3.45pm local time/11.45pm Irish); New Zealand v Ireland, BC Place, Vancouver (7pm local time/3am Irish).

England captain Marlie Packer and the team celebrate after winning the 2023 WXV1 title after beating New Zealand. Photo: Dave Rowland/Getty Images

Wednesday, October 2nd

Tour match: The Pumas v Emerging Ireland, Bloemfontein (KO TBC).

Friday, October 4th

URC, Round 3: Scarlets v Connacht, Parc Y Scarlets (7.35pm); Cardiff v Glasgow Warriors, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm).

Saturday, October 5th

URC, Round 3: Emirates Lions v Edinburgh, Emirates Airline Park (1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Vodacom Bulls v Ulster, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Benetton v Leinster, Stadio Monigo(6.15pm local time/5.15pm Irish); Dragons v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Rodney Parade (5.15pm); Munster v Ospreys, Virgin Media Park (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v DHL Stormers, Stadio Lanfranchi (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish).

WXV 1: USA v France, Langley (12.30pm local time/8.30pm Irish); Canada v Ireland, Langley (3.45pm local time/11.45pm Irish).

[ Lions intrigue and lingering heartache make Ireland-England the standout match of the campaign ahead ]

Sunday, October 6th

WXV 1: New Zealand v England, Langley (1pm local time/9pm Irish).

Tour match: Western Force v Emerging Ireland, Bloemfontein (KO TBC).

Wednesday, October 9th

Tour match: The Cheetahs v Emerging Ireland, Bloemfontein (KO TBC).

Friday, October 11th

WXV 1: USA v Ireland, BC Place, Vancouver (12.30pm local time/8.30pm Irish).

URC, Round 4: Glasgow Warriors v Zebre Parma, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm).

Bautista Stavile Bravin scores a try for Zebre in their 9-40 defeat to Glasgow Warriors in last season's URC. Photograph: Craig Watson/Inpho

Saturday, October 12th

WXV 1: New Zealand v France, BC Place, Vancouver (3.45pm local time/11.45pm Irish); Canada v England, BC Place, Vancouver (7pm local time/3am Irish).

URC, Round 4: Benetton v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stadio Monigo (4pm local tome/3pm Irish); Cardiff v Scarlets, Cardiff Arms Park (3pm); Edinburgh v DHL Stormers, Hive Stadium (5.15pm); Leinster v Munster, Croke Park (5.45pm); Ospreys v Vodacom Bulls, Swansea.com Stadium (7.35pm);

Ulster v Connacht, Kingspan Stadium (8pm).

Sunday, October 13th

URC, Round 4: Dragons v Emirates Lions, Rodney Parade (2.30pm).

Friday, October 18th

URC, Round 5: Scarlets v Vodacom Bulls, Parc Y Scarlets (7.35pm); Ulster v Ospreys, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm).

Saturday, October 19th

URC, Round 5: Zebre Parma v Emirates Lions, Stadio Lanfranchi (1.30pm local time/12.30pm Irish); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Glasgow Warriors, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (3.45pm local time/2.45pm Irish); DHL Stormers v Munster, DHL Stadium (6pm local time/5pm Irish)); Edinburgh v Cardiff, Hive Stadium (5.15pm); Connacht v Leinster, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm); Dragons v Benetton, Rodney Parade (7.35pm).

Munster will travel to Cape Town to play DHL Stormers in round 5 of the URC. Photograph: Steve Haag Sports/Thinus Maritz/Inpho

Friday, October 25th

URC, Round 6: Scarlets v Zebre Parma, Parc Y Scarlets (7.35pm); Benetton v Vodacom Bulls, Stadio Monigo (7.35pm).

Saturday, October 26th

URC, Round 6: DHL Stormers v Glasgow Warriors, Danie Craven Stadium (1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Ospreys v Edinburgh, Dunraven Brewery Field (3pm); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Munster, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (3pm); Leinster v Emirates Lions, Aviva Stadium (5.15pm); Connacht v Dragons, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm); Cardiff v Ulster, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm).

Saturday, November 2nd

Autumn Nations Series: England v New Zealand, Twickenham (3.10pm); Scotland v Fiji, Murrayfield (5.40pm).

Friday, November 8th

Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium (8.10pm).

Saturday, November 9th

Autumn Nations Series: England v Australia, Twickenham (3.10pm); Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, Udine (6.40pm local time/5.40pm Irish); France v Japan, Stade de France (9.10pm local time/8.10pm Irish).

Sunday, November 10th

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, (1.40pm). Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield (4.10pm).

Ireland last welcomes Argentina to Dublin as part of the 2021 Autumn Internationals, beating Los Pumas 53-7. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Friday, November 15th

Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium Dublin (8.10pm).

Saturday, November 16th

Autumn Nations Series: Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield (3.10pm). England v South Africa, Twickenham (5.40pm). France v New Zealand, Stade de France (9.10pm local/8.10pm Irish).

Sunday, November 17th

Autumn Nations Series: Italy v Georgia, venue TBC (2.40pm local time/1.40pm Irish). Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium (4.10pm).

Friday, November 22nd

Autumn Nations Series: France v Argentina, Stade de France (9.10pm local time/8.10pm Irish).

Saturday, November 23rd

Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium (3.10pm). Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium (5.40pm). Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin (9.10pm local/8.10pm Irish).

Sunday, November 24th

Autumn Nations Series: Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield Stadium, (1.40pm). England v Japan, Twickenham (4.10pm).

Friday, November 29th

URC, Round 7: Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm); Ulster v Leinster, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm).

Leinster lock Joe McCarthy made his debut for Ireland when Australia last visited the Aviva as part of the 2022 Autumn Internationals. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Saturday, November 30th

Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium (3.10pm).

URC, Round 7: Hollywoodbets Sharks v DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (5pm local time/3pm); Cardiff v Dragons, Cardiff Arms Park (5.15pm); Connacht v Vodacom Bulls, Dexcom Stadium (5.30pm); Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v Ospreys, Stadio Lanfranchi (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish); Edinburgh v Benetton, Hive Stadium (7.35pm).

Friday, December 6th

Champions Cup: Round 1: Bath v Stade Rochelais, The Rec (8pm).

Saturday, December 7th

Champions Cup, Round 1: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Benetton, Stade Marcel-Michelin (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Exeter Chiefs, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (3pm local time/1pm Irish); Northampton Saints v Castres Olympique, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens (3.15pm); DHL Stormers v RC Toulon, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Munster v Stade Francais Paris, Thomond Park (5.30pm); Saracens v Vodacom Bulls, StoneX Stadium (5.30pm); Glasgow Warriors v Sale Sharks, Scotstoun Stadium (8pm); Racing 92 v Harlequins, venue TBC (9pm local time/8pm Irish).

Challenge Cup, Round 1: Connacht v Zebre Parma, Dexcom Stadium (8pm).

Sunday, December 8th

Champions Cup, Round 1: Union Bordeaux-Bègles v Leicester Tigers, Stade Chaban-Delmas (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Stade Toulousain v Ulster, Stade Ernest Wallon (4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Bristol Bears v Leinster, Ashton Gate (5.30pm).

Friday, December 13th

Champions Cup, Round 2: Sale Sharks v Racing 92, Salford Community Stadium (8pm); Castres Olympique v Munster, Stade Pierre-Fabre (9pm local time/8pm Irish).

Saturday, December 14th

Champions Cup, Round 2: Vodacom Bulls v Northampton Saints, Loftus Versfeld (3pm local time/1pm Irish). Ulster v Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Kingspan Stadium (3.15pm). Leinster v ASM Clermont Auvergne, Aviva Stadium (5.30pm). Leicester Tigers v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Welford Road (5.30pm); Stade Rochelais v Bristol Bears, Stade Marcel Deflandre (9pm local time/8pm Irish); Harlequins v DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop (8pm).

Sunday, December 15th

Champions Cup, Round 2: RC Toulon v Glasgow Warriors, Stade Felix Mayol (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Benetton v Bath, Stadio Monigo (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Stade Francais Paris v Saracens, Stade Jean Bouin (4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Exeter Chiefs v Stade Toulousain, Sandy Park (5.30pm).

Challenge Cup, Round 2: Perpignan v Connacht, Stade Aime Giral (2pm local time/1pm Irish).

Munster's Billy Burns will face his old province when they go to Belfast to meet Ulster in the eighth round of the URC. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Friday, December 20th

URC, Round 8: Ulster v Munster, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm).

Saturday, December 21st

URC, Round 8: Benetton v Zebre Parma, Stadio Monigo (2pm local time/1pm Irish); DHL Stormers v Emirates Lions, DHL Stadium (3.45pm local time/1.45pm Irish); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (6pm local time/4pm Irish); Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh, Scotstoun Stadium (5.15pm); Ospreys v Scarlets, Swansea.com Stadium (5.15pm); Leinster v Connacht, Aviva Stadium (5.30pm).

Thursday, December 26th

URC, Round 8: Dragons v Cardiff, Rodney Parade (5.15pm).

Friday, December 27th

URC, Round 9: Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park (7.35pm).

Saturday, December 28th

URC, Round 9: DHL Stormers v Hollywoodbets Sharks, DHL Stadium (5pm local time/3pm Irish); Zebre Parma v Benetton, Stadio Lanfranchi (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors, Murrayfield (3pm); Connacht v Ulster, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm).

Wednesday, January 1st

URC, Round 9: Cardiff v Ospreys, Cardiff Arms Park (3pm); Scarlets v Dragons, Parc Y Scarlets (5.15pm).

Saturday, January 4th

Bateman Cup final.

Friday, January 10th

Champions Cup, Round 3: Glasgow Warriors v Racing 92, Scotstoun Stadium (8pm).

Saturday, January 11th

Champions Cup, Round 3: DHL Stormers v Sale Sharks, DHL Stadium (3pm local time/1pm Irish); Exeter Chiefs v Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sandy Park (3.15pm); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Stade Toulousain, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (5.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park (5.30pm); Stade Francais Paris v Northampton Saints, Stade Jean Bouin (6.30pm local time/5.30pm Irish); Leicester Tigers v Ulster, Welford Road (8pm); Castres Olympique v Vodacom Bulls, Stade Pierre-Fabre (9pm local time/8pm).

Challenge Cup, Round 3: Connacht v Lyon, Dexcom Stadium (8pm).

Sunday, January 12th

Champions Cup, Round 3: RC Toulon v Harlequins, Stade Felix Mayol (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Stade Rochelais v Leinster, Stade Marcel Deflandre (4.15pm local/3.15pm Irish time); Bristol Bears v Benetton, Ashton Gate (3.15pm); Bath v ASM Clermont Auvergne, The Rec (5.30pm).

Friday, January 17th

Champions Cup, Round 4: Ulster v Exeter Chiefs, Kingspan Stadium (8pm).

Challenge Cup, Round 4: Cardiff v Connacht, Cardiff Arms Park (8pm).

Saturday, January 18th

Champions Cup, Round 4: Vodacom Bulls v Stade Francais Paris, Loftus Versfeld (3pm local time/1pm Irish); Northampton Saints v Munster, Franklin’s Gardens (3.15pm); ASM Clermont Auvergne v Bristol Bears, Stade Marcel-Michelin (4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Benetton v Stade Rochelais, Stadio Monigo (6.30pm local time/5.30pm Irish); Leinster v Bath, Aviva Stadium (5.30pm); Harlequins v Glasgow Warriors, Twickenham Stoop (8pm); Racing 92 v DHL Stormers, venue TBC (9pm local time/8pm Irish).

Friday, January 24th

URC, Round 10: Glasgow Warriors v Connacht, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm); Ospreys v Benetton, Swansea.com Stadium (7.35pm).

Saturday, January 25th

URC, Round 10: Emirates Lions v Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Airline Park (2.45pm local tome/12.45 Irish); Scarlets v Edinburgh, Parc Y Scarlets (3pm); Leinster v DHL Stormers, Aviva Stadium (5pm); Cardiff v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Cardiff Arms Park (5.15pm); Dragons v Munster, Rodney Parade (7.35pm).

Sunday, January 26th

URC, Round 10: Ulster v Zebre Parma, Kingspan Stadium (5.30pm).

Sunday, January 19th

Champions Cup, Round 4: Union Bordeaux-Bègles v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stade Chaban-Delmas (2pm local time/1pm Irish); Saracens v Castres Olympique, StoneX Stadium (3.15pm); Stade Toulousain v Leicester Tigers, Stade Ernest Wallon (4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Sale Sharks v RC Toulon, Salford Community Stadium (5.30pm).

Thursday, January 30th:

Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland v England (7.45pm).

Friday, January 31st

Six Nations: France v Wales, Stade de France (9.15pm local time/8.15pm Irish time).

Ireland's only loss of the 2024 Six Nations came against England at Twickenham. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Saturday, February 1st

Six Nations: Scotland v Italy, Murrayfield (2.15pm). Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium (4.45pm).

Saturday, February 8th

Six Nations: Italy v Wales, Stadio Olimpico (3.15pm local time/2.15pm Irish). England v France, Twickenham (4.45pm).

Under-20 Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland (7.45pm).

Sunday, February 9th

Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield (3pm).

Friday, February 14th

URC, Round 11: Edinburgh v Zebre Parma, Hive Stadium (7.35pm); Ospreys v Leinster, Swansea.com Stadium (7.35pm).

Saturday, February 15th

URC, Round 11: Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers, Emirates Airline Park (2.30pm local time/12.30pm); Vodacom Bulls v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (5pm local time/3pm Irish); Benetton v Ulster, Stadio Monigo (5.15pm); Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park (5.15pm); Connacht v Cardiff, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm).

Sunday, February 16th

URC, Round 11: Dragons v Glasgow Warriors, Rodney Parade (2pm).

Friday, February 21st

Under-20 Six Nations: Wales v Ireland (7.45pm).

Saturday, February 22nd

Six Nations: Wales v Ireland, Principality Stadium (2.15pm). England v Scotland, Twickenham (4.45pm).

URC, Round 9: Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (2pm local time/12pm Irish).

Sunday, February 23rd

Six Nations: Italy v France, Stadio Olimpico (4pm local time/3pm Irish).

Friday, February 28th

URC, Round 12: Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v Dragons, Stadio Lanfranchi (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish).

Ireland U20s were runners-up to England in the 2024 U20s Six Nations. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho

Saturday, March 1st

URC, Round 12: Emirates Lions v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Emirates Airline Park (2.30pm local time/12.30pm Irish); Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (5pm local time/3pm Irish); Leinster v Cardiff, Aviva Stadium (3pm); Ulster v Scarlets, Kingspan Stadium (5.15pm); Connacht v Benetton, Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm); Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm).

Friday, March 7th

Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland v France, Virgin Media Park (8pm).

Saturday, March 8th

Six Nations: Ireland v France, Aviva Stadium (2.15pm). Scotland v Wales, Murrayfield (4.45pm).

Sunday, March 9th

Six Nations: England v Italy, Twickenham (3pm).

Friday, March 14th

Under-20 Six Nations: Italy v Ireland (8.45pm local time/7.45pm Irish).

Saturday, March 15th

Six Nations: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Olimpico (3.15pm local time/2.15pm Irish). Wales v England, Principality Stadium (4.45pm). France v Scotland, Stade de France (8pm).

Friday, March 21st

URC, Round 13: Cardiff v Emirates Lions, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm); Glasgow Warriors v Munster, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm).

Saturday, March 22nd

URC, Round 13: Hollywoodbets Sharks v Zebre Parma, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (2.45pm local time/12.45pm local time); Benetton v Edinburgh, Stadio Monigo (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Vodacom Bulls v Leinster, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (5pm local time/3pm Irish); Dragons v Ulster, Rodney Parade (5.15pm); Ospreys v Connacht, Swansea.com Stadium (5.15pm); Scarlets v DHL Stormers, Parc Y Scarlets (7.35pm).

England claimed their sixth successive title in winning the 2024 Women's Six Nations. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Saturday, March 22nd

Women’s Six Nations: Ireland v France (1pm); Scotland vs Wales (4.45pm)

Sunday, March 23rd

Women’s Six Nations: England vs Italy (3pm).

Friday, March 28th

URC, Round 14: Ulster v DHL Stormers, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm); Edinburgh v Dragons, Hive Stadium (7.35pm).

Saturday, March 29th

Women’s Six Nations: France vs Scotland (1pm); England vs Wales (4.45pm).

URC, Round 14: Vodacom Bulls v Zebre Parma, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (2.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Connacht v Munster, Dexcom Stadium (2.30pm); Scarlets v Ospreys, Parc Y Scarlets (3pm); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Leinster, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (7.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish); Benetton v Cardiff, Stadio Monigo (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish); Glasgow Warriors v Emirates Lions, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm).

Sunday, March 30th

Women’s Six Nations: Italy v Ireland (3pm).

Fri/Sat/Sun, April 4/5/6

Champions Cup, Round of 16. Challenge Cup, round of 16.

Fri/Sat/Sun, April 11/12/13

Champions Cup, Quarter Finals. Challenge Cup, quarter-finals.

Saturday, April 12th

Women’s Six Nations: France v Wales (1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Ireland v England (4.45pm).

Sunday, April 13th

Women’s Six Nations: Scotland v Italy (3pm).

Friday, April 18th

URC, Round 15: Edinburgh v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Hive Stadium (7.35pm).

Fiona Tuite celebrates after the final whistle in Ireland's 36-5 win over Wales at Musgrave Park in the 2024 Women's Six Nations. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho

Saturday, April 19th

Women’s Six Nations: Italy v France (2pm local time/1pm Irish); England v Scotland (4.45pm).

URC, Round 15: Emirates Lions v Benetton, Emirates Airline Park (1.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish); Ospreys v Cardiff, Principality Stadium (3pm); DHL Stormers v Connacht, DHL Stadium (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Munster v Vodacom Bulls, Thomond Park (5.15pm); Dragons v Scarlets, Principality Stadium (5.30pm); Leinster v Ulster, Aviva Stadium (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v Glasgow Warriors, Stadio Lanfranchi (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish).

Sunday, April 20th

Women’s Six Nations: Wales v Ireland (3pm).

Friday, April 25th

URC, Round 16: Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls, Scotstoun Stadium (7.35pm); Cardiff v Munster, Cardiff Arms Park (7.35pm).

Saturday, April 26th

Women’s Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland (12.15pm); Italy v Wales (3.30pm local time/2.30pm Irish); England v France (4.45pm).

URC, Round 16: Emirates Lions v Connacht, Emirates Airline Park (4pm local time/3pm Irish); Ospreys v Dragons, Swansea.com Stadium (3pm); DHL Stormers v Benetton, DHL Stadium (6.15pm local time/5.15 Irish); Scarlets v Leinster, Parc y Scarlets (5.15pm); Ulster v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm); Zebre Parma v Edinburgh, Stadio Lanfranchi (7.35pm).

Saturday, April 26th

Women’s Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland (12.15pm); Italy v Wales (3.30pm local time/2.30pm Irish); England v France (4.45pm).

Sunday, April 27th

All-Ireland League women’s and men’s finals, Aviva Stadium.

Fri/Sat/Sun, May 2nd/3rd/4th

Champions Cup, semi-finals.

Connacht are aiming for a top-eight finish in the URC after finishing 11th last season. Photograph: Craig Watson/Inpho

Friday, May 9th

URC, Round 17: Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ospreys, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (7pm local time/6pm Irish); Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park (7.35pm).

Saturday, May 10th

URC, Round 17: Vodacom Bulls v Cardiff, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (4pm local time/3pm Irish); DHL Stormers v Dragons, DHL Stadium (6.15pm local time/5.15pm Irish); Leinster v Zebre Parma, Aviva Stadium (5.15pm); Benetton v Glasgow Warriors, Stadio Monigo (6.15pm local time/5.15pm Irish); Connacht v Edinburgh, Dexcom Stadium (8.35pm local time/7.35pm Irish).

Sunday, May 11th

URC, Round 17: Emirates Lions v Scarlets, Emirates Airline Park (3pm local time/2pm Irish).

Friday, May 16th

URC, Round 18: DHL Stormers v Cardiff, DHL Stadium (7pm local time/6pm Irish); Edinburgh v Ulster, Hive Stadium (7.35pm); Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park (8pm).

Saturday, May 17th

URC, Round 18: Vodacom Bulls v Dragons, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (3pm local time/2pm Irish); Emirates Lions v Ospreys, Emirates Airline Park (5.15pm local time/4.15pm Irish); Zebre Parma v Connacht, Stadio Lanfranchi (6pm local time/5pm Irish); Hollywoodbets Sharks v Scarlets, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (7.30pm local time/6.30pm Irish); Leinster v Glasgow Warriors, Aviva Stadium (7.35pm).

Friday, May 23rd

Challenge Cup final: Principality Stadium, Cardiff.

Saturday, May 24th

Champions Cup final: Principality Stadium, Cardiff.

Fri/Sat/Sun, May 30th/31st/June 1st

URC quarter-finals.

Fri/Sat/Sun, June 6th/7th/8th

URC semi-finals.

Saturday, June 14th

URC final (3pm).

Andy Farrell will serve as head coach of the British & Irish Lions for their 2025 Tour to Australia. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Friday, June 20th

Tour warm-up: British & Irish Lions v Argentina, Aviva Stadium.

Saturday, June 28th

v Western Force, Perth.

Wednesday, July 2nd

v Queensland Reds, Brisbane.

Saturday, July 5th

v NSW Waratahs, Sydney.

Wednesday, July 9th

v ACT Brumbies, Canberra.

Saturday, July 12th

v Invitational AU-NZ, Adelaide.

Saturday, July 19th

v Australia (first Test), Brisbane.

Wednesday, July 22nd

v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne.

Saturday, July 26th

v Australia (second Test), Melbourne.

Saturday, August 2nd

v Australia (third Test), Sydney.

Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley is Rugby Correspondent of The Irish Times

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