The Irish Times

Connacht have almost full squad to call on for Leinster first leg

Andy Friend: ‘There is a good buzz but at the same time it’s not a giddy buzz’

Tue Apr 05 2022 - 15:54

Friend calls for Connacht response after ‘embarrassing’ defeats

Hansen and Bealham back for province ahead of URC trip to face Benetton

Wed Mar 30 2022 - 06:00

Connacht’s Butler focuses on URC meeting in ‘bizarre’ Leinster series

Captain keen to bounce back from ‘embarrasing’ defeat to Edinburgh against champions

Tue Mar 22 2022 - 18:22

Connacht looking to add to historic Champions Cup progress with win in Paris

Toulouse’s Covid forfeit against Cardiff puts Andy Friend’s side into last 16 ahead of Stade game

Fri Jan 21 2022 - 17:28

Champions Cup: After festive famine, January feast begins this weekend

Connacht hope to make history, Leinster seek vengeance, Ulster hit hard by injuries

Sat Jan 15 2022 - 09:30

Connacht sense a big opportunity to tame the Tigers

High-flying Leicester make their first visit to the formidable Sportsground for key clash

Fri Jan 14 2022 - 18:30

Bundee Aki’s try sees Connacht edge tempestuous clash with Munster

Both sides have players sent to the bin as Andy Friend’s hosts show resilience to win

Sat Jan 01 2022 - 21:03

Ben O’Donnell returns to Connacht XV to host the Dragons

Matthew Burke and Paul Boyle have also been brought into Andy Friend’s team

Fri Oct 08 2021 - 13:10

Connacht and Bulls seeking to bounce back in URC clash

‘If we can be more clinical at crucial times I know we’ll be tough to beat whoever we face’

Fri Oct 01 2021 - 06:12

Connacht finish season on a high as they end Ospreys’ Rainbow Cup ambitions

Bundee Aki scores try in a fine all-round performance at the Showgrounds

Fri Jun 04 2021 - 20:34

Rainbow Cup: Leinster, Glasgow and Connacht name their teams

Andrew Porter is among another six players recalled to Leinster’s matchday squad

Thu Jun 03 2021 - 13:36

Benetton claim Connacht’s scalp to maintain their recent momentum

Error-strewn display from Friend’s side who had replacement Papali’i sent off

Sun May 30 2021 - 14:49

Connacht mix things up for visit of Edinburgh

Cian Prendergast and centre Sean O’Brien are both handed their first starts

Fri Mar 12 2021 - 12:43

Munster back to winning ways after frantic finish out west

A last-gasp match-winning try eluded in-form Connacht team at the Sportsground

Sat Jan 09 2021 - 22:18

‘I was kinda lost’ - Tom Daly on the call that changed everything

Centre owes a debt to Lansdowne and Mike Ruddock, after finding his feet out west

Thu Jan 07 2021 - 06:00

Connacht use visit of Benetton to give as many players as possible match time

Italians travel to Galway without the 10 internationals named in Franco Smith’s Azzurri team to face Wales

Thu Dec 03 2020 - 20:51

Sporting Upsets: Connacht’s greatest day as they claim title glory

Pat Lam’s charges completed unlikely Pro12 triumph on memorable day in Murrayfield

Mon Sept 28 2020 - 01:00

Rugby Stats: Things get ugly when the breakdown breaks down

The Munster v Connacht match featured 21 infringements and led to three yellow cards

Thu Sept 03 2020 - 06:00

Munster trounce 13-man Connacht in feisty Aviva Stadium clash

Abraham Papali’i sees red on provincial debut as new man Damian de Allende shines

Sun Aug 30 2020 - 17:33

Irish internationals return as Connacht face Southern Kings

Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan both in the squad for Sunday’s Pro14 encounter

Fri Feb 28 2020 - 13:06

Connacht face daunting task against Edinburgh

Andy Friend’s side will seek at Murrayfield to follow up a superb win against Cardiff

Fri Feb 21 2020 - 06:00

Connacht make four changes to their pack for Edinburgh clash

Injuries force head coach Andy Friend to make changes for trip to Murrayfield

Thu Feb 20 2020 - 12:46

Rampant Leinster expose gulf in quality against Connacht

Deegan gives best ever showing in a blue jersey against injury-ravaged visitors

Mon Jan 06 2020 - 00:00

Leinster expose embarrassingly brittle Connacht defence

James Ryan’s injury a concern as Leinster make easy work of Connacht at the RDS

Sat Jan 04 2020 - 19:54

Never-say-die spirit keeps Connacht’s quarter-final hopes alive

Dramatic late win against Gloucester puts Friend’s side in good spirits for upcoming three interpros

Mon Dec 16 2019 - 01:01

Connacht come back from the dead against Gloucester

Connacht keep slim hopes alive with last-gasp win over Gloucester at the Sportsground

Sat Dec 14 2019 - 15:45

Jack Carty at fullback for Connacht’s clash with Gloucester

Conor Fitzgerald and Caolin Blade renew their halfback partnership for crucial match

Fri Dec 13 2019 - 12:58

Munster make four changes as Connacht target first win

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

Fri Oct 04 2019 - 13:04

Leinster, Munster and Connacht name their Pro14 teams

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

Fri Sept 27 2019 - 15:09

Motivated Ulster ensure a fitting final farewell for Best and Cave

McFarland’s side seal semi-final spot despte a gutsy effort from Connacht

Mon May 06 2019 - 06:00

Ulster are worthy winners over Connacht to reach semi-finals

Rory Best says goodbye to the Kingspan as a player, but his Ulster days aren’t over yet

Sat May 04 2019 - 20:10

Connacht book Ulster quarter-final and return to Europe’s top table

Andy Friend’s side get the required result after nervous display at the Sportsground

Sat Apr 13 2019 - 17:38

Ultan Dillane slots back into Connacht team to face Benetton

‘We’re there or thereabouts, but need to keep winning to make sure we control our destiny’

Thu Mar 21 2019 - 12:53

Connacht run in six tries to rout Ospreys at Sportsground

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

Sat Mar 02 2019 - 17:52